The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-15 00:00:00

THE POTATO DISEASE

The following letter is copied from the Bristol Mercury of Sept. 6:—
" Sir,—My attention has been given to the disease whieh has
shown itself so extensively amongst the growing potatoes. I find, in
almost every instance, that the epidermis of the stalk below the sur-
face of the ground, is more or less in a state of decay, often disin-
tegrated, and completely rotten ; the leaves and branches accord
with the state of that part of the stalk below the ground. The tuber,
beneath the outer skin, is first spotted brown (like a bruised apple) :
these spots extend and penetrate towards the centre, quite changing
the nature of the potato. Those near the surface are most injured
in some cases the lowest on the root are not at all affected, while the;
upper ones are useless. I should therefore expect that the longer the
crop remains in the land, the greater the injury will be. It seems,
from the microscopic appearances, that the starch escapes injury for
a long time after the skin and cellular parts are gone; and as the
whole of the nutritive powers of the potato reside in the starch, I
should recommend that wherever the disease has shown itself to any
extent the crop should be dug whether ripe or not, and the starch ex-
tracted by the following simple process :
" After washing the roots, let them be rasped fine and thrown into
a large tub or other vessel ; pour a considerable quantity of water,
and well agitate and rub the pulp with the hands ; all the starch or
fecula will, from its great weight, fall to the bottom, while the skin
and fibrous matter will be carried away by the water. Wash the
starch with one or two more waters, allowing it to fall after each
washing ; spread it upon cloths in a warm room to dry--in this way
about 201 b. or 211bs. will be obtained from every 1001bs. of potatoes,
and it contains as much nourishment as the original roots ; it will
keep any length of time, and might be used with flour to make bread,
pies, puddings, &c., as well as farinaceous spoon-meat.
" This is much better than throwing away the diseased roots, and
will furnish food for tens of thousands who might otherwise want it.
" WILLIAM HERAPATIL"

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sia,—The free use of potatoes being inadvisable, disease haying
destroyed so much of the crop, I have adopted rice as a substitute, and
I find it most palateable and nutritious. It should be simply dressed
by throwing it into boiling water, boiled for half an hour, and then
strained ; serve it up instead of potatoes, and add gravy, pepper, and
salt, according to taste.'
These few remarks may draw attention to an article which, though
generally used only for puddings in England, is the most important
article of daily food to a great portion of the world.—l am, Sir, your
obedient servant, A HOUSEKEEPER.

September 12, 1845.

ACCIDENT AT GREENWICH PIER.—On Friday MT,

Bedford held an inquest at the St. George, Hollen-street,
Nardour-
street, Soho, on the body of Jane Redmore, aged sixty-four. On
Sunday last, about two o'clock, deceased and her husband started

from Ilungerford-bridge to Greenwich, which place they were about
leaving in the evening, when deceased, in stepping from the pier
into the boat, missed her footing and fell into the water. She was

extricated in about two minutes, and conveyed on shore to the lied
Lion, where she was placed in bed. On the following afternoon she

was brought to town, when she appeared very ill. On Tuesday
morning it was suggested that a medical man should be called in, to
which she objected, and, rapidly sinking, died the same day at ten
o'clock. A post mortem examination proved that death was the
result of a diseased heart, no doubt accelerated by the excitement

consequent on immersion in the water. Verdict—" That the de-
ceased died of disease of the heart, accelerated by falling into the

water."
FATAL EFFECTS OF DRUNKENNESS.—On Friday

morning, between two and three o'clock, a man named Arthur
Wil-
m and his wife Mary, came home to their residence in Charles-
street, Drury-lane, in a state of intoxication. Wilmit in endeavour-
ing to carry his wife up stairs, who is a very heavy woman, slipped,
and both of them falling down two flights of very steep stairs, were
. .

