REVIEW. 



tlicse produced very nice roots, and more cqunl in size tlian nny of the others. 

 Tlio three hitter cases only were sali.^ifactory, and the axIMury Imtls not eneotira!^- 

 ini;. Tliose who have cried iiiiinbut^, and wlio consider this mode of cundeniiiu- 

 tion very j^ood fun, should " wait a little." The roots do nut swell to an enormous 

 size; on the contrary, they are lonj^ and slender, and hence can be planted near 

 tojrether, thus occupyini? but little ground. If not exactly n substitute for the 

 potato, it is pronounced, both in iMij^land and France, by those who should know, 

 a valuable acquisition, if only for feeding cattle and pitrs. We are not prepared 

 to recommend or to condemn it, but have thought it right, from the first, to give 

 such knowledge as is passing respecting it. 



The Chnfa, or earth Almond, has naturalized itself to our climate, and has a 

 value. A tree of the " Titmouse'' (not Tiltleljat's !), or "thin-shelled" Madeira- 

 nut, variety ifin/hms regi'a tenera — the best of all the Walnuts — has i)roved valu- 

 able, and annually bears a fine crop in the garden of Peter Force, at Washington ; 

 loamy soil, rather dry than moist, suits this tree ; in wet-bottomed land it will not 

 thrive. The Almond (AmijgdaUs commtinis) is recommended for the Southern 

 and Middle States. We have succeeded with it, near IMiiladelphia, in a moderate 

 degree. 



The advantages of this tree may be briefly summed up in the following words : 

 It prospers upon indifferent soil ; requires but little care in its cultivation ; is 

 beautiful as an ornamental tree ; useful as a shade tree ; and ])rofitable in its \)X0- 

 duction of a much desired fruit, yielding, in its bearing years, about twenty pounds 

 to the tree, w'hich, at fifteen cents a ])ound, would amount to at least $500 to an 

 acre. The amount of almonds annually imported into the United States is believed 

 to be valued at more than §250,000. 



The Soil of the South says of the Chufas: "This is one of the novelties lately 

 introduced that will prove a blessing to the conntiy. Its exjjresscd juice makes 

 a delightful cooling drink, much used in the warm climates of Europe. In some 

 countries, it is ground and distilled, and is said to make a valuable brandy. They 

 arc highly relished by children; but their chief utility in tliis country will be in 

 the nutriment they afford to the hog, being imperishable in the ground, affording 

 him an opportunity of just working enough for .his living to keep him in good 

 order. Their immense productiveness is another great recommendation. ^^ e 

 have counted this season the product of one seed, which is twelve hundred and 

 fifty perfect nuts, or something more than a quart. The top resembles the rush, 

 and is said to be good forage for stock." 



The Cork Oak{Quercus suher) is adapted to the climate and soil of many parts 

 of the Middle and Southern States, and hopes are entertained that the importa- 

 tions of the seed will be attended with good results. 



The "Prune d'Agen" and "Prune Saint Catharine," have been introduced 

 from France, and grafted on the common plum-tree in all the States north of 

 ^Maryland, with success. A quantity of the cuttings of " Raisin" and " Currant" 

 Grape-vines have withstood the severity of our climate, as far as heard from. 

 Licpiorice is also being successfully cultivated. 



The Opium Poppy {Papaver somniferum) is recommended to be experimented 

 with ; the annual importation of opium exceeds $400,000. The Vanilla plant, 

 Ginger, Iceland Moss, Orris-Root, medicinal Rhubarb, Castor Oil plant, the 

 Assafoetida plant. Cardamom, Water-Nut, or Trapa, and Lotus, are all suggested 

 for trial. 



Among "foreign plants," the report alludes favorably to the Guinea and Tus- 

 sock Grasses, and, of "fibrous" productions, Manilla Uemp; the Cochineal plant, 

 and Madder, are recommended for trial. 



