New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-09-30
The Potato Di.ease.

T1 a.e Ed4sor u Tie Irs5Hlie
see By the papers thai, the Potato Ro. has made
lis appearance again, and threatens 70 become an
alarming matter in the cultivation Of that most in
dispensable vegetable From It's first appearance
| have had my own opinion as 70 the cause and
have intended long before this 10 express t. for the
consideration Of those engaged IA their culture
NV opinion IS that the principal, if not the pr
mnry and only cause rs ne planting Of defec,'re
sced--by which | mean, small, uarl2e Potasoes--
instead Of )nlgropn, sooM Gitg ltge 0'LeS such
ss are selected for the farmer table. 10 illustrate
nv views and present the evidences Of convictions
viii relate us briefly possible my experience in their
cultivation for four years. In the year 20 planted an
acre Of good soil with potatoes had secd enough ior
one.third. and they were very large; cut them
in two lengthwise and put onehalt IN hill then
! purchased lot the best that | could ind. which
averaged near the size OF hens egg these planted
one in hill, which occupied about one. thrd more
OF the acre. Potatoes being very scarce, ior the
balance was obliged 10 take lot OF very small ones
varying from the size OF black walnut TO that OF white
one These planted 2 3 ard sometimes . IN NIL.
and upon the beet soil if there was any choice The
soil was thoroughly cultivated and the potatoes timely
and properly dressed In the fall, lcommenced digging
my potatoes where commenced planting ana took IRON
the soil just such % J plh0ted Ihey were very large,
sound and OF excellent quality do not think there
were two bushels that not lit for the table When
came to tho second section, found the same result
just such planted dug; the only difference was
that there were small ones in proportion than IL
the first recuun And when came 10 the last section il
there had not been more in number should almost have
been led to believe they the very that were
planted There not bushel, that considered as
having come 10 maturity, and fit for the table.
This being the first opportunity OF testing what seemed
to be kind OF intutye sentiment in my mind, even
when lad-(for always loved TO drop as the farmer
saws large potatoe-ii was then | looked Tor and
pected to dig large in the FaD fully confirmed
In the doctrine tnat grow good potatoes equally good
ones must be planted
The following season had smaller piece OF ground
went TO one OF my neghbors the most particular
In the town with regard to every thing pertaining to as
rcuture. and paid him eztrayagant price for some
potatoes that he selected Tor MS inuy useI planted
and nursed them with care, and IN the fall dug hnc
potatoes ever need grace table OF luxury. hove
them all upon the surface and then selected the full
grown smouthes airesr potatoes ior oecd for the FOL
lowing year This course pursued for three successive
years tho piece OF ground, and such potatoes
had the third year lhave seen before nor since
they improved IN size and quality each year. They
were the wh!test dryes sweetest potatoes when cooked
that ever Jaw. For this was laughed at by OF the
most extensive potato growers In the town. The hrst
fall who happened 10 see me when was selecting
seed "Why." said he those small potatoes worth
for seed than those you selecting because they
viii much farther in planting and they will produce
just az good ones Us the largest always select my
small potatoes TO pan and my potatoes good enough
at least get much for them my neighbors. Said
J. do you not have to eaange your seed every few
yoarsf" "Wel yes generally buy seed every three OF
four years they do better change every few year,
tso happened that tn. winter following my third crop
that my friend and potato grower called on md dnod
Win me. men ne WAS served Win potatoes, said he
Those afe the finest potatoes thai saw re-
piled that they had improved IN quality each year and
attributed Il the selection OF my seed and was now
fully confirmed IN my views. VIZ that 10 grow good pc
ta,oos YOU must plant such. Well said he am
more than hall convinced OF the truth OF that doctrine
for my potatoes failing; they very poor this year
there more small and many OF the large ones
arc hollow or black and hard in the centre and many
them ROT Ihsy ara scarcely III ioI the table all
must change my seed in the spring; dare not plant
them again" Thus. Mr.. Greeley, have given you the
facts and shall leave you TO comment
There is idea however while this subject tina,
Iwish 70 suggest and which view as an improviden,
error among farmers vi. the sending OF potatoes 10
market just as they dug large and ANAL venture
10 say that they woad select but those
n, for tho table mean such farmers use) and send
them TO market that they would realize s.uch Tor
them rs they now do for the whole besides having the
small ~ feed well save the freight and com
missions ON them The difference in price IN favor
large potatoes Is at least eS per cent
A OVEN OF Coon PoT Arcys