The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-23 00:00:00

THE POTATO DISEASE.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL I 11PROVETUFTNYWOCI ETY
OF IRELAND.
SPECIAL JtE,ETINO OF TILE COUNCIL.
_ _

SAT U RDA Y, OCT. 18. —Present— Mr. G nstaßtis-Lainbart, of
Beau Park, in the chair; Mr. John Ross Mahon, Mr. Jol:a
Sharman Crawford, Mr. John Bolton Massy, 311.. Thoin,i4
Butler, Mr. Francis Donagh, Mr. George Roe, Mr. J.
Bankhead, Sir Percy Nugent., Bart. ; Mr. William Owen, Dr.
Robert Kane, Mr. Thomas R. Hardy, Mr. William Sherraro,
Mr. Charles William Hamilton, and Thos. Hutton, member
of the Council; Mr. John Temple Reilly, Mr. John Sproule,
Mr. Hugh Ferguson, V.S. ; and Mr. Toler Osborne. Member-4
of the Society.

Professor KANE, Chairman or the Sub-Committee for in-
quiring into the state of the potato crop, reported that tiel
Committee bad sat. for the last two days, and carefuliy
examined all the information as yet received upon the sill—
jeet. They were not prepared to state anything detinitivt-ly
upon so difficult and momentous a quest ion ; but they had
instituted the following series of experiments, for the pur-
pose of obtaining the most accurate information on the
matter, viz.:—

1. That the diseased potatoes should be well spnnkled
with salt., in layers, for the purpose of preserving them.
2. Ditto, with lime in a powdered state.
3. Ditto, with chloride of lime.

4. That they should be dried by artificial heat.

5. That they should be subjected to a scalding process, by
dipping them in boiling water, &c.
6. That an etlbrt should be made to save the meal, by
cutting away the tainted parts, and drying and crushing the
sound portion of the potato into meal.

7. To cover up a portion closely with loose clay or sand.
&c., as to exclude air and moisture.

8: Ditto, with loose straw in a dry place, to produce a
similar effect.

The sub-committee had undertaken to institute the above
series of experiments at the Dublin Society, under the
immediate directions of Professor Kane and Mr. liuttoo,
and other gentlemen had undertaken to supply them
with a sufficient quantity of the diseased potatoes for ti,e
purpose of the investigation, to which place they are to be
sent.

It was also agreed that similar experiments should be in-
stituted in ditlerent parts of the country, and that the result 4
should be communicated to the secretary as soon as ascer-
tained.

The Committee also reported that on mature consideration
of the evidence now before them, it was advisable that tho
countil should direct the attention of the Irish Governmenr
to the now undoubted fact that a great portion of the potato
crop in this country is seriously affected by the disease in
question.
The Secretary read a letter from Mr. George Alexander
Hamilton, M.P., on the subject.
Mr. BULLEN said that, in anticipation of Mr. Hamilton's;
suggestion, he had carefully prepared a digest of the com-
munications already received upon the subject, and which.
he had laid upon the table. It appeared that returns had
been received from about 40 local societies, in most of which
the disease existed more or less; for though it was stated in
some which he had received at an early period that there
was no appearance of the malady at that time in the district,
yet in some cases he had received supplemental returns
stating, that since they had begun to dig the crops, the dis-
ease had appeared, and at present there was hardly a county
in Ireland which could be considered free from it. The re-
turns also contained much useful and valuable information as
to the extent and nature of it, which he had abstracted, amt
condensed in the digest on the table, in the manner
suggested.
The secretary also read a letter from the Messrs. Pardon,
proprietors of the Farmers Cazette, Bachelor's-walk, accom-
panying some specimens of diseased turnips, which were af-
fected in a similar manner, and also the following letter
from the secretary of the Board of Trade, London, enclos-
ing a copy of a report of a special Commission at Grouii,-
gen, in Holland, appointed to inquire into the disea,o
in that quarter, and which appeared to be exactly simii: r
to that which now affected the potato crops in th:4
country :

"thlice ofConunittee of Privy Council for Trade,
Whitehall, Sept. 29, 181,3".
_ .

" Sir,—l am directed by the Lords of the Committee f
Privy Council for Trade to transmit to you, for the infornu4-
tion of the Irish Agricultural Society, the enclosed transln-
latton of a special report of the Committee of Agriculture f
the Province of Groningen, 'relative to the potato disease
Rolland.--I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedt. servant.
"J. MACG EGOit .

" E. Bulleu, Lsq., Secretary of the
Irish Agricultural Society.
"REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF AGRICULTURE OF Tllrs:
PROVINCE OF GRONINGEN ON TILE DISEASE AFFECTING Tit 41
POTATO IN THE NETHERLANDS._

(The first part of the report relates to the causes and net tr-e
of the disease. Wet weather is ettributed as the ma
cause, and the nature of the disease is so well known
it is needless to describe it.)

