Towards the end of the 16th century the potato (originated in South Amer- ica) was brought to Europe. In particular, within a short time period it became the prime agricultural crop in Ireland. The population of Ireland that was about 1.4 million in 1600, increased to about 8.2 million by 1841. Suppose Ireland is in a Malthusian steady-state equilibrium prior to the introduction of potatoes.