occurred to our circumnavigators at the island of Otaheite, and belong 
rather to the fifth species; there are doubtless many varieties of a plant so 
generally cultivated.* 
In a book entitled Gleanings from Books in Agriculture, p. 426 , we have 
the following account. 
West India Yam (Dioscorea Alata) will grow in the open ground 
in England. 
These thrive on poor soil, even more abundantly than rich, (where they 
are apt to run too much to stem, and to be less productive at the root) and 
from the constant verdure which they retain to the latest period of the sea¬ 
son, they enrich the ground little less than a crop of turneps itself. The 
Yam is cultivated in most parts in Scotland, and in North Wales. 
Are treated in cultivation like potatoes; and, similar to them, are also 
excellent preparations for a wheat crop. 
Are very productive; from twelve to twenty tons an acre is a common 
return of the red; the white is a finer species; but a less luxuriant 
crop. 
The time of planting the end of May or beginning of June; are taken 
up in October or November, and housed, or laid up in pits like potatoes. 
Chiefly for milch cows, increasing the produce, without affecting the 
quality or taste of the milk. As cattle eat them with the greatest vora¬ 
city, there is a danger attending them, if given in large quantities: hence 
Cows are never allowed above half a peck at a time; but this quantity 
may be repeated twice, or thrice a day, if care be taken to allow a con¬ 
siderable interval between each feed. In the West Indies are given to 
Mules. 
The white Yam eats tolerably well at table. In the West Indies it is 
used to thicken soups. 
The Cauliflower (Brassica oleracca botrytis varietas. 1.) was 
brought first to England from the island of Cyprus , where it is to be met 
with in great perfection. It was a great rarity till the year 1080, as were 
the purple and white Broccoli , which are only varieties of the Cauliflower, 
at least never came to market. From the year 1/^00, it has been greatly 
improved, and since common; for as my grandmother, set. 92 , informs me, 
* Forster Escul. p. 
