Notes

Abstract

AN article in NATURE for May 6 (p. 7) drew attention to the fact that this present year is the tercentenary of the introduction of the potato into England, and discussed some of the points of its history. Apart from the purely historic aspects of the question, “Whence did our potato first come?” it was shown that in connection with the suggestion of cross-breeding to strengthen against disease it is very important to know which is the species that for three hundred years we have been cultivating. With a view to drawing the attention of cultivators to the subject, it is proposed to hold a Tercentenary Potato Exhibition at the St. Stephen's Hall, Westminster, from Wednesday, December 1, to Saturday, December 4, and to appoint one of those days for a Conference, when some of the unsettled questions may be discussed. The Exhibition will consist of four sections:—(1) An historic and scientific collection, to include early works on botany, in which the potato is figured; maps showing the European knowledge of the New World three hundred year ago, and the proximity of potato-growing districts to the ports most frequented; early books on travel and voyages in which references to the potato occur; works and papers in which attempts to define the different species are made; illustrations of the species and varieties; contemporary references to the voyages of Hawkins, Drake, Grenville, and Raleigh. (2) Illustrations of potato disease, and works on the subject. (Sections 1 and 2 will be arranged under the advice of a committee of scientific gentlemen who have consented to give their co-operation.) (3) Methods for storing, preserving, and vising partly diseased potatoes, &c. (4) A display of tubers of all the various varieties grown. (In this section gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded. Each exhibit must be accompanied by a state ment of date of planting, locality, nature of soil, &c.)