The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-11-27
The Potato.--.Its History, &c.


A correspondent asks why the potato is
called the IrsA Potato. To answer this
question it will be necessary, and perhaps
not Improbable, to give something Of its
history. Tie first potatoes ever grown in
Europe was raised ON Sur Walter Raleish's
estate in Ireland, the seed being taken by
him from Virginia about 1902, For many
years, although eaten, they were grown
more as objects of curiosity than Tor profit.
Their culture, however. seemed to increase,
and, during the wars that devastated Ire
land towards the end Of the seventeenth Gen.
tury, when the growing grain was destroyed
by the soldiery, the potato crop served to
keep the inhabitants from starvation. Ii
could not be destroyed by fire, and, in Fact,
nothing but digging up the crop could do
stroy it, which was altogether too much
like work for soldiers, and too long job,
and 50 the potatoes were left to the hungry
pcople, for which they were left 10 the hun
CRY people, for which they were, no doubt,
very thankful,
After this.the potato became very popu
lar in Ireland, and about theyear lt9l, was
introduced into the country Of Lancashire,
England, when it gradually spread over the
other adjoining counties, and through all
England; but il was not until about the
middle of the seventeenth century that the
Scotch gave it trial. Previous to tins
date, in England Otatoes were grown Prin-
cipally in vegetable gardens, and occupied
no prominent place in Geld culture. Dur
ing the latter end of the eighteenth and the
beginning of the 10Th century the potato in
creased in popularity, and there was con-
seouent increase in its culture But, even
up To 1912, the limited extent Of the crop
may be judged from the fact during that
YEAR, when brcadstuffs were extremely dear
and scarce, the British Parliament were
urged by agricultural and political eeOno-
mists and the press to recommend, or pass
some law requiring that every farmer should
grow one acre Of potatoes for every hundred
acres occupied.
What the original variety first taken
from Virginia was, or whether more than
one variety, is not known, and 1t was not
until about the 1900 that we find much said
about the diffrent sorts. Ut that time
Donaldson, in his Modern Agriculture, emu
merated thirty seven varieties Us being enl-
tiyaled in England. After it had been
known and cultivated two hundred years, it
was thought necessary by some OF the wiSest
and best men to encourage or enforce Its
growth by parliamentary action. In 'wen-
ty years after this question was aSitated' 80
porular had il become and 50 general Its use
tina, no root could compare with it, either
in tho quantity raised or IN the esteem In
which it was held by the people The TACT
therefore, that plant gains but slowly IN
popular favor is no certain evidence that 1t
i, not valuable, and we should be careful
how we cry out "humbug' at everything
new because of apparent failure at hrst'-
Some Of the new plants lately introduced
may ultimately effect as great u moral 30
cial and political revolution in this country
as did the potato in Europe.
If the Chinese sugar cane shall enable the
farmers of the North to manufacture sugar
and molasses so as to supply our markets a'
cheap rate, who can calculate the mighty
moral and social change that will be peace
fully effected by 1t, compared with which
the greatest political revolution will SINK
into insiynl6cance? We may learn, also
the folly of growing ono crop 50 exclusively
us to make its success or failure matter o'
such serious importance-aimost question
Of life and death, instead Of u mere matter
OF profit or loss for season. We have III
ways urged our farmers to grow diversity
of crops, even where one or two seemed io'
for time to be the most profitable, and the
failure Of the wheat crop fn the Genesset
Valley has proved the wisdom Ofthc advice
The potato with US is an important crop
Il is found every day OF the year upon th'
tables Of the rich and poor, and is at once a
luxury and n necessity. In no part Of Tho
country is il grown 50 extensively, we think
..s around Rochester Immense quantities
are shipped every year to New York
as tar west Us Chicago, and to most OF th'
large cities of Canada West. No eroI
excepting fruit pays as well. In lsS'
they averaged one dollar per bushel; II
1855, ffto cents; in 1856, one dollar; anC
a, the present time are selling at from thrc'
to four shillings. Those who grow largcl,
for shipping, generally keep their crop unit
spring, when tho demand Is greater and th'
price higher than in the fall. For keeping
potatoes nothing equals good root cellar
and some Ofour potato farmers have yer.