25 



seasons quite as unfavourable to its growth as the two last. 

 He thought, therefore, that the present varieties of the potato 

 were in an unhealthy state, and that there was reason to fear 

 that its cultivation would greatly diminish. 



" After having carefully observed the progress of the 

 present year's disease, the following were the principal cir- 

 cumstances which appeared to be deserving of notice : — 



"As the season of 1845 had differed so greatly from that 

 of 1840, so the symptoms of the disease in the potato differ 

 in the two years. The following were its principal character- 

 istics in both. 



" The first fact worthy of notice this year, was, that the 

 disease showed itself at an earlier period in the growth 

 of the plant than it did last season. Last year it made no 

 progress until the tuber was fully grown, while this year it 

 attacked the plant when still in flower, and before the tubers 

 had attained to the half of their usual size. A still greater 

 and more important difference was that the disease had this 

 year spread over a much wider range of soils. Last year it 

 was cbiefly confined to stiff and wet lands, whilst this season 

 it was nearly as virulent in light and open, as in heavy soils. 



" Whatever was the cause of this extraordinary disease, 

 there could be no doubt that the cultivation of the potato 

 would greatly diminish both in England and Ireland if it 

 continued. The following hints might, however, be useful 

 to those who were disposed to continue it. 



" The attempt to grow it on clay lands ought at once to be 

 abandoned, in the present weak and sickly state of the plant. 

 Such soils were not suitable for its growth under any circum- 

 stances, and they are especially unsuited at present. It was 

 a mere loss of money and time to attempt to grow it on 

 them. 



" Where, it was determined to try to grow the potato in a 

 soil suited to its growth, that is, in one that was light and sandy, 



D 



