50 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



forty inches wide, and eight to eighteen feet long. Flues un- 

 derneath lead from the firebox to the chimney. At intervals of 

 from eight to twelve inches, partitions are placed in the pans 

 and open at alternate ends. The sap running in from the tank- 

 flows backward and forward across the tank around the ends 

 of the partitions until it reaches the outlet at the finishing end 

 where it is reduced to the required density. — From an article 

 in Forest Leaves. 



ADDITIONAL USEFUL WILD PLANTS 



TDlBES AUREUM, of the older books, now Ribes odora- 

 tum, is extremely useful in Nebraska for jellies and 

 sauces. 



Prunus melanocarpa, a first cousin of the choke-cherrv of 

 the East, is good raw and cooked any way when quite ripe. 



Primus Besscyi, the western substitute for P. pumila, 

 is large and juicy, especially when sheltered by blowing sand 

 so that it ripens under cover. 



Lathyrus ornatus is* used, pod and all, like green peas.. 



Astragalus crasskarpus, ground plum, has been used 

 when very young by explorers like Lewis and Clark to keep 

 off scurvy. 



Lyco fins communis and allied species are made into tea 

 to break up a cold in the absence of a physician. It contains a 

 stimulant much like quinine. 



Asclepias speciosa, exactly like A. syriaca, is the best of 



all wild greens when used young enough, that is like asparagus 

 sprouts. As long as the stem will snap when bent it is good, 

 young leaves and all. But beware of its imitation, Apocynum. 

 In their early stages they look much alike. — /. M. Bates, Red 

 Cloud, Nebraska. 



