By the mid 1800s, most of the fertile land in Ireland was in the hands of landlords, forcing the Irish to survive on smaller and smaller plots. It was a situation that forced dependence on the one crop that could produce maximum yield in minimum space - the potato. It was a boring diet to be sure, but it was a healthy one for potatoes are a remarkable source of vitamins and minerals. Although they weren’t starving, it was a difficult time. Then on August 20, 1845, Dr. David Moore, reported that potato fungus had been discovered at the Dublin Botanical Gardens. The following day, August 21 … [Read more...] about A Queen's Visit