SB 211 
 .P8 D5 
 Copy 1 
 
 The University of Wisconsin 
 
 University Extension Division 
 
 Department of General Information and Welfare 
 
 LEARNING TO EAT POTATOES 
 
 In three scenes 
 
 Time: About 1577 
 
 Place: On a large estate in England 
 Persons: The lord of the manor, his brother, the 
 gardener, servants, and guests 
 
 by Marie Paula Dickore 
 
 Price 5 cents 
 
 Copyrighted by the University Extension Division 
 
 July, 1915 
 
9>'^ 
 
 
 )CI,A401879 
 
 0, 5v/' 
 
 JUL 24 1915 
 
 ■K.0 / 
 
Foreword on 
 THE WISCONSIN POTATO CROP 
 
 by 
 
 J. G. Milward 
 Assistant Professor of Horticulture 
 The University of Wisconsin 
 
 The use of the play ' 'Learning to Eat Potatoes' ' should help to arouse 
 in the schools of Wisconsin an interest in the study of one of the most im- 
 portant crops of this state. There are presented below some facts relat- 
 ing to potato growing. 
 
 Potatoes are not native to Wisconsin, but originally grew on the cool 
 slopes of Chile and Peru. The greatest development, hoY/ever, has been 
 far from this native home. Wisconsin is one of the leading states in 
 producing the potato and since 1885 careful selection and breeding have so 
 improved the crop that we now have many varieties, some of which yield as 
 much as four hundred bushels, or approximately twelve tons to the acre. 
 In some European countries where the manufacture of alcohol from potatoes 
 is an important industry, certain coarse-growing varieties have yielded 
 as high as eight hundred bushels per acre. 
 
 The wild potato was small, of a poor quality, and ripened late. From this 
 plant the large, smooth potato which we are accustomed to see, has been 
 developed through long and careful breeding. The term ' 'seed' ' is used 
 here in reference to the small green berries which grow in clusters on the 
 vines. These berries turn a reddish yellow and are the fruits referred to 
 in the play. When the farmer or potato grov/er uses the term ' 'seed' ' he 
 means the tuber or potato and not the true seed. The tuber is used ordi- 
 narily for raising crops because each seed from a berry may produce a 
 plant entirely different from the parent in color, size, shape and quality. 
 Therefore the farmer cannot rely upon the true potato seed but must use 
 the underground tuber for planting purposes. 
 
 Wisconsin is especially adapted for raising potatoes because of the 
 suitableness of the soil and climate. 
 
 The cultivated potato likes Wisconsin soil and there is no agricultural 
 land in the state where this crop is not grown. Still there are millions 
 of undeveloped acres which have never grown a cultivated crop. Humus is 
 essential, especially where dry summers are common. The vegetable matter 
 retains the moisture and prevents the vines from dying out. Potatoes 
 cannot, however, be grown on the same land year after year without re- 
 plenishing the soil. The grower usually plows under green clover, stable 
 manure, or other fertilizer to supply the needed plant food (Notrogen, 
 potash, etc. ) . 
 
 The climate of Wisconsin is adopted for the potato growing industry be- 
 cause the first part of the season should be warm and damp for the growth 
 of the green vine, and the latter part , during which the tuber ripens, 
 should be dry and have cool, 9lear nights. Climatic conditions in Wiscon- 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2010 with funding from 
 The Library of Congress 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/learningtoeatpotOOdick 
 
sin are therefore just right to breed hardiness and vigor in the stock. 
 
 So much for the conditions that favor the grov/ing of the potato crop. 
 We must , however, remember that the potato has about as many enemies as any 
 crop grown in the state. Space permits only passing mention of the various 
 pests with which the grower has to contend. 
 
