THE FARMER AT HOME. 



413 



delicacy. It is the potato of Shakespere and contemporary writers, the 

 common potato being then scarcely known in Europe. The roots are 

 fleshy and spindle shaped, giving rise to herbaceous vines, which take 

 root at intervals ; the leaves are smooth, varying in form, but usually 

 hastate, or three lobed ; the flowers are white externally, and purplish 

 within, disposed in clusters upon axillary foot-stalks. 



In Warm climates, the culture is very easy, and they are obtained 

 almost throughout the year, by planting at different periods. In 

 northern climates, the culture becomes more difficult ; but one varie- 

 ty succeeds even in the vicinity of Paris. Considered as an ali- 

 ment, the sweet potato is very nutritious, wholesome, and easy of 

 digestion. The consumption is very considerable, especially in the 

 warmer parts of America, where even several savage tribes have 

 introduced it, on account of its easy culture. In the United States, 

 it is very little cultivated north of New Jersey, and even there is 

 inferior in quality to those which grow in Carolina. 



SWIMMING-. Swimming has with great propriety been pro- 

 nounced " the purest exercise of health ;" combining in itself the 

 advantages of muscular exertion with those of bathing. It is to be 

 observed, however, that there is, perhaps, no exercise which calls into 

 violent action a greater number of muscles, and which, therefore, so 

 quickly induces fatigue. It is on this account, independent of the 

 effects of the cold water in which the body is immersed, an amuse- 

 ment but ill adapted to the aged, and those of an enfeebled and deli- 

 cate constitution. Even by the young, the healthful, and robust, it 

 should not be carried too far, lest injury, rather than benefit result 

 from it. 



Immediately on leaving the water, the body should be always 

 wiped perfectly dry by friction with a coarse towel ; and after dress- 

 ing, a gentle degree of exercise ought to be taken. Nothing is indeed 

 more prejudicial to health, than sitting, or remaining inactive, subse- 

 quently to bathing. Walking briskly to and from the place selected 

 for swimming, particularly if it be at a reasonable distance from the 

 dwelling, will in most cases be the best exercise that can be adopted, 

 both before entering, and after coming out of the water. It was not 

 our intention, in the present article, to teach the art. or to describe 

 the various modes of swimming. With Franklin, Saint Pierre, Saltz- 

 man, and others, we are of opinion, however, that such instruction 

 should constitute an item in the education of every child, not merely 

 to enable him to enjoy a beneficial exercise, but to insure his own 

 safety, and to enable him to minister to that of others, in cases of 

 accidental submersion. 



TADPOLE. The young of the frog is called by this name. It 

 is produced from an egg, and is extremely unlike the animal it is to 

 perpetuate, seeming to consist of head and tail only. The head is 

 large, black, and round, the tail slender and margined with a broad, 



