90 ESCULENT ROOTS. 



SKIRRET. 



Crummock, of the Scotch. Slum sisarum. 



Skirret is a hardy perennial, and is cultivated for its roots, 

 which are produced in groups, or bunches, joined together at 

 the crown or neck of the plant. They are oblong, fleshy, of 

 a russet-brown color without, white within, very sugary, and, 

 when well grown, measure six or eight inches in length, and 

 nearly an inch in diameter. 



The leaves of the first year are pinnate, with seven or nine 

 oblong, finely toothed leaflets. When fully developed, the 

 plant measures from three to five feet in height ; the stem 

 being marked with fine, parallel, longitudinal grooves, or 

 lines. The flowers are small, white, and are produced in 

 umbels at the extremities of the branches. The seeds, eight 

 thousand of which are contained in an ounce, are oblong, of 

 a greenish-gray color, and closely resemble those of the com- 

 mon caraway. They will keep but two years ; and, even 

 when newly grown, sometimes remain in the ground four or 

 five weeks before vegetating. 



Soil and Culture. Skirret succeeds best in light, mellow 

 soil, and is propagated by suckers, or seeds. The best 

 method is to sow the seeds annually, as, when grown from 

 slips, or suckers, the roots are liable to be dry and woody ; 

 the seeds, on the contrary, producing roots more tender, and 

 in greater perfection. 



Sow the seeds in April, in drills one foot apart, and about 

 an inch in depth ; thin to five or six inches ; and, in Sep- 

 tember, some of the roots will be sufficiently grown for use. 

 Those required for winter should be drawn before the 

 closing-up of the ground, and packed in sand. 



To propagate by Slips, or Suckers. In the spring re- 

 move the required number of young shoots, or sprouts, from 

 the side of the roots that have remained in the ground 



