64 THE CONNECTICUT AGEICULTUEAL 



rot, this observation suggests that possibly the potato fungus is- 

 counteracted by some ingredient of- this mucky land, and recalls 

 the statement made by Prof. Cook, Director of the New Jersey 

 Agricultural Experiment Station in the first Report of that Station 

 (1880), 2). 66, which is to the effect that the "cranberry scald," a 

 disease due to a fungus, does not appear on certain marls and bogs 

 which contain free acid or acid salts. It was at first thought that 

 sulphate of iron (copperas) was the preventive, but experiments 

 with that substance oij various cranberry bogs during 1880, did 

 not give conclusive results. It is important that the experience of 

 those who have raised potatoes on mucky land be made public, in 

 order to guide investigation on this subject, should the facts war-- 

 rant undertaking its study. 



The sample of long weathered Swamp Muck sent by Mr. Per- 

 kins, contains a trace of soluble iron salts. These in minute 

 quantities are not harmful to agricultural plants. When their 

 amount increases beyond certain limits, they destroy our common 

 crops. Bog vegetation, the cranberry included, tolerates them 

 in greater quantities. It is possible that the potato may flourish 

 when its juices contain enough iron-salts to destroy the fungus 

 which causes the " rot." This fungus, as is well-known, may ga 

 into the ground with the seed ^aotatoes, and may develop as an 

 internal parasite within the growing potato plant, penetrating it& 

 stems and leaves, and finally so multiplying under favorable con- 

 ditions — hot and moist weather — as to injure or destroy the crop. 



It would first be necessary to establish beyond question, the 

 fact that mucky soils or some mucky soils, furnish immunity from 

 the potato rot under circumstances favorable to its development,, 

 in soils of ordinary character. The Station could cooperate in 

 such an investigation if it had suitable gi'ounds and the means for 

 carrying on experiments in various soils and mixtures. 



Sea- Weed. 



In answer to inquiries as to the Commercial Value of Sea-weed 

 and sea-weed ashes, 1 give below the results of analyses made by 

 me or under my direction, in former years :* Tliese analyses 

 refer to the more or less well-dried material. When newly gath- 

 ered the sea-weed contains from 70 to 90 per cent, of water. 



* The analysis of Eel-grass was made in 1860, by my former pupil, William H. 

 Bergen, Esii. 



