The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-08-24
asritultural.
For tis Union and Bssira J..,
POTATOES.

From various indications, We are inclined
10 believe that the rot" OF, as i, is popu-
larly denomina,ed-,he Plague, which has
for several years proved so universally de-
siruciive 10 this valuable edible. will no,
this season prove very destructive. We
have examined many fields in which no
indications o. it are psrcepsiblo; and so far
as we hear, its ravages, where il has appear.
ed, are no, Of character to excite any Sc.
rious aPprehensions as 10 the result. |, is
quite possible that The crisis Of the disease,
for disease we cannot otherwise than regard
ii-has been reached, and that hereafter .
more favorable condition Of things may be
expected, especially where the proper
means are adopted TO p'even, its reappear.
ance, and to preserve The seed in an unem-
ascutaied and unde,erioraied state.
I, may not perhaps be supeuOgaiory 10
remark in this place, that those farmers
who have used uncut seed, and planted with
ou, manure or plaster, on lands imbued with
n medium degree Of richness. O., OF ma
tire humus, have been far more generally
successful during the pas; season, and, in
deed, during the previous seasons, than
those who have followed the opposite and
more commOa course. In 4 communica-
ton 10 me upon the subject Of potato cul.
ture, distinguished farmer in Cumberland
County, whose efforts for some years past
have been mainly directed 10 this important
branch Of our agriculture, observes; -
"I am more than ever convinced that, in
order 10 restore the potato 10 its original
tate OF purity and health, the present sys-
TEN Of excessive forcing mus, be discon-
tinued. So long as cut my seed and ma
nured highly, my potatoes were greatly,
and, in many cases, fully injured BY the
Plague. In some seasons my crop was not
worth harvesting, and the very few ,ubers
did obtain, though apparently in healthy
and sound condition, when placed in she
bins, invariably ro,ied, or were greatly de-
teriora,ed before Spring.
al commenced planting whole potatoes
procuring my seed from remote locality,
when practicable, and selecting good, but
no, excessively rich soil which had sufIi-
cieni staple TO ensure good yield without
the assistance or stimulus OF manure, made
j, poip, 10 ge, my crop in as early in the
season rs praciicable-generally before my
Indian corn. and to harvest as soon as any
symptoms OF decay were apParen, in the
tops. Some Of my neighbors who have
periinaciously pursued the opposite course
cutting their ,ubers, and manurins highly,
either with pu,rescen, or mineral manures-
believing the - Old tray' the bes,-allhoush
their operations have been conducted in adj
joining fields, have invariably been unsuc.
cessful. Whether my success il legitimate
ly to be attributed to the somewhat peculiar
course have adopted, OF not, am OF course
unable TO decide. can only say that il
has more than realized my expectations
and ,ha, am fully couflden, those whC
adop, II, will fiud |, more efIse.nal in obvi
ating this serious evil, than any other 'ha
has hitherto been discovered"
Another farmer in Massachusetts, wh'
has long been in the habi, Of cultivaiins
early potatoes Lr the market Informs mt
that foe many years he was accustomed Il
use largo quantities. Of gypsum or plasie'
Of paris-his soil a, the same time being
eHsc,ually manu'ed with excremenii,ious
or otner strongly iermen,able manures, fo'
the purpose OF exciting the system 10 ar
early development, and iha, he failed en-
iirely Of success. He finally desis,ed from
using either animal or mineral manures
with the exception Of ashes and lime
which he though, nigh, tend 10 check III,
progress Of the disease,) and restored his
crop 10 is normal condition Of productive
ness and health.
He thinks lime from lis we'll known aka.
lescen, proper,ies-and ashes from the ten
dency they have, when applied as manure
to couec, acidiiy, and check the develop
men. of parisi'ical fungi, "Opetaie as
preventive, and, in time, as complei'
remedy"
A writer in one OF our Agricultural pub
locations says: "I have ceased 10 use an.
kind Of manure on my potato crop excep
Lime aad ashes. Ny nsishbOrs who follow