657 



from a resident near Swansea sets the question at rest, by proving that 

 the copper smoke does protect the Potato crop, and effectually ! 



"'On the 31st Aug., I examined many pieces of Potatoes within the 

 immediate influence of the copper smoke from the smelting works in 

 this neighbourhood. There is no occasion perhaps to note the indi- 

 vidual cases, but the general result is that the leaves, haulm, and 

 tubers, improve as you approach the works, and that the nearest gar- 

 dens, little more than 200 yards from them, are entirely free from the 

 blight, and the crop good in quality, quantity, and flavour. The Po- 

 tatoes are of different sorts. These last-named gardens, as I am in- 

 formed by the proprietor, entirely escaped the disease in 1845, and 

 have borne Potatoes for 40 years. The Potatoes are also said to have 

 escaped in the vicinity of the chemical works at Newcastle. As a kin- 

 dred misfortune, I may mention that a disease producing rottenness, 

 occurs in many instances here in the white Turnip, and it is to be 

 feared that its earliest stage is perceptible in the Swedes. — Matthew 

 Moggridge, the Willows, Swansea, Sep. 4.' 



" Here it may be urged by the advocates of atmospheric contagion, 

 that one miasm has had the power of repelling another from the Potato 

 field. 



" In former numbers we have given other instances of a similar kind, 

 though far less striking, ; such as Potatoes under the shelter of trees, 

 or of a mixed crop, or of hedgerows, having also been saved. These 

 also point to atmospheric influence. Mr. Nevin, in his very valuable 

 pamphlet,* adopts the atmospheric theory without hesitation. Never- 

 theless, we are as unable as ever to reconcile this theory with the 

 whole of the facts known to us. We are indebted to Mr. Beck, of 

 Isleworth, for the following observation, which bears directly uj)on 

 the present question: — 



" ' I had a small piece of Ash-leaved Kidneys, which ripened off" a 

 healthy yellow colour, and so died down to the ground without a speck of 

 the disease. There was not a speck of it on any of the tubers we cooked. 

 There was no appearance on the portion I had saved for seed, and 

 which was laid out for greening. But on Saturday last (Sept. 12), I 

 was surprised to find that a considerable portion of the whole quanti- 

 ty (about a bushel) was greatly affected. The whole mischief had 

 been done in a few days ; for we were about to put them away 

 the early part of the week, but thought a few days longer exposure 

 would be better. I had no other Potatoes in my garden, nor are 

 there any near me. I am surrounded on three sides with high 

 * ' The Potato Epidemic, and its probable Consequences.' 



