The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-02-15
"TnE POTATO FAILURE"

We extract the following article from the
"Convcrsation" at an Agricultural Meeting
held hy the members Of the NasSachusetts
Lcgislahro, Several Of these meetings are
held during the sitting Of that body, aud much
practical information in regard 10 Agricul-
,ure eli,itrd.
Hon. MARSHALL r. WILDER was call.
ed upon TO open the conversation on the sub.
ioct chosen for the cvching-"IRe potato
6i9tt" lie commenced by referring to tho
efforts which had been lnado 20 arrive at the
sarsse OF tho diAnas1, aud lLp universal calura
Of them all. This result was no discourage
ment, he Observed but ought rather 10 op.
crate as an incentive towards further inqui-
~ for no doubt, the secret would, with tho
aid OF science, he ultimately resolved. The
past year has been one Of peculiar moisture
the average fall of rain having boon ton inch.
rs above an average IN low lands the pota.
to failure had been more fatal than on others.
I Daniel Webster had somc land in this situa-
ton, in New Hampshire, where tho crop fail
cd. while in an adjoining field, 100 feet high
cr there was no rot Gov. Hill, a. NJ H.,
iIurl also noted similar .l.et .-e,,a t,il Facts
supported the Speakers own cNpcriqucc.--
The origin oC the disease, lac went ON to say.
was discovered in lsls, by Mr. Teschcmnch,
err. who found it TO be caused by certain fun
ri, which could be mirrosropically seen on
the foliage of TIM plant How these fungous
I formations propagated, was unknown; but 1t
was obvious that il was similar TO mildew on
plants in hot houscs-which was corrected
bv the use of sulphur, used in fumigating the
affected locality Salt, Mr. Wilder thought,
would be good preventativoi but it should
he employed prcXions TO the notatoe. being
planted. Fungi would not generate in a sa-
line atmosphere; and, on the whole, salt
would seem to be the most eligible and eilee-
tual remedy.
Mr. Wilder took occasion 10 compliment
tho meeting on the fact Of the Chief Mags-
: trate of the State being in the Chair; and
concluded by expressing himself glad that
such an interest was takcn in the subjects
pertaining to agriculture, as the very large
meeting manifested, Mr. Wilder said, so
endless and diversified have been the phas-
Is Of this disease, that no very satisfactory
conclusions can be drawn for our guidance
A fow points seem to be pretty well settled in
this country /. That carly planting is the
best, so that the tubers ny become ripe be-
fore the season when the disease usual com
menccs. 2. That unfernented or hArnyard
manures arc generally, prejadiei4l and that
light, ferfnented, ~ concentrated rnanurcs
have succeeded best, 3. That the crops on
light, loamy, or sandy soils, aud in elevated
locations, have. for the most part, escaped the
= infection
Hon. Mr. GUSHING, of NewbuFy, being
called, said that he had nothing but crude
ideas TO advance, He did not understand
that agricultural enquiry or chomical analy-
sis had discovered the cause Of tho potato dis
ease. It did not follow that fungi we're the
cause, because they hal been discovered in
the roots; perhaps-nay, it was more than
probable--they were the effect of another
cause. The bad health of the potato might
be the predisposing cause aud what was cal
culateSl 70 cure Mai, was the question. Sa-
line and alkaline manures had been recon-
mendod, tried, and had failed, and no theory
could arise amid these modes Of treatment
and their failure, that could be depended on
Some element was wanted in the composition
of IN, mbci bat wha, that cl1sron, was--o.