The Potato Speaks.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 40, 2 October 1902, Page 29

The Potato Speaks.

You would like to know my name? Well, sir, my visiting cards are engraved Solanum Tuberosum, but most people speak of ruo as ' A Potato.' •My family ? Dear me ' I belong to the Nightshade family, sir. No, you need not think I am going to poison you for if you cook me properly and eat me with the right sorts of food, I am one of your best friends. ' How should I be cooked •> Why, in my jacket, to lie sure, baked or boiled, "and if the latter, let it he plenty long enough. Most people fail right here, and as soon as they can run a pitchfork into my side they take me up. This is wrong 1 Hhould be cooked a little longer until my vest unbottons, and then every bit of water should he drained from my eyes (which are apt to leak) and the kettle shaken a hit without the cover, then set on the hot firo for two minutes , and if you servo me in a hot dish, why, with only a fork to break my atoms and with saW to, gave relish, lam fit fori a king to eat ! Try me ! ' The right sorts of food to go with me ? Milk, butter, meat* "bread, or other animal and cereal products. You see, there are two main classes of food, and there should always be enough of each at each meal to keep the balance true. 'My home ? I am said to be a native of South America, but 1 am important now in many lands and a most valuable food. In some countries, as Ireland, for instance, the people would hardly know how to Keep house without me. i' My composition *> I am threefourths water and the rest is divided into albuminous elements. 1 have some carbon, some cellulose, a great deal of starch and some dextrine or gum in my body. ' Commercial value ? Immense. Twenty yeans ago there were over

200,000,000 bushels raised in this country (United States).

' How many kinds ? Pear mo, I wish I knew ! A gentleman in Uticn, N.Y., worked for 3 6 years to produce new varieties. and did got about 15,000 kinds ' This was of great valuo to the country . but brought no extna money to him.

' Other uses ? Many, many. Starch, syrup, and brandy arc all made from me. Somo farmers, too. use me as a. wceder to root out le^s useful plants, especially on new ground. But it ia baking time, and I must wish you good evening ! '