APRIL, ISili, 1856. Fifth Edition. 



Proprietors of the Linnaean Garden and Nurseries, Flushing, near New York. 



CHINESE POTATO. 



BIOS CORE A BATATAS. 

 IGNAME DE LA CHINE. 



Dmcia — Hexandria. 



This most important esculent was first introduced to Europe in 1850, 

 it having been sent to France by M. de Montigny, French Consul at 

 Shanghae, in Northern China, who transmitted a few roots to some 

 learned men. It did not however attract their special attention to its 

 great value and immense importance, until the year 1853, when some 

 highly intelligent Botanists recognized the great advantages to be de- 

 rived from its extensive culture, and devoted themselves to its increase, 

 and to the development of its merits. 



Finding this root to be superior in its fat*inaceous properties to either 

 of the cultivated species of Potato, and that it was in no case subject to 

 decay, whether in the ground or out of it, and was also of so hardy a 

 character, as to withstand the severest Avinters uninjured, they have now 

 come to the conclusion, in common with English Botanists who have 

 made similar experiments, that the Dioscorea Batatas is destined to su- 

 persede the precarious and uncertain culture of the ordinary Potato, so 

 liable to rot and other diseases ; and that the grand desideratum, a substi- 

 tute in itself more valuable than the ordinary Potato, has at length been 

 found. So strongly confirmed is this opinion in Europe, that we find it 

 supported by all Lheir leading Agricultural and Horticultural publica- 

 tions, and even by the " Mark Lane Express" the principal representa- 

 tive and expos-icor of the Agriculturists of Great Britain. 



Roots of this plant have been produced in Middle and Northern France, 

 weighing two to two and a half pounds, from tubers planted in April 

 ind dug in October. 



One great point of superiority possessed by it, is that the roots may 

 •emain in the ground two or three years, always enlarging in size, and 

 ■qually nutritious and excellent in flavor. Experiments have proved that 

 «rhen the roots are left for eighteen months in the groimd, the yield is 



