CURL

A disease In potatoes, in which the leaves on their first appearance appear curled and shrunk up; and laently, as they do not present a sufficient surface to the light to elaborate the sap in a sufficient manner for carrying on the growth of the plant, it never acquires strength, and either dies, or produces very imperfect tubers. The cause of the disease In the first instance is generally supposed to be the unhealthy state of the set; but something also may be owing to bad management and improper soil. [s. 323]