Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-12-11
The POtatOe Disease.

The following is description OF the disease as il was
observed in Germany. The article was written by
Prof. Kutzing, and was published in the Bot Zeiiung
Of Oct 10. We copy il from the London annals Of
Natural History.
THE disease Of potatoes have Of late years attained
unusual extent OF diffusion that their nvesiiga-
ton must become Of universal importance, especially
when we recoect that this is the only OF
tanning the cause Of the disease.
During the present year disease has appeared in
the potatoes growing around Nordhausen, with which
the author Of this communication was not previously
acquainted; is il mentioned in the writings which
have in modern times treated Of the disease Of potatoes
II is Of totally different nature from the so called
dry rot (cares Of the tubers) in which the starch
granules becomes so altered to exhibit minute brown
fungi similar TO those Of corn-smut, and the cellular
tissue which surrounds these bodies, becomes destroy
ed or dissolved at subsequent period only. In the
disease OF the present year. alteration and solution
of the cellular tissue alone is visible the starch eranules
remaining within il in sound and unaliered state
For this reason have called il eell-rot.
The cel-rOt first appears just beneath the cuiice Of
the tubers, and always extends from thence towards
the interior II constanily commences with brownsh
dscoloraon Of the substance, which FIRST is still
firm and solid, but gradually assumes lighter and
darker color until il is dissolved and forms greasy,
soft, dark brown sometimes vergng TO vioeD mass,
which possesses fCHiid odor.
On microscopic examination, perfectly healthy starch
granules may be detected in all the stnges Of the dis
ease, proof that the true nutritious ingredient Is
destroyed by this change, but the cells which contain
these starch granues and which in the healthy sub
stance are clear, cooress and extraordinarily trans
parent in the earliest stage Of the disease appear
OF yellowish color, and the membrane exhibits fine
~ granular structure which mpars their Transparent
cy As the disease progresses, the color and granular
structure Of the surface of the cells increase, until
last they are either partially completely dissolved,
the starch Rtanues pass out of them and become mix
ell with the decomposed mass. At this period find
in the fluid decomposed cellular fine flmenlous
fungus which frequently extends 10 the surface of the
diseased cells and dfused through the soft mass, in
rsmifed form united into bundles. Its formation
as have satisfactorily observed is consequence Of
the decomposition Of the cells for il is present in
the earliest state oi the disease.
The of this disease appears TO depend partly
upon too great an amount OF moisture, partly too
copious supply omanure 10 the soil; both induce
rapid growth Of the ubeTs which renders the lorna
iion OF strong and durable cellular membrane mpos-
sible. Moreover all the potatoes which have expert
enced the ce-rot contain much larger Of a.
queous constituents than the sound ones. II may be
expected that the disease Of the tubers which are laid
troy them, il be not taken to preserve them ia
dry place, whereby portion of the excess OF moisture
may be removed The author has found that the dis
ease remains stationary when they dried; least
at the end Of several weeks il has not attacked the
neigbborng parts. These diseased potatoes might be
used TO obtain potatoe starch also for distillaon
without there being any necessity for throwing away
the deceased portions, those which have be-
come puiFd. In the preparation of starch, however,
the washing must be continued longer than usual
They may also be used without injury, after having
been boiled 70 feed cattle upon but The water in which
they are boiled should be thrown away. They are
perfectly useless for planting for the disease is found
generally TO extend from those points at which the
young buds are situated; the germ is also ffequeaiy
Destroyed