164 VEGETABLE GROWING. 



OKRA. 



This vegetable is also called gumbo. Its desirable 

 qualities lie in the muscilage of the pods. The taste 

 for this is more or less an acquired one, however ; when 

 used in small quantities in soups, only a very few peo- 

 ple object to it. Besides its use in soup, it may be 

 pickled and also prepared as a dish by itself. 



Any good cotton land will produce okra, and, like 

 cotton, it is partial to a warm sandy loam. For ship- 

 ping purposes, a warm sandy loam should be chosen, 

 and this highly fertilized, unless it is already rich. 

 Okra grown on poor soil is stringy and wanting in 

 muscilage. 



Prepare the land thoroughly and deeply. The roots 

 of this plant descend below any ordinary plowing, so 

 the plant can stand an unusual drouth without appa- 

 rently suffering. 



FIG. 23. 



VARIETIES. 



The larger varieties are not so profi table nor so de- 

 sirable as the smaller or dwarf. Little Gem and White 

 Velvet are among the favorite dwarf varieties. Im- 



