Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-04-16
From the Germantown Telegraph
The Potato Rot,

Mr.. EDITOR: Allow me short space
in your paper FOX some remarks on sub
ject of deep interest to all classes of society
in our own and other countries. Although
many discoveries Of the cause of the Po-
tato Rot; and many remedies for the same,
have been presented through the press to
the public during the last three or four
years, the high price of potatoes during
the past winter and at this time, and the
fact that the Legislature of Massachusetts,
within the last few weeks have offered IA
premium of Sl0,0G0 to any one in that
State for remedy, is pretty strong cvi-
dcnce that the true cause of the disease
and the proper remedy are not among those
discoveries. The cause is undoubtedly the
same in all localities, north, south, east,
and west and the remedy must be just
as universal-othcrwise it is not remedy.
Now | undertake to say, and will here
after prore, to the satisfaction of every
farmer in the Union, if he will apply the
test which | am about to propose, that the
disease originates in the deficiency of Ger
tain ingredients in the soil The fact that
millions of bushels Notwithstanding the
loss of onc-third or more of the crop by the
rot Of as good potatoes are grown every
year in United States as We're ever raised
before the appearance of the disease, affords
to my mind, without more positive proof,
sufficient reason to disbelieve the statement
recently made, that the plant dies like an
animal in consequence of" the fecbleness
of old age l shall not ask the Legisla-
ture of our State to give NE $4,000 for
my discovery. l shall be amply rewarded
if, on fair and sufficient trial, it will set
tie the question. l shall not be alone if
it be proved that l am mistaken; and as
my remedy will add to the fertility of the
soil in proportion to the extent it may be
applied, no one can lose anything by the
trial of it.
l therefore assert, as my firm belief, that
S%Charcoal, properly applied, will al
ways, and everywhere, prevent the disease
known as the /" Potato Rot"
In the next number of the telegraph
will give directions in rcgarcd to the ap-
plication of this remedy, so that, late as it
is, many farmers can make beginning
this season. As / intend to prepare a
treatise on this subject, to be ready for
distribution after the harvesting Of this
years crop, | will be greatly obliged to
farmers and others who will try this test,
to let me know the result as soon as con-
venient thereafter, 50 that / can give to
the public as much information as possible
respecting the utility Of this remedy. In
hat work ! shall review the g discoveries
heretofore made, and give the reasons why
charcoal will prevent the disease, with all
the useful information on the culture of
The potato can obtain. 1t may require
two or three trials to ascertain the guam
tity necessary to suit different soils and
localities and if in some instances it
should fail on the first trial, l hope the III
dustrious farmer will not charge the fault
upou the remedy and abandon it, but try
it again the next year-for am confident
that if properly applied, it is the remedy
so much needed.
TRACY Z. WALLER.
Rising-sun. Philadelphia county, Pa,
Mirch 81, 1851.
P.S. On account Of the lateness Of the
season, | would suggest that farmers who
| may be induced to try the remedy / have
proposed, prepare at once a compost for
one-eighth of an acre (Which will be suffi-
cicnt for 4 trial this year, as follows:
Pulverised charcoal, $50 pounds.
Bone dust. or bes, guano, 25 "
Salt, 10
| One large wagon load Of wet and
well rotted tarnyard manure.
Mix well together and let it lay until
,;,,, 10 ,l,nt cay tvo two or three weeks