MISCELLANEOUS CROPS 661 



It has been planted in Kansas, New York, North Carolina, Florida, 

 and other states, but while it is reported to have lived and withstood 

 the severe winters of the North, the roots made a very slow growth. 

 In Florida and eastern Texas it is reported to have been grown with 

 success. Canaigre may be propagated in three ways; first, from, 

 the seed; second, from the roots; third, from the transplanting of 

 young shoots. (N. Mex. E. S. B. 49.) 



Seeding is best accomplished by means of young roots. These 

 are quicker to grow than old roots, are smaller and more economical 

 to handle, and are apparently more productive than old stock. 

 About nine-hundred pounds of one ounce roots, planted, at one foot 

 intervals in rows three feet apart, are sufficient for an acre. Culti- 

 vated seed roots, because of their more uniform age and quality, are 

 to be preferred to wild stock. 



As yet, the depth and space of planting are a matter of judg- 

 ment rather than knowledge. A large number of measurements 

 made on thrifty one year old hills have shown the tuber systems to 

 occupy a space of from 5 to 12 inches in diameter, and 6 to 10 

 inches deep, the small rootlets extending outward and downward 

 from one to two feet further. Allowing for two years' growth, the 

 seed roots should probably not be set less than 12 inches apart. As 

 to depth, roots planted at 3 inches are more prompt to grow and 

 appear more prosperous than those planted at 5 inches. The ex- 

 pense of harvesting a shallow crop should also be less. (Ariz. E. S. 

 B. 21.) 



While the wild growth is confined to the sands and sandy 

 loams, it has been found that if the roots are planted shallow and 

 irrigated, equally large crops are produced on quite heavy soils 

 and the roots are as rich in tannic acid. The plant seems not 

 to be particular as to the kind of soil provided it is kept sufficiently 

 moist, and it may be found that sandy loams and rather heavy soils, 

 may prove more profitable for growing the plant than lighter soils, 

 owing to their greater fertility and more lasting qualities without 

 fertilization. 



On new desert land, cultivation of the crop will consist of run- 

 ning a cultivator between the rows after each irrigation. On old 

 land that has become set with weeds, some extra work may be nec- 

 essary to keep them down, but as the ground is prepared during the 

 summer and the growth occurs in the winter and spring, the ground 

 being shaded during the latter stage of growth, weeds will not inter- 

 fere seriously. The cultivation of canaigre is somewhat like the 

 growing of the sugar beet. (Ariz. E. S. B. 7.) 



Commencing to irrigate by the first of October, a crop of ten 

 tons to the acre is a reasonable estimate for new land if the soil is 

 fairly well prepared, and a good stand is secured by planting se- 

 lected tubers of wild growth. The second year's crop, from culti- 

 vated tubers one year old, should reach fifteen tons, and twenty 

 tons is within the possibilities on good land carefully planted and 

 well taken care of. With the field cleared, leveled and put In 



