so obscure and complex a state of things. This, however, is a subject for practical demonstration. Oxidation is largely promoted by transmitting vibratory motion to the living system, and the excretions, particularly of highly oxidized matters, are very largely increased thereby, and return to health is proportionately aided.

Motion (to recapitulate) transmitted to the living system from exterior sources, is capable of producing the following effects, without in the least tasking the vital sources of power:

It urges forward the blood in the circulatory vessels, removes mechanical impediments and obstructions therein, and, therefore, diminishes the frequency of the pulse and action of the heart.

It secures the necessary interchange of nutritive fluids between the blood vessels and the acting organs, upon which tissue change directly depends.

It is, in part, transformed to vital heat. It supports those physiological actions which result in heat production, both local and general.

It carries forward to perfection those chemical changes through which waste of material is eliminated, and those whereby organic development and vital power is supported.

It, in short, goes to the root of certain physiological insufficiencies, which result in the pathological condition. It supplies the energy needed to elevate this pathological condition to the physiological.

Madison Avenue, cor. 58th St., New York, April, 1880.

THE CHINESE OR JAPAN POTATO.

BY WM. R. PRINCE, M. D.

This most important esculent (Dioscorea Batatas, Dioscorea Japanica, or Ignam de la Chéne) was first introduced into Europe in 1850, it having been sent to France by M. de Montigny, French consul at Shanghai, in Northern China, who transmitted a few roots to some learned men. It did not, however, attract their special attention to its great value and immense importance until the year 1853, when some highly intelligent botanists recognized the great advantages to be derived from its extensive culture, and devoted themselves to its increase and to the development of its merits.

Finding this precious root to be superior in its farinaceous properties to either of the species of the potato, and that it was in no case subject to decay, whether in the ground or out of it, and was of so hardy a character as to withstand the severest winter uninjured, they have now come to the conclusion, in common with English botanists who have made similar experiments, that the dioscorea batatas is destined to supersede the precarious and uncertain culture of the ordinary potato, so liable to rot and to other diseases, and that the grand desideratum, a substitute in itself more valuable than the ordinary potato, has at length been found. So strongly confirmed is this opinion in Europe, that we find it supported by all their leading agricultural and horticultural publications, and even by the Mark Lane Express, the principal representative and expositor of the agriculturists of Great Britain.

Roots of this plant have been produced in middle and northern France, weighing two to two and a half pounds, from tubers planted in April and dug in October.

One great point of superiority possessed by it is, that it may remain in the ground two or three years, always enlarging in size, and equally nutritious and excellent in flavor. Experiments have proved that when the roots are left for eighteen months in the ground, the yield is more than treble that of roots left for one summer; and it is also considered that the roots are improved in quality.

In the spring of 1853 the largest plantation in France contained but 700 roots. Yet such is the ease and rapidity of its propagation and increase, that it has already become most remarkably disseminated. Its growth is very rapid, and it seems suited to any climate and any soil, although a sandy loam or sandy soil has been deemed preferable in Europe, where the sun heat is much less powerful than with us. It has been tested in this country in sandy and in stiff loam, and grew vigorously in both, and from analogy, it is more than probable that it will do well in humid soils. It may here be deemed worthy of notice, that in addition to the great similarity in the genera and species natural to China and North America, one of our most common native plants (also a vine) is the dioscorea villosa, found in great plenty in hedge rows, and on the borders of ravines, from Canada to Carolina, and everywhere called

"wild yam ;" and that another species is found growing very abundantly in Virginia and Carolina. It is, therefore, only placing the dioscorea batatas among its relatives and congeners, when we introduce it to the American soil.

One very peculiar characteristic of this plant is, that its roots run perpendicularly into the earth, thereby greatly enlarging its capacity to produce the greatest possible crops from a given space of ground. It has been calculated in the French publications, from the experiments there made, that an acre will, in six months, produce 36,000 pounds, and in eighteen months, 120,000 pounds.

It possesses another great advantage. The roots, when placed in a cellar, remain firm and perfect as well as free from sprouts, and they can be kept out of the ground a year without injury or deterioration of their alimentary qualities. This property renders them invaluable for use in long sea voyages, and especially as a preventive of scurvy.

