367 
Pie unparalleled, according to modern observations ; and part 
of 1840 was likewise characterized by excessive moisture ; 
although there was less rain than in the previous year, yet it 
came down at an unpropitious period; the potato crop failed 
again in Leinster and Munster; and upon both occasions great 
distress followed. The Scotch islands of Arran and the High- 
lands are said to have suffered from partial potato failures 
yearly, from 1839 to 1842 inclusive. In 1840 the potato dis- 
ease prevailed to such a degree in Germany as to threaten the 
total extinction of that esculent; and in the following year 
the crop was extensively affected there with a disease called 
‘dry gangrene.’ 
«¢In 1841 excessive rains occurred in August, causing a 
partial destruction of crops, especially in the south of Ireland ; 
the year was cold and frosty, and although not specially cha- 
racterized for its wetness, the number of days upon which rain 
fell was very great. 
«In 1842, which was more than usually unfavourable to 
vegetation, although the harvest generally was good, the 
potato crop was injured by the inundations. 
‘<1843 was more fatal to animal than vegetable life in 
Treland ; but in other countries, and especially in North Ame- 
rica, the potato suffered severely from the dry rot—evidently 
the commencement of that great blight which prevailed so ge- 
nerally during the ensuing five or six years. 
*‘In 1844, the severity of the seasons again acting prejudi- 
cially upon vegetable life, there was a partial failure of the 
potato, and destitution again followed in its wake. The 
failures were noted early in spring, shortly after the seed 
was planted; and even in June, the first symptoms of that 
vegetable pestilence, which laid the foundation of the late 
_ misery, appeared. Although the crop was reported generally 
a good one, acute observers remarked what was then termed 
_ the degeneracy of the tubers, and prognosticated that the 
_ future crop would either fail entirely when any additional 
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