Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-11-12

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dry soil, or if kept in cellar, to preserve
them dry, in small quantities, in sand, and
to keep them cool Keeping large Guan-
titles in a body in the cellar is by some
supposed to promote heat and putrefaetion-
Planting in the fall is recommended by
some, as potatoes left in the field over win,
! ter are observed to come forward earlier in
the spring, to grow more vigorously, to get
ripe earlier and before the blighting rains
in August, and to be more sound, fair aud
healthy.
MANUREs-All antiputresecnts, such
RS lime, wood-ashes, pulverized charcoal,
plaster, salt, nitrogen, &c, are believed to
contribute directly to the health Of the
potato, as well as to add to its richness
ard flavor, and Of course to prevent putre-
faction and disease. OF other manures,
well-rotted compost is preferred. Stable
manure is too strong and heating, and pro-
duces ill-davorsd, unhealthy potatoes, and
is decidedly condemned.
DISEASE, CoHTAGIoN, OLD ACE, AND
DEATH These are common to vegetables
as well as to animals All are liable to
disease, some more, some less, according
to circumstances, predisposing causes, and
preventive means Some vegetable dis
eases are believed to be contagious. The
present disease is thought by many to be
Of that class. One field Of potatoes is LA
bic to take the disorder from another field
Potatoes are predisposed to disease, by bad
cultivation, old age, bad soil, bad rnanures,
sudden changes Of weather, warm rains,
etc.
-RAvAGEs OF INSECTS, FUYGI, ETC
The best writers consider the ravages of
insects as at most but predisposihg cause,
rendering the potato more liable to disease
by enfeebling the plant. By many writers,
insects are considered as remotely affecting
the potato; by others, a. having no effect
at all. The fungue on potatoes is not the
cause of the rot 1t find, the potato, pre-
yiously diseased, fit subject for its oper-
alton.
The general conclusions to which the
facts presented in these various cemmuni-
cations seem to lead US, are:
/. That the disease has a striking re-
semblsnce to the cholera, and probably ex-
ists in the atmosphere.
9 That it is doubtful whether any spe-
cifc cure has been, or over will be d,scov-
cred; but
8. As in cholera, certain preventives are
well ascertained, by the application Of
which, the liabilities to disease may be
greatly lesseued,
I, That by obtaining the soundest seed,
By planting in the most favorable soils,
and by using the most suitable manures,
VIC may have a good degree of confidence
in the successful cultivation of this useful
vegetable.
5. That we may expect, that Ike the
cholera, the potato rot will become less
and less formidable from year to year, and
eventually subside into mild and man
ageable epidemic, if that term may be used
in such a connection.
The several points on which there is an
unanimity Of opinion, are worthy the es
pecial Alteration of farmers. BY careful
selection of seed, and locality, and partic-
ular reference TO the kind of manure used,
very much of this disease may be avoided.
If facts ike the above, we'll substantiated
by experiments in all sections of the coun.
try, could be presented to the entire mass
of farmers, and they would govern their
modes of culture by rules SO established,
we can not we'll estimate the increase which
would result in single year in crop SO
extensively cultivated as the potato.