Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-09-10
The Farmer.
The Potato Rot.

Inc f0tat0 hOt.
Mr.. EDITOR: l have read various Es-
says on the subject Of the potato rot, and
as dissent entirely from the conclusions
of these writers, am induced to put forth
my own opinion through the medium Of
your valuable paper.
My views are entitled to no other con-
sideration than as embodying the result Of
my own observation and experience, and
while these have satisfied me, l do not
pretend that they ought to satisfy others.
Some suppose that this disease originates
from the natural decay Of the plant, and
that it is necessary to renovate it, by plant
ing the ball, and by this means rear a new
seed. Others believe that an insect pro-
duces the decay. Irepudiate both Of these
notions, and assert from my own observa-
ton that these causes do not generate the
disease. The first potato rot, as general
epidemic in this section of the country oc-
Cured in 1872 L had a field which
looked very promising for large crop.
In August, after the crop was nearly ma
tured We had a heavy rain, succeeded by q
not sun. 1t was ascertained that the po-
tatoes Immediately commenced rotting, and
when they were dug, large portion were
found unfit for Use. The ground on which
this crop grew, was clay soil, which re-
tanned the water, and prevented its rapid
escape. Under similar circumstances I
noticed for several successive years, like
result; but attributing it to the popular
opinion that the plant had degenerated, or
that an insect had caused the decay, and
adopting the belief that lime would obviats
the difficulty, had piece of ground pre-
pared last year according to the most ap-
proved method of preventing the rot. The
land was deeply drilled, and heavily ma
nured. In the drills lime was added, and
on this the potato was planted. The growth
of the vine was vigorous, and gave mdica-
tons Of large crop, until the heavy rain
the first of September. The ground was
level, and the water remained upon the
surface until it either evaporated or settled
below the surface. This rain was followed
by hot sun, and when my potatoes were
dug it was found that at least one-half
were rotted. Some were slightly touched,
but the process of decay continued, and
out of large crop l had difficulty in Sc
lecting enough for my family use. Hav-
ing adopted every precaution suggested by
the different writers upon this subject, I
have been forced to fall back upon my own
opinion, and maintain that the rot is pro-
duced by the peculiar character of the sea-
son, and from no other cause A heavy
rain in August, succeeded by intense heat,
where the ground is favorable, will inevi-
tabiy produce the potato rot, and the rea-
son is obvious. The ground is saturated
with water-an August sun pours its heat
upon 1t, and the steam process in the
ground affects the surface Of the potato,
and causes its rapid decay. Wien this
process of decomposition once commences,
Its progress continues, and communicates
the disease to others. have observed that
the first affected are near the surface, and
| have also noticed that some are struck
hardly skin deep. By exposing to the at
mosphere' the progress of decay may be
arrested. Upon sandy soil, such as our
river bottoms The rot is unknown, and the
reason is, the water settles at once below
the potato, and consequently the action of
the sun does not affect it,
The only argument against this theory
of mine is that the rot has not universally
prevailed until within the last few years,
and 1t may be urged that the same cause
would have produced the same effect. MY
only reply is, that the potato rot is not of
recent origin. 1t has always existed under
similar circumstances, and though partial
in Its operations, like causes have produced
like effects. Then again our seasons for
few years past have been favorable to the
development of the disease, which has
caused it to become more universal.
l have now to suggest the remedy. By
planting the potato near the surface, upon
ground where the water can easily escape.
rot will be avoided. l would recommend
the process of ridging the land by turning
two furrows together and planting upon tho
top of the ridge. The water will then settle
away and prevent the chemical action that
produces the rot. BY exercising care in
planting and in the selection of the ground,
| am satisfied this scourge which has 50
extensively prevailed can be avoided.
While talking upon :ne subjec. Of pota-
toes, am induced to advert to an expert
ment which tried last fall / planted
plot about the middle of November, by
making deep drills and depositing about
four inches of horse manure. upon which