The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-04 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, OCT. 31.—TILE POTATO DISTEMPER.--The
Commissioners appointed by Government to inquire into
the actual condition of the potato crop in Ireland have
presented a second report to the Lord-Lieutenant. It
is as follows :
"TO ma IXCELLENCY BARON HETTESBURY, LORD...J.IEII7W
NANT OF IRELAND, &C.
" Board-room, Royal Dublin Society, Oct. 29.
"My Lord,—Having submitted to your Excellency, in a
former report, some preliminary instructions intended to•
prevent improper treatment of the pato crop still remaining-
unaffected, we now have the honour to lay before your Ex-
cellency our views regarding some processes of treatment for
the potato which appear to US to be of practical value and
importance.
"We are deeply sensible of the incompleteness of form
which this mode of presenting our results to your Excellency
necessarily assumes ; but the exigencies of the case are such
that we consider it our highest duty to bring at once under
the notice of her Majesty's Government such principles or
modes of practice as, upon due consideration,, we feel] autho-
rised to recommend.
" We have been engaged in the investigation of various
plans for preserving diseased potatoes, as proposed by other
persons, or suggested by ourselves, and we have been col-
lecting precise information as to the experience of others in.
their endeavours to arrest the progress of the disease.
From all the results that we have obtained, we feel jas-
tified in submitting to your Excellency the following obset-
vat ions.
" Plans of treatment have been proposed by persons pos-
sessing more or less of chymical knowledge, in which, by
some, acids are to be employed ; in others, alkaline liquors ;
and, in a third class, gases--such as chlorine. These pro-
cesses we dismiss from further consideration,—as, even did
they, in the laboratory, answer the intended purpose, they
are totally inapplicable to the circumstances of the produce
of an entire country, and to a population such as that for
i
whose welfare your Excellency sso deeply anxious. Other
methods, apparently more practical, consist in the treat-
ment of the potatoes with chloride of lime (bleaching
powder) and salt, either separate or in mixture. The result
of our own experiments, and the evidence we have received
concerning trials made by persons in whom we have full
confidence, authorise us at once to recommend the rejection
of these materials. We have found the decomposition of the
potato to be decidedly accelerated by their application.
With respect to lime, the results of our own experiments are
not yet decisive ; nor is the experience of others as yet satis-
factory. We, therefore, reserve this point for further con-
sideration.
" Whilst the disease is not yet very far advanced in the
potato, it is certain, that after being boiled or steamed, it
may be employed as food for immediate use, both for man
and other animals, without prejudice to health.
" When the disease is more advanced, so as to have in-
vaded a large part of the potato, and when the tubers haa
acquired a disagreeable smell, their influence on the system
is more questionable. We have put in operation a series of
experiments, in order to determine this point, and will, int
due time, report the result to your Excellency. As, how-
ever, the potato, when once affected, quickly runs into total
decomposition, if left to itself, it is evident that its consump-
tion merely for the purpose of food cannot be sufficiently
rapid ; and it therefore becomes necessary to consider to
what other uses it may be applied.
" The extraction of starch from potatoes, and its use as
food, having strongly attracted public attention, and con-
flicting and, in many cases inaccurate opinions having been
entertained on this subject, we consider it of paramount im-
portance at once to direct your Excellency's attention to the
actual state of knowledge regarding this material. It is re-
cognised that the potato, in relation either to its weight or
bulk, is one of the most inferior articles of food. In
its ordinary state of sound constitution, every hundred
pounds weight of potatoes contain, on an average,
741 b. of water; of skin and fibrous 'natter, 81b.; and
of starch, 161 b. ; whilst of gluten, the most nutri-
tious of vegetable matters, and which predominates in corn,
there is not more than 21b. in the above quantity. It is quite
certain that starch, or materials corresponding to it, exist to
a certain amount in every variety of useful food; but it is
equally certain that in food starch is not the material which
serves for the support of the animal frame ; and an animal fed
merely on starch dies of starvation nearly, if not quite as soon,
as if totally deprived of food. Hence, starch extracted from
the potato cannot be viewed as a substitute for the potato
itself; and we consider it of great importance, that whilst
the attention of the people is directed to the real value of
starch, and the uses to which it may be advantageously ap-
plied, they should not be allowed to rest their hopes of
nourishment during the succeeding season upon any store of
it alone.

