326 0N THE CURL IN POTATOES. 



produced from the dry or ripest end of the potato, I found, 

 that but few of them had appeared above ground, and such 

 as had were all diseased, more or less; but in many instances) 

 the sets had not vegetated at all, nor did they, upon taking 

 them up to examine them, show any signs of vegetation; 

 although quite sound and fresh, they were quite inert; nor 

 did these change their appearance throughout the season, 

 being nearly as fresh when the rest of the crop was lifted, 

 as when they were put into the ground. 



On the 3CUh of July, the whole were again examined; 

 the plants from the unripe sets were almost covering the 

 ground, though planted at two feet between the rows, and 

 were looking well, remarkably free from curl, and pro* 

 mising an abundant crop ; while those from the ripened 

 sets, which had vegetated, and had grown, had made very 

 little progress indeed, and were universally curled; several 

 of the plants died after coming a certain length, seemingly 

 from mere weakness ; and such as grew stronger had very 

 few tubers at their roots, and these very small and puny. 



On the 3rd of October, I took up the produce of both 

 sorts, and pitted them, for renewing the experiment the 

 ensuing year. 



The same course of experiment was accordingly repeat* 

 ment twice et *> not otl ty next y ear (1802), but also the following year 

 repeated. (1803); and the results were exactly similar ; the plants 



produced from the wet, or unripened ends, continuing 

 healthy, and producing abundant crops, while those pro- 

 duced from the dry ends continued to degenerate. 



I thus satisfied myself, that the disease originated entire, 

 ly in the overripening of the seed-stock ; and indeed all my 

 experience, since these trials were made, has tended only 

 to strengthen this opinion. I might follow out this to a 

 much greater length, and supply many more facts, all cal- 

 culated to prove the truth of what has already been ad- 

 vanced; but, by doing so, I should only multiply the de- 

 tail of similar trials and facts, which, instead of inducing 

 individuals, might rather deter them from satisfying them- 

 selves by making experiments. This I should wish them 

 to do. 



It 



