Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1850-10-03
Cure for the Potato Ro,.

We coPy 'ic iohowing from the Pos-
ton Journal, hoping that the remedy r.
ferred to may be tried by some Of ON
farmers, whose potatoes are suffering tha
rot:
1t will be recollected, that at one of Tho
agricultural meetings last winter. a letter
was read from Mr.. Haynes, the distin.
guished chemist, communicating rene.
dy for the Potato Rot. We re-publ;sb
it, and commend the remedy to those who
are sufferers by this calamity. ALTHOUGH
it will not prevent the rot in the hills &
will save the potatoes after they are dug.
On a method of protecting Potatoes. after
they haze been harvested, from the further
spreading Of the Potcto disease.
We are indebted to ]. Z. Teschemacher.
ESQ.,, for the first demonstration of the
causes of the present destructive disease
in the potato, being fungus growth
The subsequent inquiries, to the latest
observations, have only slightly modified
the conclusions arrived at in this country.
by substituting for the changes produced
by a negotiating fungus, those inducedb BY
the decay of that growth.
The rapid decay which continues after
the roots have been removed from the
soil, is often of the most remarkable
character, and aside from its economical
bearing, is subject of scientific import
ance. During the last season, made
trial Of some chemical agents, which
specifically arrest all vegetation. Hoping
10 discover an application which would
enable US to preserve the diseased pota-
toes from further changes. Early in the
course Of the experiments it was noticed
that reduction Of temperature by cx-
posture TO cold air, greatly diminished the
rapidity OF decay; while slight increase
of temperature fastened it; moisture be-
ing present or not.
Heat in moist atmosphere, increased
the destruction, and samples which had
been cooled, and thereby partly protect
ed, readily passed through all mild air.
After using several substances by direct
contact with diseased parts of potatoes,
soon found that the mixture of sui
phurous acid, nitrogen and common air,
such as exists when sulphur is burnt in
closed vessels, would prevent the further
progress of the disease in tubers already
affected, and when exposed in contact
with tubsrs, passing through all stages
of the disease, no further change in the
prepared ones was induced.
The trials were varied, and the uni
formity Of the results has led me to con-
clude that the fumes of burning sulphur,
flowing in contact with potatoes partly
diseased, will arrest the further progress
of the disease and prevent decay. 1t is
proper that this conclusion should be re-
ceived as an expression Of fact, under
the circumstances Of experiments on
small scale, and with no more than two
varieties of potatoes; but | confidently
expect that the Importance of the appli-
cation will be seen in the largest exhibit
ton of its effects.
The practical use Of the sulphurous
acid gas is very simple and not expen-
sive. Crude sulphur innamed in shall
low cast-iron vessel, or an earthen pot,
furnishes the fumes which may be led by
wooden pipes, to the lower part of bins
/ filled with the roots, until the unoccupied
space is filled with them. As the fumes
cool, they become heavier than air, and
will then enter every interstice. BY
placing the pot of burning sulphur in an
empty barrel and inverting over it bar
rel filled with potatoes, having light
rack in place of a head, the fumes will
slowly rise within and impregnate the
mass; the barrel and contents being then
removed, and the head replaced, the ex-
posre may be considered as ample
Where the quantity is large, it would be
more economical to leave space vacant,
below the loose floor on which they re-
pose, and introduce these fumes until
every part of the heap of potatoes has
received a share.
1t should be remembered that this APP
plication will iniure, if not destroy the
negotiating power of the tubes, and that
although this result may be highly de-
sirable, for all that are preserved for
food, those intended for seed should not
be so treated.
Respectfully,
(Signed) A. A. HAYNES, NJ. ID.
State Assayer,
No. l, Pine St, Boston, Jan. Is, 1850.
| MIR. J. E. Teschemaker, of East Bos-
ton, wen and favorably known as a scien-
tifc and practical agriculturist, at the
same meeting, before which his letter
was read, expressed his confidence in
the adaptation of this remedy to the
prevention of the potato rot. viii some
of our agricultural readers try the rene
! DIV and communicate the result
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