THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 29 



From the table it may be seen that the brake falls among 

 good foods, its nutritive value being near that of cabbage. In 

 comparison with asparagus, which it most resembles, it proves 

 to be superior, containing .87 as much protein, 1.7 as much 

 fat, and 1.6 as much carbohydrates. 



It has been shown that it is a good food, and it has been 

 found palatable by most of those who have tested it. But 

 whether it will become a considerable article of diet or not 

 remains to be seen. The love-apple which was once raised in 

 the flower garden as a plant of beauty is now highly prized 

 as our vegetable, the tomato. Ignorance of tastes habit, and 

 a hesitancy in trying anything new, often prevent one from en- 

 joying some of the best of foods. 



The brake was used by the Indians of the Northwest 

 coast before the introduction of wheat flour, but the part used 

 was the subterranean stem. This was dug up, washed, dried, 

 pounded fine, and the coarse shreddy parts removed by sifting. 

 The starchy powder was used as flour. Its use has been dis- 

 continued since the introduction of wheat flour. The writer 

 has also been fold that the young shoots of the brake are eaten 

 in parts of France. 



Commercially it is possible that the brake might be canned 

 and sold like asparagus. Should it become a commercial pro- 

 duct, the farmer would no longer need to consider it a pest. 

 The season is short, lasting only about three weeks; but the 

 supply is unlimited, and the product may be had for the col- 

 lecting. 



This investigation was suggested by Dr. T. C. Fr^^e and 

 the work carried out under his direction. To fiim I wish to 

 express my sincere thanks for assistance and suggestions in 

 carrying out the work. 



State University, Seattle, Washington. 



