ROOT CROPS. 221 



been sometimes asserted, that such a course is not absolutely- 

 certain to be successful ; yet it is much more likely to be so 

 than any hitherto proposed. We can thus start anew ; and 

 with the multiplied facilities of science, and with hosts of intel- 

 ligent farmers and gardeners, we may, in a comparatively short 

 time, restore this important plant to its former health and pro- 

 ductiveness. It is the duty of those having the means and 

 opportunities, to use them in a work so intimately connected 

 with the pecuniary and social prosperity of the people. Nor 

 would it be improper for the government of the United Slates 

 to instruct its diplomatic agents to institute inquiries, and to 

 make personal examinations touching this subject, in other 

 countries. It is said "' that there are some kinds of potatoes 

 cultivated in South America superior for table use to any known 

 among us. 



We have heard that distinguished agriculturists in this 

 county have received and planted wild potatoes from New 

 Mexico. We have read also in the Patent OiSce Reports, state- 

 ments that wild potatoes, or what have been thought to be such, 

 have recently been found in that part of the country. It is 

 well to receive this latter account with caution. Humboldt, 

 and other eminent botanists, assert, that the potato is indigenous 

 only in Chili ; yet recently it has been said that wild potatoes 

 have been discovered in Peru.f Certainly they have never 

 before been found in North America. There arc many plants 

 with tuberous roots, and inaccurate observers may possibly 

 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 oatmeal, 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 



* Sabine, Lond. Hor. Soc. Trans., vol. v. p. 249. 

 t Lambert's Journal of Science and Arts, vol. x. 



