44. The Potatoe Plague. 
grown under every variety of treatment, soil, and tempera- 
ture, and under every possible change or variation that can 
be supposed with reference to it. 
It is almost impossible to over-rate the importance of an 
inquiry like the one we are abouttomake. Its influence upon 
the prosperity and wealth of nations may be gathered from 
the fact that the potatoe crop of the United States alone is 
estimated at ninety-nine millions nine hundred and forty-three 
thousand bushels annually, and in New England _it is thus 
stated by Mr. Ellsworth, in his report to Congress, in Janua- 
ry, 1848. 
Maine, - . - - 12,304,000 bushels. 
New [ampshire, = - 4,648,000 * 
Mas:achusetts, - - 4,050,000 
Rhode Island, - - - 812,000 « 
Connecticut, - - - + 9%117,000 « 
Vermont, - ” - - 6,158,000 “ 
80,084,000 « 
Thus it will be seen, that the crop in New England, at a 
low estimation, is worth ten millions dollars annually, and the 
ROT threatens, if not the total desertion of this large source 
of productive wealth, at least a very great diminution of the 
profits of the farmer, and a decrease much to be dreaded in 
the supplies of the most healthful, as it is the most universal, 
article of food for human consumption. 
It was hoped in 1844, that the disease had reached its cul- 
minating point, and that the year 1845 would witness a great 
falling off in its destroying effects, and that, like the Asiatic 
Cholera, and other similar diseases affecting the human con- 
stitution, it would disappear and be heard of no more. 
This very desirable consummation, however, was not 
realized. The rot has prevailed more extensively this year 
than ever before, and not only throughout the wide extent of 
