SALSIFY, OR OYSTER-PLANT. 85 



able authority, the term has not only long been used in con- 

 nection with, but properly belongs to, the white turnip above 

 described. 



SALSIFY, OR OYSTER-PLANT. 



Leek-leaved Salsify. Vegetable Oyster. Purple Goat's Beard. 

 Tragopogon porrifolius. 



The Salsify is a hardy biennial plant, and is principally 

 cultivated for its roots, the flavor of which resembles that of 

 the oyster ; whence the popular name. 



The leaves are long and grass-like, or leek-like ; the roots 

 are long and tapering, white within and without, and, when 

 grown in good soil, measure twelve or fourteen inches in 

 length, and rather more than an inch in diameter at the 

 crown. 



Soil and Cultivation. The Oyster-plant succeeds best in 

 a light, well-enriched, mellow soil ; which, previous to sow- 

 ing the seeds, should be stirred to the depth of twelve 

 or fifteen inches. The seeds should be sown annually, in the 

 same manner and at the same time as the seeds of the car- 

 rot and parsnip. Make the drills fourteen inches apart; 

 cover the seeds an inch and a half in depth ; and thin, 

 while the plants are young, to four or five inches asunder. 



Early sowings succeed best ; as the seeds, which are gen- 

 erally more or less imperfect, vegetate much better when the 

 earth is moist than when dry and parched, as it is liable to 

 become when the season is more advanced. Cultivate in the 

 usual manner during the summer ; and, by the last of Sep- 

 tember or beginning of October, the roots will have attained 

 their full growth, and be ready for use. The plants will 

 sustain no injury during the winter, though left entirely un- 

 protected in the open ground ; and the table may be supplied 

 8 



