Pie -Plant and Vegetable Oyster 159 



annually. It is propagated by seed and by division of 

 the root, using care to have a bud upon each piece. 

 This method is to be preferred to planting the seed, 

 since the latter is inclined to "sport," 



Cultivation should be shallow and frequent, and 

 there should be a heavy dressing of manure in the spring 

 and again at the end of the pulling season. It is a gross 

 feeder and will bear very heavy dressings of manure. 



The two varieties most commonly cultivated are 

 Victoria, a coarse, large, red -stalked variety grown 

 principally for market, and Linnaeus, which produces 

 large green leaf- stalks more desirable for the home 

 garden . 



SALSIFY, OR VEGETABLE OYSTER 



This is one of the most satisfactory winter vegetables 

 grown. It is a biennial plant grown for its long roots, 

 which, when boiled and then seasoned and stewed like 

 oysters, resembles the latter in taste; hence the names, 

 oyster plant and vegetable oyster. 



It is perfectly hardy, enduring a temperature down 

 to zero, and may be left in the ground where it growls 

 all winter and be dug as needed. Like the parsnip, 

 it occupies the ground on which it grows for twelve 

 months, but pays good rent by furnishing delicious 

 and wholesome food during the winter, when most 

 gardens are affording no fresh vegetables. While 

 this delicious vegetable should be found in every home 

 garden, it is found in but few. It delights in a deep 

 sandy loam, which should be deeplj' broken but not 

 manured broadcast; but, like other deeply penetrating 