picked up in a state of insensibility. Medical assistance was pro-
cured, when it was ascertained that Wilmit's right arm was broken,
and his wife's skull severely fractured. No hopes are entertained of

the woman's recovery.
THE Caors IN LANCASHIRE.—The gathering of
the crops has made great progress in South Lancashire during the
present week. The oats in general are carried, and the wheat is cut,
and nearly ready for carrying. The disease amongst the potato
crops has shown itself to some extent both in Lancashire and
Cheshire, but hithert sit is not very serious. As far as we can learn,
the Southport and Hann' district, from which Manchester receives
large supvlies by canal, has escaped.—Leeda Mercury.
MAYNOOTH COLLEGE.—The only improvement at
present contemplated and in progress, are the general painting and
whitening of windows, doors, halls, &c., and the enlargement of the
refectory and chapel of that portion of the establishment occupied by
the junior students. The Concursus, or public competition for the
various vacant professors' chairs, commenced in the Great Hall of
the College on Tuesday, the 9th inst. These chairs are—firstly, a
Fourth Theology Professorship, created under the enlarged grant ;
_ _ . .

secondly, the Chair of Logic, Metaphysics, and Ethics, vacated by the
elevation of 1)r. Whitehead to the Vice-Presidency; and, thirdly, the
Chair of Humanity, void by the appointment of Dr. Russell to the
newiy-created Professorship of Ecclesiastical History. The candi-
dates who have already declared themselves are, the Rev. Thomas
Furlong, of the diocese of Ferric (lie entered the college in 1809, and,
after a very distinguished course, was Junior Dean, and successively
Professor of Humanity and Rhetoric and Belles Lettres)—the
Rev. John 3PEvily, of the Archdiocese of Tuam (a distinguished

student of Maynooth), at present Professor in St. Jarlath's
College, Tuam—the Rev. John Guthrie (also an Alumnus of May-
nooth), at present curate of Ennistymon, Diocese of Kilfenora —the
Rev. Daniel M'Gettigan, of the Diocese of Raphoe (after some years
in Maynooth, he proceeded to Rome, where he was much distin-
guished), formerly Professor of the Irish College at Paris, and at
present curate to his uncle, the Bishop of Raphoe—the Rev. Mr.
M`Gargan, of the Diocese of Meath (a Maynooth student), at present
Professor of Philosophy in the Irish College, Paris ; the ltev. Messrs.
M`Quade (Kilmore), M'Carthy (Kerry), and M`Mahon (Clogher), at
present students on the Dunboyue Establishment, and the Rev. Mr.
Behan, of the Diocese of Meath, who has just completed the ordinary
course of the College. It is generally believed, that from respect to
his long standing, profound learning, and exalted piety, no one will
compete with Dr. Furlong for the Chair of Theology ; but a very
animated struggle is likely to take place amongst the seven juvenile
competitors for the two other vacant Chairs The Concursus will
close on Friday, the 12th inst., and the successful candidates will be
I declared, in all probability, on the next day.—Dublin Paper.

IMPORTANT RAILWAY AMALGAMATIONS.
learn from undoubted authority that the Great Grimsby, the Shef-
field and Lincolnshire, and the East Lincolnshire Railways, on
Thursday last amalgamated at par with the Sheffield and Manches-
ter Railway ; the last-mentioned railway paying 5 per cent. on all
calls upon the three railways until they are made, which will be
within two years.—Leeds Mercury.
FOREIGN CATTLE AND PROVISIONS.—The dif-

ferent steam-ships which have arrived in the river from Rotterdaia

during the last three or four days have brought their usual cargoes of
live cattle, fruit, and different sorts of provisions, and those from the

Belgian and French ports the usual quantities of edibles for con-
sumption in the metropolis, the whole of which have arrived in ex-
cellent condition, been found on landing to be of very good quality,
and delivered immediately to their destinations. The Dutch sfeam-

