358 [Senate 



Mr. Welstery Isle of May, " I am not aware in this island of the 

 disease beins; observed in the leaf or stem." Some of the facts stated 

 above, seem incontrovertable, and seem to show that the disease in 

 the tuber in these instances at least^preceded that in the stem. That 

 the potato is diseased while the stem is green and healthy^ admits of 

 positive proof, but this disease may possibly, it wouldseem from some 

 of the above, not interfere with the health of the stem. It had been 

 said that no circulation upwards exists between the tubers and the 

 stem, and if true, this explains the facts mentioned above of the 

 stems and leaves of badly diseased potatoes remaining vigorous and 

 flourishing to the last. Whether this be the explanation or not, the 

 fact of their having done so seems established so far as four or five 

 credible witnesses go. Farther investigation may lead to the conclu- 

 sion that the disease in the stem and leaf is a separate thing, and not 

 an absolutely necessary accompaninient of that in the potato itself. 



I find it most convenient, in my condensation of information, to 

 consider the next two queries together. 



Query 6. — On what soils is the disease most prevalent j on light or 

 heavy; on wet or dry; or on all soils equally? 



QuESY 7,- — Has it to your knowledge appeared on peaty, or on new- 

 ly broken up grass lands » 



The great mass of evidence tends to show that the disease has been 

 less fatal on light soils, this is not however invariable, for several 

 instances are mentioned where dry, gravelly and sandy soils were 

 worst. The Groningen Report says, " the failure is least on dry 

 gravelly soils. 



In general, the failure seems to have been worst on the best land 

 and among the best crops. 



Mr. Drummond, near Dundee, says, " In general, on fine, early dry 

 land, in first rate condition, the disease threatens the destruction of ^ 

 the whole crop in a very short period ; on the driest and surest pieces 

 of any field the disease is worst. 



Mr. Biggar, of Marykohn, Dumfriesshire : " On dry early soils 

 first affected; no soil exempt; but cold, dry soils most so. 



Mr. Elliott, Hardgrove, Dumfriesshire: " Prevalent on all soils. 

 On early, dry soils it was first observed, and gradually spread to the- 



