VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 281 



POTATO, SWEET. (Convolvulus Batatas.) 



This valuable plant, first cultivated in England in 1597, 

 by Gerard, is the potato mentioned by Shakespeare and 

 his cotemporaries, the Irish potato being then scarcely 

 known, " Let the sky rain potatoes," says Falstaff, allud- 

 ing to this vegetable, which was at that time imported 

 into England from Spain and the Canary Islands, and 

 considered a great delicacy. The sweet potato is a tender 

 perennial plant, of the Morning Glory family, a native of 

 China and both Indies. It has small leaves, with three to 

 five lobes, according to the variety, with herbaceous 

 vines which run along the ground, taking root at inter- 

 vals. Its roots are long, spindle-shaped or oval, often 

 very large, and abounding in starch and sugar. Its nutri- 

 tious properties and agreeable flavor have brought it into 

 general use in all parts of the globe, where the climate is 

 warm enough to admit of its successful cultivation. The 

 following are the most common varieties, and perhaps as 

 good as any. 



Small Spanish. Long, grows in clusters, purplish 

 color, very productive, and of excellent quality, but if not 

 well grown, is fibrous ; flesh white. 



Nansemond is a larger variety, and good at every stage 

 of growth ; the best for the North. 



Brimstone. Sulphur-colored, long, of large size, and 

 productive ; keeps well with us, and is one of the best 

 sorts ; very dry, and excellent. 



Red Bermuda is of the Yam family ; leaves, many- 

 lobed ; the best early potato ; productive. 



Common Yam, Leaves many-lobed ; root yellow, 

 large, oblong, and somewhat globular; the best long- 

 keeper, and very productive. Has something of the pump- 

 kin flavor. 



