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Mr. Butkrh Discourse. 



of soil ; and that it yields an abundant return to the labors of 

 the cultivator, and is almost always a sure crop. Next there- 

 fore to the cultivation and improvement of wheat, the great 

 staple production of this state, there is nothing more justly en- 

 titled to the attention of agriculturists than the potatoe ; and 

 he who shall persuade our farmers to abandon the inferior 

 qualities, and to select and perpetuate the best, will not only 

 deserve, but I doubt not receive, the honors of a public ben- 

 efactor. I am happy to add, that one of our most scientific and 

 enlightened agriculturists — (one too who has already laid the 

 horticulture and husbandry of New-York under great obliga- 

 tions,) is now devoting much of his attention to the cultiva- 

 tion of the potatoe. To wish him the highest success in his 

 endeavors — is not less the dictate of patriotism and philanthro- 

 py, than of kind feeling and personal respect.* 



But my reference to this vegetable must not terminate with 

 the observations just made. It furnishes one of the most in- 

 teresting and beautiful illustrations of the benefits which sci- 

 ence has conferred on mankind. 



The potatoe is a native of America ; and though the honor 

 oflts introduction into Europe has been divided between Sir 

 Walter Raleigh and others, yet it admits of no doubt that the 

 old world is indebted for this addition to its products, to the 

 science of navigation and the labors of the naturalist. Through- 

 out all Europe, it is now a most important article of food, 

 and its introduction into that continent has more than indem- 

 nified it for all it has lost by emigration to the new world. 

 The Irish were the first who turned it to account, and it now 

 forms, as is well known, the principal food of their laboring 

 population. The French proscribed it, because it was im- 

 agined that various disorders were occasioned by its use. It 

 was more than two centuries before the popular prejudices 

 existing against it in that country, were entirely overcome, 

 and then only by the instrumentality of a scientific chemist — 

 the distinguished Parmentier. The zealous and successful 

 exertions of this benevolent man, were so honorable to his 



