The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-02-28
TfIE DAILY GAZETTE.
MISCELLANEOUS.

THE NEW CHINESE POTATO.
The following account OF the new
e.cnlept. called the Chinese Potato
which is likely soon to take the place
Of our common potato, will be inter
esting to farmers:
Within the memory of those still
living, the Irish potato was deemed
coarse, acrid, and poisonous root, de-
tested by many, and considered quite
unit food for man and beast. Its inn
proyenent by cultivation rendered it
Of such benefit that it has long been
identified with the food Of many ma
tions. Too exaggerated . history Of
the Irish potato could not be given,
we're It treated Of as a subject OF the
past. No one would be willing to
credit a statement OF its excellence
and value, were it now presented for
the first time to the public, nor could
they realize SO usefn! an article OF
food as that root has proved itself to
he. Since the disease Of the Irish po-
tato has become so prevalent, there
has been an anxious desire to obtain
substitute.
In 1850, the French Consul at
Shanghai, in Northern China, observ-
ed that the Chinese made extensive
uss ofnumerous varieties Of roots, pre-
pared in various ways as an article OF
food. He obtained and transmitted
Z few roots to France. 1t, however.
attracted but little attention till 1858,
when it came into possession OF some
highly intelligent Botanists, who re.
coenized the great advantages to be
derived from its extensive cultivation.
They devoted themselves to its in.
crease, and to the development Of it's
merits. Finding this root to be gu
perior in its farinacious properties to
either Of the cultivated species OF Pota-
70. and that it was in no case subject
to decay, whether in the ground or ont
oft and was also OF SO hardy a char.
sctsr as to Withstand the severest win.
tets uniniured, they have now come to
the conclusion, in common with Eng
liah Botanists, who have made similar
experiments, that the Dioscorea Bata-
"a is destined to supercede the pre-
carious and uncertain culture OF the
ordinary potato, SO liable to rot and
other diseases. and that the grand des-
iderstum, a substitute in itself more
valuable than the ordinary potato, has
at length been attained.
For two years l have witnessed the
successfuf culture Of this imperial es-
culent, and am fully convinced Of its
entire adaptness to every variety OF
soil and climate whore the Irish po-
tato has heretofore been cultivated.
1t proves to be more than substi-
tute for that valuable root, which has
40 long occupied so high position
both in this country and Europe. Its
productiveness, ease OF culture, and
delicacy Of flavor, together with it's
nutricious qualities, at once give it
place in the list Of valuable culinary
Vegetables. The roots Of last years
growth stood the test Of the severe
winter in the open ground. The
economy in seed il much greater than
with the ordinary potato, as abun-
dance Of seed 10 thrown out in the form
Of ftubers by lsyering the vines. II
can be afforded incomparably cheaper
than any other nutricious vegetable,
i having produced in France at the
rate Of above 800 bushels per acre,
and experiments here prove the prac-
ticability Of exceeding that quantity.
The combination ofazote and other
substances which inpart vigor to the
physical powers, renderit of great val
ne - an article Of food, A light, ac,
tive soil, we'll trenched or sub-soiled
il the best adapted to its growth
The large roots can be impaired into
3 innumerable eyes for planting the
turbers also produce good growth
of roots the first year. They should
be planted as soon as the ground be-
comes settled in the Spring, and re
main in as late in the Fall as the fros
Win admit Of. The plantIis hardy tt
! the fullest extent, and is cultivated
most extensively in Northern Chint
and Tartary, region quite as cold as
our middle and Northern States
ANY extra attention, by forcing then
into hot beds is but an injury, as it i
90 rustic plant that the roots shoul'
at once be placed in the open ground
EDWIN HEN
FLUSHING, l.. l.