653
686
1,425
513
732
2,841
4,7e8
1,703

9,166

2,228
18,263

18,027
1,538
6,477
704

8,563
909
3,358
7,2,7
13,731
1,050
1,907
502

1,895
5,892
6,796
653
783
7,005
1,037

ship Batavia, which arrived in the St. Katharine steam-wh-rf in the
middle of the day on Wednesday, after the quickest passage she has
made during the season, from Rotterdam, brought 70 head of horned
cattle and 70 sheep, besides 340 packages of plums and other
descriptions of fruit, a quantity of yeast, melons, and other kinds
of Dutch produce. The General Steam Navigation Company's
vessel Earl of Liverpool, from Ostend, on the same day, brought
a large quantity of live poultry, eggs, butter, &c. The
same Company's ship, William Joliffe, which arrived at the
Brunswick-wharf, Blackwell, on the following day from
Rotterdam, brought 9 oxen, 4 cows, 18 calves, and 64 sheep, a quan-
tity of yeast, and other Dutch produce. This vessel did not bring
any fruit with her on this occasion. The Tourist,-from Calais, on
the same day had a quantity of poultry and other articles ; and the
Rainbow, from Havre, also brought in a quantity of fruit, eggs, and
other French produce. It will be seen that the Rotterdam vessel, in
the latter instance, did not bring any fruit, and the Havre vessel
brought a very small quantity in comparison wills that which has
been imported from that quarter for several weeks past, so that we
may fairly conclude that the importation of stone fruit, pears, &c.,
from that anti other French ports has in a great measure ceased for
the season. Notwithstanding the quantity of foreign cattle brought
over to this country from Holland and other places, it is notorious
that all descriptions and qualities of butcher's meat is dearer in all
parts of the town titan it has been known for a considerable time ;
but although there are various opinions expressed as to the cause, we
believe that the real and correct one is not generally understood. The
fact is, that the weather last winner was so severe, and there was
such a scarcity in consequence of every kind of provender for cattle
generally, that the proprietors of them found it politic to send them
to market, and to slaughter rather than keep them on their hands,
with the probability of their becoming impoverished and less valu-
able from the want of nourishing food. This caused a perfect glut of
meat in the markets about the time, and the necessary re-action,
scarcity, is now for the present taking its place. Another undoubted
fact is, that the population of the country, particularly in the mid-
land counties and manufacturing districts, has gradually increased,
and the supply of animal food is unequal to the demand, which even
the extensive importation from the Continent is unable entirely to
counteract, thus rendering it necessary, as it would appear, on the
part of the owners of the scarce stock to advance their prices ac-
cordingly. This is the opinion of one well able to express it on such
matters, and which will in a measure account for the present high
price of meat in every district of the metropolis in particular, and
generally throughout the country. Some time must elapse, with a
continuation of favourable weather for grazing, &c., before any im-
portant reduction may be reasonably expected.
FALL FROM A SCAFFOLD.—On Friday a serious
accident occurred to a man named John Macdonald, aged 43, a brick-
layer. It appears that he was engaged on a scaffold erected in front
of some new houses at Sydenham, and, whilst walking along the
outer board, he missed his footing, and fell with fearful violnce to the
ground. Ile was picked up quite insensible, and carried to the nearest
surgeon's, who, after a few minutes, ordered his removal to the hos-
pital, whither he was taken in a cart. Upon examination his was
found to have received a fracture of the right leg, and dislocation of
the collar-bone. He is going on favourably.
FIRES.—On Saturday, a tobacconist's shop in
Albert-terrace, City-road, caught fire about one o'clock, and with its
contents, was destroyed.—The stock of Mr. Aaron, a Sheffield dealer,
James-street, Covent-garden, was also destroyed by fire on Saturday.
The house is insured in the Royal Exchange.
The guardians of the Greenwich Poor-law Union
on Thursday resolved to send a deputation to the Poor-law Corn-
' missloners, to urge on them the inexpediency of forming an asylum
in that district, and to request them to rescind their order relative to
'Greenwich.
Sir Hugh Munro has given liberty to his tenantry
to shoot all kinds of game, on condition that they guard his estate
