The Potatoe Plague. 107 



observed in managing the seed or tubers from them ; but the 

 remark of Mr. Knight will hold generally correct in view of 

 the very extensive and deplorable mismanagement that has 

 prevailed in saving sets for replanting. 



Now, having stated the causes of the potatoe plague, rot, or 

 taint, the remedies to be applied are easily understood and 

 within the reach of all. Sets from this year's crop, that have 

 escaped change, may be carefully selected, and though they 

 may be affected by previous mismanagement, the disease 

 will not prevail so extensively in the new crop as it did last 

 year ; by cultivating expressly for seed, storing and saving 

 them, as recommended in this book, another year will witness 

 a great falling off in the disease, and, eventually it will dis- 

 appear, as none but healthy sprouts being planted, disease 

 cannot be propagated. 



On the subject of planting potatoes, the following remarks 

 by Mr. T. Smith may be appropriately inserted in this place. 

 " From the experience I have had in the cultivation of the 

 potatoe, I .have come to the conclusion that the taint, or dry 

 rot, owes its origin entirely to an injudicious method of plant- 

 ing the seed ; * and after mature consideration, I have adopt- 

 ed a system of planting, which I have practised for twenty 

 years, with such success as never once to have had an in- 

 stance of dry rot among my potatoe crops during that time, 

 although they were sometimes growing in direct contiguity to 

 other potatoes, which, from being planted in a different man- 

 ner, were laboring under the effects of disease. It shall now 

 be my endeavor, in as simple and as concise a manner as 

 possible, to lay this system before my readers, convinced that 



* Much difficulty has doubtless arisen from this source, but it is vain to 

 ascribe the rot entirely to it. The suggestion is, however, worth attending 

 to, as improvements in planting, as well as in selecting seeds, must be 

 advantageous. 



