SECRETARY'S REPORT. 33 



So mucli interest is now felt in the subject, however, that 

 some satisfactory result will probably be arrived at finally. 



The phenomena connected with the disease, are often of a re- 

 markable and striking character. In one instance, during the 

 past season, the potatoes were sent off to market in a state of 

 apparent soundness, to the great satisfaction of the owner. 

 Before they had reached their destination, which was but a few 

 miles distant, the whole load had become one putrified mass. 

 In some single cases, which have come within my observation, 

 there has been a loss to the owner of nearly one thousand dol- 

 lars, from this cause alone. 



Without attempting to explain facts which have baffled 

 the research of men far better fitted for the investigation than 

 myself, it may yet be allowed me to suggest that it would be 

 well to use less of the green ammoniacal manures, which have 

 so generally been applied to the potato. It has been said 

 that the natural vigor of the plant has been destroyed by the 

 unnatural treatment it has received ; and though this may not 

 be the direct cause of the disease, it renders the plant more 

 liable to be effected by those sudden atmospheric changes 

 which are thought to precede its appearance. This seems not 

 wholly improbable, and further experiments in propagating 

 from the seed, instead of the tuber, and in furnishing the plant 

 with a larger supply of potash, by the use of wood ashes, may 

 yet lead to a remedy. The territorial extent of the ;,disease 

 may be seen from the reports of individuals in diflerent parts 

 of the State. One writing from the southern part of Berk- 

 shire, says : — " Potatoes have generally been with us a good 

 crop ; this year, on account of the rot, they have done badly. 

 Our farmers raise from one to three acres each, with an aver- 

 age yield of about one hundred bushels per acre." 



In another part of the same county, on the ridge of the 

 Green Mountains : — " Potatoes, before the rot, gave an average 

 yield of two hundred bushels or over, and a profitable crop to 

 feed, or sell at one shilling per bushel. Late years, a very 

 uncertain crop. This year, an average of less than sixty 

 bushels per acre. Mine have cost me fifty cents per bushel, 

 and it is all they will sell for." 



In the western part of Worcester County, it is said : — " The 

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