THE POTATO. 



cultivation, with the view of preventing famine ; but it 

 was not until a century after the above date that they 

 were grown to any extent in England . 



" In 1725 they were introduced into Scotland, and cul- 

 tivated with much success, first in gardens, and afterwards 

 (about 1760), when they had become plentiful, in the 

 fields. Since that period the prejudices which so long 

 existed against their use, both in England and Scotland, 

 have gradually vanished, and for many years past, the 

 potato crop has been regarded throughout the British 

 Dominions as a most valuable addition to the staple com- 

 jmodities of life, only S3cond in importance to cereals." 



Further Historical Notes. The history of the 

 potato is dealt with at some length by Phillips in his " His- 

 tory of Cultivated Vegetables," dated 1822. He remarks: 

 " We are informed that it [the potato] was accidentally 

 thrown on our shore by a vessel wrecked on the coast 

 called North Meols, in Lancashire; a place and soil even 

 now famous for producing this vegetable in great perfec- 

 tion." \\V learn from the same source, too, that ''the 

 potato first became an object of national importance in 

 1662-3, as appears by the record of a meeting of the lioyal 

 Society, held March 18th in that year; when a letter was 

 read from Mr. Buckland, a Somersetshire gentleman, re- 

 commending the planting of potatoes in all parts of the 

 kingdom, to prevent^famine. This was referred to a com- 

 mittee, and, in consequence of their report, Mr. Buckland 

 had the thanks of the Society ; such members as had lands 

 were entreated to plant them ; and Mr. Evelyn was de- 

 sired to mention the proposals at the close of his 

 ' Sylva.' ' 



" In Shropshire," says the same author, " Lord Clive 

 found it an excellent practice to permit the planting of 

 potatoes [by, presumably, his poor tenants] in his young 

 [tree] plantations, the season after the young trees are put 

 in the ground. The potatoes were continued for three 

 years." 



