84 The Potatoe Plague. 
He ascribes the disease to frost, which, however, did “not act 
directly on the tuber; but indirectly through the leaves.” 
Mr. Phillips has instituted a careful investigation of all the 
facts connected with the disease, and has collected some use- 
ful information. He is unable to find fungi, and ascribes the 
evil to too much moisture, the effect of long continued rains, 
whie) “stimulated the plant beyond its ability, and then 
overpowered it. The plant formed more pendulums, (sic) 
and tubers, than it could support, which being left to them- 
selves, putrefied,” &c. Near the end of this pamphlet is a 
statement, that if the potatoe field) had been divided by 
trenches into compartments, the author has no doubt that the 
present disease would have been warded off. Mr. Phillips 
does not seem to be aware that what are called lazybeds in 
Ireland, are made exactly upon his plan, and, unfortunately, 
they are very far from having proved any security against 
the disease. The fact, moreover, is, that the best drained 
Jand has been as much, or more attacked, than the worst. 
Mr. Buckman regards fungi analogous to that which pro- 
duces smut in barley, as concerned in the evil. He finds 
their seeds, (spores) sticking abundantly to the sides of the 
cells, and calls the species Uredo tuberosum. He does not, 
however, regard the Uredo as the basis and origin of the 
evil; he looks upon it as a mere effect attributable to the 
peculiar state of a late season. As remedies, he advocates a 
solution of chloride of lime, or chlorine gas; but he does not 
seem to have any personal experience df their advantage. 
He also mentions the following plan, adopted by Mr. Sclater, 
a, large potatoe grower of Exeter, as effectually stopping the 
further ravages of the disease. Soak the tubers for an hour 
in a weak solution of chloride of lime. Then dry well and 
soak for another hour in a solution of three pounds common 
soda in seventy-five quarts of water. Finally, dry them 
well, and store them in a dry place. We are persuaded that 
