Na. 216.] 327 



In regard to the rot which has been the subject of Kluch scientific 

 research, and theoretical speculation on both sides of the Atlantic, I 

 may be permitted to state my* opinion which will be found to corres- 

 pond with the sentiments of some of the most practical and intelli- 

 gent agriculturists that have been published to the world on the sub- 

 ject. I believe that the action of the atmosphere in peculiar sea- 

 sons, and under certain circumstances, is the sole cause of what 

 is generally termed the " potato disease." It is unnecessary to say 

 that the same cause is attended with similar results on other veget- 

 ables in certain seasons; this is well known to every cultivator of 

 the precious fruits, and products of the earth. I fondly flatter myself 

 that the potato' will thrive and flourish, so as to equal if not surpass 

 any former year of its greatest plenitude; but even now under ex- 

 isting circumstances, I think the evil might in a great measure be 

 evaded. From my own experience and observation, I have come to 

 the conclusion, that in order to have good potatoes, they require a 

 dry soil, early planting, and the incorporation of the manure with 

 the earth, instead of the usual way of placing the potato in direct 

 contact with it. 



The tops of our potatoes died the same time those of our neigh- 

 bors did; but, being planted early, the tubers were matured before 

 the disease overtook them; a few of those last planted, were fresh 

 and luxurious at the time, but soon presented the appearance of hav- 

 ing experienced a severe frost; they were also much inferior in qual- 

 ity to those first planted, and had a tendency to rot while the others 

 were entirely free from it. I may also mention that there was a 

 wet corner in the lot, in which they nearly all rotted. 



I would recommend letting the potato remain undug, until the 

 usual time; I think that digging them at that season of the year, 

 and exposing them to the open air, and then burying or housing 

 them is an injudicious practice, they keep better in their own native 

 bed until the usual time of lifting them, than any other way they 

 could be kept. I have about a half bushel very choice ones I treated 

 n this way, and they nearly all rotted. 



I planted a few slips for experiment, which succeeded remarkably 

 well; they did not turn out quite so numerous as the others, but of 

 a larger size; this mode might be adopted in seasons when seed is 

 scarce. 



