(. 82.) 
obfervation; and we have already taken notice (Szcr. V.), 
that the degree of cold at Pekin fometimes exceeds ours. 
We have hence reafon to expect, that the Tea-tree may ina 
few years be capable of bearing our climate, or at leaft that of 
our colonies; at length thrive, as if indigenous .to the foil; | 
and, were labour cheaper, become an article of export ’, like 
the common potatoe, for which we are indebted to America, 
or Spain*. It is, however, better fuited for the climates of 
: f ata the 
* The high price hoses in this country may prove the principal objection 
to this profpeét. In China provifions are very cheap. Ofbeck-fays, that a work- 
man who lives upon plucking of 'Tea-leaves, will {carce be able to get more than 
one penny a day, which is fufficient to maintain him. Voyage to China, Vol. I. 
p- 298. 
* The following extract from Gerard’s Herbal, p. 780. ed. 1636. though 
foreign to the fubject of this Effay, is fo curious, that it may not be deemed im- 
proper to tranfcribe it. ‘* Potatoes grow in India, Barbarie, Spaine, and other hot 
regions, of which I planted diuers rootes (that I bought in the Exchange 1 in London) 
in my garden, where they flourifhed untill winter, at which time they perifhed and 
rotted.” At this date, he adds, ‘* they were roafted in the afhes; fome, when 
they be fo roafted, infufe them, and fop them in wine; and others, to give them 
the greater grace in eating, do boile them with prunes, and fo eate them. And 
likewife others dreffe them (being firft roafted) with. oile, vinegar, and falt, every — 
man according to his own tafte and liking.” 
*< Thefe rootes (he obferves) may ferue as a ground or foundation wheron the 
cunning confectioner, or fugar-baker, may works and frame many comfortable 
delicate conferves, and reftorative fweete meates.” 
In 1664 J. Fofter publifhed his ** England’s Happynefs increafed by a Plantation 
of Potatoes,” 4to. 
** Captain Hawkins is ze to have brought this root from Santa: Fé, in New Spain, 
A. D. 1565. Sir Walter Rawleigh foon after planted it on his lands in Ireland; but, 
on eating the apple, that it produced, which is naufeous and unwholefome, he had 
nearly configned the whole crop to deftruétion. Luckily the fpade difcovered the 
real potatoe, and the.root became rapidly a favourite eatable. It continued, how- 
ever, for along time to be thought = a fpecies of et than of — A 
nor, 
