Potato Disease. 291 



The rise of temperature shows an action of oxidation to 

 be taking place in the potato. The lowering of the tem- 

 perature by sulphurous acid shows this to be stopped, and 

 the result is to preserve at least all that is uninjured in the 

 potato. These experiments were repeated by the chemical 

 committee, and the results first indicated by Mr. Thorn 

 were in every case found. Mr. Thorn made his own ex- 

 periments at the works where he was engaged ; the com- 

 mittee, to satisfy themselves, made experiments at the 

 Society's building. The report of the non-chemical part 

 of the committee and the opinion of the chairman rather 

 neglect the acid, and miss, as comm ittees often do, the 

 main truth and the originator ; but the knowledge we now 

 have of sulphurous acid and other disinfectants make 

 us more than ever in favour of that treatment. We are 

 at any rate happy to connect with this subject the name of 

 Mr. John Moore. 



The Potato Disease. 



This report was sent to London daily papers, but was 

 not printed, but we think it more valuable than most 

 which were honoured. 



REPORT. 



" The committee appointed by the Literary and Philoso- 

 phical Society of Manchester, on Tuesday, November 4, 

 1 845, ' to inquire into the nature and extent of the potato 

 disease, and the best means to be adopted for preventing 

 or impeding its progress,' beg leave to report That they 

 held their first meeting on Wednesday evening, November 

 5, and Friday the ;th. 



