Potato Crop Failure: The earliest reports of agricultural distress in Ireland came in short notices in American newspapers. Among the first such report was the following that appeared in the "New York Tribune" on October 4, 1845: "We regret to have to state that we have had communications from more than one well-informed correspondent, announcing of the appearance of what is called "cholera" in the potatoes in Ireland, especially in the north. In one instance the party had been digging potatoes, the finest he had ever seen, from a particular field...up to Monday last. On digging in the same (field) on Tuesday he found the tubers unfit for the use of man or beast. We are most anxious to receive information as to the state of the potato crop in all parts, for the purpose eithre of allaying unnecessary alarm, or giving timely warning."