apparently the first appearance of potato rot in P. E.I . (2 5) Andrew C. Clark attributes it to the parasitic fungus, Phytophthora infestans, the same cause of the potato failure in Ireland at that time; Clark explains: " Continuing migration from Ireland, ana a plentiful use of potatoes in victualling the immigrant ships, made the invasion of the blight relatively easy." (26-) In 1846 farmers reported only half the yield previously obtained for their potato crops, and decreased turnip yields. (27) Table 4 shows a very dramatic reduction in potatoes between 1841 and 1848, in Lot 27, and reductions in the output of wheat and barley. In January, 1847, a writer to the Koyal Gazette suggested that "three-quarters of the Island farmers are on the verge of ruin;" citing inability to pay rent, threats of eviction and the difficulties of clearing land, the writer went on to question whether tenants were suffering perhaps more hardships "in the wilds of America" than they did in their home countries. (2g) In May of 1847 the P.E.I , government distributed 1200 pounds worth of grain seed to tenants who had no grain to plant. (25) In 1848 the House of Assembly approved a bill prohibiting the export of grain, meal and potatoes, as well as the manufacture of malt and liquor from corn or grain, for one year. (3©) In that same year the government distrib¬ uted meal, 200 barrels in each county, to hungry tenants, especially the recently arrived immigrants. (3#) And again in 1849 the government had to come to the relief of the tenants with grants of 300 pounds per county. (32) 14