280 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



blade. In some varieties, such as the dasheens, the 

 root-stock forms many side-tubers. The usual method of 

 propagation in the Pacific Islands and in some parts of 

 the West Indies is to cut off the top of the root with about 

 six inches of the leaf-stalks, and plant this. In India the 

 small tubers are planted. In Florida the smaller tubers 

 are usually used for planting. 



The distance apart varies from 1 to 4 feet, in rows 4 

 to 6 feet apart, according to variety. The crop may 

 require nine months or more to ripen, according to the 

 variety. The roots can be left for some time in the ground, 

 and may also be kept in a dry place for a considerable 

 time after digging. On irrigated land between the 

 tropics, up to fifteen tons to an acre are grown by native 

 methods. The plant, however, may be grown without 

 irrigation ; although it requires abundant moisture to do 

 well, it does not do well in swampy lands. The general 

 methods of cultivation and fertilization applied to potatoes 

 will be found applicable. After the leaves shade the 

 ground completely, which usually occurs in summer, no 

 further cultural attention will be requried. Taro has 

 been grown successfully in southern California and in 

 Florida, and it is a useful garden vegetable in tropical 

 and subtropical regions. In the tropics it may be planted 

 at almost any time, and in the subtropical regions at the 

 end of the cool season. (See Plate XV.) 



In parts of Florida one variety commonly called tanyah 

 has escaped from cultivation. In earlier times it was used 

 as food by the Indians, and later collected for shipment to 

 the North, where the tubers commanded a good price 

 for use as ornamentals. 



