The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-20 00:00:00

THE POTATO CROP.

The Banner of Ulster gives a most gratifying re-
port of the state -a the potato crop•both in the
north and south :

"The potato crop (says the Banner) is still `to the
;ore,' and however seriously the fact may tell on the feel-
ings of the panic-mongers, we must admit that the
plague has passed off with few vestiges of its former do
vastation. Three weeks ago there were most melancholy
accounts of ' decided disease' in the potato, and lovers
of the doleful revelled in graphic details of the blackened
stalks and dying tubers. It is hard to disturb the visions
of these people ; but, as truth is sometimes necessary
even on the subject of Ireland's potato crop, we can only
state that the prospects of an abundant yield in this de
partment of farm produce have never been bet'er than
preSent. Several of the most extensive growers in
Down have stated to us that, so far as they have raised
their potatoes this season, the bulk is fully equal to that
of 1839, and the quality is, perhaps, the finest ever raised
in Ireland. The white rock variety has turned out a
gross produce of large and small tubers which would
average 250 bushels per acre ; and the coarser descrip-
tions o the potato—those chiefly used in cattle-feeding,
but which will not be ripe for some weeks to come—pro-
raise to produce 300 bushels to the statute acre. It is
probable that the potato lands of Ulster—the rich and
the inferior in soil—will yield an average of 200 bushels
p:r acre. The quality of this class of food is admitted to
be very superior, and thus the produce will be consider-
ably more valuable. Several of the new varieties are
turning out well, and the older descriptions such, as the
lumper,' have become greatly improved by cultivation.
The local markets are well supplied with excellent qua-
lities, which are retailed at 4d. to 4d. per stone, and of
this chtapness the working ranks fully avail themselves.
It is pretty, certain, however, that we shall never again
see the day when the masses of Ireland's industrial
ranks will subsist, as they were wont to do, on mere
potato diet. Fifteen years ago there were at least
2,000,000 of persons in this country who were fed ex-
clusively on potatoes, and about an equal number had
recourse to the same description of food at least
twice a-day. Many small farmers, too, lived almost
solely on the produce of their potato fields. The famine
was a terrible ordeal, and the suffering directly created
by that visitation was intense beyond the power of de-
scription ; but, under Providence, much good has arisen
from its Sinc3 1847 the physical condition of Ireland
has gradually improved ; the use of grain food, then in-
troduced by stern necessity, has created a sweeping revo-
lution in dietetics ; and even the kingdom of Connaught
now consumes wheaten and other flourto an extent hardly
credible. In the south of Ireland the potato crop is ex-
cellent, but its production is not so extensive as to send
back the now strong men of that province to the salt her-
ring and the potato basket. Human bones and sinews
are now of such value that their exercise comma-tots a
full rate of wages, giving the men of toil ample means to
purchase grain food and a moderate supply of colonial
luxuriee, such as tea, sugar, and coffee. What would
the late Lard of Darrynane have thought of 3s. 6d. or
4s. a day for labour in the corn fields, or how would he
have exulted to see a family of the finest peasantry'
seated at a meal made up of articles raised in three quar-
ters of the glebe Giving a full margin for any loss that
may be eventually produced by the potato disease, there
will still remain a large average crop as compared with
late years. This is highly gratifying, and still more
satisfactory is the undoubted fact that the potato has
ceased to be the staple food of Ireland's people."

THE CONVICT SOLDIER.
The Cork Reporter, referring to the approaching