Recent Chinese Vegetables. 201 



an ornamental vine than as an esculent, for American tastes. It 

 is not new to the American seed trade. 



The luflfas or Dish Cloth Gourds of the gardens are of two 

 species, which differ chiefly in the contour of the fruits. The 

 commoner species in this country has ribless cylindrical fruits, but 

 the one chiefly grown by the Chinese about New York has club- 

 shaped ribbed fruits. These fruits are interesting to us chiefly as 

 a curiosity and as 3'ielding a sponge-like fiber which is useful for 

 household purposes. 



The Chinese pea has little to recommend it to American gar- 

 deners. 



The Chinese bean or Tou-kok is no doubt a valuable vegetable 

 for late home use. 



The remaining Chinese vegetables here discussed — Hon-toi-moi 

 and Yon-soi — have very little value for our gardens. 



L. H. BAILEY. 



