4 



No other plant which has ever been proposed as a substitute for the potato 

 has presented claims so meritorious, . and so well entitled to success as this, 

 whose various estimable properties place it among the most desirable acquisi- 

 tions of the Vegetable department. 



1st. Its hardihood and the capacity of withstanding the cold of the most 

 frigid climes during the winter in the open ground. 



2d, Its facility and simplicity of culture, so readily comprehended by any 

 laborer, and its adaptation to such a variety of locations, and seemingly to all 

 soils ; but more especially to such light and hitherto neglected lands as have 

 been deemed valueless for other Agricultural purposes. 



3d. Its Productiveness and Cheapness, in which it far exceeds the potato, or 

 any other vegetable. When its culture shall be properly established, the crop of 

 the long varieties will not be less than 600 to 800 bushels, and of the round 

 and oval varieties 400 to 500 bushels to the acre, and still more is ardently and 

 confidently looked for. Its propagation is more rapid than that of any other 

 esculent, and it is thereby proven to be, in proportion to its actual value and 

 importance, the most cheaply produced of all food. 



4th. Its Nutritious and Farinaceous qualities, comprising the essential con- 

 stituents of an Esculent of the highest alimentary character. It will fill the 

 positions of both Meat and Wheat as aliment, the flour made from it surpassing 

 in pure whiteness and farinaceous excellence the best obtained from wheat, with 

 which it is destined hereafter to come into successful competition on account 

 of its cheapness. It also possesses a peculiar distinctive character superior to 

 all other Vegetables, from its combination of Nitrogen, the same constituent as 

 is existent in Meat, which thus becomes blended and assimilated with properties 

 the same as are found in the best Wheaten flour, in Corn Starch, and in Milk. 



It therefore presents the distinctive characteristics of substances essentially 

 alimentary, and meat as food is rendered entirely unnecessary. 



5th. Its unexceptionable excellence of flavor, and freedom from any sweet, acid 

 or insipid taste, as is the case with most other proposed substitutes, and its con- 

 genial accordance with the entire human organism. Some contend that its 

 flavor is a combination of the best Potato and Arrowroot. 



6th. Its long keeping and freedom from all decay, as it never rots in the 

 ground or out of it. 



It retains its excellence for more than a year, thus rendering it of pre-eminent 

 importance under every contingency, and especially so in long sea voyages, and 

 as its character is antiscorbutic, it furnishes a preventive against scurvy and 

 similar diseases. I have myself preserved the roots in an ordinary cellar without 

 any extra care until June of the second year, when they were firm and sound, 

 free from all sprouts, and in perfect condition. They may be kiln dried and thus 

 preserved for the various uses for an indefinite period of time. 



7th. It is a purifying and highly nutritious Constitutional Food, beneficial to 

 the mind as well as to the body, and capable of developing the muscular power 

 of man to its fullest capacity. 



8th. The root being perfectly hardy, the crop, when desired, may be allowed 

 to remain the entire winter in the open ground, or may be buried in burrows 

 during autumn, ready when required for winter use. 



Statement of Jacob Raynor, of Queen's County. Long Island, N. Y. 



November 26th, 1PG8. 

 I commenced the culture of the Chinese Yam in April, 1867, with four tubers, 

 and in April, 1868, I obtained six more, making ten tubers in all. These 

 were all obtained from Mr. Prince, of Flushing, The stock grown from the 



