The Vermont Tribune, Ludlow, Friday, July 26, 1889 Weathersfield Center 7/26/1889 Miss May WARREN is ill from the effects of a badly ulcerated tooth. Charles JONES is able to be at work again a short time each day. The four good days of hay-weather, last week , were improved as much as four days could have been. Potatoes are rusting badly, some fields being almost ruined. In answer to the enquiries of some we would say that there are six causes which offer favorable conditions for potato blight and its counterpart, the rot. (1) Planting small and imperfectly matured seed. (2) By planting tubers cut very small. (3) By long cultivation of the same variety. (4) By cultivating in soils not containing the elements necessary for its growth. (5) By excessive stimulus from strong and concentrated manures. (6) By effect of climate, as sudden alternations of heat and cold, and of wet and dry weather. This year it is the wet weather. The pores are the breathing passages of plants, and are found in the leaves and stems in great numbers. Through these the surplus water from the roots is evaporated. In wet weather they are open and in dry nearly closed to prevent too great evaporation. Too much wet, or great heat after drenching rains, has an effect similar to too great cold. The spongivles of the roots, after heavy rains, absorb a great amount of water containing the nutritive elements very much diluted. The leaves and stems also absorb additional quantities containing little or no nutrition. The evaporating organs become gorged with fluid and the tissues tender. A sudden transition to heat at this time closes the pores and the fluid is retained in a stagnant condition in the tissues, the elabrating organs are obstructed, the leaves become pale and sickly, and finally decomposition and disease ensue. The effect is what is seen in so many fields now--the foliage is blackened in every part. Transcribed by Ruth Barton -- Ruth Barton mrgjb@sover.net Dummerston, VT