422 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
be stated, that on the Colorado River, in Arizona, they are in the habit 
of cultivating corn on the river bottom. After the high rise in June, 
they simply make holes in the moist ground for the seeds, and the plants 
are started three or more inches below the surface, so that the heat of 
the sun may not injure the tender corn. The ground is disturbed only 
sufficiently to enter the seed below the surface. 
Kidney bean, (Phaseolus.)—A large bean growing wild among the moun- 
tains around Fort Whipple, Arizona. It is used, both green and dry, by 
bat Apaches of that Territory. The root, being perennial, becomes very 
arge. 
Dock, (umex.)—This common plant of the Colorado River, Arizona, 
produces abundance of seeds, which are gathered by the Indians living 
along its banks, and ground into flour for bread. The bulky root is 
much used instead of bark for tanning fine hides. The local name of 
the pliant is yerba colorado. 
Wild rice, (Zizania aquatica, Plate 9.)—The Sioux call it pshu, and the : 
Chippewas man-om-in. It is a constant article of food with the north- 
ern Indians of the lakes and rivers between the Mississippi and Lake 
Superior. This plant delights in mud and water five to twenty feet 
deep. When ripe the slightest wind shakes off the grains. After be- 
ing gathered it is laid on scatfolds about four feet high, eight wide, and 
twenty to fifty long, covered with reeds and grass, and a slow fire is 
maintained beneath for thirty-six hours, so as to parch slightly the husk, 
that it may be removed easily. Its beard is tougher than that of rye. 
To separate it from the chaff or husk, a hole is made in the ground a 
foot wide and one deep, and lined with skins; about a peck of rice is 
put in at a time; an Indian steps in, with a halfjump, on one foot, then 
on the other, until the husk isremoved. After being cleaned the grain 
is stored in bags. It is darker than the Carolina rice. The hull ad- 
heres tightly, and is left on the grain, and gives the bread a dark color 
when cooked. The husk is easily removed, after being exposed to heat. 
In Dakota the men gather this grain, but all other grain: the women* 
collect. An acre of rice is nearly or quite equal to an acre of wheat in 
nutriment. It is very palatable, when roasted and eaten dry. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Staff tree, (Celastrus scandens.) —The Chippewa Indians use the tender 
branches of this climbing shrub, the bots retors of the French, or twisted 
wood, which is sometimes called bitter-sweet. It has a thick bark, and 
is sweetish and palatable when boiled. 
Storksbill, (Hrodium cicutarium.)—This plant, when young, is gathered 
and cooked, or eaten raw, by the Blackfeet, Soshones, and Diggers. 
Unicorn plant, (Martynia violacea.)—The Apache Lndians gather thehalf 
mature seed-pods of this plant, and cook them with various other sub- 
stances. The pods, when ripe, are armed with two sharp, horn-like pro- 
jections, and, being softened and split open, are used on braided work 
to ornament willow baskets. ; 
Odontostemum Hartwegi.—A species of sea-weed used as an article of 
food by the Indians of the northwest coast. 
Round-leafed sorrel, (Oxyria digyna.)—The leaves of this plant are 
chopped up with: seurvy-grass or water-cress, and made into a kind of 
salad, which is allowed to ferment before it is eaten. The Alaska In- 
dians are very fond of this dish. f ; 
Common purslane, (Portulaca oleracea.) —The Apache Indians eat this 
Species of purslane raw. When they cook it at all, it is merely suffi- 
cient to wilt it. 
at i ay 
