16 THE SWEET POTATO. 



by, in different Colonies, are so various, I shall call 

 them by those names only by which they are known 

 here" (Virginia). "I have observed only five 

 kinds of Potatoes specifically different from one 

 another: The Common, the Bermudas, the Brim- 

 stone, the Carrot and the Claret Potatoes. 



"The Common Potato is of a muddy red color on 

 the outside, but being cut appears white with a 

 reddish cast: they commonly weigh from half a 

 pound to four, five or six pounds, usually are long, 

 irregularly shaped and pointed at both ends: this 

 is an excellent kind and is most planted. 



' ' The Bermuda Potato is larger and rounder than 

 the Common, very white within, and covered with a 

 white skin: this is a tender kind, requiring more 

 warmth in keeping, and a different culture from the 

 rest : this is the most delicate sort, but not so much 

 planted as the Common Potato, because of its not 

 keeping so well. This potato only produces a white 

 flower, the flowers of the other kind being purple. 



' ' The Brimstone Potato grows to a large size, and 

 is shaped like the Common; the colour of it hath 

 given its name, and in goodness it is esteemed next 

 to the Common. 



"The Carrot Potato is named so from its color 

 both without and within being like a carrot: these 

 grow to a very large size, and are of great increase, 

 though of little esteem, being the most insipid. 



"The Claret Potato seems to be propagated more 

 as a curiosity than for any peculiar excellence it 

 hath. The colour of it, without and within, is that 

 of claret, ' ' 



It should be noted that Catesby based his notes 

 on tho sweet potato culture in the Carolinas solely 

 on his own observation. He is the first to describe 



