IS 
)r 
id 
o- 
ig 
ly 
in 
en 
ay 
of 
;ed 
;ed 
irer 
to 
,t a 
lys 
ary 
len 
the 
•os- 
noie : ” ± amused myseit on one or tnose recent 
cold days by roasting some sweet potatoes in 
hot ashes— roots that I bought from Mr. Garcia, 
in Covent Garden. I mean the Sweet Potato of 
Korth America, which is so good when roasted 
or baked. For the first time I found that these 
Covent Garden specimens turned out very well. 
The sweet potato is an excellent vegetable, and 
I should advise our American friends to send us 
quantities of well-ripened roots, and also tell us 
how to cook them. I noticed in America, that 
just as with our common Potato at home, there 
are wet and dry tubers, mainly owing to differ- 
ences of soil. I understand those grown in the 
sandy soils of the South are much better in 
America than those raised elsewhere. It 
seemed to be a greater favorite than the com- 
mon potato, which was there called the Irish 
Potato to distinguish it from this one. I believe 
it to be more nutritious than the common po- 
tato, and when good it turns out something 
between a sweetmeat and a vegetable. To im- 
port a vegetable which our climate prevents us 
growing, and which in consequence is a novelty 
to most people, is very desirable. I do not know 
if their price is high in America, hut it would be 
a great boon if they could be sent here in such 
quantities as would allow of their being used as 
food. At present they are merely Covent Gar- 
den curiosities.’’ 
Prohibiting the Importation of Living 
Plants.— For fear of introducing the Phyllox- 
era, the government of the Cape of Good Hope, 
have absurdly prohibited the importation of 
living plants and bulbs of all kinds. This is on 
a, nar with much of oiir own lee^islation on hor- 
