212 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



influence of climate more evident, demonstrating that though 

 man can dwell 'in all climates, nothing else can. In the south 

 of Europe potatoes are less extensively cultivated than in the 

 north ; chiefly because the climate is unfavorable to their 

 growth, as Louisiana is less suited to their culture than Maine. 

 Whereas in the south of Europe, Indian corn is raised abundant- 

 ly, while in the north it is scarcely known. Such facts teach us 

 the importance of commerce. It not only exchanges the pro- 

 ductions of diiferent countries, but it transfers fruits, and vegeta- 

 bles, and flowers, and trees, to places where they are needed, 

 and where they will flourish. The potato, originating in the 

 mountains under the cquatoi', has extended its range, north and 

 south, over a space wider than that occupied by any cereal 

 grain, and furnishes food for millions of the human race. 



2. Its Uses. — The influence of diflcrent kinds of food upon 

 the civilization of nations, is a subject that might well engage 

 our attention. I shall only observe, that as nations advance in 

 civilization, they require a greater variety of food, and more 

 skill in its preparation. Savages live on a few articles, and 

 those imperfectly cooked. Those persons who commend the 

 superior simplicity of savage fare, and condemn the refinements 

 of modern living, forget that savages neither live long, nor in- 

 crease their numbers. Man is an omniverous animal. His 

 teeth and stomach show that he was made to eat flesh, vegeta- 

 bles, and fruit ; and generally we find that health and comfort 

 are promoted by a due admixture of all. Neither the Esqui- 

 maux, who live on animal food, nor the East Indians, who live 

 chiefly on rice, attain a high development of body or mind. 



Ireland may be quoted as an illustration of the social results 

 of living on one or a few articles of food. We may presume 

 that, before potatoes were introduced into general use, the Irish 

 lived, as the English did, on meat and bread ; and it is certain 

 that if the English were to abandon meat and bread, and un- 

 dertake to live on potatoes, they would incur the same risk of 

 starving that the Irish do. Even in favorable years there is a 

 time of six or eight weeks, just before harvest, when the Irish 

 poor endure intense privation. Wiicn a nation is reduced to 

 one article of food, and that the cheapest, the difficulty is that, 

 in a bad season, they have nothing to fall back upon — they arc 



