POTATOE PLANT AND TAPIOCA IN INDIA. o 



of tuberous roots, as the arum, the sweet potatoc, 

 &c. which are within the means of the poorest 

 people. 



The Potatoe (Solanum tuberosum) may be consi- 

 dered as naturalized, and is in many situations 

 produced of an excellent quality. 



The Tapioca plant has been lately introduced, 

 and in situations near the Coast, gives, by all ac- 

 counts, a very large return.* 



Its success in the Deckan is more doubtful. The 

 size which the root attains in twelve months does 

 not appear such as to render it probable, that in the 

 Deckan it can compete with the potatoe or sweet 

 potatoe. The result of the trials of tapioca made in 

 Gujerat, I have not yet learned. Should the climate 

 suit the plants, the returns will probably be even 

 larger than is the case in the Concan. 



As to the medicinal plants which might be intro- 

 duced from Europe or America into India, the 

 number is considerable, and some of the desiderata 

 are of great value. 



* Both tapioca and arrowroot have, within the last two years, been 

 very extensively grown at Alliporc, one of the suburbs of Calcutta, for 

 manufacturing purposes. As much as thirty tons of the latter was pre- 

 pared during the present year (1811), and of first rate quality. 11. U.S. 