 The late blight rot does serious damage during the cold and rainy periods 
 late in August or September. It rots the stems and leaves, and in a few 
 days ' time may turn a healthy green field into a rotten mass of smelling 
 vines. The spores or disease germs then enter the ground and begin their 
 mischief on the tubers. The rotten spots on t?:^ p ^tatoes may be very small 
 at harvest time but by the time that they are hauled and stored the rot 
 may spread so rapidly as to ruin whole carloads before they reach the 
 market. When cold, dry weather sets in, the rot as a rule is checked and 
 then dry, hard, rotten spots resembling large blisters show on the potatoes 
 and require the most careful sorting before the stock can be shipped to mar- 
 ket . This blight rot is the disease which caused the famine in Ireland in 
 1845 and the consequent migration into this country. Other diseases of 
 the potato are the common scab, wilt diseases, early blight, black scurf, 
 black leg, leaf roll troubles, etc. but Wisconsin is fortunate because as 
 yet we do not have certain diseases that are so destructive in many of the 
 older potato growing states. Wisconsin is making every possible effort 
 to keep these diseases out an'-l therefore careful inspection is being made 
 and growers are asked not to buy seed potatoes outside of the state, since 
 many of the diseases are spread by seed potatoes. 
 
 The harmful insects are also a constant worry to the farmer. The most 
 common insect pests are the potato beetle (bug) , the flea beetle, grass- 
 hopper and the white grub. 
 
 The most advisable control measures against these various troubles are: 
 For the blight , the vines should be sprayed in August and September with a 
 preparation called the Bordeaux Mixture. This is made from Blue Vitriol 
 and common fresh lime according to the following formula :-Blue Vitriol, 
 eight pounds; lime, ten pounds; water, one hundred gallons. The mixture 
 is applied to the vines in a fine spray with machines which cover from four 
 to six rows of plants at a time. * The potato beetle may best be killed with 
 Paris Green. 
 
 Two standard varieties are grown extensively in Wisconsin, the Rural 
 New Yorker and the Green Mountain. These are both rather late potatoes of 
 a round oblong and flattened shape. The former ha bsluish sprouts and 
 purple blossoms, while the latter ha<- bright green sorouts and white ^ 
 blossoms. It is therefore very easy to separate the two varieties during 
 the summer season when the vines are in bloom, and as it is very important 
 that the fields be kept pure, growers often go over the fields and dig out 
 potatoes of other varieties. Many potato growing communities in Wiscon- 
 sin have organized an association and have adopted the Green Mountain or 
 the Rural New Yorker variety. ^ 
 
 The first car load of potatoes was shipped out of Wisconsin from Waupaca 
 about thirty-four years ago. Last year (1914) over thirty million 
 bushels were raised in the state. The combined shipment from Wisconsin at 
 present would fill a train extending from Lake Superior to Madison, a dis- 
 tance of about 300 miles. 
 
 An effort is now under way in Wisconsin to make it easy to place the whole 
 story of potato growing before the young people in the rural schols, for 
 there is something fresh and new in the study of a crop like this which not 
 
only supplies a problem for study but awakens a deeper interest in the 
 very best things of life which take us close to nature. 
 
 All the material needed is available at the very doors of our schools. 
 It will be used adequately as fast as knowledge, leadership, and good 
 teaching are developed. 
 
 LEARNING TO EAT POTATOES 
 
 Scene I 
 
 The arrival of a letter from Sir Walter Raleigh 
 Time: Early summer 
 
 Place: In the breakfast-room (or in the garden) 
 Persons : The lord, his brother, several servants 
 The lord and his brother are seated at the table ; several servants are 
 in attendance. 
 Brother: ' 'Has't heard nothing lately of thy friend Raleigh?' ' 
 
