NEW ESCULENTS DECEIVED IN THE GARDEN 

 OF THE SOCIETY. 



]. OXAMS TUBEROSA. 



Under the name of Oca it ajipears that several varieties of this 

 tuberous plant are known in Bolivia, whence they have been 

 brought by M. Weddell. In the spring of 1853 some tubers, 

 about the size of a pea, were received of the Oca Rouge from 

 M. Vilraorin, and were raised in a melon pit. Two of the plants 

 were kept in the vinery ; and two were planted in the glass wall. 

 The former died to the soil about the end of September without 

 forming tubers. Tbose in the glass wall continued growing till 

 killed by frost, November 1 7th. Their stems had grown in this 

 situation to the height of five feet, with a healthy dark green 

 foliage ; but no flowers were produced. 



When the roots were taken up, it was found that numerous 

 tubers had formed, some of which were fully an inch in diameter, 

 roundish, or somewhat flattened, and having numerous eyes. The 

 skin was smooth, in some parts of a pale straw colour, but mostly 

 of a delicate crimson red. 



The roots have been taken up with the soil adhering, and 

 covered with dry soil, in a cool vinery. From the largest tubers 

 strong plants may be expected, which will most probably flower. 

 The tubers may be cut into sets like potatoes. Possibly the 

 Oca may be grown so as to produce tubers in this country, 

 perhaps in warm soil and hot seasons without the aid of glass, 

 except to forward it in spring. 



Although very imperfectly ripened these tubers possessed little 

 of the acidity that might be expected of an Oxalis, and which is 

 spoken of by M. Weddell in the Pieviie Horticole (-ith series, 

 vol. i. p. J 49). On the contrary, they wei*e pleasant to the taste, 

 perhaps resembling unripe Spanish chesnuts as much as anything 

 else, and being, in the opinion of persons of taste, at least equal 

 to Rampions, as a raw esculent. The quantity raised in the 

 Garden was too small to allow of experiments in cooking thera. 

 It is intended to grow them more extensively next year; and, as 



