The Tercentenary of the Potato.

New Zealand Mail, 22 April 1887, Page 15

The Tercentenary of the Potato.

English growers of the potato and others interested in its cultivation ce Jebraced the three hundredth anniversary of its introduction into England early in December last. The exhibition at St Stephen s Fa.l is said to have been very fine, while the papers read at the convention and the diecues.ons were full of interest. The diseases of the potato were discussed by investigators. One paper claimed that Drake, rather than Raleigh, introduced the potato in 1586. Another claimed tha„ the ■original home of the potato was m the Cordilleras of the Andes, and that it had been cultivated from time immemorial, over an extent of three thousand miles. Mr Baker of Kew, described the wild Tuberous Solanums’ claiming that there were five thoroughly distinct species of. tuber-bearmg Solanums, all natives of America. S. tuberosum in one ferrn or another, extends down the western side of the continent, from the Itocky Mountains to the Chonos Arcbipelag.,, aT range of seventy-five degrees of latitude, 2nd within that area no fewer than sixteen ,form* are found, so different that even some botanical writers have regarded them as different species. The methods oproducing new varieties were discussed. One of the Vilmorins described ‘The introduction of the Potato into France.’ Potatoes were shown that were grown in Raleigh’s garden on the • spot where the famous traveler grew tbs first potatoes in England : various phonographs of 'Raleigh’s house were shown, as well as several ■lmplements used by the Irish in potato • culture. _