1847.] The Potato Disease. 203 



poorer soil were affected at the rate of one in twenty-seven; those 

 at the lower end, in the rich ground at the rate of one in four. 

 The affection first appears in a brown spot where the tuber is con- 

 nected with haulm. To ascertain which were diseased, the author 

 sliced off a portion at this extremity from which a practical hint 

 is given: viz., to save from entire loss, ascertain in this way the 

 part of the diseased condition, and use them before they have af- 

 fected the tube to any important extent; by selecting for keep- 

 ing those which are not diseased, a great saving is effected. Of 

 the cause of the disease in 1845, Mr. Cox believes that the cold 

 damp weather in the latter part of July and first of August when 

 it is usually dry, and which was succeeded by hot sultry weather, 

 had much to do in causing the disease of that year. The disease 

 is considered as simply a decay which began in the stalks.* 



The author next proceeds to consider the precautions which 

 afford the best hope for averting the disease. 



1. To choose sound tubers for seed. 



2. Choose dry ground which is not overrich; this precaution is 

 regarded as one of great importance. 



3. Choose manures, which do not ferment readily as charcoal 

 dust, peat ashes, &c. An experiment detailed at some length, 

 shows the great advantage of charcoal and peat ashes, over guano, 

 cow dung, horse dung, &c. 



4. Give plenty of "room, that air may freely circulate through 

 the crop. 



The author decidedly discourages autumn planting, as had been 

 recommended by some writers. 



Taking up and storing. Let potatoes be harvested in dry 

 weather. If designed for planting, they may lie three or four 

 days on the ground; but if designed for eating, they should not 

 lie longer than three or four hours. They should be put in a dry 

 situation, as under a shed, and if they lie thick should be turned 

 to prevent fermentation, and while here the diseased ones are 

 picked out. The potatoes should afterwards be stored in a dark 

 and moderately damp place, so damp at least as not to generate 

 any dust on the bottom of the store house. A store house express- 

 ly for their preservation is recommended, where they can be ex- 

 amined, ventilated, and the poor ones removed. 



* At one time we entertained similar views as to the part first affected, but 

 have seen cause to alter them, by later and more careful observations. The 

 part first diseased is the stem, which is connected with the seed tubers, and 

 the stalks, the disease tends upward. That other vegetables are affected ia 

 common with the potato plant, we have observed every year, and precisely 

 at the period, when the potato itself is affected, examples of which have been 

 stated in this journal. — Ed. 



