202 THE FLORIST AND 



But the Chinese Yams have attracted no attention in Europe. It is pro- 

 bable that they have been considered too tender, our notions of a Yam being 

 formed from East and West Indian reports. It seems, however, that one 

 at least of the Chinese Yams is as hardy as a Potato, and likely to become 

 a formidable competitor with the Potato itself. 



M. Decaisne tells us that the French experiments with a Yam introduced 

 from Shanghae, and called erroneously Dioscorea japonica, justify the ex- 

 pectation that it will become a plant of real importance in cultivation. 

 "If," says M. Decaisne, " a new plant is to have a chance of becoming 

 useful in rural economy, it must fulfil certain conditions, in the absence of 

 which its cultivation cannot be profitable. In the first place, it must have 

 been domesticated in some measure, and must suit the climate ; moreover, 

 it must, in a few months, go through all the stages of development, so as 

 not to interfere with the ordinary and regular course of cropping ; and 

 finally, its produce must have a market value in one form or another. If 

 the plant is intended for the food of man, it is also indispensable that it 

 shall not offend the taste or the culinary habits of the persons among whom 

 it is introduced. To this may be added that almost all the old perennial 

 plants of the kitchen-garden have been abandoned in favor of annuals, wher- 

 ever the latter could be found with similar properties ; thus Lathyrus 

 tuberosus, Sedum Tehphium., and Cirsium oleraceum have given way before 

 Potatoes, Spinage, and the like. Now, the Chinese Yam satisfies every one 

 of these conditions. It has been domesticated from time immemorial ; it is 

 perfectly hardy in this climate (Paris) ; its root is bulky, rich in nutritive 

 matter, eatable when raw, easily cooked either by boiling or roasting, and 

 then having no other taste than that of flour (fecule.). It is as much a 

 ready-made bread as the Potato, and it is better than the Batatas or Sweet 

 Potato. Gardeners should therefore provide themselves with the new arri- 

 val, and try experiments with it in the different climates and soils of France. 

 If they bring to their task, which is of great public importance, the requi- 

 site amount of perseverance and intelligence, I have a firm belief that the 

 Potato Yam (Igname-Batatas) will, like its predecessor the Potato, make 

 many a fortune, and more especially alleviate the distress of the lower 

 classes of the people." 



Testimony of this kind appears too important to be regarded lightly, and 

 w T e are glad to second the recommendation of so judicious an experimentalist 

 as M. Decaisne. When we consider how nearly our common Black Bryony 

 (Tamils communis) is related to the Yams, the probability of the new plant 

 becoming naturalized among us receives further support. We would also 