 Lord: '' It is near five months since last I heard. I wonder where he 
 is. • • 
 Brother: '' Sailing in the new world in search of gold, or perhaps a 
 
 passage to the golden Indies, or some such f ool 's errand. ' ' 
 Lord: ' 'Nay, but he makes great conquests over there. ' ' 
 Brother: ' 'Great conquests I Ha! Ha! That weed to burn in your mouth or 
 some dusky skinned wild men. Pooh! T'were better he bided 
 here and worked his estates. ' ' 
 ' 'Aye, but the Queen looks with favor upon his expedition. ' • 
 ''Favor! Yea, like all women ! They court flattery and look 
 upon any one with favor who names a bit of the new country 
 'Virginia' ,or who brings a savage princess as a new toy. ' ' 
 ''Tut! Tut! Thou must not be so bitter. Raleigh makes a great 
 stir with his new colonies in America. ' ' 
 Servant enters, bringing a letter and a package to the lord. 
 Lord: (breaking the seal) ''Oh, a letter from Raleigh !' ' (is busy 
 reading it. ) 
 
 'Where is he now and what new wonder has he found?' ' 
 'Sailii^g up the coast of the new land, America. ' ' 
 'What interesting news has he to relate now?' ' 
 ' He tells chiefly of a new plant whose fruit is so very good 
 and which he wishes us to introduce into England. ' ' 
 'Another of the 'new wonders' to be tried out on us ! (Gets 
 up and walks about impatiently) I hardly think it would be 
 worth while to bother with a strange plant. ' ' 
 Lord: ''Oh, but he says,'' (reading from the letter) 'This plant has 
 great nutritive value ; the natives eat it in place of meat. 
 It will be of great value to England and I beg of you, my dear 
 friend, to carefully plant the seeds and prepare the fruit 
 according to the directions I am causing to be enclosed. I 
 entreat your aid in introducing this plant into England. 
 Methinks our beloved Queen will look with favor on him who can 
 do this. ' ' ' 
 
 Lord: 
 Brother: 
 
 Lord; 
 
 Brother: 
 Lord: 
 
 Brother: 
 Lord : 
 
 Brother: 
 
 4 
 
Brother: 
 
 Lord: 
 Brother: 
 
 Lord: 
 
 ' 'He speaks of seeds ; where are they and like what do they 
 
 look?' ' 
 • 'They must be in this package. Let us see. ' ' 
 (Hands him the package and leisurely moves his chair nearer 
 
 to watch. ) 
 (Breaks the seal and opens the package) ' 'Ah, here they are ; now 
 let us have them planted quickly that they may bear fruit 
 this season. ' ' (Rings the bell— an old cord bell. ) 
 Servant enters. 
 
 Lord: ' 'Tell the Gardener to come hither. ' ' 
 Servant exit. 
 Gardener enters. 
 Gardener: ' 'Yes, Milord?' ' 
 
 Lord: ' 'Here are some seeds from America, sent by my friend. Sir 
 
 Walter Raleigh. He tells in his letter (picks up leter and 
 reads from it) 'This plant has great nutritive value ; the 
 natives eat it in place of meat. It will be of great value to 
 England and I beg of you, my dear friend, to carefully plant 
 the seeds and prepare the fruit according to the directions 
 I am causing to be enclosed. I entreat your aid in introduc- 
 ing this plant into England. Methinks our beloved Queen 
 will look with favor on him who can do this. ' (To gardener) 
 ' ' Take thou these seeds and plant them that we may know soon 
 how the fruit tastes. * ' 
 ' 'Yes, Milord, an' if you please, where are the directions?' ' 
 ' 'With the seeds, thou dolt. • ' 
 (Examines the package and shakes his head.) 
 ' 'Are they not there? (To Brother) Didst thou see them?' ' 
 
 All look for the papers ; can not find them. 
 (Maliciously) ' 'Ah ha ! now we shall never know how the plant 
 
 tastes. • ' 
 (Pompously) ''Oh, that does not matter. I am a gardener and 
 know how to plant and raise everything. These seeds are but 
 a slight matter to me. ' ' 
 (As he and his brother leave. ) • ' Take care thou boastest not 
 too much. These seeds are too precious. ' ' 
 
 Exeunt , 
 
 Gardener: 
 Lord: 
 
 Gardener: 
 Lord: 
 
 Brother: 
 
 Gardener: 
 
 Lord; 
 
