28 Diseases of the. Potatoe. 
space of time. But from the frequent and searching investi- 
gation of the subject by the most competent and practical 
men, a preventive against the failure has been ascertained, 
namely, the planting of entire tubers. When the cut sets 
have failed, the entire tubers have resisted premature decay ; 
whether it arises from atmospheric influence or debility of 
constitution, or from any of the conjectured causes, the entire 
tubers exert their noxious influences, and germinate healthily 
and freely. All reports agree on this point; there is no 
risk in this case, if the tubers be sound when planted; and 
it may be added that in all stages of their growth, the uncut 
tubers maintain a decided superiority and yield a correspond- 
ing produce.* 
In this country, the most prevailing disease that has been 
noticed is the rust, which, by some, is regarded as an entirely 
new disease, while others speak of it as having prevailed 
years ago. As a general rule with us, the potatoes have 
been more exempted from disease than any other cultivated 
crop, the least liable to injury from insects, and, of conse 
quence the most certain crop which our farmers could culti- 
vate. The scab and curl have been the only known diseases 
in Europe, and probably not one in a hundred of American 
cultivators ever saw an instance of the latter disease. 
In 1839, the potatoe in New England found a formidable 
enemy in the black rust, which has caused great loss wherever 
it has shown itself. It has been most destructive on low 
lands, sluggish streams, near ponds, or on low meadows or 
plains; the more elevated, airy, and dry situations, have 
generally escaped. The following, respecting this new dis- 
ease, is from the Farmer’s Monthly Visitor, and I invite 
particular attention to this account, and the observations 
which follow, as I believe it will be found closely allied to 
* Dictionary of the Farm, p. 413. 
