6814. POTATO, Nativity of.—
You say
in your “General Geography” the potato is a
native of the United States. I presume you
speak of the Irish potato. I have inquired
much into the question, and think I can assure
you that the plant is not a native of North
America. Zimmerman. in his “Geographical Zoology ”, says it is a native of Guiana; and Clavigers,
that the Mexicans got it from South
America, its native country. The most probable
account I have been able to collect is, that
a vessel of Sir Walter Raleigh's, returning from
Guiana, put into the west of Ireland in distress,
having on board some potatoes which
they called earth apples. That the season of the
year, and circumstance of their being already
sprouted, induced them to give them all out
there, and they were no more heard or thought
of, till they had spread considerably into that
island, whence they were carried over into
England, and, therefore, called the Irish potato.
From England they came to the United States
bringing their name with them.—
To Mr. Spafford. Washington ed. v, 445.
(M.
1809)
