192 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



needed. To save seed leave some of the plants in place, 

 and gather and sow when ripe. 



Use. — The small leaves are used like cresses ; its great 

 use medicinally is pointed out by its name. 



Convolvulus Batatas, 8fc. — Sweet Potato. 



This valuable plant, first cultivated in England in 1597, 

 by Gerrard, is the potato mentioned by Shakspeare and 

 his cotemporaries, the Irish potato being then scarcely 

 known. " Let the sky rain potatoes," says Falstafi', al- 

 luding 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 pe- 

 rennial plant, 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 intervals. Its roots are long, spin- 

 dle-shaped or oval, often very large, and abounding in 

 starch and sugar. Its nutritious 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 com- 

 mon varieties, and perhaps as good as any. 



Small Spanish. — Long, grows in clusters, purplish 

 color, very productive, and of excellent quality. 



Brijnstone. — 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, and the best early potato — productive. 



Ccmmcn Yam. — Leaves many-lobed ; root oblong and 

 something globular, the best long-keeper, and very pro- 

 ductive. Has something of the pumpkin flavor. 



