252 HAUNTS AND HOBBIES 



that they were not was due, so I have been told, to the 

 potato. 



The Doon was then under charge of the colonel who 

 commanded the regiment at Dehra. The colonel was 

 an Irishman, and fond of potatoes. He had received 

 some of superior quality, and was considering where to 

 plant them. Some men from the hills were present. 

 They recommended the upper part of the range, for all 

 about there, they said, the potatoes grew remarkably 

 well. The colonel ascended the range to select a spot, 

 and there he found a climate so cool and delightful that 

 he remained and erected a house. His example was 

 followed, and the stations of Landour and Mussoorie 

 presently arose. 



The potato at first flourished extremely well in the 

 Himalaya ; but it afterwards underwent a curious 

 change. Its shape from oval became long and ir- 

 regular, and its skin thick, dark, and rough, and its 

 taste slightly sweetish. In short, it appeared as if it 

 was approximating towards that native root termed 

 by Europeans the "yam," or sweet potato. It was 

 remarkable that no such change occurred among the 

 potatoes cultivated in the plains. On the contrary, 

 they gradually improved very much, both in size and 

 quality. 



The introduction of the potato has been one of the 

 many benefits which our rule has conferred on India; 

 but it is a benefit that at first it was by no means 

 certain that the Hindoo part of the population would 

 accept. The potato was new ; doubts were entertained 

 if it would be lawful to eat it. To determine the point, 



