Hesulfs of the Competition of 1874. 
377 
pointed out that in two cases where potato crops followed turnips 
they had been free from disease ; and having sugj^ested that the 
fungus might pass through diffei'ent stages of its life on different 
plants, Mr. Jenkins proposed that observations should be made 
to discover if any connection existed between the previous cereal 
or clover-crop and the presence or prevalence of the disease. 
Dr. Farlow, Assistant-Professor of Botany at Harvard Univer- 
sity, U.S., in a recently-published Report on ' The Potato Rot,' 
has recommended the farmers of America to make observations 
in the directions indicated by Mr. Jenkins, with the view of 
supplementing those recorded in England.* 
Still further, it having been asserted by many that certain 
varieties of potato were free from disease, and this opinion being 
believed by many cultivators as well as dealers, the Society 
resolved to offer prizes for early and late potatoes, possessing 
good cropping, cooking, and keeping qualities, which would 
continue free from disease for three years, during which time 
they would be cultivated in different localities under the direc- 
tion of the Society. It was required that the competitors should 
forw.ard a ton of each sort intending to compete in twenty bags 
containing each one cwt. To prevent any but those who had 
some confidence in their potato entering as competitors, it was 
required that the owner of any sort which should be attacked by 
disease during the experiment should undertake to pay a con- 
siderable sum towards the expense incurred in growing his 
unsuccessful potato, although this condition was not eventuUy 
put in force. 
* Connected with Harvard University is an endowed institution for the investi- 
gation of orj-ptogamic plants— the Bussey Institution. The fourth part of the 
first vohime of the reports of this Institution has just been published containing 
Dr. Farlow's menioir, from wliich we make the following quotation. 
" Prof. De Bary of Strasbourg — whose memoir of the I'eronosporex, published 
in the ' Anr.ales des Sciences Naturelles,' vol. xx. 18U3, is the most exhaustive 
account of that group yet published — is still at work, and from him we may 
receive a solution of the bofciuical difficulties. In the meanwhile, the American 
farmer can contribute something to the general stock of knowledge by noting the 
apparent eftVct which a diti'erent succession of crops has upon the prevalence of 
the rot. In the ' Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England,' vol. x. 
Part 2, for 1874, are given the results obtained from answers to twenty-five 
questions, addressed to one hundred potato cultivators in different parts of 
England. From these answers it would seem that there is a tendency for the rot 
to prove particularly bad when potatoes follow clover. Interesting facts on this 
point might bo observed by our own cultivators to supplement those recorded in 
England, and we would propose the following questions for the consideration of 
farmers in connection with the rot:" — Then follow eleven questions similar to 
what were sent out for Mr. Jenkins' report, the last two of which are, " 10. 
Following a clover crop, how are potatoes atfected by tiie rot, particularly badly 
or not? After potatoes does clover do well? Have you observed any fungus 
upon clover? 11. Following a wheat, oat, or rye crop, how are potatoes atfected 
by the rot ? When wheat, oats, or rye follow potatoes, what is the result ? " — 
' Bulletin of the Bussey Institution,' vol. i. Part, iv., pp. 331, 332. 
VOL. XI. — s. s. 2 c 
