POTATO ROT. 651 



and cultivating as usual. The potatoes on these beds were all 

 sound and of medium size, while those in the other parts of 

 the field were all diseased." 



Thomas, Hines, Monroe, thinks " the potato rot begins by 

 fermentation of the water in the vine or plant ; and when fer- 

 mentation ends, putrefaction begins ;" the disease passing from 

 the tops to the potato. Remedy. — Plant good sized, healthy- 

 potatoes, in dry rich soil. Different kinds of potatoes should 

 not be mixed, or planted near each other, and not be suffered 

 much to sprout before planting. 



TowLE, Thomas, Newburyport, purifies his seed potatoes 

 with the fumes of brimstone in this manner. " I took a tight 

 barrel, and made a frame across the middle, and put a roll of 

 brimstone four inches long, in a hot skillet under this barrel. 

 The seed potatoes being on the frame ab ve, and the lower head 

 of the barrel having been previously removed, I bored two augur 

 holes in opposite sides of the barrel for the purpose of ventila- 

 tion, and in that situation let it remain about six hours, till the 

 smoke had evaporated." 



Tucker, Mary, Neponset. From experiments actually made, 

 thinks the cause is in the depredations of certain insects, and 

 that she has discovered the only true remedy. 



Tucker, Sidney, Middleborough, gives notice that he is 

 trying experiments — believes the disease is caused by an insect, 

 and may be cured by pulverized brimstone, applied in small 

 quantities to the vines, in different stages of their growth. 



Tucker, C. T., East Marshfield, transmits what he terms " a 

 recipe for the improved culture of potatoes, amounting, as he 

 believes, to a sure and practical remedy for the potato rot," but 

 differing in no wise from the usual mode of culture, except 

 planting in October, November, or December, instead of the 

 fore part of the year ; thus keeping them in the ground over 

 winter, and digging late in the fall. 



