THE EDIBLE WILD ROOTS OF THE FARM 63 



So, if we go out to examine the plants producing nature's 

 root crops, we shall find them a mixed lot of solanums, 

 legumes, aroids, etc., growing in all kinds of situations, wet 

 and dry, in sun and in shade, and producing food reserves 

 that have little in common either in character or in content. 



Study 7. Wild Root Crops of the Farm 



This study will consist in an examination of the edible 

 and the poisonous roots found growing wild on the farm. 

 Such exotics as parsnip, carrot and chicory will oe found 

 growing as weeds in the field. The native root crops will 

 have to be sought in the woods and thickets and in swampy 

 places. 



The equipment needed will be a knife, a bag and a stout 

 digging tool of some sort. 



The program of work will consist of a trip to selected places 

 where the wild roots may be found in abundance, the examina- 

 tion of them one by one as to all their parts, measuring of the 

 roots, slicing of them, tasting of them, testing of them, etc., 

 and recording their characters. 



The record will consist of : 



1. A table prepared with headings as indicated on pages 

 64 and 65 and carefully filled out for about a dozen species. 



2 . Simple sectional diagrams representing the structure of 

 (i) some wild tuber; (2) a scaly bulb; (3) a soHd bulb or 

 corm; (4) a fleshy rhizome; and (5) a true fleshy root. 



Fig. 37. Apios Tuberosa. (Drawn by C. P. Alexander) 



