THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 283 



above the interest on the investment. On the other hand, hundreds 

 of acres are grown annually which do not much more than pay 

 expenses, but this is due to the fact that the soil has become exhausted 

 and the product is consequently undersized and inferior. (F. B. 

 255, 282; Cornell E. S. 132; Colo. E. S. 144.) 



CETEWAYO, OR ZULU, POTATOES. 



The Cetewayo, or Zulu, potato, a wild variety of Solanum 

 tuberosum found in Africa, is sometimes grown as a garden vegetable 

 for its flavor and novelty. It has practically the same percentage 

 composition as the ordinary potato. When cooked, the flesh is 

 purple in color, but when brought in contact with vinegar, as in 

 salads, it turns red. (F. B. 295.) 



THE CHAYOTE. 



The chayote suggests the cucumber rather than any other of the 

 cultivated plants of the same family, but is a larger and more vigor- 

 ous plant, climbing widely by means of numerous branched tendrils. 

 When grown under ordinary garden conditions the cultural require- 

 ments of the chayote may be said to be two in tumber: (1) A some- 

 what sheltered situation and (2) something to climb upon. While 

 the vine will not refuse to ^row without these advantages, the results 

 will not be satisfactory. Like many climbing plants, the chayote is 

 very susceptible to injury from the wind, while, unlike many Cucur- 

 bitaceae, it does not seem to take kindly to creeping upon the ground, 

 at least in the Tropics. In the different parts of the world the chayote 

 has been found to grow upon a great variety of soils, though it is gen- 

 erally considered to thrive best in a loose sandy or loamy substratum, 

 providing sufficient humus or other fertilizing material be at hand. 

 Although it has been found possible to secure plants from the seed 

 when planted alone, or even from the embryo when carefully ex- 

 tracted from its seed coats, it is the universal practice to plant the 

 entire fruit. The fruit should be gathered before fully matured, be- 

 cause of the tendency to germinate. It is like the cucumber, edible 

 at any stage of growth, and may be picked when large enough. The 

 chayote is a good shipper and may be shipped in bulk in vegetable 

 crates, wrapped and well packed ; cold storage will not be necessary. 

 (Dept. Ag., Div. of Botany 28; P. Rico A. E. S. 7). 



CHERVIL. 



Under the name of chervil two distinct plants, known as salad 

 chervil and the turnip-rooted chervil, are cultivated. The seeds of 

 the salad chervil are sown in spring and the crop will thrive on any 

 good garden soil. The seeds of the turnip-rooted chervil should be 

 sown in the early autumn, but they will not germinate until the fol- 

 lowing spring. The edible part of this plant is the root, which some- 

 what resembles the carrot and is used in the same manner. The leaves 

 are used the same as parsley for garnishing and in flavoring soups. 

 (F. B. 255.) 



CHICORY. 



Chicory is grown for two or three purposes. The root of this 

 plant is the common adulterant of coffee, and large quantities are 

 used for this purpose. The commercial growing of chicory is con- 



