BALLINA CHRONICLE Ballina, Mayo, Ireland Wednesday, March 27, 1850 POTATO PLANTING The preparations which are making in every part of this portion of the province are on a scale far more extensive than any former year within our recollection. Cattle are sold and even several articles of household furniture and wearing apparel at tremendous sacrifices by the poor landholders to purchase seed potatoes. The chief cause of this is obvious, and it affords a practical proof of the ruinous policy of Free Trade in this country. The small farmers, who allowed themselves to be led into the conviction that "Protection" was a curse by those who hated the aristocracy and exulted in anything that might injure the landed proprietors, are now sadly convinced that the export trade of Ireland is ruined - that there is no longer a market for any description of grain. The potato always found a ready market at home and remunerated the grower, so much so that £5 and £6 were willingly given for what was called a con-acre. Potatoes are even now fetching a higher price though they are by no means scarce and have to compete with Indian meal. The price of former years is confidently expected and the success of the crop last year is an encouragement to its very extensive cultivation this year. Should there be such a failure this year as we had in 1846 and '47 the consequences must be fearful, but this there is no reason to dread. In any case, however, it is to be much regretted that the people are compelled in self-defence to occupy the land they are in a position to cultivate with a crop which if successful can only bring temporary relief. Cathy Joynt Labath Ireland Old News http://www.IrelandOldNews.com/