The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-09-07 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE 013 SERVER.

The County Seed

In connection with this subject, which Is now engaging
the attention of rich and poor, the Gardener', Magazine
says :

The potatoes were doing remarkably well until the
terrific thunder weather of July arrested the progress
‘,f ripening, and caused the ti-cues to burst, through
absorption of excessive moisture. Potatoes lifted be-
fore the latter part of July were of the finest quality,
and the crops were heavy ; but now it is fund that
dbeaso prevails extensively, so that many a field al-
ready exhales an offensive odour. On lands lying high
aral dry, however. the disease has, as yet, made but
littie progress, and it is particularly worthy of remark
that, m damp valleys, where it has proved particularly
destructive, the late planted crops are scarcely at all
hurt, having escaped almost as completely as those
which were lifted before the middle of July. Two
conclusions may be dedimed from these facts. In
the first place, the disease originated at a time
and in a way to which we have long been ac-
customed though it is seldom it acquires such
virulence as in the present Beason. From the
20th July to the 10th of Auquet may be regarded as
the tiMe of danger for the potato crop. Should heavy
rains occur at that time, and especially if the atmos-
phere is much disturbed by electricity, the tubers
which are fully grown and its the process of ripening
will be very seriously damaged, while those that are
already dead ripe, equally with those which are still
growing vigorously, will in great part or wholly eecape.
It is, of course, impossible to forecast the season, but
it might be possible to select the sorts and the times of
planting, err that potatoes should either be ripe or
growing at the season when the disease usually appears.
So far as we know, it is equally impossible to prevent
the dire are or cure the tubers which are attacked, but
it may be possible to circumvent it, and so escape the
severe ravages to which the root is subject when it is
caught in the ripening stage by disease-inducing con-
ditions of the atmosphere.

The Gardener', Chronicle, also writing on the subject,
_

The deplorable outbreak of the potato disease
throughout the length and breadth of the land brings
with it the Usual crop of nostrums and suggeetionn for
its destruction. Unfortunately we have lost all faith
in their utility, although we are by no means hopeless
for the future. The first stage towards a cure has
been arrived at. The life history of the fungus is
pretty well known, thanks to the labours of Berke-
ley Be Bary, Csspary, and others. A symmary
account of the manners and customs of the pent,
accompanied by illustrations was given in our
columns last year. Any one who reads that amount
with a view to devise a remedy, or procure a preven-
tative, will certainly not be encouraged by the prospect.
The fungus has exceptionally good means of propagat-
ing itself , and of insinuating itself into the innermost
tissues of the haulm and tuber, whence its dinlodgment
becomes a matter of impossibility. What then remains
to be done? Can we stamp out the disease as the
veterinary surgeons and doctors slid with the cattle
plague? We fear not, and even if it were possible to
abandon the culture of the tuber altogether for a year
or two, and then recommence with healthy seed from
foreign sources, what security have we that the pest
would not again break out? Here, then, we are arrested
at once by want of knowledge. The naturalists have told
U 9 a great deal ; they have told us how the fungus grows
and comports itself from infancy to adult age ; but they
have not told ne what are the precise circumstancee
and condition.; which favour the original appearance of
the disease, nor have they enlightened us as to where
the fungus came from. They might fairly look to the
cultivators for assistance on these points; but though
for nearly a quarter of a century, more or less culti-
vator.) have had to wince under the losses inflicted by
the enemy, they have not learnt yet either the mode of
invasion or the method of destruction. Various plans
have been tried from time to time ; and an extended
series of experiments were c wriest out at Chis sick
several years ago by the late Mr. Thompson. Unfor•
tunately, of all the numerous experiments detailed in
the Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society for
1843, it cannot be said that "any one hag proved
so effectual in Hopping the disease as to offer satiefao.
tory proof that a perseverance in it would be advan-
tageous." Nevertheless, as Chiswick is once more
re established, and the society has the servicee, not
only of a very able superintendent, but also of a
talented botanist, it is greatly to be desired that some
well-devised experiment should be again resorted to,
in the hope of discovering some means of preventing
the inroads of the disease. From the known habit of
the plant, we believe prevention, could it be obtained,
would, as usual, be far better than cure. Climatal
accidents, in such a caw, we cannot guard against, but
it is possible that we might do something by selecting
particular varieties or by particular modes of culture,
to ward off the disease,

RICE AS *A. SUBSTITUTE FOR POTATOES.

" Bengalee," writing to The Tinte4, throws out the
following useful hint :

- -
Referring to "Old Indian's" letter in The Tinee of
August 30, recommending the use of rice as a substitute
ankle of food in place of potato, he Is quite right; but he
ought not to have omitted that rice is nearly worthless with-
out some kind of "animal fat." During the Irish famine
serious mistakes were made in this respect by some relief
committees. They gave lots of rice, but they found that the
people starved upon It, until one day they fortuaately con-
sulted a doctor of Indian experience, who quickly set them
right, and by the use of lard, added to the bailed rice, they
moon saw • difference In the appearance of the hitherto
famished people. As an old Indian myself, I would suggest
that • little curry powder should be added, or onions; U
possible both.