The use of potatoes gradually spread, as their excellent qualities became better understood. It was near the mid dle of the 18th century, however, before they were general ly known over the country : since that time they have been most extensively cultivated. In 1796, it was found that, in the county of Essex alone, about 1700 acres were plant ed with potatoes for the supply of the London market. This must form no doubt the principal supply ; but many fields of potatoes are to be seen in the other counties bor dering on the capital, and many ship-loads are annually im ported from a distance.
The cultivation of pOtatoes in gardens in Scotland, was very little understood till about the year 1740 ; and it was not practised in fields till about twenty years after that pe riod. It is stated in the " General Report" of Scotland, (vol. ii. p. 111,) as a well ascertained fact, that in the year 1725:6, the few potato plants then existing in gardens about Edinbut gh were left in the same spot of the ground from year to year, as recommended by Evelyn ; a few tubers were perhaps removed for use in the autumn, and the pa rent plants were then well covered with litter to save them from the winter's frost. Since the middle of the 18th cen tury, the cultivation of potatoes has made raid progress in that country ; so that they are now to be seen in almost every cottage garden.
Professor Martyn, in his edition of Gardener's Dic tionary," has given an account of various notices that occur concerning the introduction of the potato, in the writings of successive horticulturists, and most minute and accu rate details respecting its tillage, derived from all the best sources of information, and selected with great judgment and cafe. To the learned and industrious Professor's la bours, and to the article AGRICULTURE in this work, we must refer the inquisitive reader, contenting ourselves in this place, in addition to the short history already given, with some account of the qualities of the plant, of a few of the principal varieties, and of it, culture in gardens.
The potato is now considered as the most useful escu lent that is cultivated ; and who could a priori have ex pected to have found it the most useful among the natural family of the Luridx, several of which are deleterious, and all of which are forbidding in their aspect ! It is at the same time the most universally liked; it seems to suit every palate. So generally is it relished, and so nutritious is it accounted, that on many tables it now appears almost every day in the year. It is commonly eaten plainly boiled,
and in this way it is excellent. When potatoes have been long kept, or in the spring months, the best parts of each tuber are selected, and mashed before going to table. Po tatoes are also baked, roasted and fried. With the flower of potatoes, puddings arc made nearly equal in flavour to those of millet. Bread has also been formed of it, with a mo derate proportion of wheat flour ; and potato starch is com mon. To cottagers having a number of children, the po tato is of inestimable value. Dr Johnson, in his " Journey," remarks, that before the Scottish peasantry acquired cab bages, they must have had nothing ; but with much more reason might it now be said,that they must have been destitute indeed, before they knew the potato. By many cottagers in Scotland, and especially in Ireland, pntatoes are cultivat ed on what are called lazy-beds. In constructing these, the manure is laid on the surface ; sets of potatoes are plac ed immediately on it ; and a little earth is thrown over all. In this way a very great return is procured.
307. In regard to general qualities, potatoes are of two kinds, mealy and waxy ; the former of a loose, the latter of a firm contexture. They are distinguished as to shape, into round, oval or kidney, and clustered ; and as to colour; into white and red, or purple. It would be quite an unprofit able task to enumerate the many varieties which have been raised from seed, and have obtained a name for a day. A few of those at present in esteem can alone be named. Kid ney potatoes, of various sorts, have long been in repute, particularly the White and the Yorkshire. Red, and White, and Black potatoes, have their admirers. The Early dwarf, Champion, Early frame, Manly, Cumberland early, Fox's yellow seedling, and the Goldfinders, still re tain their fame for summer use : but they are perhaps ex celled by varieties well known in Scotland by the names of the Ash-leaved, and Mathew Cree's early. The large red nosed kidney, a white potato with a tinged eye, is a great favourite in the London market, for general culinary pur poses : and the Don potato is the kind most esteemed, and most commonly sold in the Edinburgh market. For the feeding of cattle, the Ox-noble, a large round sort with deep eyes ; the American cluster ; the Yam potato ; and Lancashire, or large round rough potato, are held in high estimation.