CHAPTER XXI 



HISTORY OF THE POTATO 



NEXT to wheat no plant in our part of the world 

 is of so much importance for food as the po- 

 tato. Its use was not introduced into this country 

 until toward the end of the eighteenth century. The 

 first appearance of the potato among our people is 

 a curious piece of history. Why should I not relate 

 it to you? It will show you what nohle efforts and 

 perseverance are sometimes necessary to bring about 

 the adoption, on the part of those wedded to blind 

 routine, of the simplest, most natural idea, and one 

 so rich in future possibilities. 



"The potato is native to South America; it came 

 to us from the high plains of Colombia, Chile, and 

 Peru. Its first appearance in Europe dates from 

 1565. A century and a half later the potato flour- 

 ished in England. Its introduction into general use 

 in France was slower. The first dish of potatoes, 

 then a high-priced rarity, was served at the table of 

 King Louis XIII in 1616. 



"The royal dish is to-day at the command of the 

 poorest; but this was not effected without a good 

 deal of trouble, as you will see. For a long time 

 the American tuber remained in our country a sim- 

 ple object of curiosity to which were attributed in- 



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