against poachers.—Scotch Paper.
RISE IN THE PRICE OF CATTLE.—At the fair of
Athlone, and, indeed, at every fair held for the last fortnight,
the price of cattle was on the advance. The new fair of this
town, held on Monday last, was remarkably well attended, and
almost every article offered for sale exchanged owners. Mulch
cows and pigs were much sought after, and brought high
prices. Roscommon Journal.
STEAM FOR THE MILLION.—Some enterprising
speculators, jealous of the success of the fourpenny fleet, have
started an experimental squadron of twopenny steamers, which
have been advertised as steam for the million; but as penny boats
have since commenced running, we presume that " steam for the
billion" will now be the cry of the company. If the mania for this
kind of navigation increases, we don't know where the names are
to be found for the various vessels that are being daily launched on
the Battersea billows, to be tossed on the waves of Westminster,
and find a haven at Hungerford. We have already had the Hower-
beds exhausted to provide titles for the Daisy, the Primrose,
the Pink, and the Daffydowndilly; but we are told the
Polyanthus is now upon the stocks, and the keel of the
Crocus is already laid down in the Fulham Dockyards.
The social relations have been used up by the iron boats, which
rejoice in the titles of Bridegrooms, Brides, Bachelors, Fathers and
Sons of the Thames; and the various shades of Moonlight, Daylight,
and Twilight, have been applied to other craft belonging to the
same Company. Entomology is now being resorted to, and the
Ant and Bee were placed on the Adelphi station a few days ago to
carry penny passengers. We have heard it whispered that geology
is to supply another series of steamers, which will shortly come
forth with the astounding names of Megatherium, Deinotherium,
Ichtyosaurus, arid Anti-Megatherium, for the purpose of taking
people at the rate of three a penny from Lambeth Palace to the
Temple.—Punch.
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.—A NEW DODGE.—The
following ingenious trick was played off a few days ago on a noto-
rious receiver of stolen goods, by which he was defrauded out of
some hundreds in a manner that precludes the possibility of his
'raking his loss the subject of judicial investigation. It would
appear that a pack of swindlers have for some time past been pur.
suing a very successful game amongst the pawnbrokers in the
country by pledging metal watches, chains, seals, and other articles
of a very superior manufacture (strongly plated with gold by
the galvanic process) for the pure metal. The game having become
completely "blown," the parties were left with the remainder of
their stock, which they were unable to get rid of, upon which they
anticipated realising upwards of 8001., but which intrinsically were
not worth 1501. To get rid of them the following ruse was re-
sorted to. The goods were packed up and sent per mail to London.
On their arrival one of the party called at the coach.office to which
they were directed, and possessed himself of them. On the suc-
ceeding day another of the party called, and hearing they were
gone, pretended they had been stolen. Bills were printed, de-
scribing the property, and offering a reward for their recovery. The
party who had possession of them then called upon the receiver, and
showing him a bill, led him to suppose he had stolen them, and
by those means induced him to give nearly 4001. for the goods.
The receiver kept them some time, and then gave them to a watch-
maker to alter their appearance, when, to his utter dismay, he was
told that he bad been duped out of above 2001.
SALMON FISHING.—The fishing in the Ness during
the past week was excellent, with the rod in particular. One of
the best anglers in the north informs us that our river has yielded
better sport this season than it has done for five years previous,
notwithstanding its extreme unproductiveness doting the summer.
Another highly-accomplished angler, Mr. Lowe, has within the
last five weeks caught forty-two salman with the rod in the river
Ness. The price of salmon here is Bd. to 10d. per lb., grilse 6d.,
and trout 4d.—lnverness Courier.
MILAN.—Miss Birch has made a most successful
debdt at La Scala in a new opera, which is not spoken of
in any favourable terms; but the audience testify their ap-
probation of the prima donna by calling her forward at the
end of each act. Miss Birch is engaged to sing at the ap-
proaching Carnival; and she is busily engaged in studying a
new part.