BY LEWIS A. BKRXAYS, 45 



Queensland housekeeper ; who, having before her a substantial 

 addition to the iiudcriel for the table, will soon discover methods 

 of cooking it in palatable form. 



The root of an old plant will sometimes attain the weight 



of 201bs. It resembles a yam in appearance and is very 



nutritious, containing a large proportion of starch, as is shown 



by the following analysis liy Professor Herrera, given by P. L, 



Simmonds in his •' Tropical Agricultui'e " : — 



Water .. .. .. .. .. 71-00 



Starch . . . . . . . . . . 20-00 



Resin soluble in water . . . . . . 0-20 



Sugar .. .. .. .. .. 0-32 



Albumen . . . . . . . . . . 0.4;> 



Cellulose . . . . . . . . . . ')'('>0 



Extractive matter i 



Tartrate of Potash I .-,_.-,_ 



Chloride of Sodium j" " ' ' " "''' 



Sulphate of lime and silica ) 



Loss . . . . . . . . . . 0-20 



100-00 

 It is stated that during its second year the root throws off 

 small tubers which can be removed for use, and that this opera- 

 tion may be repeated for six or eight years ; but longer experi- 

 ence will be required to verify this here. The Snliiwn is also 

 credited with being free from diseases which affect other tuberous 

 plants. 



The foregoing notes are taken from various authorities ; 

 tested by the local experience, in and about Brisbane, of one 

 year only. When the plant has been better distributed we shall 

 know more of its capabilities, grown at various elevations, and in 

 climates differing in temperature and moisture ; but I am strongly 

 of opinion that in the " chayote " we have an introduction good 

 m (piality as an addition to the food productions of the country, 

 and important from the simplicity of its cultivation and its 

 lieavy cropping capabilities. I shall watch its progress with 

 interest, having been instrumental in its introduction, and 

 believing that as a work of acclimatisation it will prove a signal 

 success. 



