POTATO DISEASE. 291 



the air, sheltered from the rays of the sun, till they become 

 thoroughly dry ; then bring them into a room free from frost 

 and completely cover them with dry ashes of peat or mineral 

 coal. Plant the seed thus preserved, without being cut, in 

 well prepared and deeply cultivated ground, properly drained. 

 A field that has produced several crops since last manured will 

 be best for this purpose, and no manure should now be applied." 

 He thinks that by repeating this process annually, in a few 

 years a perfect cure might be expected. Though we may en- 

 tertain no such hopes, we may agree with the author of the 

 suggestion that it is one of the numerous methods of improv- 

 ing the properties of the potatoes which are to be used for 

 seed. 



Might we not take a hint from the practice of florists, who 

 in order to obtain fine flowers, expose the bulbs and roots to a 

 drying process, which in some sorts deprives them of all mois- 

 ture and apparent vitality ? If it were possible to dry the tuber 

 of the potato plant to such an extent as to deprive it of all 

 moisture without injuring the vitality of the buds or sprouts — 

 might we not reckon upon some alterative effects which would 

 improve its productive properties ? Although it does not seem 

 to be the design of nature that the tuber in its wild state should 

 undergo such a process of desiccation, it is not improbable that 

 as a course of regimen for the cure of disease it might be 

 attended with advantages. 



Some years since it was advised to resort to seedlings 

 obtained from the ball. This having been repeatedly done 

 without apparent benefit, Mr. Bradford recommended to pro- 

 cure seedlings raised from the balls or the tubers of the wild 

 potato plant. This recommendation is certainly worthy of 

 trial, and may be attended with triumphant results. But 

 should the seedlings thus procured produce a diseased crop the 

 hypothesis that attributes the potato disease to the effects of old 

 age must be considered incorrect. The remote cause of the 

 disease must then be regarded as enveloped in mystery. But 

 the subject would still be worthy of careful investigation of its 

 exciting causes, by guarding from which we can alone expect 

 to secure the health of our crops. 



It has been observed that a crop is more likely to be affected 

 with the malady if the blossoms fall without producing seed. 



