428 Chinese Potato. [September, 



objections to the introduction of the products of the earth from abroad; 

 let us remember that the American potato was rejected by Europe for 

 many years after its introduction by Raleigh, and his name was deri- 

 ded on account of his instrumentality in commending its use in 

 domestic economy; and that our Indian corn, the greatest of all crops 

 now borne on the bosom of earth, is even yet received in other 

 countries with jealousy and distrust. Let the ^^ Chinese Potato," then, 

 have a full and impartial trial before verdict is pronounced. Speak- 

 ing of this, Mr. Prince says: 



"I invite the public to view my plantation of two-and-a-half acres, 

 containing 35,000 plants of this inestimable esculent. I am desirous 

 to identify myself with the introduction of this most important plant; 

 and after having devoted half a century to horticultural pursuits, I 

 ask no greater boon of my countrymen than to award me this claim, 

 which I am striving to merit more fully by its extensive culture. I 

 shall also be thereby enabled to supply the many correspondents here- 

 after, whom I was unable to supply in April without then breaking 

 into the arrangements for my present plantation. 



"Having most fully investigated the merits of this esculent, I have 

 a few positions to state in regard to it, which, being somewhat bold in 

 their character, I toish my countrymen to record for future ver If cation. 



'^ First. I assert that the Dioscorea Batatas of Decaisne, is perfectly 

 hardy during our severest winters. 



" Sf'cond. That it is more nutritious than any other esculent we 

 cultivate. 



" Third. That its culture is so easy and simple, and its product so 

 great, that it can be afforded incomparably cheaper than any other 

 nutritious vegetable, it having produced in France at the rate of above 

 800 bushels per acre. 



'■'■Fourth. That the combination of every useful property, renders 

 it the greatest vegetable boon ever granted by God to man, and that 

 its introduction to our country is even more important than that of 

 cotton, and that in twenty years our national statistics will report the 

 value of the annual crop as greater than the Cotton crop. 



"Next I assert, that this plant alone has served to solve the enigma 

 as to the alimentary basis of the Chinese empire, and that a statistical 

 investigation will prove, that if the country were deprived of this one 

 vertical root, and received in lieu every other known vegetable, more 

 than one-half of its enormous population would perish from famine. 

 Further, I assert, that such are its superior properties — the three most 

 important of which I have above detailed — that it is destined not only 



