Communications. 



267 



Water 



Cane sutrar. 

 Grape sugar 

 Nitrogen . . 



Per Cent. Green. 



73.09 

 .08 

 .42 

 .27 



II. 



77.24 

 .29 

 .65 

 .35 



III. IV. 



80.04 79.28 



1.14 1 .21 



.76 I .40 



.31 I .25 



Per Cent. Dry. 



.29 

 1.59 

 1.00 



II. 



1.27 

 2.85 

 1.53 



III. 



5.71 

 3.81 

 1.55 



IV. 



1.00 

 1.93 

 1.26 



These figures indicate that the change from a healthy to a 

 diseased condition is attended by a marked change in the chem- 

 ical elements, especially as to amount of water and cane sugar ; 

 and the conditions in which the analyses were made lead to the 

 conclusion that this change commences in advance of the appear- 

 ance of fungoid growth. Thus the results of both microscopical 

 and chemical investigations tend to confirm the opinion that there 

 first lakes place a falling off in vitality, a change from a healthy 

 to an abnormal condition in the plant, and that in consequence of 

 this change fungoid growth comes in and hastens decay and 

 death. This is in harmony with what we see, and what we expect 

 in the development of other forms of fungus growth around us. 

 They are ever found in decaying organism, but we do not look 

 for them in fresh cuts or wounds in either vegetable or animal 

 tissue; not until some little time has elapsed, and there has been 

 a deadening of the exposed parts, are they visible. 



It must be evident to all that there has been a loss of vitality 

 in the potato. Many of the old favorite varieties are now com- 

 paratively unknown, or are only raised to a limited extent, and 

 where cultivated, they do not have their original productiveness 

 or quality. The newer and more popular varieties do not hold 

 up to the promise they give at their first introduction, many de- 

 teriorating more rapidly than varieties of former years. This 

 is attributed by some to the method of reproduction by cuttings, 

 tubers, or offsets, rather than by seeds, but it is doubtless largely 

 due to conditions of climate, soil and culture, one or all combined, 

 that are not fully adapted to perfect maturity of growth, which 

 simply means hardiness, health, e 

 other garden products, flowering bulbs, wheat and other grains; 



