The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-08-08
ORIGIN OF THE POTATO.

The potato is one OF the most I'M
portant Of cultivated plants, and in
universal cultivation, in temperate
parts of the globe. The heritage has
a slightly narcotic odor, although cat
tie do not refuse to eat a little Of it,
and the tender tops are used IN some
countries like spinach. The tuberS
are however the only valuable part Of
the plant. TIE potato is native Of
mountain districts of tropical and sub
tropical America, probably from Chill
to Mexico, but there is some trouble
as to where it really is Indigenous.
Humboldt doubted if it had ever been
found truly wild, but subsequent trav
ellers of high scientific reputation ex-
pIess themselves thoroughly satisfied
Maize and potatoes are the two great
est gifts which America has given to
the rest of the world The old Indian
rule was, to plant maize when the
dogwood was in blossom.
The potato has been cultivated in
America and its tubers used for food
from times long anterior to discovery
Of America by Europeans. 1t seems
to have been first brought to Eur
ope by the Spaniards from the
neighborhood Of Onto in the begin
ming of the sixteenth century. Quito
the capitol of Ecuador and of a prov
ince of the same name, stands between
two parallel ranges Of the Andes, on
the east side Of the volcano Pichincha,
at an elevation Of 1892 feet above the
sea and in latitude 0 deg. Is min, long
itude, IS deg. 10 min. W. Its site, IN
the midstof mountains, is very uneven,
its appearance however, is picturesque
and its beautiful environment Of
mountains, together with its clear,
healthy and temperate climate, aver
aging 60 deg Eahr, and described as
an eternal spring, make 1t one Of the
most charming cities of South Ameri
Ca" EXcnse tne depression. | al
ways enjoy Quito when reading Of the
beautiful panoramic view, embracing
eight icy peaks Of the Andes, etc. etc,
however. as the det0ur has been short
and while the city and surroundings
are things one would love to dwell on
yet the subject that gave rise to the
stepping as it were away from the
subject in point, enables us but the
more fully to continue the staple vege
table. almost a bread.
No more important event of its
kind has ever taken place than the in
PRODUCTION of potato culture into Great
Britain and other European countries
Look at Ireland, how the failure Of
the potato crop IN 1916 and 1917 re
suited in terrible famine. Itwas long
the 'Batatas,' or sweet potato, which
Is the tuber or plant meant by Eng
lish writer's down to the middle OF the
seventeenth century. 1t appears to
have been brought to Ireland from
Virginia, b. Hawkins il 1865, and TO
England by Sir Francis Drake in
1923 .
The potato Is easily grown and ex-
tensively used, both by human beings
and cattle. and next to the principal
cereals, IS most valuable of all plants
for human food. No food is more
widely diffused: it is cultivated in sub
tropical climates. struggle for exist
ence in gardens even in the artic cir
Gle, yielding small and watery tubers,
showing it belongs to less rigorous
climate. Look at the extensive cult
walton of potatoes in every part of our
own land. Winter and summer
spring and fall, each and every season
finds the housewife with one dish ev-
er ready. The man who has fine cat
tie adds it to the mush whe a mash
is fed. 1t is put IN cur yeast to raise
our daily bread, and if we had to live
without any other vegetable leave Us
potatoes.