APPENDIX, 



CONTAINING REMARKS ON THE ALLEGED DISEASE OF THE POTATO. 



As I have not in the article Potato, page 86, attempted to give its 

 oistory, I would here inform the reader, that the Potato was cultivated 

 in Britain, by Gerard, the English Botanist, in 1590, and was soon after- 

 wards recommended by Sir Walter Raleigh as a nutritious vegetable; 

 but although first discovered on this continent, it spread so slowly, that 

 nearly a century elapsed before this excellent root had become a regular 

 dish on the Farmer's table in New England. The following account 

 of the early reception is too good to be lost It is recorded in the N. Y. 

 Farmer and Mechanic that two brothers, named Clarke, settled in Con- 

 necticut, early in the 18th century, and purchased a farm near Chatham. 

 " On a hill which still bears the name of Clarke Hill, half a peck of 

 potatoes were planted, and after the balls had ripened on the vines, it 

 was proposed to gather some with a view to taste the wonderful pro- 

 duct; some balls were accordingly picked and boiled, and being placed 

 on the table, were approached with great caution. It was at length 

 concluded that an old negro should first taste of this rare vegetable, 

 whose report was by no means satisfactory; others also tasted, and the 

 dish was condemned as unworthy their table and attention ; the negro 

 was therefore directed to go and destroy the vines ; in doing so, he 

 pulled up some potatoes with the tops; and, amazed at the sight, soon 

 elicited the discovery that the real fruit was to be looked for at the root 

 end of the plant." 



As this vegetable is now considered one of the most important pro- 

 ductions of the earth, upwards of one hundred millions of bushels 

 being raised in the United States in a single year, a deficient or defec- 

 tive crop is acknowledged by all to be such a serious calamity as to 

 incite the most diligent enquiry into the nature and cause of the defect, 

 or deficiency. 



As the seasons of 1843 and '4 were unfavorable to the growth and 

 preservation of late potatoes, the American Institute encouraged an 

 investigation and discussion of the subject amongst the members of th* 



