Newry Telegraph 3 Aug. 1852 The Potato Disease
The early prevailing rumors to the reappearance of the potato disease found no access to the public ear, being considered nothing better than the baseless inventions of interested alarmists. Unhappily, however, the actual existence of the plague is now so palpable that disbelief or doubt can no longer obtain. Before our eyes we have convincing evidence, and from every quarter we receive the one sad report, as to the return of the visitation and the rapidity of its destructive operation. It is to be hoped that, early planting having been almost universal, the disease may find somewhat of a counteractive in the state of maturity to which the potato has now reached. Still, how disheartening are such accounts as the following; Armagh - the potato disease has manifested itself in the vicinity of this town. The leaves and stalks are withered and exhale an offensive odor. Farmers are somewhat alarmed, as the disease has set in so early and before the tubers have acquired strength or stamen to resist It. (an Armagh Correspondent) Downpatrick - The blight has manifested itself in the district of Downpatrick, in the most unmistakable manner. Patches of fields are discolored in the usual way and in some instances, the disease has already reached the tubers. Down Recorder Monaghan - Since our last publication a sad blight has come on the potato fields in this neighborhood. Fields, some days since, beautifully luxuriant, are now a mass of putrefaction, omitting a foetid odor which impregnates the atmosphere to a most disagreeable extent. Tubers as well as stalks are affected and we hold but little hopes of the amount of food to be this year realized from the potato crop. Monaghan Standard Tyrone - In the neighborhood of Omagh the potatoes are all diseased, the earliest the worst. As the disorder has appeared early this year, it is to be feared a large proportion of the crop will be lost. We rejoice to add, however, that the grain crops promise an abundant yield. Tyrone Constitution Fermanagh - An experienced agriculturist has, we regret to say, informed us that a few mornings ago he inspected several fields in this neighborhood, which, a few weeks ago, looked very fine and his opinion is, that the crop is now gone. The stench, in many places, was very strong. Our correspondent, however, writes that hopes are entertained in that quarter that the ravages of disease will not be so dreadful as during the past seasons. We hope this may turn out true, but are afraid the Divine fiat dooming the crop to destruction has already gone forth. Fermanagh Mail _______________________________________________ [email protected] UlsterAncestry Mailing List Searchable Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ http://lists.cotyrone.com/mailman/listinfo/ulsterancestry Website: https://cotyrone.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CoTyroneIrelandGenealogy/
