Pehr Kalm, Swedish naturalist, while visiting the 13 Colonies in 1749
« Every farmer in Albany had an orchard, planted with apple trees that produced excellent fruit. The pear tree did not thrive so well, nor the peach tree. Flax and hemp was grown for domestic consumption, and corn in large quantities. (…) Much rye was sown, but little oats, and barley even less. (..) All farmers planted sweet potatoes, (…) which grew well, but were hard to store over the winter. »
