has since become of such vast 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Potato—continued, 
the extremely numerous varieties have originated is a 
native of South America, chiefly Chili and Peru, where 
it is found under variable conditions regarding soil and 
climate. The date of its introduction into Britain is a 
matter which has undergone much discussion, but the 
plant is generally believed to have been brought from 
Virginia to Ireland, in 1585 or 1586, by Thomas Her- 
riott, who accompanied Sir Walter Raleigh in several 
voyages. The Potatoes introduced by Herriott were 
planted near Cork; but the value of the tubers for food 
does not appear to have been recognised for a very 
long period afterwards. In some French works, Parmen- 
tier is given the credit of having introduced the Potato, 
but his rôle in the matter was simply that of rendering 
its cultivation more popular. There are six tuber- 
ing Solanums out of the total of 700 which Bentham 
and Hooker estimate as distinct species. Mr. Baker's 
investigations, however, in Sutton’s trial grounds, led 
him to believe that “all the numerous varieties in culti- 
vation had originated from S. tuberosum. . . . . As far 
as climate is concerned, it cannot be doubted that 
S. Maglia (or the Darwin Potato, as we might suitably 
christen it in English) would be better fitted to succeed 
in England and Ireland than S. tuberosum, a plant of a 
comparatively dry climate. We have indisputable testi- 
mony that S. Maglia and 8. Commersoni yield readily 
an abundant supply of eatable potatoes. What I would 
suggest is, that these should be brought into the economic 
arena, and thoroughly tested as regards their economic 
value, both as distinct types, and when hybridised with 
the innumerable tuberosum forms.” The following are the 
most important contributions to the history, &c., of the 
Potato: “A Review of the Tuber-bearing Species of 
Solanum,” by J. G. Baker, F.R.S., F.L.S. in Linnean 
Society’s Journal, Botany, Vol. XX.; “ On the Cultivated 
Potato,” by Earl Cathcart, in the “ Journal of the Royal 
Agricultural Society of England,” Vol. XX., s. s., Part I.; 
and “Nouvelles Recherches sur le Type Sauvage de la 
_ Pomme de Terre,” by Alph. de Candolle, in the“ Archives 
7 —* Sciences Physiques et Naturelles,” Tome XV. (Geneva, 
_ Potato culture seems to owe its extension more to the 
industry and attention paid to it by the poorer classes 
of Irish inhabitants for the provision of food in a time 
of sheer necessity, than to the recommendations of pro- 
fessional men respecting a new source of food supply. 
In Scotland, a state of great destitution and famine 
prevailed about the middle of the eighteenth century, 
and this had the effect of calling general attention to 
agricultural subjects, and rates Potato cultivation to 
receive considerable impetus. It progressed rapidly after- 
wards, as farmers began to include Potatoes amongst their 
field crops, and the plant’s requirements soon became 
better known, and new varieties began to be raised. 
About the middle of the seventeenth century, measures 
were taken by the Royal Society to encourage the general 
cultivation of Potatoes throughout the kingdom for pre- 
venting famine; but still their enormous value for food 
was only imperfectly recognised until about a century 
later, when attention was devoted to the subject which 
importance. Potato 
Crops received a serious check when the destructive 
_ disease (a full reference to which will be found sab- 
them. This has never been 
Potato—continued. 
value of Potatoes for this purpose, the constituent parts 
of the tubers may be turned to account in other ways, 
as, for instance, in making Potato starch, which - is 
applicable for use as true arrowroot, and is often called 
English arrowroot. A powerful spirit is produced by 
distillation, and wine by a process of fermentation. The 
Potato may be cooked as a vegetable in an endless 
variety of ways, in all of which it is usually much 
esteemed. 
PROPAGATION. This is effected by seeds or by cuttings 
of the stem, but chiefly by the planting of tubers, either 
whole or cut into pieces, each of which must contain at 
least one growing point, which is generally termed an eye. 
Potato seeds are only sown, as a rule, with a view to 
raising new varieties. This may be done in early spring, 
using pans of light soil, which should afterwards be placed 
in a little heat. The seedlings require pricking off 
before they become crowded; they may be transferred to 
a warm border, in the open, about the middle of May, 
and treated in a similar way to an ordinary crop. 
Only small tubers will be produced the first year; these, 
lifted in autumn, and preserved from frost, will bear 
others of larger growth the following season. Propa- 
gating from cuttings is not much practised, but is avail- 
able for increasing the stock of any special variety. It 
consists in planting tubers in a little heat during early 
spring, and in inserting shoots as cuttings when they are 
about 3in. long. Tubers intended for planting are often 
termed “seed,” to distinguish them from those required 
for other purposes. It is a matter of opinion whether 
they are injured by cutting into pieces, and also as to 
the suitability of large or small tubers for planting. 
Generally, it is not advisable to cut Kidney varieties, if 
they are of a medium size, and a sufficient quantity can 
be procured for planting. These have often a less 
number of eyes than Round ones, and, as the ends are 
pointed, the eyes are situated more closely together, and 
are not so readily divided. It has been found, from 
the mean product of two experiments, that cut tubers, 
used as sets, yielded a greater average than whole ones; 
| but this is not to be accepted as a rule for general 
application. The advantage of large, or moderately 
large, sets over small ones, is obvious when we con- 
sider that the strength of the eyes and shoots which 
proceed therefrom is in proportion to the strength 
of the tuber. All the strongest eyes are situated on 
what may be called the top end of the tuber, and, when 
cutting is resorted to, it is a matter of importance to 
divide so that two, or at least one, of these prominent 
eyes are secured for each set. When the supply of 
Potatoes is very limited, both for culinary purposes and 
for planting, the tubers might be cut in half crossways, 
the upper portion being reserved as a set, and the other 
utilised for food. Potatoes intended for planting, par- 
ticularly the early Kidney varieties, are considered much 
better for being exposed to the influence of light and 
| sunshine in autumn until they become green throughout, 
and then stored ina dry shed through the winter. Early 
in the year, they may with advantage be set on end close 
together in shallow boxes, and allowed to start very gradu- 
ally by keeping the boxes, in a light but cool place. The 
| exclusion of frost is all that is requisite; artificial heat 
will have an injurious effect in encouraging the young 
shoots to grow fast and become weakened, instead of 
being short and v is. This preparation of sets for 
planting is requisite for frames, and for early crops out- 
side, in order that the growth may be advanced before- 
hand, and their after-suecess so far insured: main crops 
inserted at a later and more favourable season seldom 
receive so much attention in advance. 
Tt is generally admitted that an occasional change of 
sets is beneficial in cultivating Potatoes in any district. 
These should be procured from a different part of the — 
