SOLAN UM TUBEROSUM. 



15 



SOLANUM TUBEROSUM, Linn. 



{Vide Plate XCVII.] 



i 



Potato; alu. 



Natural order Solanacece. 



Historical and botanical investigations point to Chili as the original home of the 

 potato. De Candolle says that it is very doubtful whether its natural home extends to 

 Peru and New Granada. It was introduced to the United States during the latter half 

 of the 16th century, and was imported into Europe between 1580 and 1585, first by 

 the Spaniards, and afterwards by the English, at the time of Ealeigh's voyages to Vir- 

 ginia. According to Dr. Ainslie the potato came to India originally from the Cape of 

 Good Hope. Its cultivation on the hills north of Dehra was first started by Major 

 Young, at which time Mussoorie was indicated on maps under the name of the " Potato 

 Garden." The quality was afterwards improved by Captain Townsend, and about the 

 year 1839 potato cultivation became general both in the plains and on the hills. The 

 hill varieties, known usually under the name of " Naini Tal," are largely exported to 

 the plains, and are ready for use some time before the plains varieties come into the 

 market. 



This " Naini Tal " kind is also grown in many places in the plains, but requires 

 to be renewed periodically by fresh seed to maintain its quality. The ordinary desi 

 potato is a small round kind, red (Idlri) or white (Madrasi). This and the "Naini 

 Tal " variety can with proper care be kept sound throughout the year. In the Farukh- 

 abad district a variety called satu is much grown, but it does not keep. 



The average area occupied by potatos in these Provinces during the three years 

 ending 1889-90 is represented in the agricultural returns by *2 per cent, on the rabi and 

 zaid area and by - 1 on the total area. It is grown chiefly in the vicinity of large towns. 

 In the neighbourhood of Cawnpore the cultivation of this crop was largely extended by 

 the importation by Mr. (now Sir Edward) Buck of kdchhi cultivators, or market gardeners, 

 from Farukhabad. The cultivation, Mr. Wright says, is on the European method ; 

 the ground is heavily manured, and after as many ploughings as possible, ridges are 

 made, and the eyes are dibbled into the ridges about six inches apart. The plants have 

 to be watered two or three times a month according to the weather Two hundred 

 maunds is not an extraordinary outturn, but the cultivation is very expensive. The 

 eyes are planted in November, and the potatoes are ready for digging up in February. 

 They are sold in the bazar at the rate of 12 annas to one rupee and four annas per 

 maund. In other places the price is much higher. 



* References :— Royle, 111. Him. Bot., 703, 750 ; DC, L'Orig. PI. Cult, 36 ; AtkinsoD, Him. Dist., 703, 750 ; Econom. 

 Prod , V., 19 ; Wright, Mem. Agri. Cawnpore, 64. 



