654 POTATO ROT. 



FOREIGN COMMUNICATIONS. 



Adams, Stephen, West Newfield, Me., merely inquires if a 

 non-resident can obtain the reward. 



Billings, S. X., Knoxville, Pa., oifers the following ^jreven^- 

 ive : — " Take three pounds of alum dissolved in water suffi- 

 cient to cover one bushel of potatoes. Let the potatoes remain 

 in this water twenty-four hours before planting. Then plant 

 and cultivate as usual." This experiment has been tried two 

 years, and the potatoes at digging were found to be perfectly 

 sound, while others planted in the same field, would be rotten, 

 or have the appearance of disease. The author thinks potatoes 

 produced from this experiment, will remain sound, or not need 

 a repetition of this experiment for four years. 



Bkewster, William, Somersworth, Great Falls, N. H., thinks 

 the cause of this disease is a severe rust, taking place in the po- 

 tato top or stalk, and descending through that, to the potato, 

 which becomes affected thereby. The larger the stalks of the 

 potatoes, the more exposed will they be to the rust; of course, 

 rich land producing an abundance of top, is less favorable to 

 the health and soundness of the bulb. His remedy is cutting 

 the tops off close to the ground, as soon as the rust begins to 

 appear, which may be ascertained by watching them daily. 

 Pulling the tops from the potatoes will, it is true, prevent the 

 further growth, but so will the rust. Digging the potatoes 

 while the tops are green, and depositing them in small quan- 

 tities in a cool cellar, may preserve their soundness. He rec- 

 ommends early planting, so that the potatoes can get their 

 growth, if possible, before the rust makes its appearance : but 

 if the rust should overtake them, cut them immediately, close 

 to the ground, as before mentioned. 



