644 POTATO ROT. 



stroying the vitality of the potato. The disease, the last sea- 

 son, was of a putrid type, capable of communicating itself not 

 only by contact or proximity, but of sending its specific and 

 active poison " on the wings of the wind," over a wide-spread 

 territory. 



These remedies may be rendered available in a great majority 

 of cases, by care and attention, — not without. Old woodlands, 

 abounding in small, loose stones ; elevated situations, and hill- 

 sides sloping to the south, are the most favorable locations. 



DiMOCK, S. R.. Springfield. ''Believes the cause to have 

 been, that the potato has been so long produced from the root 

 instead of the seed — the cure will be to propagate from the 

 seed contained in the balls." Reasons at least plausible are 

 contained in this communication. 



DiNGLET, Isaac, Marshfield, thinks this the remedy: 

 " Dry the seed. Take potatoes weighing an ounce or little 

 more ; cut them as you please, and dry them two days of fair 

 weather, in the open air, without freezing, before planting." 

 His opinion of the cause will be given, if called for. 



Eastman, R. R., Granby, concludes from an experiment, 

 that charcoal, ploughed under, will prevent the rot in potatoes 

 planted on such ground. 



Evans, Thomas L., Brookline. Cause. — Atmosphere — same 

 as that of cholera. " Remedy. — The day before the first hoe- 

 ing, spread six to eight bushels of good wood ashes to the 

 acre." These will be drawn around the plant at hoeing. As 

 to atmosphere, it must be cleansed by fire and smoke. Build 

 fires in the middle of the field, about nine o'clock in the even- 

 ing, when there is no wind, twice a week, from middle of July 

 to time of ripening. Cleanse the cellar also by fires. 



Farwell, Grata, Lancaster. Cause. — A striped bug feeding 

 on the leaf. Remedy. — Sprinkle slack-lime and ashes. Plough 

 in the fall, 



