Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-02-23

To the Eiiior Of Tn. ". y. Tribune:
SIR This most important .ulcnt (D:oscorea
Batatas, Dioscorea .Japanicl. or Lyman de la Chi
nc,) was first introduced into Europe in 1850, it
having been sent to France by NJ. de Montignv,
French Consul at Shanghai, in Northern China,
who transmitted few roots to some learned men.
1t did not, however, attra ct their special attcn
ton to its great value and immense importance
until the year 1853. when some highly INTEL gent
hotanist recognized the great advantages to be
derived from its extensive culture, and devoted
themselves to its increase, AMI to the development
Of its merits.
Finding this precious root to he superior in its
farinaceous properties to either or the sIccics Of
the potato. and that il was in no subject to
decay, whether in the ground or out of it, ana
was Of so hardy character as to withstand the
severest winters unn ured, they have now come
to the conclusion, in common with English b0ta-
nists who have made Slmi lar experiments, that the
D.oscorea Batatas is destined to supcrsede the
prccariouS and uncertain culture of the ordinary
potato, liable TO rot and to other diseases, and
that the grand dislcratum. q substitute in itself
more valuable than the ordinary potato, has at
length been founl. SO strongly confirmed is this
opinion in Europe, that we tul it supported by
all their lead nS agricultural and hu,ticult Ira
publications., and even by The Mark Lane Er
press, the principal representative and expo<i,or
of the asricuiturists of Great britain.
| One great point of superiority possessed by it
| is that it may remain in the ground two or three
years, always enlarging in size, and equally nu-
| tritious and excellent in favor. Experiments
have proved that when the roots are left for eight
teen months in the ground. the yield is more than
| treble that of roofs left but for summer; and
it is also considered that the roots are improved
in quality
The manner of cultivation is very simple, and
! the. same course can he pursued with the sweet
potato. One very peculiar CHARACTERISTIC of this
| plant is that its roots run perpendiculdriy into
the earth, thereby greatly cnla' gng its capacity
to produce tho greatest possible crops from a
given space of ground. 1t has been calculated
in the French publications., from the experiments
| there made, that an acre will In six months pro-
duce $4,000 pounds, and in eighteen months
| l20 900 pounds.
Having had opportunities of testing the quality
| of the Dioscorea the past Autumn grown In thi.
country, the following will serve as a brief des-
cripton: fT.Kssfs u
Root fifteen to twenty FIVE inches long and two
inches in diameter, tapering from the head the
outward appearance similar to the white variet,
of the sweet potato skin thin, readily peeling oil
when cooked; flesh show white. delic ,teiy farina
ceous, with a slight almond flavor, exceedinsl,
grateful when use 4 in the same manner as the or
binary potato, and deemed both richer in nutri
ton and superior in quality. 1t can be cooked b,
water or steam, or roasted, and in appearance
and taste it is like the finest meally varieties o
the common potato. 1t requires but ten minute
boiling, whereas the ordinary potato requires 2
minutes. .ss ~ e>'
This root possesses another great advantage
it produces fine, pure, white Hour, whick viii
compare advantageously with wheat -four OF an
country, and is equal. If not superior, in nutri
ment.