1839.] YUCCA AND OTHER VEGETABLES. 141 



Maize is likewise produced abundantly in the fertile moun- 

 tain valleys, on the warm slopes *of the Andes, and in the 

 elevated Sierra. Wheat and other European cerealia are 

 little cultivated, though they succeed admirably in the high 

 lying sections of the country. Potatoes do not thrive very 

 well near the coast, where both the climate and soil are un- 

 favorable to their growth ; but on the high ridges and in the 

 elevated valleys, from seven to ten thousand feet above the 

 level of the sea, they constitute a profitable and productive 

 cfop. 



A most agreeable and nutritive tuberous vegetable, called 

 the aracdcha, grows in abundance on the coast. It resem- 

 bles celery in flavor, and is either boiled or made into a soup. 

 In favorable districts, two crops are obtained within the year. 

 The yucca, or jatropha manihot, is another fine vegetable 

 found almost everywhere below the elevation of 3000 feet. 

 The stalks of this plant grow to the height of five or six feet, 

 and are about the size of a finger. The roots, which are the 

 edible parts, are from one to two feet long, and shaped like 

 a turnip ; the external skin is tough, but internally they are 

 pure white. In taste they resemble chestnuts. They are 

 boiled in water and then laid in hot ashes, when they become 

 quite mealy. Flour is prepared from them by the Indians, 

 out of which the finest bread and biscuits are made. The 

 yucca is propagated by cuttings from the stalk, which are 

 placed obliquely in the earth. The roots are fit for use in 

 five or six months. 



Nearly all the different kinds of pulse are raised on the 

 coast, but beans flourish best in the hilly country. Cabbages 

 and salads of every variety, tomatoes, and peppers, are pro- 

 duced in all parts of Peru except in the very coldest sec- 

 tions. Rice is also grown to a considerable extent. Of culi- 

 nary vegetables there is a generous supply, as well in kind 

 as in quality, throughout the year. The vine is cultivated 

 in some quarters to great advantage ; the grapes are exceed- 

 ingly well-flavored, but the wine made from them is rather 

 insipid. In the southern coastwise provinces, the olive tree 



