The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-11-03
Potato DISEASE.

ne L6RiSidtuIu VI Mo9SooiiuSvStSS ia uho
year 1851, offered a prize Of $4,000 to
any one who should satisfy the Governor
and Council that, by a test Of atleast five
successive years, he had discovered asurs
for the potato rot. Several com.
m~unications have been received on this
subject, which are published by the authori-
ty 81 the legislature, Of which we publish
the following summary by Hon. AMAsA
WALKER, Secretary Of State:
Although these communications may
not furnish any perfect cure or preventive
Of the potato disease. yet they agree In so
many important points. and offer so many
valuable hints, relating to the nature, culti-
walton. preservation. and improvement of
the potato, that they cannot fail to be Of
great public utility. The similarity of
views expressed by the most intelligent
and experienced writer's, relating to the
nature, cultivation, disease, and cure Of
the potato, is truly remarkable. and we
think suspicious. Among the principal
points, relating to which there is a general
concurrence, are the following: sd 4
Soundness and vitality Of The Seed
Renewing the seed from the ball of healthy
vigorous plants every few years, even re-
sorting to the native place in South Amer,
ca. and taking the seed from the wild
potato, is considered important. When
potatoes are to be raised from the tuber.
sound, healthy, whole potatoes are recon-
mended for planting. Cutting potatoes is
decidedly condemned. Anything which
impairs the vitality Of the seed increases
the liability to disease.
Quality or kind of SOFIA dry, light,
loose, warm soil, is considered necessary
to the soundness and health of the vegeta-
BILE, as well as to its richness and flavor,
the latter depending quite as much on the
quality of soil as on the variety of seed.
A wet, heavy, compact soil. directly pro.
notes the disorder. Far up on the side
of a mountain or hill is a favorable location
for the growth Of the potato; and new land
contains more Of the qualities requisite for
its nourishment and health, than old or
worn out soils. =.
Influence of atmosphere. Potatoes should
be as little exposed to the air as convent
emily may be. Their natural place is un.
der ground. By too much exposure they
become poisoned, and turn green. Some
recommend depositing them forthe winter
in holes under ground in a dry soil; or if
kept in a cellar, to preserve them dry, in
small quantities, in sand; and to keep
them cool. Keeping large quantities in a
body in the cellar, is by some, supposed
to promote heat and putrefaction. Plan
ting in the fall is recommended by some,
as potatoes left in the field. over winter.
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. and healthy.
Maaures.-All antiputrescents, such as
lime, wood-ashes, pulverized charcoal,
plaster, salt, nitrogen, &c., are believed
TO contribute directly to the health of the
potato, as we'll as to add to its richness
and flavor; and, of course, to prevent pu.
trefaction and disease. Ofother manures,
well.rotted compost is preferred. Stable
manure is too strong and heating. and
produces ill-lavored, unhealthy potatoes
and is decidedly condemned.
Disease, Contagion, Old Age.and Death
| These are common to vegetables as wei
as to animals. All are liable to disease
some more, some less, according to cir
culmstanoes, predisposing causes, and pre-
ventive means. Some vegetable diseases
are believed to be contagious. The presen
disease is thought by many to be of tina
class. One field Of potatoes is liable t.
take the disorder from another field. Pc
tatoes are predisposed to disease, by bat
cultivation. old age, bad soil, bad manures
sudden changes Of weather, warm rains
&c.
Rapages of Insects, Fungi. 8c.-Th'
best writer's consider the ravages of insect
as at most but a pr~edisposing cause, rem
derng the potato mora liable to disease b.
enfeebling the plant. By many writer's
~insecs are considered as remotely affect
ing the potato; by others, as having no ei
feet at III. The fungus on potatoes is no
the caus, Of the rot. 1t finds the potato
previousl, diseased, a fit subject for it
operation
The gen,ral conclusions to which tn
facts presented in these various communi
cations seem Q lead us, are
1. That the1isease has a striking re
semblance to thecholera, and probably ex
lists in the atmosphere.
9. That it is doubtful whether any spe
cifc cure has been,or ever will be discov
cred; but
. 8. As in cholera. certain preventive
are we'll ascertained, " the application c
: which, the liabilities Il disease may b
+ greatly lessened. a'2a
l.. a. That by obtaining lie soundest seet
! by planting in the most favorable soils
$ and by using the most suitable manure'
3 we may have a good degreeof confdenc
in the successful cultivation # this usef
vegetable. =,