Abstract

The early history of the potato is shrouded in doubt but the consensus of opinion is that its original home is in the highlands of Peru and Chili in S. America where it still grows wild. It had apparently, been under cultivation for many centuries by the natives, when the Spaniards discovered the potato in the neighbourhood of Quito. The natives used the potato in place of bread and generally ate it cooked or made into flour or dried in the sun for preserving it for future use. Potatoes were first introduced into Spain during the sixteenth century from whence it spread into the other countries of Europe. It is recorded that the colcrnists from Virginia, under the patronage of Sir Walter Raleigh in- troduced the potato into Britain in 1586 and was first cultivated on the estates of Sir Walter Raleigh near Cork. The progress of potato growing in England, however, was slow and in 1619 it was mentioned as being among the articles provided for the Royal household. During the reign of James I it was so rare as to be priced at two shillings a pound. By 1633 the Royal Society realised the valuable qualities of potato and took necessary measures to, encourage its cultivation. The cultivation however became general only within the last century.

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