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veloped to their large dimensions and delicious flavor; and the 

 potato, in like manner, has been improved as much as they; 

 and yet, no doubt, admits of more improvement still. 



But if we would have the potato free from disease that 

 causes it to rot, the surest way, perhaps, would be, to procure 

 the seed directly from the native soil and climate. But Mr. 

 Goodrich, the man whose name is famous for having started 

 so many choice varieties of this excellent root, informs us that 

 he once tried the test of planting seed procured from its na- 

 tive country, and it failed. But this single experiment is not 

 enough to settle this important question. He might have 

 been imposed upon ; the seed he planted might not have grown 

 outside of the United States ; it might have been like the 

 China seed corn that a few years since was circulated widely; 

 tlie agent that procured it might not have been reliable, or he 

 too, might have been deceived. Historical mistakes are often 

 made by accepting as truth the statements of persons not 

 reliable, or of superficial observers Some writer has stated 

 that the potato was found wild in Virginia, by the first settlers 

 of that colony, but it was the sweet potato, and not the com- 

 mon. How often is one species mistaken for another, and 

 hence as in this case, mistakes arise. It has also been stated 

 that the potato has been found in its wild state in Mexico, and 

 that it was indigenous there. It might no doubt, have been 

 found there, growing wild, but it sprang from seed imported 

 there. In the history of Mexico by Clarigero, it is stated 

 that the potato was brought into Mexico from South America, 

 its native home. We have no certain knowledge that the 

 potato is indigenous in any other country than in South Amer- 

 ica; and only there, upon the high mountainous regions, where 

 the climate is equable and cool, and well adapted to its growth. 

 All testimony to the contrary, is conflicting and improbable; 

 and wherever else it has been found, it sprang from seed, no 

 doubt, transported there. We have no knowledge that the 



