The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-08-06
THE POTATO

IA correspondent of the Pennsylvania
Farm Journal, in speaking of the Potato and
Its diseases, says:l
The Potato has many enemies, and from
time to time has been violently assailed with
disease, and threatened with determination
In ITS, in the principality of Gottingen,
disease called the curt made its appearance
on the stem and leaves of this plant; in IT'S
1t appeared in Hanover in 1880 in the Brit.
ish Isles; in 1899 it threatened to extermi-
nate potatoes in England; and in 1900 il
presented the same disposition in Prussia
Some assigned the cause to an insect called
Phytocoris, but others attributed it to over
ripe tubers. The remedy was found to be
to change the seed for that from higher lati'
tudes.
In 1880 disease called the rast attacked
the potatoe, similar to the rust in wheat. II
ragged in Germany with great severity; and
at different times and places the rusts, mil
dews, &c, have frequently destroyed the
crops and vegetables, They are attributed
70 the attacks Of several species of fungus,
among which are several species of Botrytis,
Credo taberosam Fasiporiano solanii and Fu-
ssporiam sporotrichoideS. The ProtomyceS
eoIaati often attacks the Potato in cellars,
and badly ventilated places. Plaster, lime,
sulphur, salt and ashes, are beneficial appli-
catious in these diseases; fermenting and
slowly decomposing vegetable matters appear
10 be the principal cause of these diseases.
In 1889 disease called the scaJ made its
appearance in Europe, and prevailed to a
considerable extent. A dry, sandy soil, and
high cultivation, seemed to be the best pre-
ventative.
In 1869 disease called the rot, and near
" allied to the disease now prevailing, made
its appearance in Germany; in 1888 in Prus.
sia; in 1880 in France; in 1884 in Great
Britain, where it threatened the total destruc-
ton of the Potato crop;' in 1889 in Russia,
and in 1840 in Bohemia. Some assigned
the cause of this disease to the habit of cut
ting the seed into thin slices, others, howev-
er, assign it to the attacks of a fangi, or
peculiar species of mushroom. A healthy
condition of the soil, and strong sound plants
we're the best preventatives
In 1929, disease called the blue rot or
6lae tansor, made its appearance in Germany,
and spread through Saxony and the Upper
Hartz. Blue spots and risings are first OBJ
served on the skin Of the tubers afterwards
a dark colored texture similar to rhizomo-
pha appears, which surrounds the tuber, pen
etrating even its interior, followed by the
blue spots and streaks in the heart of its SUBJ
stance. A mixture of saw-dust with dung,
it is said, was the cause of it,
In 1840, an insect called the Phytocoris
5insolaris attacked the Potato in some of the
New England States, and about the same
time the Aphis vastator in Europe, but they
did not produce much mischief.
In j843, the existing naurrian or potato rct
made its appearance in Prussia and in the
United States: in 1914 in the south of Eu-
rope; and in l845 it spread over nearly all
the middle and north of Europe, totally de-
stroying the whole crop in many places, and
leaving famine behind it. 1t has spread
more generally, and been more destructive
than any other disease that has assailed this
important vegetable. Nor does it seem to
be confined to the Potato alone;S in some
districts tulips, hyaeinths, carrots, onions,
and IN Jamaica the yams and cocoa have
suffered from the same or similar disease.
The cause is yet a mystery. 1t appears
like vegetable cholera, and moves with
singular rapidity and precision. This veg
etable cholera is. no doubt, the result of a
vegetable parasite, similar to the Gu ophoza
that attacks the mucous membrane of ami
mails Itappears that dry gravelly soils are
the best suited to avoid the attacks Of the
disease. Putrescent manures should be
avoided, and free use of charcoal, salt and
lime, are among the best prcventatives.
Plant early, and dig the potatoes before the
ground gets wet and cold in the fall; then
pack them away in charcoal, and you will
probably escape the rot,
] saw large amount Of Potatoes opened
This spring. that had been packed away in
scoal breys," at one of our furnaces, and
they were generally sound. while some that
had been slowed away in the usual manner
entirely perished. would suggest this
plan: lay down layerof potatoes, slightly
severed with fine charcoal, then another lay
y Of potatoes and charcoal, and thus form 81
heap. which coycr in the usual way.
We have reason to believe that in q few
rears the disease will disappear. and we viii
Y acain permitted to enjoy the use Of this
\ N yas3t 4 W esculent. j. M. M'MIEN.
Unionrilla, Centre o., Pa., June. 1851