CHINESE POTATO. 



DIOSCOREA BATATAS, IMPERIAL RICE-WHITE VARIETY. 



I invite the public to view my plantation of two-and-a-half acres, containing 35,000 plants of 

 this inestimable esculent. I am desirous, to ideiitifj^ myself with the introduction of this most im- 

 portant plant ; and after having devoted half a century to horticultorai pursuits*, ! ask no greater 

 boon of my countrymen than to award me this claim, which I am striving to merit more fully by 

 its extensive culture. I shall also be thereby enabled to supply the many correspondents here- 

 after, whom I was unable to supply in April without then breaking into the arrangements for my 

 present plantation. 



Having most fully investigated the merits of this esculent, I have a few positions to state in 

 regard to it, which, being somewhat bold in their character, 1 wish my countrymen to record for 

 future verification. 1st. I assert that the Dioscorea Batatas of Decaisne, is perfectly hardy during 

 our severest Winters. 2d. That it is more nutritious than any other esculent we cultivate. 3d. 

 That its culture is so easy and simple, and its product so great, that it can be afforded incomparably 

 cheaper than any other nutritious vegetable, it having produced in France at the rate of above 800 

 bushels per acre. 4th. That the combination of every useful property, renders it the greatest 

 vegetable boon ever granted by God to man, and that its introduction to our country is even more 

 important than that of cotton, and that in twenty years our National statistics will report the 

 value of the annual crop as greater than the Cotton crop. * 



Next I assert, that this plant alone has served to solve the enigma as to the alimentary basis 

 of the Chinese empire, and that a statistical investigation will prove, that if that country were de- 

 prived of this one vertical root, and received in lieu every other known vegetable, more than one- 

 half of its enormous population would perish from famine. Further, I assert, that such are its 

 superior properties — the three most important of which I have above detailed — that it is destined 

 not only to supersede every other potato and every similar esculent in all countries of the tem- 

 perate zone, but that it will attain in all these countries the position it occupies in China, and will 

 consequently usurp a portion of the position which is now occupied here by Indian Corn and by 

 Yv"heat; it being perfectly competent to make good bread, similar to that of Wheat, and capable of 

 being afforded at an incomparably cheaper rate. As the roots propagate so easily and rapidly, it 

 will, after a few years, become generally disseminated; but, for the first four or five years, millions 

 of dollars will be made by its early cultivators, until all countries are supplied. The stupidity 

 and ignorance of those who have maliciously assailed this plant, will be understood b3^the perusal 

 of an address delivered by me before the American Institute, which institution awarded its Silver 

 Medal for this vegetable, and has also in its transactions recommended its culture as a substitute 

 for the common potato. The Secretary, the Hon. Henry Meigs, has made a most triumphant Re- 

 port in regard to its successful culture in France. The statements pretending to emanate from the 

 Farmers' Club of the American Institute, the last Spring, unfavorable to this plant, were barefaced 

 Jorgcries, made from malicious motives, — as was fully exposed. At the present time there are 

 nearly one thousand persons in the Union who have the Chinese Potato under culture (mostly 

 supplied by myself,) aud the public cannot fail to obtain from them satisfactory and conclusive 

 information the present Autumn, for their future guidance. Persons who are desirous of ample 

 information as to the last year's successful culture in Europe, can consult the " Mark-Lane Ex- 

 press" and " Gardeners' Chronicle" of Great Britain, and the " Revue Horticole," published under 

 the direction of the French Institute; which latter, in its last Quarterly, for 1855, devotes twenty 

 entire pages to the experiments and culture of this plant, and concludes with the following as- 

 tounding announcement: — "This esculent has now been tested in every department of France, 

 even to its most northern limits, the shore of the Rhine, and it is to be deemed, henceforth, incor- 

 porated into the Agriculture of France." I have taken especial pains to inform myself fully, by 

 examining several very extensive Chinese Agricultural works which have been translated by order 

 of the French Government, and it is the perusal of these works and their elaborate details as to 

 the extensive culture of this root in China, which have most fully confirmed in my mind the vast 

 importance of this inestimable esculent. Exhibitions will be made of these splendid roots at the 

 Crystal Palace Fair of the American Institute during the present month, surpassing any that have 

 been produced in Europe, their successful culture here being most triumphant, and surpassing the 

 most sanguine expectations. 



Flushing, New York, Oct. 1st, 1856. WM. R. PRINCE. 



X. B. — The Dioscorea Japonica — Japan Potato, and other kinds, we only cultivate as fancy 

 varieties. 



TERMS FOR THE CHINESE POTATO. 



In order to facilitate its general dissemination, I will, until October 30th, contract as follows, 

 deliverable in October: — For 100 to 1,000 tubers, §15. Terms. — One-fourth of the amount to be 

 remitted with the order, and the balance payable on delivery. Twenty-five tubers for $5, — Cash 

 to accompany the order. After Nov. 1st we shall most probably advance the prices considerably, 

 and again increase them in the Spring. 



Note. — I shall communicate in future through the "Tribune" Newspaper such inform aui^ 9 

 1 may deem most important in regard to the Chinese Potato, and of most interest to cultivator;. 



W. P. 



