25 ON THE USE OF THE POTATO. 



Befit in furnishing a large supply of good masts for the 

 navy of this empire. 



I am, Gentlemen, with respect, 



Your obedient servant, 



WILLIAM BOND. 



V. 



Remarks on sundry important Uses of the Potato*, 



On the use of JL HE potato has, though deservedly, occupied so much 

 the potato of the attent j on f different writers, and of this Society, 

 that it may seem almost necessary to bring forward some 

 new and important discoveries concerning it, if we attempt 

 to say more on its qualities. It is not however, a singular 

 opinion, that so important is this vegetable, and so appli- 

 cable to economical uses, as human food ; that it will re-? 

 main for posterity fully to appreciate its positive and com- 

 parative value. But as no new and promising experiment, 

 however imperfectly conducted, should be suffered to escape 

 general notice, it will be acceptable to our readers to re-r 

 ceive a general statement of certain trials made by a very 

 respectable British merchant, who is also a member of the 

 Society, with a view to ascertain the value of the potato for 

 for sea stores, sea provision and other stores* His diffidence about having 

 done justice to the subject, which he doubts of finding lei- 

 sure to prosecute, prevents his allowing his name to appear 

 as to a finished Essay of his own, for this volume; but cer- 

 tain statements laudably reported by him to the Society, 

 are deemed too important to be lost, as they may lead to 

 farther discoveries and facts. The statements then are in, 

 substance as follow : 



Chrap methods "The ease with which this root is prepared by boiling 

 of preserving ail d for immediate consumption, either in its separate form, 

 no/been or mixed in bread ; the little trouble there is in preserving 



sought after. 



* Bath Society's Papers, vol. X, p. 293. 



it 