" With this preliminary caution, we have to state to your
Excellency, that probably the best use to which diseased
potatoes may be applied is the extraction of starch. In a
commercial point of view, the starch represents a considerable
proportion of the value of the potato, although it is not pre-
sent in as large a quantity in the unsound tubers as in those
which are free from disease. The extraction is simple, and
consists in processes which we need not here describe, as they
are given in the current publications of the day, and indeed
are already practised in most parts of the country.
" Your Excellency is aware that we are directing our at-
tention to the manner in which starch can be advantageously
employed. It can be worked off, and with utility, as food,
when mixed with proportions of oatmeal, beanmeal, or peas-
meal, and such intermixture forms an excellent and econo-
mical article of food. It is also to be remarked, that the
pulp remaining after the extraction of the starch from the
diseased potatoes contains a considerable quantity of nutri-
tive material ; and as the decomposing substance is, to a
very great extent, washed out during the preparation, the
pulp may, when dried, be applied with confidence to the
nourishment of animals. Further, if the dried starch, ex-
tracted from the potato, be mixed up with the dry residual
pulp, a material will be produced really representing the
potato, equivalent to it as food, and, if dry, capable of
being preserved for a considerable length of time ; it, of
course, must be prepared for use by cooking or baking in the
ordinary way.
" The manufacture of the pulp and starch, on an extensive
scale, in accordance with these suggestions, we venture to
consider worthy of your Excellency's attentioa. It is an
operation not suited to the circumstances of isolated cotters,
mid just now might not be a proper object for mere com-
mercial speculation. But arrangements might possibly
be made for carrying out this recommendation through
the agency of the Poor-law unions and other Government
establishments, in which mechanical power and intelligent
superintendence could be speedily and economically applied.
We feel, however, that even these facilities for the conver-
sion of the tubers may not be sufficient to keep pace with
the progressive injury which, it is to be feared, the potato
crop is sustaining. We, therefore, recommend a mode by
which we believe the process of decomposition may be re-
tarded. In our preliminary report we mentioned to your
Excellency the important influence exercised upon the dis-
ease by moisture and dryness. Our subsequent investigations
have confirmed this opinion, and, we believe, where means
exist for a more complete drying of the tubers, such a
method will prove the most efficacious plan for preserving
the potato from further decay. This more perfect drying
cannot, however, be effected in this climate by mere exposure
to air ; it requires artificial heat, applied in some form of
kiln ; and, without entering into mechanical details, we may
name some simple contrivances which seem well adapted to
the purpose..
..
_ _ _

. .
"The corn kilns extensively distributed through the coun-
try may at once be applied to the drying of the potatoes,
which will, however, demand a temperature rendered gra-
dually higher than that required for corn. But, as in many
cases those kilns are at present fully occupied, we would re-
present that every limekiln may be adapted to the purpose,
without interfering with its ordinary operations, by erecting
over it at a suitable height above its mouth a framework of
hurdles, upon which the potatoes may be spread in a thin
layer, fresh potatoes being added as the others become dry
and are removed. In localities where the previous means do
not exist, or may not be on a sufficiently extensive scale,
potatoes may be spread on a framework of hurdles supported
on a few props of stone, two or three feet high ; one or more
turf fires burning slowly under the hurdles would effect the
same object. There need be no fear of the potatoes becoming
slightly browned, as they are not injured thereby for future
use ; and the turf smoke would act favourably on the po-
tatoes rather than otherwise.