We deem this plant much better adapted to cold than to hot climates, as it has been proved that the greatest increase in the size of the roots takes place during the coldest period of our season -the autumnal months. The roots grown here the past summer, when dug at the end of October, were found to be in a vigorous state of growth.

Notwithstanding the fact that this root, as has been already stated, may be propagated with great rapidity, still the demands from all quarters, on the first cultivators, have been so rapid and numerous, that it has been found impossible to obtain any considerable supply for the country, and but limited quantities will be obtainable the present season. In fact, many years must elapse before even moderate supplies can be furnished to the numerous countries which will strive to establish its culture.

The manner of cultivation is very simple, and the same course can be pursued as with the sweet potato. It is said that the Chinese cultivate it in hills, as we do Indian corn, and plant but one tuber or piece of root in each hill, and plow between the roots twice during the summer to keep them free from weeds. We doubt this statement-first, because the Chinese exercise the utmost economy in the use of the soil; and secondly, because the labor of that country is generally manual. If cultivated in hills,

we think that three or four pieces should be planted in each; but we would suggest the planting of them in double rows, and they will then need to be plowed but one way. We think, by adopting this course, a greater yield may be obtained from an acre, at less expense than otherwise. In several of the Western States, where land is cheap and no manure required, and where the soil is so easily tilled, it will probably be most advantageous to cultivate them in single rows, as is usually done with the common potato.

Having had opportunities of testing the dioscorea the past autumn, grown in this country, the following will serve as a brief description.

Root, from fifteen to twenty-five inches long, and two inches in diameter, tapering from the head; the outward appearance similar to the white variety of the sweet potato; skin thin, readily peeling off when cooked; flesh, snow white, delicately farinaceous, with a slight almond flavor, exceedingly grateful when used in the same manner as the ordinary potato, and deemed both richer in nutrition and superior in quality. It can be cooked by water or steam, or roasted, and in appearance and taste is like the finest mealy varieties of the common potato. It requires but ten minutes boiling, whereas the common potato requires twenty minutes.

This root possesses another great advantage—it produces a fine, pure, white flour, which will compare advantageously with wheat flour of any country, and is equal, if not superior, in nutriment.

The introduction of this invaluable vegetable is too recent for us to know all its qualities, it having been tested but for four years in Europe, and only one year in our own country. It may, however, be fairly assumed, that a vegetable which has, for centuries, formed the common food of the immense population of China and Japan-adopted as such by nations so regardful of domestic economy, and so careful and economical in their appropriation of the soil-must be possessed of no ordinary merits. Such we should consider to be the character of this vegetable, combining, as it does, the circumstances of immense production, diminished comparative labor, and an adaptation to soils where scarcely any other root will grow, with the additional fact of its remaining in the ground during the winter, and for a period of three or more years, furnishing throughout all seasons a fresh,

wholesome and nutritious aliment for all classes, at the cheapest

rate.

With regard to the period of planting and propagation, the fol- · lowing remarks may be made: As the dioscorea is perfectly hardy, the tubers, as hereafter described, or small sections or eyes of the root (the same as potatoes), may be planted at the first opening of spring, at a depth of about three inches; but, during the present scarcity of this root, the course has been adopted of planting the sets closely in an ordinary hot bed frame to start their growth, and afterward planting them in rows in the garden or field. The same culture, as pursued everywhere with the common potato, will serve successfully for the Chinese one.

The propagation of tubers for the extension of stock is also very simple. Like the sweet potato, the dioscorea is a trailing vine. In six weeks from the time of planting the pieces of root, they will have formed shoots from five to six feet in length. These shoots may be buried for two thirds of their length, in straight furrows, one inch deep, allowing the leaves alone to be out of the earth, and the extremity of the shoots entirely so.

Another mode is to take off two thirds of each shoot, and cut it into sections, each having a leaf and a small portion of the stem, and planting these in a bed, covering all but the leaf. In either case, they will make roots after the first rain, or if watered; and in twenty to thirty days, each will form a bulb or tuber. These must be carefully preserved, when taken up in the fall, and will serve for spring planting the ensuing season, the tubers being as valuable and productive as sections of the roots. Tubers the size of a large pea, planted in the spring, form beautiful, regular roots, fifteen to twenty inches long by autumn, as has been fully proved here the past season, in confirmation of the European statements.

For any further information I would refer to the United States patent office report, just issued; to Revue Horticole and Bon Jardinier.