CH. VIII.] THE DISEASES OF PLANTS. Q59 



sets Upon a bam floor, dndng for more than a week. 

 He planted with them a two-aere field, and not more 

 than three-fifths vegetated ; of which three-fifths, a 

 fourth was in various degrees ciu'led. 



Similar results were obtained in the experiments 

 of Mr, Wright, a market gardener of Westfield. 

 When the sets were allowed to ferment in a heap, 

 allowed to sprout, &c., he had a crop, one-fifth of 

 which was curled^. 



Every one acquainted with the cultivation of the 

 potato, is aware of the great difference existing in 

 the varieties as to their early and rapid vegetation ; 

 those that excel in this quality are, of course, the 

 most easily excitable, A consequence of this is, 

 that they are always planted earliest in the spring 

 before their vital power has become veiy active : 

 and of all crops, practice demonstrates that these 

 early ones are least liable to the cui'l. But what is 

 the consequence on the contraiy, if an early variety 

 is planted for a main crop later in the spring, when 

 extraordinaiy pains in keeping them cold and 

 dry have not been employed to check their vegeta- 

 tion, and consequent decrease of vital energy ? Such 

 crop then is, more than any other, liable to tlie 

 disease ; and a good preventive has been suggested 

 by Dr. Lindley, namely, that of planting the tubers 

 in autumn immediately after they have ripened. 

 * Grardener's Mag, x. 436, 



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