" In all these modes of drying, the potatoes should be cut
into two, or if very large into three pieces, so as to allow the
water to escape. . _ _

" Potatoes dried in any of the modes above described are
certainly capable of being preserved when kept in a dry place,
and stored, with the precautions described in our first report,
until suitable opportunities arise for converting them into
starch or meal, according to the degree in which they were
affected by the disease.
" It is gratifying to us to find that our own opinion as to
the advantage of thoroughly drying the potato in the manner
we have recommended, and by processes such as those above
described, are confirmed by the experienced and highly in-
telligent persons who have simultaneously directed their at-
tention to the subject.
" We shall not hesitate to bring under the notice of your
Excellency our further conclusions, and we have the honour
to be your Excellency's obedient and faithful servants,
" ROBERT BANE.
" JOHN LINDLET.

HLYON PLAYFAIR."
A public meeting of the citizens of Dublin was held
this day at Ole Music-hall, in Abbey-street, the Lord
Mayor presiding. The attendance was respectable and
rather numerous ; but the proceedings were not suffered
to terminate without an unseemly display of political and
party feeling in the highest degree discreditable to the
parties engaged in it :
The LORD MAYOR, on taking the chair, briefly addressed
the meeting, which he said he had called in pursuance of a
requisition presented to him by the Town-Council, to consider
the present calamity which had befallen the potato crop—a
calamity of such a nature that every one would admit the
necessity of taking the moat speedy measures to remove the
evil likely to arise from it, or to provide for the sustenance
of the poor in case of the disease spreading to the extent
which was then unfortunately anticipated.—(Hear, hear.)
The Lord Mayor concluded by stating that he had received
several letters on the subject from different parts of the
country which he would be happy to lay before any commit-
tee appointed by the meeting or anybody anxious to inquire
into the matter.—(Cheers.)
Mr. O'CONNELL, M.P., observed that he thought it would
be advisable to read some of those letters, as he was sorry to
say, that from what he had lately heard, the disease was
rapidly spreading.—(Hear hear.) lie did so, because he had,
at the last meeting of the Corporation, stated that in Kerry
the disease had not appeared, since which time he had re-
ceived letters showing it to be, he feared, universal ; and in
order to avoid the present calamity which threatened the
country, he would support every means that could be devised,
and support any measure that the Government might pro-
pose on the subject.—(Hear, hear.)
The Loan MAYOR stated, that upon his property at
Tallagh the disease had spread itself to a considerable
extent.
Mr. PHlLLips.—And on my property the disease, which
has only lately appeared, has spread to at least one per cent.
of the crop.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. P. MAIIONT said lie regretted extremely at being en-
abled to confirm what his friend Mr. O'Conn
Hear, ell had stated—
namely, that the disease was general—( hear)—for
had received letters from Mayo, Galway, Kerry—coun-
ties stated not to be infected—assuring him that the calamity
had been felt in various localities.—(Hear.)
Mr. PERRY also expressed his regret at having it in his
power to corroborate the"statements already made.—Tear.)
He was enabled to do so, having visited the south of reland
within the past week, where lie found the disease in almost
every locality;
and he took particular pains to obtain accu-
rate information.—(Hear, hear.) He regretted particularly
to have to state, that potatoes treated in the manner sug-
gested by Professor Kane had been infected, as well as those
treated in the usual manner.
Mr. O'CoNNELL read a letter from his son Maurice, dated
from Derrynane Abbey, and also one from the Rev. Mr.
M•Evoy, a Roman Catholic clergyman, residing in Kerry,
stating that the disease was daily increasing in almost ever
locality ; and said that, as far as he was concerned, he would
allow every penny his tenants should pay for food to them
in their rent, and he hoped others would follow his example.
—(Hear, hear.) The Irish people were in fact feeding the
English, as a proof of which 16,000 quarters of corn had
been exported within the last month, and their continuing
to do so would bud, Very likely, is guying thomnlYce