THE PLANT WORLD UNDER CARE 



IIQ 



THE PHYSALIS IN THEIR HUSKS. 



during the winter, and no weed comes 

 up more luxuriantly or persistently. 



The calyx is interesting in the manner 

 in which it separates from the green 

 pulp of the husk and becomes like fine 

 lace. This is especially true of the fruit 

 on the lower parts of the plant where the 

 calyx is damp, and more generally true 

 of those falling on the ground. 



There are several varieties in culti- 

 vation, nearly all good to eat, cooked or 

 not. Physalis is a member of the night- 

 shade family, and is closely related to the 

 eggplant, tomato and white potato. 



There is a variety in the west known 

 as garden huckleberry (Solanum nig- 

 rum) and used for making pies, but not 

 fit to eat in the raw state. Several 

 horticulturists of whom I have in- 

 quired can give no specific information 

 as to attempts at improving Physalis. 

 I 'rofessor L. H. Bailey writes : 



"I do not know of any very definite 

 experiments to improve the Physalis. 

 For a number of years I grew the species 

 here and once wrote a bulletin report 

 on them. This report, however, was 

 more for the purpose of bringing our 



THE GROUND CHERRIES, IN THE DISH, REMOVED FROM THEIR HUSKS. 



