§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if the Agricultural Department have any information whether seed potatoes recently distributed in the many Poor Law Unions in Ireland can withstand the "Phytophthora infestans," if planted in fields or gardens previously infected with the fungus, when such fields or gardens are not cleared of all haulm and leafage, as well as every infected tuber; what period of time should be permitted to elapse prior to re-planting seed potatoes after infection of such fields or gardens and whether he is aware that "oospores" are now proved to have been obtained direct from the ground where they were deposited by filtration; and, if so, whether any means can be recommended for destroying this cause of infection?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordI am advised that the planting of potatoes upon land on which the previous crop had been infected by the potato fungus known as "phytophthora infestans" would be attended with risk of disease, unless great care is taken to clear the land of all haulm and leafage and every infected tuber. Probably the best and safest course to adopt under these circumstances is to allow a sufficient time to elapse before re-planting the land upon which disease has occurred. Where that is impossible, the careful removal and burning of all diseased material, deep ploughing, and a good dressing of quicklime are recommended as most like to be effective.