366 
“The year 1829 was wet, and the month of August par- 
ticularly so; the crops were beaten down by the heavy rains 
and severe storms, and in all the low grounds the water over- 
ran the potatoes, and so remained for many weeks; thus a 
great quantity of the potatoes were lost this year also. 
“In 1830 violent storms and heavy rains brought upon 
the west of Ireland another failure of the potato, with its 
usual accompaniment of famine and pestilence: but it was prin- 
cipally confined to the coasts of Mayo, Galway, and Donegal. 
This blight was common to parts of America and to Germany, 
where it continued for two years. 
“In 1832, and for several years following in succession, 
an unmistakable epidemic attacked the potato in spring 
throughout Ireland, and also extended to other parts of Europe 
and to America. 
“In 1833 the potato disease presented not only the ap- 
pearance of the curl, but likewise attacked the tubers in the 
pits. 
‘In 1834 the failure was chiefly observed in the early- 
planted potatoes, but having been discovered in spring, was, 
to a certain extent, remedied. 
“‘ Although there was an intermission in 1835, a partial 
failure of the potato was observed in several parts of Ireland 
in 1836, which had been wet, and July and August unusually 
so; the price of food rose to an almost unparalleled height. 
“‘T have not found any account of'a special failure of the 
potato crop in the wet year of 1838, but the ‘ inherent consti- 
tutional weakness’ of that esculent was observed, and the dete- 
rioration in the best kinds formed the theme of public remark 
at the time. 
“ In 1839 there was an unmistakable failure of that crop, 
attributed to the incessant rains, and the extensive inunda- 
tions; in New England, in this year, the black rust «struck 
[the potato] universally on the 27th of August.’ 
“The year 1839 was distinguished by an amount of mois- 
