The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-01-15
Gbe Wtstsrn gfn1pfrat,a
CHARLOTTE, N. c. g !
For the Kestern fDeGsoerat.
THE IRISH Potato.


Il. oriqfn, ariM Hints upon its Proper Culture
The history of the Irish, or common potato,
YSo1anuna YuJerosum) since its discovery as an
edible root until the present time, 10 invested
9th considerable interest To elueidate this
statement. it is proposed, il. the present comnu-
pication, to point cat briefly few facts con-
pected with its early introduction, dispersion
over the civilized world and best mode yof cult
cation not generally known.
The Potato belongs to an extremely valuable
and extensive natural order Of plants, species OF
which are found in all parts of the world, except
the frigid zone. ~Thefrst definite account OF the
Potato is by P Cieca in his "Chronicles OF
Peru" in 1888. He says, the natives of Peru
have, besides Maize or Indian Corn, tubercutor
root they call Iapas. Some sonfusion has arisen
smoBg early writers by confounding this with
the Batatds, or sweet Potato (B edulisj which
belongs TO very different order Of plants
After this it is noticed by Gomara in 1854, and
by Cardan 10 1851 1t is usually stated that
the Potato was carried to England from the
coast OF North Carolina By some of the returning
adventurers uoder Sir Walter Raleigh in 1856;
bat this is not satisfactorily ascertained. 1t is
probable the Indians, from whom We derived
@ our first knowledge of nearly ell the alimentary
and medicinal properties Of American plants
now in use, cultivated the Potato prior to Raj
eigh's expedition of discovery. 1t is known a
considerable coastng trade was carried on at
that time between the indians and the Spanisrds
of the West Indies. Foreign vessels also occa-
sionaly visited our shores for the purpose of ex
changing their commodities for those of the
New World, then rapidly rising into estimation.
But whether the Potato was transported across
the ocean by some of Raleigh's followers, or by
- u, -
certainly bad rapid dispersion over Europe,
and attracted much curious attention.
in an old work, '"History Of Plants" by
,Buuhiu, published 10 1896; may be found the
fr.t accurate description of the Potato, which he
informs Us was then cultivated 10 Italy. In
another old work, Gerard's "HerbaI," published
In 1897, he .speaks Of receiving Potatoes from
I.Virginia,," which then included North Caro-
lima We are also informed that in 1888, p. de
Sivry sent Clusius, Professor Of Botany at Ley
den, two tubers which we're carefully cultivated,
and from the grown plants, Clusius de: or bed
and gave the first representation of the Potato
in 1899. Upwards of half century ago the
Potato was found in its wild state by Humboldt,
and since that time by other botanists, of the
best quality, near Bogota, city of New Gran
ada, situated upon the mountains, $500 feet
abovethe level Of the sea. In the same locality
we're also found cabbage, nasturtium, several
varieties Of pepper, &c, which continue to grow,
With little interruption, throughout the year
The thermometer, it is said, never rises above
81 degrees, nor sinks to the freezing point. The
Potato has been discovered 10 Peru; and on
nearly all the elevated table lands of SoutL
America some of it's species may be found, in
GLIDING that valuable esculent the Tomato IS.
lycopersicun,) nov extensively used 10 the
4, frd lie Of nd hat cd
10 have corrective agency over the hillary sys.
tenn. 1t will thus be seen that the specific title,
liisb, is a misnomer; it should more appro-
priately be called the American, or common
Potato, as We find, has been done in some of the
volumes of the Patent Office Reports. But the
adjective Irish is, perhaps, too firmly fixed to
be easily removed. 10 the moist, cool, and
moderate climate of Ireland it finds a soil pecu-
liarly adapted to its profitable growth. If it is
true, ''the rose will smell as sweet with any other
Dame," then surely We enjoy the exquisite
luxury of eating a healthy, meay Potato, not
-~thstanding it may bear, in part, broguish
speculation. Besides the uses of the common
Potato an article of food, the stalks furnish a
large quantity of potash, and it is believed, if
they were appropriated to this manufacture, they
would contribute greatly towards supplying the
demands of commerce. Il 81 @.'-..a
the Potato is Indigenous to n,oam.oinous tropi
cad localities, and fourishcs best in cool, airy
uniform atmosphere. 1t is for this that the
Potato has been found to grow we'll in Iceland
and even in portions of Siberia In its culture
NE should endeavor to initiate artifcialIy its
aatarot requirements 1t requires more mar,
snoistare and GOODNESS than most other tropical
plants for its full development. To secure this
vigorous condition Of the plant, it is advisable
in oil situations remote from the mountains or
alpine ATTITUDES, and where the heat of the sun
becomes intense, to adopt mode of treatment
similar to the following, to be modified, or i'm.
proved upon, % experience may suggest to the
intelligent observer:
Break up the grouod thoroughly in January,
then lay it of Into rows about two feet apart
open-these with small pillow, and partially fill
the drills with manure, string intolit, at the
same time, all the Ieached ashes that can be
possibly procured. Wheat bran, from the gluten
which it contains, is an excellent, mild fertilizer
All the hair, from the killing of hogs, should
also be carefully saved and scattered 10 the drills
Then divide the large Potatoes, plant them with
the cut face down, and cover ahtly with earth
Al the first planting which, in the Southern
htates, is generally in winter in order to obtain
an carly crop, 1T is not advisable 10 cover the
ground heavily with leaves or straw, as il is
still colds and needs the warmth of the suu's
rays to stimulate vegetation. After the plants
hsvescome up, and attained the hight of Eve OF
six inches, the whole surface should be more
abundantly covered with leaves, carefully work
ing them around the tender plants with the
fingers or rake, and pressing them down. AT
subsequent paintings, as the warm season ad.
vances, more early aud abundant application
of leaves should be made. The leaves, Straw, or
other covering material, may be held to their