New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-20

that the course Of culture may be vaned according "
the differ, nj localities, and that serious mpedimenA
exist 10 it's general culture with the very simpe
implements ased In Chinese agriculture; and Is very
reltsn that possss greatly superior and more pow
erfuI indictments for me1owing the sof to convenient
d.pth. There IL striking analogy between the eul-
ture of the Dio.eorea and the Sweet Potato 70 regard
To the soil best suited aud Ia their both being vines
fotm1g tubers from the joints. One point which for
eight OF nine wears has sgated the pnsc mind V nov
fully ret at rect which Is that no one Oh inc plants
which have been hitherto announced a. probable
substitute for the common potato can eater INTO any
comparison with the DiOrceres batatas. We AL csa
recall 10 mind the nfatuation which has existed ~ Ea-
rope in regard Ia the Porslea esuleuta, the Useco,
Apios tubtrosa, TropGolum tuberosum, Aracana,
Helisutbus tubersus Fntilaris mp~rialis, aud slsc
the Sweet Potato productive in warm climates out
yei difficult in IT, preservation, that II h stil cult
waited as garden plant and has never, IN this coan-
ty, (Franc,l been extended 10 field culture.
" In addition, we must not fail to take into considera
ton the dO'aesficGtt0s lrot the naturalization, which
Of itself laboTions task exsctng centuries 81
and culture rtid plant, even the most III omising
IN its character and appearance, viii resist or long
time every tendency 10 comescation, however rational
and perseveTng may be our efforts; aud u viii DO
m, nbered that whenever our agriculture has been en-
rchod by the introduction Ut new vegetable oA'es
has pronrsly repaid the hare besfored nYoa q,
that vegetable has invariably been one which had
been prerrcEsly domesfco,ed for oeasrtes 90 s Socs
country. This has been the case with indian corn tne
cotton plant the common potato, opuntia, noe coffee;
and as absolutely II the perlot TOR Gil domeSnca
tion had passed and that should now conine his
wants within the circle that he has occupied for
thousands Of wears. The nlHral.atiOs OF plants al
though incomparably easier than domestication, "
still much .ss frequent than Is generally supposed.
"The Chinese potato has already fulfilled every con-
dition required VI it. II has been domesncated irom
time nnemoral; il is perfectly hardy IN our climate,
Paris 4s deg. so MINI its root Is very large, men
and nutritious, eatabe even IN @ raw state, easily
cooked and OF very agreeable flavor. IL Is IN fasi
perfect food" an pam tout tdH-possesslng Gil the
min
in quality and much richer Ia nutrtve matter, and
also very far superior to the sweet potato devoid
of all fbrous or Bgneous substance, and Il remains
perfectly sound and free from sprouts equally IA warm
and cold weather throughout the year.
Nv hen we consider the manner in which our garden
,rs ard agricuhursts have seized upon this plant,
making experiments with II in the various climates
and in the different soils Of France and the extreme
interest thew have manifested by exercising their sk
and perseverance, in labor truly patrotic--when
We witness it everywhere becoming the object OF pao-
lie ate ntion and not week passing that the D1rec-
tors Of the Nationsl Museum of Agriculture do not re
ceiye applications from every part Of France and also
from foreign countries for tubers OF this plant and Tor
directions for its culture entertain hrin eonve-
ton that the Chinese potato I'm the same manner as
the common potato has done In its time) will not fail
10 build ND numerous fortunes, and viii serve TO aue-
viats many Of the grievances OF the lsbonng com
mupity. And even II we may indulge the hope that
the ma aides of the ordinary potato only temporary
that malady will have proved Of Provdentsl benefit
bv LAYING caused to adopt plant superior IN navor
aud much richer in It's almentary properties, snd pro
badly destined to impart greater dement's TO mankind
| than even the common potato ITSELF May 1t not then
| be safely predicted Of the Chinese Doscorea, that
among those nations which shal adopt its general ca
| ture famine will be an mpoesiblityf"
Such are the cool and deliberate sentiments OF Prof
Decaisne a man devoted 10 scientific research under
the auspices of the French Governments q man IN no
way pecuniary interested in the introduction OF this
escuent; one whose reputation as scientific man ~
10 lin infinitely above every other earthly con.ders-
ton; a phanthropist zeaously devoted to the ad-
yancement Of agriculture in France, and now endesv-
orbg 10 ameorate the condition OF the millions by the
adoption Of appropriate substitute for the faing
and uncertain potato.
In this age and among intelligent Americans, when We
find the minds of men rising above the narrow views
and babits of by gone ages and devoted ntentiy to
utitariap objects we may deem the epoch Of preju-
dice TO new improvements, and to the introduction
of new vegetable productions to have su6sided, and
that moon influences and ghost tales have become oo
eolete Great attention has been given to improve.
men,s in the breeds Of cattle, horses, sheep and
other animals as well 10 the various modes OF cult
waiting the SOIL to drainage manuring and To the mar
yesting Of the crops; and trust We are equally de-
srous to introduce oil such trees and escuens as may
be beneficial and above all 10 adopt plant OF such
various excellent qualities, and whose capacities icr
Welding a greater crop than any other 'vegetabie
known will serve 10 more tban replace the ordinary
| potato. BY this wise substitution OF plant which
| may be- grown 20 economically as TO always anord the
cheapest and best food attainable to The poor ut We
lowest possible rate shall redeem society rom tho
suxietes which have existed In consequence OF Tho
msladies that have threatened for years with tot
deprivation of our hitherto most reliable esculent
fIssaise, Feb 4, ls5a "M' H. fhiNoh-