292 L iterary and Philosoph tea I Society. 



John Moore, Esq., F.L.S., in the chair. 



After hearing the opinions of Mr. Binney, Mr. Just, 

 Mr. Moore, and others, as to the efficiency of drying 

 potatoes, the committee unanimously agreed to recommend 

 to the pubHc : — 



1. That all potatoes be kept perfectly dry. 



2. That potatoes put into store in the usual way, in 

 pits or hogs, be immediately opened, and the unsound 

 ones picked out ; the others being spread abroad, and ex- 

 posed, as much as the weather will permit, to the influence 

 of light and air, precaution being taken against frost. 



3. That the least diseased potatoes be selected and dried 

 on shelves in covered outbuildings, or kilns at a low tempera- 

 ture, not exceeding 80 degrees of Fahrenheit, with a constant 

 current of air passing through them. 



4. That the potatoes in the worst state of disease be 

 immediately rasped and reduced into pulp, for the purpose 

 of extracting their starch. 



The committee also appointed a sub-committee, con- 

 sisting of Mr. Ransome, Dr. Smith, Mr. Graham, Mr. Thom, 

 and Mr. Young, to make experiments, for the purpose of 

 ascertaining how far chemical agents could be used in 

 averting the disease, and a sub-committee, consisting of 

 Mr. Williamson, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Just, and Mr. Dancer, 

 to make microscopical examinations, and report on the 

 botanical phenomena of diseased potatoes, and the best 

 means to be adopted for impeding or preventing their 

 decay, and saving the tubers for planting. 



The general committee met on November 12, when Mr. 

 Young read the report of the sub-committee appointed to 

 make experiments as to the best chemical means to be 

 adopted for arresting the progress of the disease, as follows : 



