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As the period for planting potatoes is now at hand, we request the attention of our agricultural readers, who have our last volume, to the remarks of J. R. Chapman, Esq., on page 259, wherein he shows how the disease may be obviated. Since what has been termed " the potato disease " has broken out, in 1845, we believe, the best quality of potatoes have almost disappeared from our tables, and the price has arisen to more than double of what it was ten years ago. Although the disease has not been so virulent, as it was in 1846-7, still it is bad enough ; the very soundest potatoes grown, spot during winter, and those which are considered to be " the best quality," can scarcely be preserved. We hope that much attention will be devoted this year, to the rearing of good potatoes ; they are an essential vegetable to the mass of our city population, who find themselves, deprived of a great blessing when the price of them is so high. The following is said to be an excellent mixture for the protection of the potato vine :— " Take one peck of fine salt and mix it thoroughly with half a bushel of Nova Scotia plaster or gypsum (ground plaster is the best), and immediately after hoeing the potatoes the second time, or just as the young potato begins to set, sprinkle on the main vines, next to the ground, a table spoonful of the above mixture to each hill, and be sure to get it on the main vines."
