408 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The failure of newly set orchards to grow to maturity without the annual 

 renewal of a generous share of the original setting is a matter of remark 

 by all who have planted trees during tiie last twenty years. That there 

 are other reasons in many cases for such failure is doubtless true, but 

 from the facts now Ivnown it seems certain that thorough underdrainage, 

 either natural or artificial, is one of the necessary requisites of successful 

 orchard growing. — Drainage Journal. 



DIETETIC VALUE OF VEGETABLES. 



If we would be healthy we must first be wise enough to eat vegetables 

 and plenty of them. These bodies of ours can not be perfectly healthy 

 without them. No one can attain health and high mentality without phys- 

 ical strength. Mother Nature has provided liberally for her children. It 

 remains for us gratefully to accept the largest of her gracious guar- 

 dianship. 



Parsnips and salsify are highly nutritious if used in season. There 

 is danger in eating parsnips very late in the spring. After they begin to 

 sprout they acquire an acrid taste and are poisonous. 



Potatoes, lioth sweet and white, are allied to several powerful nar- 

 cotic plants, as well as to other esculents, such as tomato and eggplant. 

 Potatoes consist almost wholly of starch, and accordingly deficient in 

 nitrogen, and illy adapted for an exclusive article of diet; though, as an 

 accompaniment to other heavy foods, they are very healthful. 



The squash has great food value. Its properties are similar to those 

 of the sweet potato. The carrot is a moderately nutritious food, with the 

 same properties when used internally as when applied outwardly in the 

 form of a poultice, allaying inflammation. Its chief value is in the form 

 of a digester. It contains poetic acid, which acts upon other foods in a 

 manner that dissolves them, and so promotes digestion. It is said that the 

 frequent use of carrots will bring bi'illiance to the eye, smoothness and 

 gloss to the hair, and clearness and color to the complexion. 



The cucumber and muskmelon possess remedial qualities for rheuma- 

 tism. Their .juices are also valuable as an emollient for the complexion, 

 in the form of lotions, cold creams or pomades. 



The young shoots of asparagus have from remote time been held in 

 high repute as a culinary vegetable owing to its delicate flavor and 

 diuretic virtvies. The ancient Romans served it at their most elegant ban- 

 quets. No vegetable is more favorably known as a cleansing agent of 

 the kidneys. 



The cabbage family, of which there are many branches — namely, Brus- 

 sels sprouts, one of the most delicate of table vegetables; the common 

 drumhead, of which sauerkraut is made; the red cabbage, excellent for 

 pickling; cauliflower; broccoli, a variety of cauliflower; broccoli sprouts 



