THE POTATO DISEASE.
At the meeting of the Botanical Society of London held last night,—E. Denbleday, Esq., V.P., in the chair,—a communication was read from H. 0. Stephens, Esq., of Bristol, " On the Potato Murrain." Mr. Stephens thought the disease could only be ascribed with any degree of probability to one of two causes—either to atmospheric influences, or to the immediate agency of some destroying principle acting directly upon the plants. The latter seems the most generally received as nearest to truth; and for this reason, that the leaves, stem, and exterior of the tubers, are found to be infested with a fungus; whilst it is likewise stated, on the best authority, that a singular mycotord production inhabits the intercellular species in the diseased tubers. Mr. Stephens was not perfectly satisfied that these fungi were really more than accidental accompaniments of the malady; and he thought that with more probability it might be referred to atmospheric in- fluence—that is, to the direct debilitating operation of a prolonged low .temperature, combined with excessive moisture upon the structure of the plants.
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