108 WILL TUBERS GROW AFTER THE DESTRUCTION 



had been left untouched. Those cut down on the 14th of July 

 produced — 



1 row, 55 feet in length . . 41 lbs., tubers all sound. 



2 do. do. . . 42 do. all sound. 



"The tubers generally of a good size ; what would, in fact, be 

 called a fair sample: some of the largest weighed 5 and 6 oz. 

 Those rows which had been left untouched produced — 



1 row, 55 feet in length . . 60J lbs., 7 tubers diseased. 



2 do. do. . . 69 do. 10 do. diseased. 



" The tubers generally much larger, and many weighed 8 oz. 

 The result in this instance is more favourable, and I think it may 

 be accounted for in this way: — The White Potato is an earlier 

 sort than the Queen's Noble, and, although both planted at the 

 same time and under the same circumstances as to locality, soil, 

 &c, it came into flower earlier, and I had, as is my usual prac- 

 tice, picked off the first flowers a week or ten days before the 

 stems of both sorts were cut off. The tubers, therefore, were, in 

 all probability, in a more advanced state, and in a better condi- 

 tion to draw nourishment, by their own vitality, from the soil. 



"There is here, I opine, strong presumptive evidence that the 

 tubers do, as affirmed by M. Lomba, grow unassisted by the 

 stem and leaves, as it cannot be supposed they would attain a size 

 to weigh 6 oz. whilst the plants are yet in flower. The differ- 

 ence in produce may probably arise from my having cut down 

 the stems too soon. I think, indeed, the result in both cases, but 

 more particularly in the Queen's Noble, clearly proves this to be 

 where I have erred. The error, however, is instructive. It 

 would also appear that the disease is communicated by the leaves 

 and stem to the tubers ; for in no instance where the stems were 

 cut off before attacked by the disease are the tubers diseased, 

 whereas in both of the other cases many of the tubers are diseased. 



"The result of these experiments will, I think, justify the con- 

 clusion, that by autumn or early spring planting there is a better 

 chance of a healthy crop, as the plants would, under favourable 

 circumstances as to weather, &c, put forth blossom before the 

 time the disease usually makes its appearance, and by adopting 

 M. Tombelle Lomba's plan there would be a reasonable hope 

 of securing an average crop." 



I have also from Mr. Alexander Burnett, gardener at Roby 

 Hall, near Liverpool, a further statement upon the same sub- 

 ject :— 



