ADVERTISEMENT. 633 



in the field, over winter, are observed to come forward 

 earlier in the spring, to grow more vigorously, to get 

 ripe earlier and before the blighting rains in August, and 

 to be more sound, fair and healthy. \ 



Manures. All antiputrescents, such as lime, wood 

 ashes, pulverized charcoal, plaster, salt, nitrogen, &c., are 

 believed to contribute directly to the health of the potato, 

 as well as to add to its richness and flavor; and, of 

 course, to prevent putrefaction and disease. Of other 

 manures, well rotted compost is preferred. Stable ma- 

 nure is too strong and heating, and produces ill-flavored, 

 unhealthy potatoes, and is decidedly condemned. 



Disease — Contagion — Old Age and Death. These 

 are common to vegetables as well as animals. All are 

 liable to disease, some more, some less, according to cir- 

 cumstances, predisposing causes, and preventive means. 

 Some vegetable diseases are believed to be contagious. 

 The present disease is thought by many to be of that 

 class. One field of potatoes is liable to take the disorder 

 from another field. Potatoes are predisposed to disease, 

 by bad cultivation, old age, bad soil, bad manures, sud- 

 den changes of weather, warm rains, &c. 



Ravages of Insects, Fungi, &c. The best writers 

 consider the ravages of insects as at most but a predis- 

 posing cause, rendering the potato more liable to disease 

 by enfeebling the plant. By many writers insects are 

 considered as remotely affecting the potato ; by others, as 

 having no efl'ect at all. The fungus on potatoes is not 

 the cause of the rot. It finds the potato, previously dis- 

 eased, a fit subject for its operation. 



The general conclusions to which the facts presented 

 in these various communications seem to lead us, are — 



1. That the disease bears a striking resemblance to 

 the cholera, and probably exists in the atmosphere. 

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