" 2. - nEmr.DIEs volt THE DISEASE.

a To leave the potatoes in the ground until very dry wea-
ther occurs. Experiments having shown that their decay is
accelerated by being taken up, it is advisable to leave there
in the ground at first in order to get dried, and afterwards t
lay them out over the field. This would have the doull'e
advantage of rendering the vegetable more wholesome, an I
of preserving it.
"The following applies especially to those potatoes to i.e
used as seed for next year. It is necessary to beware ( f
planting those plants which have been attacked by the dis-
ease. They must be carefully chosen from those whose stalks
have not been attacked, and placed in a situation free front
the slightest damp. As the disease has been less severe iit
gravelly than in clayey soils, the tubers should be chosen
from these gravelly soils where the disease has not pent..
trated.
"3. The withered leaves of diseased potatoes, which are nf:
no value, should be immediately burnt; the same should be
done with the rotten potatoes, which cannot be of any
Nothing should remain of them.
"4. It is necessary to avoid as much as possible planft-s;
potatoes in the same spots where they have been planted tl is
year, for it is most probable that seeds of the fungi have tc-
mained in these places, and there would be great risk of tl.e
ensuing crop being similarly attacked. It is also necessfu
to manure the land with lime after the potatoes have bei.a.
taken up, and then to clear it, and if the land be employs-. 1
for produce which need not be planted before winter, it is
better not to harrow it, and so allow the air and cold to
penetrate it. In the spring the lime manure should be
renewed as much as possible, and the land may be wateri..t
with diluted sulphuric acid, on part of sulphur to 100 of
water.

" 5. Next year the potatoes should be planted in dry land;
all damp places should be avoided, even places shaded by
houses or trees. It is once more repeated that great est
should be used in selecting the tubers, and they should ► e
planted at a little distance from each other, so that the earl
round each plant may be raised, that the air may penetrate
everywhere.
" 6. The commission does not agree with those naturalists
who think that the origin of the disease may be attribute
to the race of potatoes having gradually deteriorated, owing
to their being seldom reproduced in fresh soil. The repo c
mentions that in the Commune of the Marum (province ol'
Groningen), among other instances, is to be seen a field (47
potatoes, the produce of only three years' culture, equally
attacked by the disease ; and an infinite number of similar
cases prove incontestibly that the potato has not degene-
rated. However, the commission recommends that freA
seed should be employed this year ; for it will then, at arty
rate be certain that it has not been attacked by this scourge.
"8. If, notwithstanding every effort, the disease siren] l
again break out next year, the moment the first symptomi
of it are perceived, the first leaves that turn yellow shoull
be taken off and burnt, or the entire field should be waterea
towards evening with lime water, or, still better, with dilute,'
sulphuric acid, so as to destroy the seeds of the cryptogamous
fungi; sulphuric acid, moreover, prevents rutting; and when
prepared as above directed, can do no injury to the plants
themselves.

a•--USE TO BE MADE OF THE DISEASED POTATOES.

"Those potatoes which have been attacked by the disease
appear not to be prejudicial to health, when taken in mode-
rate quantities. The commission has consulted veterinary.
surgeons as to whether the potatoes can be employed, with-
out danger, to feed cattle. Their reply was in the affirma-
tive. It has been proved, moreover, that pigs have eaten
the diseased potatoes without death ensuing. The commis-
sion is, however, of opinion, that they should be cooked has
forehand.
" Man may likewise make use of the diseased potatoes,
but must carefully remove the brown spots which caused the
disease. It has also been shown byexperiments that potatoes
which have remained untainted on the same plant where there
are spoiled tubers may be eaten without hesitation. It is
almost useless to remark that potatoes which are completely
rotten are hurtful not only to man but to cattle, and too fre-
quent use of spoiled potatoes is equally dangerous to these
who make their sole food of them. Dr. Westerhoffremarktl,
that in the commune of Warffum (province of Groningen),
those persons who made use of spoiled potatoes experience d
pains in the stomach and nausea, followed by vomiting, after
eating them.
"It has also been perceived that sheep have been made
severely ill by eating attacked potatoes though they were
soon cured by a change of food.",
"As to the means to be employed to prevent the benefit
influence that may be exerted on the health ofsnan by eating
the diseased potatoes, the Commission proposes to make this
the subject of another inluiry. In the meantime, it advises
that as much use as possible should be made of the feenla ~s
potatoes."

- -
PORTRAIT OF EARL PEhCER.—We have been f:t-
youred with a view of a beautiful medallion portrait t f
honest Lord Althorp," which has been recently publish:l.l
by Freebairn. The engraving has. been made b'y Freebaint
(by means of Bates's patent Anaglyptograph), from the on-
gloat model for the medal by Wyon. It is dedicated to tl.e
Agricultural Society and the Smithfield Club. The likm;est
is excellent—not a mere lifeless fac-simile of the features--
but a characteristic portrait, mirroring, as it were, the mint.
As a work of art, too, this portrait is exceedingly beautiful.
It is perhaps the most peifect specimen of medallic engrayiog
that has been yet given to the public!
STATE or TRADE.—The depression in "the markt,
which we noticed on Wednesday last, continues without eu-
minution, and in cases where business has been dose, lower
prices have been submitted to, both for goods and yarn.—
ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET, MONDAY, OCT. AL—We
have had a dull market. The business transacted has.he be: .a
limited, but prices have undergone no change.wo
market has had the same character—little doing, but pricys
. stationary.—Manchester Guardian.