160 



thej have never before been found in North America. There are 

 many plants -with tuberous roots, and inaccurate observers may pos- 

 sibly have mistaken some of these for potatoes. 



In conclusion, I would observe that the potato disease •will answer 

 at least one good purpose " if it compels us to extend our knowledge 

 to other kinds of food, which have been till now either unknown or 

 unappreciated." Is not our prejudice against new things inconsistent 

 with our general enterprise ? Perhaps rice, sago, tapioca, and oat- 

 meal would not furnish a complete substitute for potatoes ; but, with 

 a genius for cookery, they might be worth more than we now make 

 them. One-third of all the people on earth are mainly supported on 

 rice. Would not that be a good fashion which should bring it into 

 more common use among us ? Motives of patriotism might unite 

 with those of economy. There is a tradition that, in the early times 

 of Massachusetts, the people agreed to use salt fish for dinner one 

 day in the week, as an encouragement to the fisherman. Salt fish 

 dinners on Saturday still commemorate the fact. It is easy to 

 imagine how rice might be more extensively used in our domestic 

 economy ; and that we might find it both palatable and profitable. 

 The introduction into general use of a new vegetable would render 

 us less dependent on present supplies, and cause less regret for the 

 failure of any, however important. 