 Gardener: (Alone) ' 'Now I've done it 
 strange plant. The see 
 apple tree. Mayhap t'w 
 surely, for does the pod 
 what it will be ; a vine g 
 heavily laden with berri 
 all things in the new wor 
 it? In the sun or in the 
 his f orgetfulness ! No 
 the gardener ; I know how 
 that I cannot plant , rais 
 to the audience as if to c 
 Else, how should I be the 
 
 again ! What do I know of this 
 ds look as if it would grow like an 
 ill be a vine instead of a tree. Yea, 
 
 not look like a dried grape. That's 
 rowing up high on the trellis an' 
 es larger than the grape, for are not 
 Id larger? Now, how shall I plant 
 shade? Plague upon Raleigh and 
 
 matter, (strutting up and down) , lam 
 
 ; there is nothing grows in this earth 
 e, and harvest. (Turning half way 
 hallenge any one who doubted him. ) 
 
 gardener?' ' 
 
 Exit. 
 
Scene II 
 
 The Fruit is Ripe 
 
 Time: Late summer 
 
 Place: In the Banquet Hall of the Lord's manor 
 
 Persons: Lord, Brother, Guests, Servants 
 
 Servants 
 First servant: 
 Second servant: 
 First servant: 
 
 Third servant: 
 
 First servant: 
 Fourth servant: 
 Second servant: 
 
 Fourth servant: 
 
 First servant: 
 
 Fourth servant: 
 
 Third servant : 
 
 Second servant: 
 Fourth servant: 
 
 First servant: 
 Third servant: 
 
 Second servant 
 Third servant 
 
 First servant: 
 Fourth servant 
 
 are seen setting the table for a large banquet. 
 ' It will be a great occasion today. ' ' 
 'What is the real reason for this great gathering?' • 
 'Hast thou not heard? Our lord desires to let his 
 
 illustrious guests taste the new American fruit. ' ' 
 'He will be sorely disappointed, for it tastes not 
 
 good. ' ' 
 
 'Whence your information?'' 
 Entering) ' 'What's this discussion?' ' 
 ' These fellows be saying as how our lord will be sorely 
 
 disappointed at the new fruit. ' ' 
 'Aye, that he will. You should have been in the kitchen 
 
 but a moment ago an' tasted the stuff. ' ' 
 'How was it?' ' 
 'Bitter as gall' ' 
 'Reminded me much of the new medicine sent recently from 
 
 America an' said to cure the fever. ' ' 
 'Mayhap all stuff American has that bitter taste. ' ' 
 'Nay, but Raleigh would not send it, an' were it not of 
 
 some great good. ' ' 
 
 'Ah, an' Raleigh it was who sent this plant?' ' 
 'Nay, not the plant, the seeds, an' he said the fruit 
 
 would be of great value to England and how it would 
 
 please the Queen. ' ' 
 
 'An' where does the fellow get all his smartness?' ' 
 'Did I not bring Milord the letter and the package of 
 
 seeds? An' did I not hear him read the letter to John, 
 
 the Gardener?' ' 
 'An' how dost know the taste?' ' 
 'He was in the kitchen, but an hour ago when John 
 
 brought them in. ' ' 
 
 (Busies himself on the other side of the room.) 
 
 Second servant: 
 Fourth servant: 
 Second servant: 
 Fourth servant: 
 
 Third servant: 
 First servant: 
 Third servant: 
 
 ' 'How do they look?' ' 
 
 (Turned around towards the others) ''What, fellows?'' 
 
 ' 'Why, the new American fruit, of course. ' ' 
 
 (Coming towards him) ''Oh, I see. Small, like a yellow- 
 ish-red hawtree berry. John said they grew on a pretty 
 green bush like a good siz^ed bean bush an' had white, 
 star-like blossoms. ' ' 
 
 •'But, ugh, they are bitter!'' 
 
 ' 'Didst taste them?' ' 
 
 ' 'Yea, Sallie, the cook, did not know how to prepare 
 them but dared not risk her head by letting it be known. 
 
