210 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Paris-green to a bucket of water. London-purple is cheaper 

 than Paris-green, and may be used in tlie same way. It 

 is effectual, but acts less quickly than Paris-green. The 

 potato-rot was very destructive a few years ago, but has 

 been less so of late years. It usually first attacks the vines 

 after a warm rain, or foggy weatlier, when the crop is in its 

 most vigorous growth. It is probably caused by fungus, the 

 spores of which take root when the above-mentioned favora- 

 ble conditions occur, and the disease rapidly spreads over 

 the field. The crop may generally be saved by mowing off 

 the vines close to the ground before the tubers are affected. 

 In tliis case the potatoes should not be dug until after all 

 signs of the disease have disappeared. 



The following are some maxims that may be generally 

 accepted as true concerning potatoes : — 



The natural life of a variety is from fourteen to twenty 

 years : hence the importance and necessity of getting new 

 seedling varieties from the most vigorous, prolific, and best 

 varieties known. 



A dry season does not have the effect of producing a dry 

 quality of potatoes, but usually the reverse. 



A large dressing of strong green manure may produce a 

 large crop of potatoes ; but the quality will be inferior, and 

 there will be a rank growth of vines that is quite susceptible 

 to disease. 



Concentrated fertilizers, such as guano and chemical phos- 

 phates, produce potatoes of good quality. 



Virgin soil with little or no manure will produce the best 

 quality of potatoes. 



Seed-potatoes will not produce healthy vines if exposed to 

 the cold, even if the cold were not sufficient to affect their 

 outward appearance. 



The quality of potatoes is seriously affected by exposure 

 to strong light for some length of time. 



This essay was discussed with much interest, after which 

 Mr. Hersey read the following essay upon 



THE CULTIVATION OF THE BASKET-WILLOW. 



The preparation of this paper has been delayed, that all 

 doubts might be removed in regard to the name of the 



