THE POTATO DISEASE. 
107 
to disarrange the entire system of the plant, and thus render it prone 
to the subsequent attacks of the fungus; that the disease is of this 
nature is demonstrated by its almost simultaneous appearance 
under the various circumstances we have already spoken of; and 
the consideration now arises, how are we to meet the results ? 
Though we do not agree with the opinion that any predisposing 
debility existed in the potato previous to the outbreak of the dis¬ 
ease, it would be an unreasonable expectation, without foundation 
of any kind, to imagine that it will disappear as suddenly as it 
came upon us. No ; a shock sufficient to effect the vitality of so 
large a proportion may require years to effectually remove, and 
will undoubtedly require an extraordinary amount of scrupulous 
attention to completely eradicate. Nothing short of this will 
render the least permanent service; and as the planting season 
is at hand, it must begin at once. The first and perhaps most 
important consideration is to have the land in good tilth. There 
must be no neglect here—no bare scarifying of the surface, but a 
thorough breaking up of the whole depth of soil; and the best 
drained land will have the best chance of yielding a healthy return. 
It will be far better to defer the planting while this is done, than risk 
the consequences of placing the tubers in ground prepared, as is too 
frequently the case, by a mere scratching of the upper stratum. 
Equal in consequence is the direction to plant wide ; for should 
it happen that we have another wet summer, there cannot be a 
doubt of plants so situated having a decided advantage over those 
crowded in the ordinary manner. It is surely worth some sa¬ 
crifice to regain a healthy condition in the crop ; and we do not 
think this matter has been insisted on to the extent its conse¬ 
quence deserves. Every one at all acquainted with the principles 
of vegetable physiology is aware of the debilitating effects of an 
impure atmosphere, or a crowded state among plants of any 
description ; the accumulations are not elaborated, and a plethoric 
habit consequently engendered, which tends to disease and death, 
and that, too, by a very rapid transition. And if, then, healthy 
subjects are thus liable to injury, what must be expected from 
those which are known to possess an already tainted constitution, 
when subject to such a course of treatment? 
In the preparation of the sets we need scarcely say that all 
apparently sound ones should be selected and planted by them- 