 6 
 
Fourth servant 
 
 First servant: 
 
 so she fried them in butter an* then called us in to 
 taste. • • 
 
 'We were that proud to taste! But, (shuddering) ugh! 
 No one wanted a second tasting. Some one said 'put 
 sugar on't', another called for cinnamon. Milord's 
 brother, too, had a taste and pronounced them poison- 
 ous. ' ' 
 
 'Stand ready! Here they come!'' 
 
 Servants take their positions in the dimingroom as the lord and his 
 brother come in with their guests. They seat themselves around the 
 table. 
 
 The lord arises and addresses those present :- 
 ' ' Friends , I have assembled you here that I may share with you the honor of 
 
 being the first to taste the new fruit whose seeds 
 Sir Walter Raleigh sent from America. We planted the 
 seed and from it came a beautiful bush with pretty 
 leaves and white, star-like blossoms. These turned 
 into berries that are now of a yellowish-red color. 
 Raleigh is anxious for us to take up this fruit and 
 cultivate it for the good of England. ' ' 
 
 ' 'What name has this new fruit?' ' 
 
 ' 'Raleigh called it 'po-ta-to' (mispronounce the word) 
 spelled p-o-t-a-t-o. ' ' 
 
 ' 'Evidently the native name. ' ' 
 
 ' 'How can it be of good to Old England?' ' 
 
 ' 'Raleigh writes that the natives eat it in place of 
 meat , and we can make use of it in place of bread and 
 meat. ' ' 
 
 ' ' I am anxious to try this marvel of a berry that is to 
 supplant our good old oxen and the wheat. ' ' 
 
 (Rising, glass in hand) . ' 'Let us all drink a toast to 
 this new fruit we are to taste today for the first time 
 and for which Raleigh promises so great a future in 
 England. May it prosper in Merrie England!' ' 
 
 First guest : 
 Brother: 
 
 Second guest: 
 
 Third guest: 
 
 Lord: 
 
 Fourth guest 
 
 Brother: 
 
 All rise, cl 
 ant who was sent 
 hands around to 
 themselves. 
 
 First guest : 
 
 Second guest: 
 
 Brother: 
 
 Third guest : 
 
 Fourth guest : 
 
 Fifth guest: 
 
 Brother: 
 
 Sixth guest : 
 
 ink glasses and drink the toast. In the meantime a serv- 
 out by the lord, enters with a covered silver dish which he 
 each guest. They manifest great curiosity as they help 
 
 ' 'What rare opportunity to be the first to try it !' ' 
 
 (Tastes and makes a wry face; looks questioningly at 
 
 the others. ) 
 (Tasting) ''Oh, it is bitter!'' 
 ''Nay, 'tis not so. Thou art not accustomed yet. ' ' 
 ' ' There is not enough of sugar on ' t . ' ' 
 ' 'It savors too much of cinnamon. ' ' 
 • 'I do not like it. ' ' 
 ' 'Nay, nay, be not hasty in thy judgment. 'Tis new. 
 
 Thou hast not learned to like it. Try it again. ' ' 
 
 (Passes the dish over to him. ) 
 ' • It tastes like the new medicine from the new land. • ' 
 
Brother: (Handing him the silver dish. ) '' Take more ; thou must 
 learn to like it. Didst like the olive at first 
 taste?' • 
 Seventh guest: •' I am sore afraid this fruit is not suitable to England' s 
 
 climate. ' ' 
 Brother: (Laughing aside) ' 'Nay, but thou art sore afraid. Try 
 some more. Thou v;ilt like it better as thou cultivat- 
 est the taste. ' ' 
 First guest: (To second guest . ) ' ' I do not f eel well ; methinks I am 
 poisoned. ' ' (Rises and says to the lord. ) ' ' I find 
 a fit of ague coming over me. I must get home and to 
 bed. Thou wilt excuse me?'' 
 Second guest: ' 'Pray let me accompany thee home safely. (To the lord) 
 
