The Kitchen Gakden. 79 



and crooked. Choose a warm spot and a calm day for sowing. 

 Sow in drills half an inch deep, and for the Early Horn nine 

 inches apart. For the other varieties twelve inches apart is 

 better. Eadishes may be sowed in the same bed. Stir the 

 ground frequently and deeply, and thin out to from three to 

 six inches apart. The latter is the proper distance when the 

 plants are to be left to grow to the full size. The directions 

 for preparing and preserving them for winter use are the same 

 as for beets. 



6. The Paesistep — Partinaca Sativa, 

 This very palatable and exceedingly nutritious root is a native 

 of Sardinia, and in its wild state is said to be poisonous. In 

 French it is called le jMuais. The best variety is the Sugar 

 or Hollow Crown. Soil and culture the same as for the carrot 

 and beet. Bone-dust and ashes are the special manures most 

 likely to be required. Late in the fall take up as many as. you 

 need for winter use. The rest may remain in the ground, as 

 frost seems to improve their flavor. In the South, lift them 

 as wanted during the winter. 



7. Salsify — Tragopogon Porrifolium. 



The Salsify, or Oyster Plant, is a native of England, and is 

 less known in this country than it deserves to be. Sow and 

 cultivate the same as the parsnep, A portion of the crop may 

 remain in the ground all winter. Prepared and cooked accord- 

 ing to the following directions, it will be found to resemble the 

 oyster in flavor : 



Scrape the roots slightly, soak them in water for an hour, 

 and then boil till quite tender. If ow let them drain for a short 

 time ; meanwhile make a thick batter with white of eggs 

 beaten up with a little flour. Grate the roots tolerably fine, 

 press them into flattened balls of the size of an oyster, dip 

 them in the batter, roll them into grated crackers, and fry 

 them in a pan till brown. Another way is to parboil, cut in 

 slices, and fry either with or without the batter. Try it. 



