Smyrna times., 1858-08-12
The Potato Disease.

Hon. Lyman Reed, of MARYLAND, communi-
Gates to the Baltimore American the particulars
OF his microscopic discovery, showing the cause
of the disease. His examinations, he saws,
" have revealed facts of vast importance to
agricullurallsts, both in America and Europe
In lol0 the United States Patent Office pub
lshcd various communications, letters, extracts,
Nc, upon the potato disease. The first scien-
tllic examination in the United States was
made In the State oaaEew York, in lS44 The
publication Of this investigation induced MANY
persons IN this country to form opinions that
iungi caused the disease. The same opinion
also prevailed in Europe. Atmospheric influ-
ence was another theory. Insects upon the
vines and leaves another.
My microscopic examination and exneri
ments commenced at Waltham, Mass, in 1851.
La JGne OF that year, found the under leaves
on my Potato stalks turning yellowstone quite
dead-whlle the tops and leaves and also the
leaves and stalks of other hills continued ouite
thrifty and green. This peculiar Circumstance.
thus early IN the season, induced close observa.
ton and careful examination into the pbenome.
non. query naturally arose-can fungus or
atmosphere act thus partially upon the plant
Is there not some other predi posing cause nrc.
valllng From this investigation felt col f.
dent that insects or worms had attacked the,e
plants at the roots.
"Acting from this impression examined The
roots, but with the natural vision no insects
were found. The microscope, however, reveal.
ed myrlads OF insects on the seed tubers, ROOTS
and stalks under ground. The attack unon the
latter, at the lower joint was visible in spots or
marks resembling iron rust.
"POtatoes which | had in jars and flower
pots in my shed, covered from any exposnrc.
experiment tubers,) exhibited, under the M.
croecope, similar insects-and tubers taken
from my cellar, at this time, had insects ON
those which were sprouted. Thus, in three
separate and entirely diSSimilar positions. IL
sects, similar IN every respect, were found, cyi-
dentIy suOsistihg upon the sap of the sprou'
ana vines. lhls eVealed to me unquestonable
evidence that, during. the early growth of ii q
plant insects ravages produced deteriorat;cn
by the draining Of the sap from the vital part.
thus causing the disease. The insects bt i, o.
only microscopic, rendered it extremely d.fi-
cult is discover the indus or alternating spot of
their eggs.
Early in my researches, however, became
satisfied, from the position of the yOung insect,
that the eggs would be found near or under Il g
eyebrows OF the potatoes. This proved to e
correct. 1t was not until 1856 that | fl, ST
found the eggs. They are found imbedded in
the very sprouts and in the skin near the e, es.
but only with powerful microscope and by Il @
light Of the unciouded sun can they be founr.
During the period from 1851 to 1856 my exp. =
riments in cultivation and otherwise were co =
tlnued. Since the latter date have watch d
as before, (sealcd in glass jars and otherwis,
the development of the tubers and the embr, o
, progress of the eggs TO the first animate me .
tion cf the tiny insects and their attack upon
the tender sprouts, the effects of their ravages
and the progress of their poison infused into the
vines, causing the malady. This insect is The
= AlPhiS."