The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-09-17
CULTURE AND PoTAToE

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ROT.
The following extract from an article
under the above headis extracted from the
Genessee Farmer, and is commended to
the attention Of our readers. II contains
ihe germ of facts in vegetable and animal
physiology well worthy ofcareful consider
aiion.
First lei US consider tho origin Of the
disease. It consists essentially in the per-
mature decomposition OF the organized
clements of the tubers, artificial agencies
awe developed, for the fact should not be
overlooked, that wild plants growing in
digenously, produce but few, and they
very small potatoes. Their preternatura
enlargement by cultivation, may give to
she tissues OF the parts so effected, de-
gree of tenderness analogous to what is
called proud fesh," or the excessive ac-
foundations of fat in the systems OF ami
mails. A race of long pampered sheep,
horses, or horned cattle, is vastly more
susceptible to injuries, and subject to dis
cases, than wild animals belonging to the
same species. The more artificial the
Treatment, and the wider the departure
srom natures standard, the more feeble the
vital force within, and the more potent all
edferse influences without.
In our humble judgment, the causes OF
the potatoe rot are as numerous as those
tna! induce disease in animals. Life and
death, whether in plant or animal, are
phenomena of the causes OF which we
know nothing. Why they should die so
soon, or live so long, or live or die at all,
is a secret not likely to be revealed by
science. Nevertheless, we know that some
substances operate as poisons. others as
ailments, and that all living beings may
he starved to death from the lack Of sulta-
be food. We know also that some dis
cases are constitutional, and extend from
pa.ent to offspring; and that others are
temporary, and effect the individual alone.
"a testing the hereditary vital strength or
Institutional power-feebeness begetting
strength, to degree that enables 1000
seeds of corn, we'll treated for several gen.
syaiions, to produce third larger harvest
5haE. like number Of seeds long i'll treat
ed--both kinds having equal advantages
Of soil, culture and climate. These re.
marks will apply to potatoes, wheat and
other plants. TO plant the seeds OF pota'
.ocs which have suffered from bad treat.
nent through ten, twenty, or thirty crops
or generations. by no means secure the
benefit of sound constitution to star
u.th as the head of new family. Seed
..ngs, however, are preferable to buds OIL
sets, and we advise all potatoe- growers te
save seeds washed clean from the balls
aud dried in the shade soon after they arr
Yipa
We do not suppose it possible Away
lo prevent the premature extinction OF VI
,ali.y in potatoes, and their speedy disso
i,ion thereafter. any more than is it pos
sible to avoid all untimely frosts, the at
lacks Of mildew, or the death Of children
Nor can we appreciate any peculiar mys
terry in this fact as nature operates by gen
eral, not partial laws. If medical sclenc
stall ever approximate perfection, it wi
be oy preventing not curing maadies, L
prevent the potatoe disease, all the con
lition necessary to a healthy growth OF tn
stems, leaves, roots and tubes OF the plan
m,sst be complied with. from generation
,aneration. We know lad not twelv
veafs of age, and perfectly temperate
,,ho sufferers much from the gout, dl'
case of which his father and grandathe
died. Many noble families have becom
extinct from the misconduct Of progen
,ors; and the same laws extend not onl
through all inferior animals, but to II
vest plants endowed with life, That
Il the living principle is maltreated the o
oanized matter which it pervades, returI
Tnore speedily to its original element l
a,ply good deal of putrescent manu-
70 feeble potatoe plants is like treating II
rircstion with double meal of pickle
Clans"
RovED FRENCH MERINo SHEEl
An importation of the improved bret
:" French Merino Sheep into this countr
Il L., MI