4 



twenty -five inches long, and two inches in diameter, tapering to the head ; 

 the outward appearance similar to the white variety of the Sweet Pota- 

 to ; skin thin, readily peeling off when cooked ; flesh snow-white, d,eli- J 

 cately farinaceous, with a slight Almond flavor, exceedingly grateful when ' i 

 used in the same manner as the ordinary Potato, and deemed both richer 

 in nutri'don and superior in quality. It can be cooked by water or steam, 

 or roasted, and in appearance and taste is like the finest mealy varieties 

 of the common Potato. It requires but ten minutes boiling, whereas 

 the common Potato requires twenty minutes. 



This root possesses another great advantage: it produces a fine, pure 

 white flour, waich will compare advantageously with the Wheat Flour 

 of any Country, and is equal if not superior in nutriment. 



The introduction of this invaluable vegetable is too recent for us to 

 koow all its qualities, it having been tested for but four years in Europe 

 and only one year in our own country. It may, however, be fairly as- 

 sumed that a vegetable which has for centuries formed the common food 

 of the immense population of China and Japan, — adopted as such by 

 nations so regardful of domestic economy^ and so careful and economical in 

 their appropriations of the soil, MU&T BE possessed of no ordinary merits. 

 Such we should consider to be the character of this vegetable, combining, 

 as it does, the circumstance of immense product, diminished comparative 

 labor, and an adaptation to soils where scarcely any other root will grow, 

 with the additional fact of its remaining in the ground during the winter 

 and for a period of three or more years, furnishing throughout all seasons 

 a fresh, wholesome, and nutritious aliment for all classes at the cheapest 

 rate. 



On the whole, we may consider ourselves justified in believing, arid 

 confidently asserting, that the acquisition of this esculent in Europe and 

 America constitutes an era in Agriculture equaled only (if equaled 

 indeed it be) by that which was consequent upon the introduction to 

 Europe of the Irdian Maize of our own Continent. The fact is certainly 

 most astounding that we have remained thus long entirely ignorant of so 

 invaluable a \egetab'e, — one which is destined soon to cover myriads of 

 acres, and which, but for that great malady, the Potato Rot, we should 

 probably be still unacquainted with, as it was the prevalence of that 

 malady which induced the Consul of France to send home this root as 

 the most appropriate substitute. 



PERIOD OF PLAXTIXG, JL\D PROPAGATIOx\. 



As the Dioscorea is perfectly hardy, the tubers, as hereafter described, ' 

 or small sections or eyes of the root (the same as potato-sets) may be ; 