 I'll see him to his home and let thee know. ' ' 
 
 Both exeunt. 
 Third guest : ' ' I just remember, my wif e ' s mother will come with to- 
 day' s coach. I must not fail to meet her. Thou wilt 
 be so kind as to excuse me?' ' 
 
 Exit. 
 Lord: ''Why, but, (bewildered) what means this sudden leave- 
 taking?' ' 
 Brother: (Patronizingly, as all guests come up, take leave and 
 
 go out. ) ' 'Do not fear, dear brother, they will come 
 around to thine and Raleigh's love of this new fruit. 
 Mayhap if you should plant the seed in sugar or molasses 
 t'will become more palatable. ' ' 
 
 Lord sends for the gardener who comes in with a frightened look on his 
 face. 
 
 Lord: (Angrily.) ''What shame is this thou hast brought on 
 my head? What didst thou do to spoil Sir Raleigh's new 
 fruit? Thou numskull ! Thou dolt ! Thou worse than 
 dunce ! Tear out the plant ! Destroy it, burn it, any- 
 thing to get it out of my sight, and get thee out too. 
 I'll have none of thee. I ' 11 have some one who knows 
 how to grow these precious plants from America. Out of 
 my sight ! Thou art no gardener!' ' 
 
 The lord and his brother exeunt. 
 Gardener: (Left alone, is very much dej ected. ) ''What? I no 
 
 gardener? Now see Y;hat has come of my boasting. An' 
 he blames it all on me. Why not the cook? But then, 
 did I not plant the seed expecting it to be a vine, an' 
 it came up a bush? Mayhap I gave it not enough of sun. 
 Alas, that I boasted of my great knowledge. A wiser 
 man had held his tongue. An' now for the tearing out 
 of the plant that has caused my downfall. Yes, I'll 
 burn it, and I'll do it so well that Milord will take me 
 on again. (Exit shouting.) What! Ho! A brand ! Fire! 
 Fire ! Fire !' ' 
 
 8 
 
Scene III 
 
 The real potato 
 
 Time: Afternoon of the same day 
 
 Place : In the garden 
 
 Persons: The lord, the gardener. 
 
 servants 
 
 Servants are in the garden performing different duties. First and 
 fourth servants and the cook's boy enter, meet and talk. As they talk the 
 fifth servant enters, evidently from the city, for he carries packages. 
 As they all talk the other servants crowd around, joining in with expres- 
 sions of interest in the tasting of the potato, the dinner scene, the wrath 
 of the lord, the sending away of John. 
 
 First servant: ''Faith! but Milord was sore angry! 
 
 Fifth servant enters. 
 
 '' I was that glad that I was not in John' s boots. ' ' 
 (Seeing the fifth servant. ) ''What! Ho! Come hither. 
 
 Thou didst miss the row. ' ' 
 Coming up and depositing his parcels on the ground. ) 
 
 ' 'How's that?' ' 
 'John, the gardener ' s been dismissed. ' ' 
 'What? An' when did that happen? ' ' 
 'At the banquet Milord gave today to introduce the 
 
 American fruit. ' ' 
 
 'An' why should John be sent away?' ' 
 ' The new fruit was a grand failure. The guests did not 
 
 like it at all. ' ' 
 'They all left before the meal was over. ' ' 
 'An' why should they leave?' ' 
 ' The fruit was that bitter and ill-tasting they would 
 
 not stay. ' ' 
 
 ' I guess they thought they were poisoned. ' ' 
 'An' was't so bad?' ' 
 'Ugh! thou shouldst have tasted of it. The cook put 
 
 sugar and cinnamon on to make it taste better. ' ' 
 ' But what of John ; what did the new fruit have to do with 
 
 his dismissal? ' ' 
 'Milord held him responsible for not knowing how to plant 
 
 the seeds and raise the plant. ' ' 
 'Oh, that's it, is it?' ' 
 
