11 



AMERICAN INSTITUTE-FARMERS' CLUB. 



Meeting of August 4, 185*7. 

 The Secretary, Hon. Henry Meigs, made the following Report, 

 translated from the latest foreign periodicals : 



Revue Horticole, Paris, June, 1857 — Agricultural Exhibition at 

 Versailles. 



DIOSCOREA BATATAS. 



Fine specimens of the Dloscorea Batatas were exhibited by 

 Mons. Remont of Versailles, whose practical zeal in cultivating it 

 has been rewarded by his receiving, from the hand of the Empress, 

 the " Grand Prize of Honor," being her gift. This esculent is in 

 great progress in our gardens. 



Bulletin Mensual de la Societe Imperiale Zoologique d'Accli- 

 matation, Paris, June, 1857. 



DIOSCOREA BATATAS. 



"Mons. Chevet, Chairman of the Committee on this plant, re- 

 ports — That the cultivation of this esculent in our market gardens, 

 is now sure! both on account of its abimdant crop and very excel- 

 lent properties ; that its culture is easy, req\iiring but little care ; 

 its hardihood is fully proved; it keeps perfectly sound in the earth 

 where it grows ; no cold injures it; it is readily multiplied by its 

 seeds, little tubers, and by cuttings, <fec. It is planted in rows 40 

 to 50 centimetres apart (16 to 20 inches). 



" I have, says Mons. Chevet, demonstrated the excellence of this 

 tuber for our table, in plain boiling, baking, roasting in hot ashes, 

 or as a luxurious pudding, &c. It cooks in half the time that a po- 

 tato does ; it is a blessing to the poor more than to the rich. I ask 

 this Society for its vote of thanks to Consul Montigny, who gave it 

 to us from China, and also for thanks to the members of this So- 

 ciety, who have proved its value in their respective Departments 

 of France, showing its precious character." 



