216 AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



when lifted, requires a peculiar twist of the wrist, by which the 

 earth arid tubers are separated, and deposited in different places, 

 which twist requires practice to accomplish successfully. In 

 harvesting, it is important that the potatoes be not left exposed 

 to the air and sun longer than can possibly be avoided. When 

 first dug they are peculiarly sensitive to light, and if kept cover 

 ed in the wagon with a thick cloth, or straw, till laid by in a 

 dark place, they will retain their mealy qualities much longer 

 than otherwise. A potato, exposed partially to the air in grow 

 ing, turns green, moist, and unpleasantly waxy. This mistake 

 is often made ; the tubers being left on the ground in small 

 heaps, for at least a whole day, or even several days. Whilo 

 this was an important crop with us, we always threw them into 

 a corn-basket ; and this, as soon as it was full, was emptied into 

 a covered wagon ; the consequence was, that the potatoes were 

 remarkable for their fine flavor, and good qualities. 



469. Besides being used in the ordinary shape, many preparations of 

 starch were prepaie I from the potato. The larger quantity of the starch 

 used by the laundress, and articles sold under the name of Arrowroot 

 Farina, &amp;lt;tc., were derived from this plant. British grin, (Dextiine,) ex 

 tensively used in stiffening calicos, and applied to the back of postage 

 stamps, is formed from wheat starch by roasting, or by nitric or sulphu 

 ric acid, potato starch failing to produce it. The water, in which pota 

 toes have been boiled, is destructive to lice upon hogs, cattle, &amp;lt;fcc. The 

 potato possesses a peculiar curative power over the Scurvy which attacks 

 Bailors confined to salt meat. In France, an extensive manufacture of 

 Sugar from Potato Fecula or Starch is carried on, &quot; Thus by the aid of 

 Chemistry we obtain sugar from potato-starch, sulphuric acid, chalk, 

 and water. The sugar is used for giving &quot;body&quot; to Burgundy wine, 

 and for confectionary.&quot; (Annual of Scien. Disc. Vol. 1, p. 113.) 



470. JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE (derived from the It.ilian word 

 for Sunflower, girasole ; i. e. girare, to turn, and sole sun, 

 bearing no reference to the City of Jerusalem,) belongs to the 

 family of Sunflowers, and is a native of America, It was intro 

 duced into Europe probably from Mexico in 1497; and was 

 much esteemed before potatoes were generally used ; and in case 



