Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-07
THE POTATO DIsEAsE.-sCARcITy OF FooI
FROM THE GENEVA (s. Y. GAZETTE.

An article from correspondent (Which is given below on
the subject of the potato and its diseases is worthy the ate
ton OF our readers and the suggestions which the writer
makes the Of guarding against the results OF the
maady, which appears be almost universally prevalent are
obviously entitled the consideration of agricuurls and IN
deed of every citizen. The disease of the potato, IS very
evident, temporary character, and Is certain to
produce permanent deficiency IN the ordinary sources OF
supply which mutitudes depend for their sustenance Tie
use OF this vegetable has become Identified with the
fort of the people the greater part of the civilized world that
all suggestions as the best practical of guarding
against the calamity of disappearance must be admitted
objects of the serious consideration
In Europe especially in Great Britain and Ireland there
has been, is well KNOWN which has contributed,
IN any thing like the degree, the great scarcity food
and its consequent misery, the failure of the potato crop.
The disease there has got to be OF such positive and appa
renty ncurabe nature that great degree the potato cuI
ue has been abandoned And though favorable accounts
which receiving of the crops gran &c appear
to carry the impression that the great deficiency food which
has occurred during the last year will be fully made up the
abundant production oh decidedly opinion that this
is founded Tha, large exports ofbread
uiS and other provisions go forward from this country
to Europe for than year come, cannot doubt,
and do not believe therefore that there any good
to anticipate any permanent depression in prices. London
correspondent of the New York Commercial ADVERTISER in
letter received by the Britannia presents considerations
on this subject in most forcbe manner, and
couple of paragraphs, which will be found below and which,
to our mind, concusvey to show that there is
able prospect of the great deficiency of food which exists now
being completely supplied by crops of the present year. be they
abundant
With regard TO this years growth of food throughout
Great Britain and Ireland, interesting considerations have
been Published which tend demonstrate ha the harvest
be propIous is OF the question that sufficient
crops VIII be raised TO render any further considerable
poaon unnecessary This circumstance the
makabe degree which the cultivation the potato has been
abandoned Throughout the north and Ireland the
quantity of potatoes planted in the present said 10 be
less than onefouh OF what has hitherto been customary
In parts OF the south and southeast about third
the usual quantity planted but others does not exceed
fifth. In Scotland, in the producing districts the
cultivation, affirmed has been almost entirely given up
that here again the total quantity estimated exceed
onefh In England the proportions vary different neigh
bohood, but oneouh believed be about the average
Now the estimated cultivation OF the potato in former wears
the Of 200 900 England 200 900 in
Scotland and 00O0 600 in Ireland giving total g. 900
and therefore, applying the above information es
mating the quantities likely be produced this year only
one-fouh IN England, oneilth III Scotland and onehird
IN Ireland, we should have aggregate of than
,6OO6bl acres, showing uncultvaed other
wise appropriated Of 1893 334. The question then arises
what crops have been substituted for the potato In
land the greater portion Of England and also the north
oil Ireland said the chief substitute has been the turnp,
grain OF any kind being instead of potatoes only where
the usual courses Of husbandy entirely disregaded In
some cases carrots parsnps, and peas considerable
tent have constituted the cultivation, but the whole
1t is conended that the articles generally substituted will not
be OF much value. W.,
To understand, however, to It's full extent the position in
which this places another fact must be noticed which
public attention has also been strongly called From care
fu investigation OF the statements Of the various authorities
on the subject the conclusion clearly arrived that of
average potatoes capable of feeding the lowest estimate
many persons three of wheat Even, therefore, if
The whole of the 2393 1874 which the potato this
year been abandoned had been with wheat should
still require the produce Of nearly 5000 600 of wheat
make the deficiency in the total amount Of food consequent
upon this substitution. And if in addition To this, ecog-
Mise the probability of failure Of at least half Of the small
amount OF potatoes that have been planted together with the
TACT that our farmers hold stocks Of grain Of any kind
the certainty that high prices sufficient to induce much dis
ress and the necessity for extensive and long continued
Importation will appear evident Estimating the produce
an acre wheat to be quarters the above deficiency would
amount to lh30OOoO quarters-a quantity which could
be imported under a cost of forty millions sterling"