The Potatoe Plague. 87 
the whole month; and even extended into September, and 
this is, I should conceive, an extraordinary direction in re- 
gard to their continuity. Everybody has seen, according to 
the old phrase, “ motes dancing in the sunbeams.” Now, as 
to the sporules of varions fungi, why may it not be possible 
for them to possess so little specific gravity as to be lighter 
than their own volume of air —to ascend thereby in common 
with mists——to be incorporated with clouds—to traverse 
thousands of miles in a few days, and to descend as propa- 
gandists wherever the winds choose to carry them, or for 
condensation to take place? In conclusion I beg to say that 
I would not attempt to repudiate the idea of predisposition 
altogether, but merely direct the attention of the public to 
facts probably equally important. 
Whatever may be the origin of the fungus, says another 
writer, depend upon it, perseverance must be resorted to in 
order to get rid of it; 1f tubers are planted with a particle of 
it on them, and the season proves again congenial for its 
spread, it will again destroy the crop. Asa proof of this I 
planted a few infected potatoes, without putting into practice 
the precaution I have used with my other potatoes, and the 
consequence is that the obnoxious pest made its appearance 
in its usual blotchings, while a quantity of others, which I 
had stored in perfectly dry charred articles, are growing 
away healthily ; a quantity with foliage and stalks above a 
foot in height, clear from spot or blemish, looks at present as 
well as could be wished. Depend upon it, the recommenda- 
tion to shake lime about the tubers previous to planting, is 
most essential to prevent the further spread of the fungi, let 
the latter originate in whatever form they may, and should 
be immediately put into practice. Supposing every tuber 
intended for next season’s production to be individually dredg- 
ed with lime, an active boy would dredge a large quantity in 
a day; the expense would be trifling, either for material or 
