Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-03-07

esculept in Europe and America consti-
tutes an era in Agriculture equalled only
(if equalled indeed it be) by that which
was consequent upon the introduction OF
the Indian Maize Of our own Continent.
The fact is certainly most astounding that
we have remained thus long entirely igno-
rant Of so valuable vegetable-one which
is destined soon to cover myriads of acres
The Rev. William Cliff, the editor, then
closes his notice of it as follows, which We
commend to our readers who might be
tempted or misled, unless set right upon
the subject:
ave agree with this writer in one thing,
that it as astounding that such marve-
lous tuber has never before been brought
to our knowledge. This will be quite ap-
parent to every one when we state the
facts in the case. 1t is claimed for this
root, that it is the common food OF China
and Japan-cultivated as extensively there
as the potato is with US that it is per-
fectly hardy root, not liable to be injured
by frost or by rot. Of couse this root
must be as common in the ports Of China
as the potato is in our own, and must con-
stitute part of food of ships officers and
crews, when they are in Chinese ports
There are certain ports Of China that have
been open to our commerce for about a
dozen years, aud our vessels have been vi
sitting them for teas, silks, and other arti-
cles, almost every month since they we're
opened. These officers are men Of inteli-
gence, and quick to see the practical value
Of any such article, and to improve upon
their knowledge.
"The third vessel that visited the port Of
Shanghai, brought home lot of fowls,
that have since borne that name, and We
have some of the progeny Of that impor-
tation in our neighborhood. Fowls, it is
known, are difficult to keep alive in a siI
months voyage, and any importation must
be attended with great loss. Yet numer-
GUS shipments of this perishabls article
have been made from that day to this !:
an article too that cannot begin to compare
in Importance with the Dioscorea, II a
tithe Of its good qualities are real. That,
in all these years, during which the pota-
to rot has been doing its worst, no ship
ment of thi. article should have been made
either to Britain or the United States, is
more than ga nine days wonder" The
root, too, is just the thing for sea voy-
age, not liable to rot, or to be injured by
the frost. Chance almost would have
brought home so common an esculent,
among the ship stores
"And now it il claimed for this root,
that it costs over five hundred dollars a
bushel, in Europe, and is difficult to be
had at that. By special favor they can
be retailed here at one dollar the bulb, the
seller reluctant TO let them 60 at that 7
"What article ever came from the ce-
lestials, that promises go we'll for q ship
ment as this = They will not rot, can be
purchased in China at the price ef COM
mon article of food say one dollar bushel ,
and the cost of shipment We should think
would not exceed two dollars bushel
more. If this be so, or if it costs twice
that amount to deliver them, how long
would it be before the enterprising mer.
chants of our large cities would have them
by the ton in their storehouses. .
"Of course we cannot say that all that
is claimed for this novelty is not true, and
that the half of its excellencies is not yet
told us. The story Of the Dioscorea is as
plausible as that of the Rohan, or Of the
Multicaulis. Ve earnestly hope it may
not disappoiut its friends and well-wishers
so sorely as its predecessors. We advise
our friends in the city not to rush into the
importation of this article all at once upon
our suggestion. 1t might increase the
prospects of famine among the Celestials,
who are rarely over stocked with food ,and
damage the speculation Of gentlemen who
have purchased in Europe at five hundred
dollars bushel. We should have more
confidence in this novelty if it had come
direct to US from its OVID country, instead
of receiving so much nursing in France on
its way hither. We hope our friends in
the country will not commence a run upon
the few deposits of this precious root in
the cities. They might become too soon
exhausted. Possess your souls in patience
little, and Chinese potatoes will soon be
as plenty as Chinese hens and chickens
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