30 ESCULENT ROOTS. 



Use. The Tuberous-rooted Chervil promises to be a 

 valuable esculent root. M. Vilmorin considered it worthy to 

 be classed with the potato, though not equally productive. 

 On his authority, upwards of six tons have been produced on 

 an acre ; an amount which he states may be greatly increased 

 by a judicious selection of the best roots for seed. 



The roots, which are eaten boiled, are nearly of the size 

 and form of an Early Horn Carrot. The flesh is white, far- 

 inaceous, and of a flavor intermediate between that of a chest- 

 nut and a potato. 



CHINESE POTATO, OH JAPANESE YAM. 

 Dioscorea batatas. 



Stem twelve feet or more in length, of a creeping or climb- 

 ing habit ; leaves heart-shaped, though sometimes halberd- 

 formed ; flowers small, in clusters, white. The roots are 

 club-shaped, about two feet in length, two inches and a half 

 in their largest diameter, of a rusty white or yellowish color 

 without, remarkably white within, very mucilaginous, and 

 so easily broken that they are rarely taken from the ground 

 in a perfect state. 



Propagation and Cultivation. The Chinese Potato re- 

 quires a deep, light, rather sandy, and tolerably rich soil ; 

 and this should be thoroughly stirred to the depth of at least 

 two feet. No fresh manure should be used, but fine, well- 

 decomposed compost applied, and deeply as well as thoroughly 

 incorporated with the soil ; avoiding, however, if possible, 

 its direct contact with the growing roots. It is propagated 

 either by small roots ; by the top or neck of the large roots, 

 cut off to the length of five or six inches ; or by the small 

 bulbs, or tubers, which the plants produce in considerable 

 numbers on the stem, in the axils of the leaves. These 



