New-York daily tribune., 1845-12-15
The Pctato Di.ensc.

be committed to the same land-ns wheat or cabha
gcs for example. The American Minister III Lon
don himself jealous farmer, has been inierchang-
ing information and inquiries on this Interesting
subject with gentlemen OF high attalnments ana
consideration who desire 10 obtain statement OF
such facts as may have been accurately noted IN re
spect TO the potato malady in this country-as Tor
example, how many years II al all, before the pre-
sent and what have been the most remarkable phe-
nomena attending the disease. From information
of this sor, an inference may be drawn with some
degree OF confidence whether the disorder has been
produced by remarkable atmospheric influences
pervadng this country as well as Europe, and
therefore not to be anticipated again, but under sim
liar circumstances of sudden transitions from heat
TO cold, or remarkable degrees and continuation of
mosiure-or extraordinary electrical influences, or
what not-or whether supposing it 10 have had its
origin in other causes these causes may not be ex
peced TO from year 10 year, as does the hes
sian fly, the blight in potatoes, &c
The Commissioners appointed in England 10
prosecute this important investigation are men with
whose names-kAyE, LISDLEY and PLAyFAlR-aI
are familiar who have any knowledge OF the pro-
gress of science and industrial pursuits and as the
work in which they engaged is one OF general
concern as well as of humanity they entitled TO
all the aid that observation and experience can con-
tribute.
We give below their first Report from the Lon
don Gard eners Chronicle OF the first OF November,
and take the opportunity to solicit from all who can
assist in this important inquiry, any and every tact
which may appear pertinent 10 the subject with
view to diffuse them as widely as possible, not only
in this country but through our Minister, and at his
request, to gentlemen in England, who have been
led, as well by generous public spirit as by the ma
ture of their studies. 10 investigate the cause OF
disease which promises 10 be attended with results
more disastrous than any thing which has occurred
in The history Of vegetable physiology The me-
thod suggested by the Commissioners above men
toned for preventing The progress oil the disease
after tie potatoes are dug, is confirmed by the ex-
periments Of Doctor TAPPINGToS. an experienced
physician and farmer in Maryland who, without
ever having seen this Report mentioned on Mon
day last TO the writer Of this that he had discovered
that by putting away his potatoes in sand which
had undergone perfect deSSccat'on not letting them
touch each other and covering each layer with
luver oil this perfectly well dried sand, the disease
is completely arrested.
ANY information founded on actual observation
addressed TO the undersigned for the time being at
Washington, will be thankfully received, published
in the Farmers Library, and forwarded TO England
in exchange for like Offices from the friends of sci
ence who are, the world over the friends OF peace
and humanity.
J. 5. SKINNER, Ed Farm. Library.
The Commissioners in Ireland, directed TO in
qure into the disease which has attacked the Potato
crop in the United Kingdom, consists OF Professors
KANE PLAyF.IR and LISpLEY Their first Report,
directed merely towards the prevention ofimpropcr
methods of storing the crop, has been published by
the Irish Government, and distributed by means OF
the constabuary through the whole country. We
reprint it, and shall continue to give readers the
succeeding reports, as soon as they have been made
public. As they will contain all that is considered
worth recording respecting this fatal disease il will
be needless henceiorward 10 occupy much space
with other comments.
AS we said before, the issuing of this Commission
is a sufficient proof OF the prevalence of the Potato
Murrain to most formidable extent, and OF the
accuracy of the view we have always taken of its
importance
In Ireland the official inquiry is essentially aided
bv the important evidence collected by various dill
gent inuuirers especially by the R0gdi irtsh ltgr5-
useful association, and the officers OF the Itoyai
DuJli'. Society," In England Rev. NJ. j. BERkLEY
and Mr.. EDWARD SoLLY are occupied with mi
mute investigation OF the subject for the H0rticattH-
rat Society, in the mycologlcal and chemical points
of view; aud in Scotland, the agricultural Chem
is.yY association have put forth circular inviting
the public 10 subscribe five hundred pounds y for
the expense of an chronological Botanlco-Chemlco-
Practical examination OF the matter.
The following is the Report above alluded 10:
BOARD ROOM, Royal Dublin Society,
October a. lsi5
Nix LORD: We, the undersigned Commissioners sp.
pointed by her Maesys Government 10 report TO your
EXcelency on the of disease in the Potato crop
and the means OF It's prevention, have The honor 10
inform your Exceency that we pursuing our inqui
ries with unremittins attention.
We are fuy sensible of the important and difficult
nature of the inquiry and therefore unwilling Of
fer a, The present moment any final recommendations,
as we are still receiving evidence, and awaiting The
suits ot various experiments now "a progress But at
the time ought - state 70 your EXceleDcy that
we have hope that the progress OF the disease
may te retarded by the application OF simple means,
which trust may appear worthy o adoption, until we
are enabled to otter further recommendations.
In the present communication we avoid entering into
any of the origin nature oi the disease; but
We would particularly direct attention 10 the asccrtlned
facts that moisture hasiens lis progress hd hat III ca
pabe of being communicated to healthy Potatoes when
they are in contact with such are already tainted
knowledge OF these facts determined, as they have
been By experiment aud agreeing Win the sclentuc III
formation obtained the and nature OF the dis
ease lead propose the adoption OF the following
plan for diminishing the evils arising from this desruct
i've malady
In the event OF a continuance OF dry weather. and IN
soils tolersbly dry, We recommend that the Potatoes
should be allowed for the present TO remain IN the land
but if weather intervene, or II the soil oe naturally
wet we consider that they should DC removed from the
ground without delay.
When the Potatoes dag out of the ground, we
decidedly of opinion that they shoud net be pred in the
usual way as the circumstances under which Potatoes
are placed in ordinary pits precisely those which
tend TO hasten their decay.
We recommend that Potatoes when dug should be
spres, over the teld and collected into heaps and
the weather continue dry and free from frost that they
should be allowed to lie upon the held Tor period OF
time not exceeding three days.
The Potaoes. alter being thus dried and improved IN
their power OF resisting disease by the means proposed
should then be sorted, by carefully separating those
which show any tendency 10 decay. Those Potatoes
which appear be should then be placed about
inches apart in layer bud each layer OF Potatoes
should be placed layer Of turf ashes dry turf mould
or dry sand burned clay the depth aew inches.
Thus will oe formed bed oI Potstoes each Potato be-
ing completely separated from the other by dry ab-
sorpve material upon this bed another layer ot Pota
toes should be spread in ike manner and be also
ed with the dry materials employed; many as four
LAYERS may thus be placed above the other snd when
the heap is completed il should be covered with dry
clay straw heath any other material adapted TO pro-