38 



modifications of the present practices as future experience maj 

 show to be advisable. It has been suggested that the Chinese 

 yam might be raised with profit ; but the experiments that have 

 come to our knowledge furnish little encouragement. The follow- 

 ing note from one of our careful cultivators, will show what has 

 been his success : — 



Stoughton, Oct. 19, 1857. 



Rev. J. M, Merrick — Dear Sir : — I received your note of 

 inquiry in relation to my success in the cultivation of the dlos- 

 corea, or Chinese yam. 



My experience has been too limited perhaps to form a correct 

 opinion of the value of this tuber for cultivation ; but from the 

 experience I have had, I cannot recommend it very highly. I 

 first purchased a seed tuber, about the size of a pea, in the spring 

 of 1855. This was planted about the first of May, in the open 

 ground, in fair soil, not rich, and produced a tuber about a foot 

 in length and an inch in thickness at the largest end. About the 

 middle of May, 185G, this was cut in pieces about an inch long 

 and planted in a rich, deep soil. These made their appearance 

 above ground, after a considerable time, and were about half of 

 them hoed up by my workman, he not knowing what they were. 

 The plants from those remaining produced tubers varying from 

 six to twenty inches in length, and from the size of a pipe stem to 

 two inches in thickness. These roots were cut in the same way, 

 and planted about the same time as last year, with the same re- 

 sults ; many of the plants not appearing above ground until late 

 in the season. 



The objections to the cultivation of the plant are, first, the 

 difficulty in starting it. It must be started in a hot-bed, to se- 

 cure a decent sized tuber. Second, the trouble of preparing the 

 soil to sufficient depth. Third, the great labor of digging them, 

 the largest part of the tuber being at the bottom, while one-half 

 or two-thirds of the upper part is little larger than a pipe stem ; 

 and last, though not least, their poor quality, as compared with 

 the potato for table use, they being watery and nearly tasteless. 



With these objections, I think they cannot be used as a substi- 

 tute for the potato, even if the potato should be entirely lost by rot. 



The tuber, like the potato, might by cultivation be improved, 

 but the manner of its growth would certainly be a great objection 

 to its general cultivation. 



I will send you some tubers the first opportunity. 

 Very respectfully yours, 



Lucius Clapp. 



In various parts of the county sweet potatoes have been raised 

 of good quality and in remunerating quantities. Instead of de- 



