CHINA. 1751. 311 



Dry ginger. This is valued at fix (livers 

 per pound. 



Fann-sio, or Fay-Jio r , the Chinefe potatoes, 

 grow with long tendrils, which they extend 

 along the ground. They are multiplied either 

 by planting the tendrils which are cut off in 

 the ground ; or by cutting the roots as we do. 

 Thefe potatoes are quite different from ours, 

 and feem to be natives of a warmer climate, 

 for they never flower in China, (o that they 

 would hardly grow with us, though they are 

 more palatable, and perhaps more wholefome 

 than ours. They are planted in the dry fandy 

 fields, at a diflance from each other, manured 

 with human dung, and kept clean from weeds, 

 which rule is obferved in all plantations. A 

 hundred Chinefe potatoes were fold for about 

 one {liver and a half. 



Tdai-sio u , or Tarns (Diofcorea alatd) is 

 a dry root of different fhapes, about as big as 



* This plant is, to my certain knowledge, the Spanijb 

 potatoe, Con-volvulus batatas, Linn, or Convolvulus radict 

 tubtrofa efculenia minore purpurea, Sloane Cat. Mill. Ditt. ii. 

 C fr. Kalm's American voyage, Part II. 



8 The flems wind to the left, and arife between leaf 



and ualk. The leaves are oppofite to each other, cordato- 



X 4 two 



