THE TIGRIDIA 149 



that it is worth while to improve the size and. 

 quality of the bulbs quite on their own account. 



The particular reason for this is that the bulbs 

 of the Tigridia are edible. When cooked like 

 potatoes, or made into a stew, they constitute a 

 really delicious vegetable. 



To my taste the bulb of the Tigridia is at 

 least the equal of any vegetable under cultiva- 

 tion. It is also highly nutritious. I am not sure 

 that it has an equal among the vegetables of our 

 gardens in its combination of nutritiousness and 

 appetizing flavor. 



These very qualities lead to its destruction by 

 all kinds of animal and insect life, like the 

 Lilium Brownii, which has no bitter principle, 

 containing sweet and nutritious matter, and 

 which also is attacked and appropriated by in- 

 sects and other creatures. 



As yet the Tigridia is too tender to gain a 

 place in the vegetable garden on a footing with 

 the potato and allied bearers of bulbs and tubers. 

 But when, through further breeding experi- 

 ments, it has been rendered more amenable to 

 general cultivation, its bulb being at the same 

 time still further increased in size, it may 

 come to be valued for its edible bulb quite 

 as highly as for its beautiful and spectacular 

 flower. 