 ' Thou shouldst have been here instead of in town. ' ' 
 'Aye, that I wish. 'T'would have been sport to see them 
 
 try to eat of it. ' ' 
 'Here comes Milord. ' ' (Runs away as fast as he can. ) 
 'Let us hasten out of the way that he can not vent his 
 
 spleen on us. ' ' 
 
 
 Boy: ' 
 
 Fourth 
 
 servant: ( 
 
 Fifth 
 
 servant: ( 
 
 
 Boy: ' 
 
 Fifth 
 
 servant : ' 
 
 First 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 Fifth 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 Fourth 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 First 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 Fifth 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 Fourth 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 First 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 Fifth 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 
 Boy: ' 
 
 Fifth 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 Fourth 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 Fifth 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 First 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 Fifth 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 
 Boy: ' 
 
 First 
 
 servant: ' 
 
 9 
 
All the servants hasten away in opposite directions from the entrance 
 of the lord. The lord walks through the garden ; comes upon a fire. 
 
 Lord: ''Gardener I Here I Come hither !' ' 
 Gardener: (Running up to him. ) ''Yes, Milord.'' 
 
 Lord: (Angry at seeing him still in the garden. ) ''What, thou 
 art still here? How comes this fire?' ' 
 Gardener: ' 'You bade me tear out the new American plants an' destroy 
 them, an' so I have pulled them all up an' am destroying 
 them as fast as fire will burn. ' ' 
 Lord: ''Well, all right. Thou has been industrious. Yes, 
 
 Yes, thou art mending thy ways. I see. What are yon 
 black balls on the edge of the fire? ' ' 
 Gardener: '' They hung in great numbers on the roots of the plants 
 an' I have dug them all up to burn them with the plants, 
 for you said I was to destroy them. ' ' 
 Lord: ''Yes, yes. Get me one of those balls. ' ' 
 Gardener, eager to please, stoops to get one ; picks it up ; too hot, 
 tries to hold it first in one hand, then in the other ; blows his fin- 
 gers ; dances from one foot to the other ; finally the potato falls 
 out of his hands and rolls before the f-eet of the lord who steps on it. 
 As the potato bursts they both bend over it. 
 
 Lord: ' 'Ha ! that smells savory. ' ' 
 Gardener: (Picks it up, hands a part to the lord, smells at the other 
 part. ) 
 Lord: (Smells and tastes. ) ' 'That tastes good. ' ' 
 Gardener: ' ' It truly does taste good. ' ' (Eats all of his part of the 
 potato and with a stick tries to find more in the fire. ) 
 ' 'An' salt would make it better. ' ' 
 Lord: (As he eats his part meditatively.) ' 'And butter I ' ' 
 (Suddenly. ) ' 'Aha 1 now I knoYif what Raleigh meant by 
 fruit. Now I know what he meant by nutritive value and 
 substitute for bread and meat . I ' 11 go to the house 
 and send for all my friends again to let them taste of 
 this savory fruit . Pick thou all the balls up to take 
 to the cook and tell thou the cook how to prepare them. 
 (Turns to leave but remembers the gardener.) Thou 
 mayest stay in my service. ' ' 
 Gardener: (Bowing.) ' 'Many thanks. Milord. ' ' The lord exit. 
 Gardener: (Seems to expand with returned self-confidence.) ''Ha! 
 That was a good turn this fruit did me now. I always 
 knew I was a gardener. Who planted the American seed? 
 I did. Who so carefully raised the plants an' tended 
 them? I did. Who was ' t found the balls and built the 
 fire and roasted them to such a savory turn? 'Twas I 
 alone, the gardener! (Indicating the direction in 
 which the lord v/ent. ) He realized in good time that he 
 could not get along without me. But for me. Sir Walter 
 Raleigh's new fruit would have perished in English 
 soil. The Queen (Strutting off the stage.) should 
 look upon me with favor. I am The Gardener !' ' 
 
 Exit. 
 
 10 
 
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