100 The Potatoe Plague. 



and bad seed, is a sufficient inducement to be very particular 

 in the selection. It has not escaped the observation of the 

 most careless purchaser of agricultural produce, or the expe- 

 rience of producers, th'at there is a vast difference in the 

 market value of crops of the same variety. Whence does 

 this difference arise ? One crop is raised on a congenial soil, 

 with congenial food, and with better cultivation than another 

 had, but after all, it will be found that the quality of seed 

 used, influenced the value of the crop as much as any other 

 consideration. Takejhe article of potatoes. Some varieties 

 sell, in ordinary seasons, at retail, in Boston Market, for one 

 dollar per bushel, while the main stock is offered at thirty to 

 forty cents per bushel. The first are mealy ?< almost every 

 potatoe good, and nearly equal to wheat bread, while the 

 others are close, soggy, cloggy, half-decayed things. 



" Potatoes, which not fit to dig, 

 Would turn the stomach of a pig." 



Which are most profitable for farmers and consumers ? What 

 is observed of potatoes is- equally true of every other kind of 

 marketable produce. 



Perhaps in no part of the duties of the farmer has there 

 been so much neglect as in selecting and saving potatoes for 

 seed. Any potatoes have been considered good enough for 

 that purpose, and any mode of preserving or keeping them 

 has been adopted. Now, to this one fact, we trace a portion 

 of the evil that has visited us in the potatoe crop. A greater 

 mistake never was committed. To build a house with un- 

 burnt bricks were wisdom compared with it. 



By improper management in taking up the potatoe, tubers 

 of the finest quality are easily spoiled ; and, on the contrary, 

 by judicious treatment, even such as are watery may be con- 

 siderably improved. It is of the highest consequence that light 

 as well as frost should be guarded against ; for light renders the 



