Fungus Invades Ireland
Ships that had traveled to North America unknowingly brought with them the fungus that started it all. As they docked in Ireland, the spores from the fungus becamed ariborne and rapidly spread through Ireland, infecting the crops of farmers everywhere. Many were forced to take up rations rather than attempting to eat the rotting goo of their crops. Several had to consume the oats and other grains that they grew, and therefore had nothing to sell.
"The potato crop is quite done away all over Ireland. There is nothing expected here, only an immediate famine."~Michael and Mary Rush, September 6, 1846~
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The fungus, Phytophthora Infestans, is believed to have originated in the highlands of Mexico, though there has been some speculation of the fungus originating in the Andes of South America.
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