49
Report referred to by Mr. Napier, in foregoing letter.
In the same field with the seedlings, we had Skerry Blues, which have been more diseased this year than in any of the previous eight years. In my opinion, in about six or eight years they will be as bad as the Rocks are now. The soil was kindly and dry, the field well ventilated, and we used farm-yard manure, sowed the seed in beginning of April; but weather turned in dry and cold, and it did not braird till the rain came, which was about a month after. I sowed the seed like turnip, in drills with deep track in centre; and when commencing to have good strong tops, raked down the shoulders of the drills, thinning afterwards about 9 inches apart [about half the proper distance, J. T.], and there were a good number about the size of eggs, but far more numerous than any potatoes I have ever seen. About one plant in ten absolutely resisted the disease, and they kept quite green for weeks longer than any potatoes in the country, and this is interesting; for this year the blight withered all sorts at the same time. Of the plants infected, I dare say about one pound of tubers in fourteen was affected; but on looking through them since, I find a very small per centage more affected. I find the plants that withered soonest are most diseased, in my opinion. I did not know what seed was till I received it from you. There was not one I showed it to, would believe I would have any tubers from it. They were as ignorant as myself; and the very persons who laughed at me were surprised to see the crop I had.
I have no hesitation in saying, and I believe it from my heart, that you will likely be the means, either directly or indirectly, of, at any rate, introducing a potato that will resist the disease for a time, and take the place of the Skerry, as I believe it is commencing to fail; and I believe it will be a great national good. My opinion is, our Government should give every encouragement, pecuniary and other, to researches of the kind. No one for a moment would think you would get one individual in a thousand would do the same as you are doing, unaided, for the public good. Is not the potato everything, in a sense, to Ireland? When it completely failed, did not it cause famine in the land? I believe it to be a noble work of you, and that you are a benefactor to your country.
