98 The Potatoe Plague. 
the cause of rot, a certain and immediate remedy is at hand; 
for, “ when the potatoe crop has been furnished with sufficient 
alkali, the fungi have nothing to feed on, and do not attack 
the potatoe;” and futher, “if we apply strong alkalies in 
sufficient quantities to any plants liable to attack from mil- 
dew, rust, blight, &e., (which are various developements of 
fungi,) before they are attacked, they will not be attacked, 
and if we supply them after they are attacked, they will soon 
be freed from them.” Now alkalies have been applied in 
considerable quantities to potatoes, and while growing they 
have not been attacked by the rot, but after gathering and 
harvesting disease has appeared and destroyed them, show- 
ing conclusively that fungi is not the cause, but that a deeper 
one must be sought and a more radical remédy applied. 
What, then, are the causes of this extensive evil? I state 
them thus: — 
Over RIPENING, 
Over CULTIVATION, 
DETERIORATION OF SLED. 
To which might be added, 
CARELLSSNESS IN SELECTING SEED. 
In this last particular great losses have been sustained by 
farmers, not only in the potatoe crop, but in every crop that 
is cultivated. And this disaster to potatoes may, as its cause 
is discovered, eventually prove a blessing, by showing the 
prime importance of selecting good seed. It is surprising 
that farmers will obey almost every law that must be observ- 
ed in good cultivation, and yet neglect to supply themselves 
with seed, properly saved and cured. It admits of de- 
monstration that much of the losses arising yearly in the 
various crops of our agriculture, are traceable directly to the 
want of good and pure seed. Of what use, I would ask, is 
thorough cultivation, plowing, hoeing, pulverizing and man- 
uring, if the grand object for which all this labor is expended 
