44 The Potatoe Plague. 



grown under every variety of treatment, soil, and tempera- 

 ture, and under every possible change or variation that can 

 be supposed with reference to it. 



It is almost impossible to over-rate the importance of an 

 inquiry like the one we are about to make. Its influence upon 

 the prosperity and wealth of nations may be gathered from 

 the fact that the potatoe crop of the United States alone is 

 estimated at ninety-nine millions nine hundred and forty -three 

 thousand bushels annually, and in New England it is thus 

 stated by Mr. Ellsworth, in his report to Congress, in Janua- 

 ry, 1845. 



Maine, - 12,304,000 bushels. 



New Hampshire, - 4,643,000 " 

 Massachusetts, 4,050,000 " 



Rhode Island, - 812,000 " 



Connecticut, - 2,117,000 



Vermont, - 6,158,000 " 



30,084,000 



Thus it will be seen, that the crop in New England, at a 

 low estimation, is worth ten millions dollars annually, and the 

 EOT threatens, if not the total desertion of this large source 

 of productive wealth, at least a very great diminution of the 

 profits of the fanner, and a decrease much to be dreaded in 

 the supplies of the most healthful, as it is the most universal, 

 article of food for human consumption. 



It was hoped in 1844, that the disease had reached its cul- 

 minating point, and that the year 1845 would witness a great 

 falling off in its destroying effects, and that, like the Asiatic 

 Cholera, and other similar diseases affecting the human con- 

 stitution, it would disappear and be heard of no more. 



This very desirable consummation, however, was not 

 realized. The rot has prevailed more extensively this year 

 than ever before, and not only throughout the wide extent of 



