SOME EXPERIMENTAL^ FOODS 235 



grown in this way, so that from a single planting four full 

 crops can be had. Considering, then, that eight such treats 

 can be had for the cost of a single dozen roots, we can all 

 now enjoy what was formerly a luxury. This method is 

 most interesting, for you can watch the daily progress of the 

 growth of the roots, fascinating to young and old, and with 

 three weekly plantings of a pot each this treat can be en- 

 joyed twice a week from the 1st of February until May. 



For those who wish to enjoy it more often or in larger 

 quantities, we suggest the following : 



Prepare a bed of soil 12 inches deep in your cellar in a 

 dark place where the temperature is always above freezing. 

 Plant the roots as close as their size will permit and cover 

 the crowns with at least 3 inches of soil. On top of this put 

 straw so that when the crowns come through the soil they 

 will not strike the light. When ready to cut, remove the 

 soil as far back as the original root so that you can intelli- 

 gently cut the growth to produce the crops to follow. 



As a substitute for the potato of commerce the "Dasheen" 

 long ago passed the experimental stage. It has been served 

 at a number of banquets in Washington, Philadelphia, and 

 New York. 



While the tops of potatoes are useless as food, the tops of 

 the dasheen make delicious greens, and tests indicate that 

 good growers can depend on a crop of from four hundred to 

 four hundred and fifty bushels per acre. 



The Udo is the plant intended by the Department of 

 Agriculture as a substitute for asparagus, a delicacy which 

 it closely resembles. It is more prolific than asparagus, 

 grows in the same soil, and requires less attention. 



Not only plants but animals are experimented with by 

 Uncle Sam's experts. Officials of the Bureau of Annual 



