POTATO ROT. 641 



of using salt, is to sprinkle on a solution with a waterpot, or to 

 spread it on with a plasterer's brush, in proportion of one pound 

 to a gallon of water. But Mr. B. has more faith in new land, 

 the application of salt and wood ashes as a dressing, and the 

 avoiding of all stable manures. 



The application of copperas has proved very effective in 

 France in restoring debilitated plants. This is applied in solu- 

 tion by watering, or by reducing it to powder, and sowing it 

 mixed with fine soil. Its effect has been very speedy. Where 

 healthy plants are attacked, the use of salt or copperas may be 

 expedient, with the use of new land and fall planting. But all 

 these cannot give immortality to the plant. In length of time 

 it must decay. To many varieties which have been long cul- 

 tivated, that time has already come. The ravages of disease 

 may therefore be continued, so long as these old varieties, long 

 from the seed, are continued ; and even a remedy in this 

 respect will not in all cases prove effectual ; for the child may 

 be attacked as well as the old man. No period of life, either 

 animal or vegetable, is absolutely exempt from disease. But a 

 conclusion, that the disease is not in consequence of old age, 

 because young plants are sometimes attacked, would be very 

 erroneous. 



The long continued practice of raising from the tuber, how- 

 ever, may have affected all the varieties now in use with such 

 a morbid predisposition, that no healthy seed can be obtained 

 without resorting to the wild plant in its native place. 



Mr. B. does not propose the use of salt, or fall planting, or 

 copperas, as distinct remedies, but renewing from the seed. 

 The former may be useful as aids in certain cases. 



There has been too much forcing, stimulating and heating, 

 in the cultivation of potatoes, producing a bad flavor, as well as 

 weakening and shortening the vitality of the plant. He would, 

 therefore, recommend renewing from the seed — new land, with 

 the use of salt, and soot, or wood ashes. 



Brooks, Elisha, New Ashford. Recommends a mode of 

 cultivation not unlike that ordinarily pursued — planting 1st of 

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