288 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



GOA BEAN (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) 



This leguminous plant, of which there are several 

 varieties, is much grown in India, where its young tuber- 

 ous roots are eaten raw or cooked, being dug before any 

 seeds ripen. The young green pods form an excellent 

 vegetable when cooked like string beans. It is called in 

 Australia the asparagus pea. It has large light-blue flowers, 

 and is well worth growing in tropical vegetable-gardens. 



NEW ZEALAND SPINACH (Tetragonid expansa) 



This annual herb is not related to the ordinary spinach, 

 and forms an excellent substitute for it during hot weather, 

 when spinach will not thrive. It may be grown in tropical 

 countries, and stands sun and drought. It forms a good 

 green pot-herb in summer. Sow the seed in a well pre- 

 pared cold frame about January first and protect the bed 

 during cool weather. When the plants have reached a 

 height of one or two inches in the seed-bed, they may be 

 transplanted to the field, placing them in rows about 3 

 feet apart and about one foot apart in the row. These 

 plants are likely to continue to grow throughout the sum- 

 mer and into the late fall. Another sowing may be made 

 in the late spring or early summer in similar beds, pro- 

 tected from the sun by means of cheesecloth. The 

 plants can then be set out in September and make a fair 

 growth before the cool weather of the fall retards further 

 development. 



BASELLA (Basella rubrd) 



This annual or biennial tropical herb has a vigorous 

 growth and is a good pot-herb and also an excellent salad. 



