14

In the summer of 1845 a disease of the potato called the late blight fungus arrived in Europe from North America. By October 1845 the blight had reached Ireland and the plants had begun to turn black and rot on a massive scale. Three successive years of late blight and heavy rains rotted the potato crops in the ground. With out potatoes both the peasants and animals went hungry. When the animals died of lack of food, milk, meat and eggs were no longer available. People were left with nothing to eat and no way to make money to support themselves.

15

Visitors to Ireland in 1847 found the bodies of the dead rotting on the side of the road.
1847
Ireland

16

Within six years, more than a million people died and almost two million( those who could afford to) immigrated, in search of a better life. Ironically most of the Irish immigration was to North America from where the blight had come.

17

Thomas Douglas, the Fifth Earl of Selkirk (1771-1820)
1800
Britain

18

Impetus to the cultivation of potatoes was given to Lord Selkirk's 1803-1804 settlement around Orwell Bay.
As a staple, potatoes rapidly became the Colonys most valuable crop.

19

John Stewart (1758-1834)
1800
Prince Edward Island, Canada

20

The spread of the potato during the early years of the 19th century is not clearly documented, but in 1806, John Stewart in his book about the Island could say, "Potatoes are raised in great abundance, and in no other country better, I have had, three hundred bushels an acre... they grow very well in the forest lands, when first cleared."