The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-23 00:00:00

Thomson
Danford..
*Vile .

38

at four o'clock this day.
low candidates.

MR. SMEE AND THE POTATO
DISEASE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Siu,—ln consequence of the extraordinary attempt
made by Dr. Lindley to cast ridicule upon my treatise
on tha potato plant, by making my, opinions diametri-
cally opposite to those expressed in the book itself, I
instituted an inquiry into the official position of Dr.
Lindley, and beg to lay the following correspondence
before, the public.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
ALFRED SMEE.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MR. ALFRED SMEE AND
LORD JOHN RUSSELL.

7, Finsbury-circus, Dec. 14.
My Lcrd,—l venture to hope that the importance of
the subject of the potato disease may serve as an excuse
for my troubling your Lordship with this communication.
By observation I have learned that an aphis is the
cause of the potato malady, and that the same aphis de-
stroys also the carrot, turnip, beet, spinach, groundsel,
and various other plants, and will even live on the wheat
and Indian corn.

At this period cf the year the fact should be made
known to all agriculturists, that they may destroy the
insect wherever they find it, and that tey may continue
to
Tkoilltihteaesxstpernisingonadof advances.
information Dr. Lindley has
s.
put a strong barrier, by declaring that an aphis does
not
cause the potato malady, and, strangely enough he
even states that aphides cannot destroy plants. -
The assertions of Dr. Lindley, when acting as Govern
ment Commissioner, to advise the nation upon the best
course to be pursued, require careful attention, though
as a newspaper writer his assertions upon the matter
would have but little or no weight.
Under these circumstances it becomes a matter of
great importance to the country to know whether the
writings of Dr. Lindley are now to be taken as the opi-
nions of an individual writing upon his own behalf, or
whether he holds any appointment which gives to his as-
sertions an official character. It is upon this question I
respectfully ask your Lordship's answer, that the public
may know whether more than private authority is to be
attached to his views.
I have the honour to be, my Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient servant,
ALFRED NOE.
The Right Hon. Lord JohnD Russell.
owning-street, Dec. 16.
whether Sir,—ln
thew
replyri
tti
no yoursof D
letr.
Lindley
te of
are the 14
now
wi ntsot.,beaskingtako n
as the opinions of an g
individual writing upon his own be-
, .hh
iasif o,awomfurrn nwhetheronsl: e holds any appointment which gives to
iassertions an official character," I am desired by Lord
jhoshptt
n Ruisell to state, that Dr. Lindley is responsible for
hho efe rsp
theb
eeidirecteduml bulbs n e
bt o3y,
gout
pc
trr
aphides.
nshsitmdo
tsyout.e d
thiso
hi
o f Lordship'sth e
destruction
thanks for
I am, Sir,
your obedient servant,
Alfred Smee, Esq.
R. W. GREY.

COMMERCE OF RUSSIA.
The Augsburg Gazette gives the following details of
Russian commerce for the year 1845:
" The exports to foreign countries, including Poland
and Finland, have amounted to 92,567,745 silver roubles
(the silver rouble is worth 3fr. 45c.); the imports to
83,161,372. The exports have been less for many im-
portant articles than in preceding years, which is attri-
butable to the bad harvests that have taken place in the
western provinces of the empire. The Russian-Chinese
commerce has been greater in 1845 than in the year
before, amounting to 13,622,000 silver roubles. Tea
continues to be the principal article purchased by the
Russians, 100,000 chests, weighing from 451 b. to 60:b.
each, of the best quality, and 40,000 chests of inferior
quality, having been imported. The Russian articles ex-
ported to China consist principally of furs and cloths
and those sent to tlie transcaucasian provinces, of sugar'
provinces, of sugar, dye-stuffs, and spirituous liquors.
In 1845, 5,926 vessels entered Russian ports, and 5 940
quitted them. The customs produced 31,958,083 silver
roubles, or 1,186,395 less than in 1844. This result is
attributed to the large imports of 1844, which is lessened
the demands of the following year."