POTATO. 239 



those grown in the usual way, and in parallel lines, 

 besides being more productive. 



Peas are in general sown too thickly in drills, 

 and by that means are drawn up so weak that they 

 seldom produce any pods till they have arrived at 

 their full growth, and then only near the top. 



By following the above directions a first dish of 

 green peas may generally be gathered early in May ; 

 and the number of pots mentioned will supply a 

 family, upon an average, with three dishes of green 

 peas per week till the other crops come in, the first 

 or second week in June. 



44. POTATO. SOLANUM. 



Under the ancient name of Solatium (which 

 is not well defined) is classed the Tomato, Egg- 

 plant, and several other species, and accounted of 

 a poisonous nature. The nightshade belongs to 

 this class, and is well known to be a deadly poi- 

 son ; but the varieties above named, including the 

 root of the valuable potato, have happily proved 

 otherwise. This root has now, and for some years 

 past, formed, alike, the rich man's luxury and the 

 poor man's bread. It is distinguished from the 

 other varieties by the specific name Tuberostim, 

 signifying tuberous-rooted. 



Potato, the English name of this vegetable, is 

 derived from its similarity to the Battata, the sweet 

 potato of South America. It is supposed to be a 

 native of that country, being grown in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Quito, where the Indian name of 

 Papas (from the root) is given to it by the natives, 



