AND FARMING PRODUCE. 321 



The soil seems in some way to be connected 

 with the diseases. Certain varieties of the potatoe 

 in a great measure escaped both the blight and 

 murrain, last summer, on the high grounds behind 

 my cottage, which were thoroughly infected with 

 both in the Fylde country. And at present the 

 blight and incipient murrain may be seen in gar- 

 dens and grounds where potatoes have been for 

 some time cultivated, while in the same district 

 little of either is to be seen in the open grounds 

 where potatoes are seldom planted, or come in 

 only in rotation. And as far as my observations 

 have extended, the best potatoe districts, where 

 the plant has been longest and most successfully 

 cultivated hitherto, have suffered the most so far. 



Atmospheric influences have likewise been 

 alleged as the cause of failures and disease. 

 These undoubtedly have their effect, especially 

 in the production of fungi. Perchance also the 

 vitiation of the juices may be due in some degree 

 to the unusual quantity of vapour with which the 

 air has been charged during the last two summers. 

 Psychometric observations give a great excess 

 of the presence and pressure of vapour for the 

 months of July, August, and September during 

 1845 and 184G. Yet, as in the same field difFer- 

 T t 



