27

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

28

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.

29

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

30

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.

31

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

32

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."

33

Clearing Land
1800
Prince Edward Island, Canada

34

Woodcut of Potato Plant illustrating Bauhin's Prodomos 1620
1620
England

35

Archaeological evidence that the Aymara Indians who lived near Lake Titicaca high in the Andes have been cultivating potatoes for over 5000 years. Potatoes were a vital part of the Inca diet and culture and by the time of the Spanish conquest in 1532, the Incas had terraced vast mountainside areas for the production of potatoes.

36

A Diagram of the Potato Plant
1980

37

A Tuber with Late Blight
1993

38

A potato with Potato Rot Nematode
1999

39

A Single Furrow Plow
1900
O'Leary, Prince Edward Island, Canada

40

A Gang Plow
1900
O'Leary, Prince Edward Island, Canada