POTATOS. 
895 
the which knobby roots are fastened unto the stalks with 
an infinite number of threddy strings. 
" It groweth naturally in America, where it was first 
discovered, as reporteth Clusius, since which time I have 
received roots hereof from Virginia, otherwise called Norem- 
bega, which grow and prosper in my garden as in their 
owne native country. 
" The leaves thrust forth of the ground in the beginning 
of May ; the flours bud forth in August, the fruit is ripe in 
September. 
" The Indians call this plant pappas, meaning the roots ; 
by which name also the common Potatoes [again referring 
to the sweet Potato] are called in those Indian countries. 
Wee have its proper name mentioned in the title [" Potatoes 
of Virginia"]. Because it hath not only the shape and 
proportion of Potatoes, but also the pleasant taste and 
vertues of the same, we may call it in English, Potatoes of 
America or Virginia. 
" The temperature and vertues be referred to the 
common Potatoes [the sweet Potato], being likewise a food, 
as also a meat for pleasure, equall in goodnesse and whole- 
somenesse to the same, being either roasted in the embers 
or boiled and eaten with oile, vinegar and pepper, or dressed 
some other way by the hand of a skilfull Cooke. 
Bauhine saith that he heard that the use of these roots 
was forbidden in Bourgondy (where they call them Indian 
Artichokes) for that they were persuaded the too frequent 
use of them caused the leprosie." 
This picture suggests many thoughts and comparisons. 
How little like the fine, handsome, and even tubers now exposed 
for sale by the greengrocers in London and elsewhere ! What 
a change, too, in public opinion as to the value of the Potato 
between Gerarde's time and our own ! Then it was regarded as 
a luxury of questionable value or utility by the wealthy few ; 
now it is in demand as a daily necessity by all classes through- 
out the civilised world, and the consumption is enormous. 
Acreage in the United Kingdom, Feance, and Germany. 
Here it may be interesting to note that the area of Potatos 
planted in the United Kingdom in 1891 amounted to 1,232,055 
E 2 
