Page:Treatise on Cultivation of the Potato.djvu/52

, and do not believe growing potatoes from the seed will prevent it, any more than using sets.

J. W. ROBINSON.

2em

The seedlings were grown in next drill to diseased potatoes. Disease had always developed itself in the field since I got it five years ago. Soil old, rich and heavy. Ill ventilated. Farm yard manure used. Sown in April, and tubers attained about half size. I don't know how many plants per hundred absolutely resisted the disease, but the greater number were affected. Of these, about one eighth by weight, of the tubers, was affected. I believe the means you propose is the only possible way of extirpating the disease, and I believe they will be successful. It is not my belief that researches such as these should be left to the unaided efforts of individuals.

HENRY MATHERS, Newforge House, Maralin."

2em

,–I enclose you the paper you were so good as to send to fill up. I will pay more attention in the future as I am greatly interested. I am conscious I did not give half the attention I might have done to the culture of the potato seed you so kindly sent me; nor did I give it the observation I know now it is entitled to. All the excuse I can make to you is, my experience was young. I was ignorant altogether, not knowing even what the seed of the berry was like; and people I showed it to laughed at the idea of any sized tubers growing from such a small seed. It was only when the crop was coming to maturity we had any belief, and the results at raising time surprised us; and then one is so interested in the different sorts, and the different sorts of haulm likewise. I only sowed three perches of a drill and there were four sorts of haulm and the same of tubers. We had rather better than 2l lbs, and more than we deserve, for I had no faith in them; but now I see my error, and that your time, trouble, expense and research, is a noble and good work, and deserves every consideration. Yours respectfully,

ALEXANDER NAPIER."