The Potatoe Plague. 107 
observed in managing the seed or tubers from them; but the 
remark of Mr. Knight will hold generally correct in view of 
the very extensive and deplorable mismanagement that has 
prevailed in saving sets for replanting. 
Now, having stated the causes of the potatoe plague, rot, or 
taint, the remedies to be applied are easily understood and 
within the reach of all. Sets from this year’s crop, that have 
escaped change, may be carefully selected, and though they 
may be affected by previous mismanagement, the disease 
will not prevail so extensively in the new crop as it did last 
year; by cultivating expressly for seed, storing and saving 
them, as recommended in this book, another year will witness 
a great falling off in the disease, and, eventually it will dis- 
appear, as none but healthy sprouts being planted, disease 
cannot be propagated. 
On the subject of planting potatoes, the following remarks 
by Mr. T. Smith may be appropriately inserted in this place. 
“ From the experience I have had in the cultivation of the 
potatoe, I have come to the conclusion that the taint, or dry 
rot, owes its origin entirely to an injudicious method of plant- 
ing the seed;* and after mature consideration, I have adopt- 
ed a system of planting, which I have practised for twenty 
years, with such sucvess as never once to have had an in- 
stance of dry rot among my potatoe crops during that time, 
although they were sometimes growing in direct contiguity to 
other potatoes, which, from being planted in a different man- 
ner, were laboring under the effects of disease. It shall now 
be my endeavor, in as simple and as concise a manner as 
possible, to lay this system before my readers, convinced that 
sericea NT LC ET CL A 
* Much difficulty has doubtless arisen from this source, but it is vain to 
ascribe the rot entnely to it, The suggestion is, however worth attending 
to, as improvements in planting, as well as in selecting seeds, must be 
advantageous. 
