561 
Oil the Treatment of Decayed Potatoes, S, c. 
healthier and cheaper, because more substantial, though seem- 
ingly dearer than those now in use. We have thus the power of 
creating a permanent desire for better food, and this would give 
the greatest impulse to labour in Ireland. It is the absence of 
wants which in the first place so depresses a peasantry, and 
brings with it a train of evils arising from the non-application of 
skill and industry to gratify them. 
Finally, if I have convinced you that it is most desirable, on 
economical grounds, to introduce a greater variety in the crops 
cultivated for the support of the labouring classes, and to diminish 
in extent the cultivation of potatoes, I would still further impress 
upon you the prudence of doing this in the present year. This 
is not the first malady to which the potato has been suljjected. In 
Hanover, and in other parts of Germany, a disease broke out in 
] 770, and remained there till ] 779, making its reappearance in 
] 790. The dry-rot which attacked the potato in this country 
in 1832 did not disappear till 1840, luckily making but little 
ravages with us, but acting as a scourge in various German pro- 
vinces. In America the same disease that now afflicts us has 
lasted for three years, and this year has again committed most 
formidable evil. There is nothing at all improbable in the belief 
that it may remain in this country for several successive years. 
We know that potatoes grown from the tubers inherit any pecu- 
liarities shown by their ancestors. This year circumstances have 
caused a feeble cellular tissue in all the potatoes throughout the 
country, similar, in fact, to what always exists in some of the 
tender early varieties. How do we know that, unless we have an 
exceedingly favourable season, this weakness of cellular tissue, 
which renders it unable to resist external influences, may not be 
imparted to the descendants of the present race, so that several 
years must elapse before it is again built up in its proper 
strength? And, in our ignorance of meteorology, who can say 
that such seasons as the last may not possibly be in store for us? 
I affirm none of these things, because I am deeply ignorant of any 
laws of nature whicli would enable me to read these phenomena 
aright ; but from the very conviction of this ignorance, I feel it 
would be presumptuous not to admit that such circumstances 
might possibly happen. I have confidence in the mercy of the 
Creator, but 1 know also that such afflictions arise often for t)ur 
good. With this doubt and ignorance on a subject so hidden, I 
think it would be highly desirable to devote part of the land 
which hitherto has been under potato cultivation for the growth 
of leguminous plants, so that, should we be afflicted with this 
scourge in ancjther year, we may lessen the force of the l)low by 
a wise provision against its consequences. 
I have now completed my task, very imperfectly I admit, but 
