7 



perate Zone. And even after that event, much delay resulted from an erroneous 

 idea that this Yam, which they cultivated at the North, was identical with the 

 species which we had long previously obtained from Canton. Most fortunately, 

 however, Mr. Montigny, then French Consul, discovered its distinctive charac- 

 ter ; and in a collection of Chinese productions he transmitted a few roots to 

 France. I was so fortunate as to obtain some of the first crops of tubers, but a 

 root was an impossibility. It was at a critical period of our Potato rot, and I 

 at once realized its immense importance to our country, as a God-given substi- 

 tute for that failing and uncertain esculent which seemed destined to an entire 

 abandonment. And when we consider and realize the fact that we have the 

 same genial temperature as Northern China, the same glowing and vivifying sun- 

 shine, with a dry and warm Summer climate, precisely assimilating with theirs, 

 we may feel assured that this Chinese Yam will find here as favorable combi- 

 nations of climate and soils as in its native regions ; and our experience thus 

 far has proven that we shall not fail to obtain the same vast product of this 

 most estimable esculent from our own fields, as has been for ages lavished on 

 that favored but secluded Oriental nation, whose existence we have almost 

 ignored ; a Nation whose triumphant attainments in Agriculture, like to their 

 attainments in Science, in the Arts, and even in a pure and spiritualized Reli- 

 gion, date back to a period in the world's history, thousands of years before the 

 then barbarian Nations of Europe imparted to mankind the slightest scintilla- 

 tions of light and of knowledge, to illume the path of man's benighted history. 



Positive and Conclusive Facts Assuring us of its Successful 

 Culture in our Country. 



There are some great and imposing considerations for the favorable adoption 

 and positive success of the culture of this Esculent in our country, which seem 

 to never have attracted attention, nor to have been duly considered. The 

 Chinese Empire comprises nearly the same latitudes as our own country, with a 

 variation in climate of only two degrees in corresponding latitudes from that of 

 our Atlantic States. China, furthermore, presents the same slope to the Ocean 

 and the same characteristic position as our Atlantic front. This climatic 

 affinity is most strikingly recognized by Nature in the similarity of Vegetable 

 productions ; and there are more than twenty genera of trees and shrubs, with 

 numerous species, which are nowhere to be found except in China and North 

 America. 



Soil and Preparation. 



A light and permeable soil is the most suitable. It may be entirely sandy, or a 

 sandy loam. Even the sandy Atlantic shore lands of Long Island, New Jersey, 

 and the entire, coast range, hitherto deemed barren and almost useless, may be 

 appropriated successfully to its culture, and they all will be so in after time. 



The plants seem to flourish best with occasional rains, and the humid atmos- 

 phere near the sea coast would therefore seem to be very favorable to their 

 growth. 



The ground should be well ploughed and harrowed, as is usual in farm culture, 

 say to the depth of twelve inches, and be thus rendered mellow and permeable. 

 The manure should be as thoroughly mixed throughout the soil as is possible. 

 The preferable manure is decayed leaves, or the decomposed vegetable mould 

 which is found in the forests, or decayed and pulverized peat. Old decom- 

 posed stable manure may also be used, but all fresh stable manures and pou- 

 drette are unsuitable. Of the manufactured artificial manures, some may with- 

 out doubt prove suitable for permanent use. This depth of ploughing is amply 

 sufficient for the Prolific White, Pekin White, and for all the round, globular, 

 and ovate varieties. Amateurs who may desire to grow the Long White 

 variety, and to grow roots of 18 to 20 inches in length, will use a deep plough 



