CLASS II. PULSE, VEGETABLE TOPS. 369 



been refined. From between 2GOO and 2700 pounds of pumpkins, 

 100 pounds of sugar are obtained, and an equal quantity of 

 sirup. In making the sugar, the pumpkins are first cut in pieces, 

 and the seeds being separated, the pumpkins, together with their 

 rinds, are then grated fine, in the same manner as beet root, and 

 the juice, being extracted by pressure, is purified and evaporated 

 by the same process as that employed for the beet sugar. 100 

 pounds of pumpkins will yield as much sugar as 100 pounds of beet 

 root; yet it is stated, that more than thrice the quantity of pump- 

 kins can be obtained on a hectare of land than of the beet root ; and 

 that the juice is far preferable to that of the beet root, because the 

 latter more quickly ferments and spoils, while the juice of the 

 pumpkin retains its virtues during 24 hours. 



The seeds yield, on expression, an excellent oil ; and from five 

 pounds of seeds, one pound of oil may be obtained. 



In places remote from the seaboard, the making of sugar from the 

 pumpkin will probably obtain a preference over that of the beet 

 root ; so easily is the pumpkin raised. 



47. SECHIUM. Mag. ofHort. Sechium edulis, or Siegos edulis. 

 A new vegetable from South America ; in size and form resem- 

 bling a very large bell pear; the skin smooth, of a pale green color; 

 the flesh solid. For the table it is prepared in a manner similar to 

 the squash, and is stated to be of a more delicate flavor. It has but 

 one single flat seed, which is larger than a Lima bean. A new 

 vegetable, imported by Mr. Buist, of Philadelphia, and altogether 

 unlike any thing before known or cultivated here. 



48. SEA KALE. Crambe maritima. 



A hardy perennial plant; a delicious and superior vegetable, as 

 yet but too little known. It is said to grow wild on various parts 

 of the sea-shore of Britain, where it is eagerly sought after in early 

 spring. The young, tender, and unexpanded leaves and stalks, in 

 a blanched state, are extracted from the pebbles and sand in which 

 they are found buried, and cut off several inches beneath the sur- 

 face, at the crown of the root. It will yet grow well in the interi- 

 or, in any good, deep, dry soil, for the root goes deep. The plants 

 should be placed in rows four feet asunder, and a foot or eighteen 

 inches in the row. In March, cover it with sand or earth, in boxes 

 or pots, to blanch it ; this renders it more beautiful to the eye, 

 more tender, and delicate. Or it may be forced, by covering the 

 pots or boxes with hot manure. Boil it thoroughly in water, or 

 milk and water is better ; serve it up with melted butter, like the 

 cauliflower. Sow the seeds as soon as ripe, and they readily vege- 

 tate, but if kept till spring, they require to be cracked. Plantations 

 are readily formed of pieces of roots two inches long, placed up 

 right beneath the soil. 



49. SPINACH, or SPINAGE. Spinacia oleracea. 



1. Round-Leaved, or Summer. 3. New Winter. 



2. Prickly-Leaved, or Fall. 4. .Yew Zealand. 



A most superior vegetable for greens ; an annual plant. The seeds 

 of No. 1 may be sown in a rich soil, from April to July. No. Q 

 may be sown in August or September for early spring. The New 



