16 ON THE INDIVIDUALITY OF THE POTATOE PLANT. 



toe " also occurs in " Troilus and Cressida," act v., 

 Scene 2. 



(59.) About the year 1600, and for some time after, the 

 convolvulus potatoe is spoken of as the common potatoe, 

 and our present potatoe is noticed as the new potatoe of 

 Virginia. Now the tables are completely turned ; the 

 sweet potatoe is become the scarce one, being worth nine- 

 pence a pound, and frequently not to be procured, whilst 

 the other is in every-day use. 



An attempt is being made by Dr. Stewart to naturalize 

 the sweet potatoe in this country. He planted his speci- 

 mens too late this year, and therefore no tubers are formed, 

 but it is not improbable that the early kinds may thrive 

 here. Gerard grew them in his garden 250 years ago. 



(60.) Our potatoe received its name from Gerard, in 

 consequence of its general resemblance to the sweet tuber. 

 This plant is also well figured by the same author. 



(61.) In this chapter I wish particularly to enforce the 

 fact that we are not using the wild plant, but an abnormal 

 deviation from it ; in fact, we are employing plants pecu- 

 liar from the exaggerated quantity in which they produce 

 tubers, and in which, notwithstanding the increase of 

 tuber, the quantity of leaf is very materially diminished. 



