156 



kills plants, and there can be no question that this is another proUfic 

 cause of the potato disease. 



In addition to these, the potato crop may be wholly cut off, prema- 

 turely, by excessive drought; the tubers, in such cases, although untaint- 

 ed, yet not being perfectly ripe, will be of a green and waxy taste.* 

 The potato may also be eftectually destroyed by excessive rains ; the tu- 

 bers become rotted in the ground, and are seldom worth the raising. 

 This disease is called the black-rot. 



Thus we see that the potato crop may be destroyed partially or en- 

 tirely, by excessive droughts or excessive rains ; by repletion — causing 

 rupture of the sap-vessels, and vegetable apoplexy ; by an excess of carr 

 bonic acid or other gases, whereby the plants are poisoned ; by sun-burn 

 or sun-blight, by which the vines are scorched ; and finally, by sup- 

 pressed evaporation. 



A thoi-ough mulching of the ground immediately after planting, 

 the potatoes being hilled up at the same time, so that no future hoeing 

 will be required, it is believed, would have the effect of greatly ameli- 

 orating the disease, if not of entirely eradicating it. But in connection 

 with this mulching operation, it is essential that attention be paid to the 

 seed tubers — that they be changed, if predisposed to disease, once a 

 year; that the vegetable juices be preserved uninjured; that attention 

 be paid to the disposal of the seed, whether stowed away in pits or 

 cellars.! 



In conclusion, to those who view the potato disease in a serious point 

 of view, as the disapprobation of Heaven, we would say, are you of 

 the number of those who regularly present to Nature the refuse of the 

 earth's beneficence in expectation of abundant produce ? Are you sur- 

 prised, that just as you sow so shall ye reap? If so, read your sin in 

 your punishment ! Your conduct is as preposterous as the conduct of 

 the Isaelites was impious, who instead of presenting before the Lord 

 the unblemished of the flock, oflered the torn, the lame and the 

 bhnd. 



To the scientific farmer we would say, in regard to this disease, listen 

 to the voice of reason and experience, as addressed to you from vari- 

 ous sections of the country, through the public documents of the land. 



•See appendix, Note 2, for a superior metkod of boiling unripe potatoes. 

 tFor an approved metiiod of pitting potatoes, see Appendix, Note 3- 



