160 Mr. G. Ord on the Natural Habitat of the Common Potato, 
den of the Horticultural Society, &c., by Joseph Sabine, Esq., F.R.S. 
&c., Secretary ; read November 19, 1822.” From this excellent 
paper we make the following extracts: “The possession of the 
plants of the native wild potato has been long a desideratum ; 
and from the great importance and extensive use of the culti- 
vated root, the subject of course became an object of attention to 
the Horticultural Society. In my communications with the 
Society’s correspondents on the other side of the Atlantic, this 
was pointed out as one of the most interesting objects to which 
their attention could be directed ; and it is with no small satis- 
faction that I am able to state that our inquiries have been suc- 
cessful. Great doubts have existed as to what parts of the New 
World the natural habitat of the Solanum tuberosum, or potato, 
should be assigned ; and the question is even now a matter of 
discussion among botanists of the greatest eminence. 
“The vegetable in its cultivated state was first known in this 
country as the potato of Virginia ; I conceive however there can be 
little doubt that the plants which Sir Walter Raleigh found in that 
colony and transferred to Ireland, had been previously troduced 
there from some of the Spanish territories in the more southern 
parts of that quarter of the globe ; for had the potato been a na-. 
tive of any district now forming part of the United States, it 
would before this time have been found and recognised by the 
botanical collectors who have traversed and examined those 
countries. 
“ Karly in the spring of the present year, Mr. Caldcleugh, who 
had been some time resident at Rio Janeiro, in the situation of 
Secretary to the British Minister at that Court, where he had 
been indefatigable in his exertions to forward the objects of the 
Horticultural Society, returned to England, having previously 
taken a journey across the country, and visited the principal 
places on the western coasts of South America. Among many 
articles of curiosity which he brought with him were two tubers 
of the wild potato. 
“The two tubers were exhibited to the Society, and a drawing 
made of them before they were planted. * * * They were 
planted separately in small pots, and speedily vegetated ; they 
grew rapidly, and were subsequently turned out into a border at 
about two feet distance from each other, where they became very 
strong and luxuriant. The blossoms at first were but sparingly 
produced, but as the plants were earthed up they increased in 
vigour, and these bore flowers abundantly.” 
“The result of the experiment was most satisfactory ; the pro- 
duce was remarkable : “‘ Above 600 tubers were gathered from 
the two plants.” 
A beautiful coloured engraving of the plant in blossom ac- 
