372 Notes and Gleanings. 



The Earth Almond, or Chufa. — We are inclined to believe that the rea 

 merits of this vegetable are not generally appreciated. From statements recently 

 published, it appears that from poor, sandy soil, yielding less than a dozen bush- 

 els of corn to the acre, a hundred bushels, and upwards, of earth-almonds can be 

 easily obtained. The ground should be ploughed to the depth of eight or ten 

 inches, and afterwards harrowed till well pulverized. The tubers are dropped 

 ten inches apart, in drills two or three inches deep. The drills need not be more 

 than fifteen or eighteen inches apart, though, for greater convenience in cultiva- 

 tion, they are often marked off two and a half, and sometimes even three feet 

 asunder. If planted the last of April or early in May, the crop will be ready 

 for harvesting the middle of October. 



The plant is really a tuberous-rooted rush, with the grass-like habit and ap- 

 pearance of the rush family. The leaves are produced in great abundance, and 

 are about two feet in length. 



In the Middle and Southern States, the crop, while in full growth and vigor, 

 is sometimes cut as grass, and, if properly dried, makes a description of hay 

 which is peculiarly sweet and fragrant. This hay is much relished by horses, 

 and is said to be preferred by them to that made from red-top or timothy. After 

 mowing, the plants soon begin to grow anew ; and the crop of tubers is not ma- 

 terially, if at all, diminished by the treatment. In the Northern and Eastern 

 States, this course could hardly be advised ; for, where the seasons are compar- 

 atively short, the plants should be allowed their full, natural growth. Managed 

 as described, we have not learned that the crop has ever failed even in New 

 England. We ought perhaps to add, that, in warm climates, the tubers remaining 

 in the ground survive the winter uninjured, and. springing up the following sea- 

 son, become troublesome ; while in cooler latitudes they are completely exter- 

 minated by severe frosts. 



The uses of the tubers are numerous. They are readily eaten by many kinds of 

 stock, and are excellent for poultry. They have a pleasant, nutty or almond-like 

 taste ; are good when roasted ; and, if properly cured, keep a long period. When 

 dried and pulverized, they impart to water the color and almost the rich proper- 

 ties of milk. Where the walnut and other descriptions of nuts cannot be readily 

 obtained, children will find in the chufa an acceptable and even agreeable 

 substitute. F. Burr. 



Mr. Editor, — A young man representing your excellent Journal called on 

 me a few days ago, and I accepted an agency. I felt, in doing so, persuaded that 

 it is just what we want, — a live horticultural journal, devoted to the advance- 

 ment of that which promotes health and longevity, and consequently brings in 

 its monthly visitations happiness to our firesides. The more we become skilled 

 in the cultivation and production of fruit, the more we scatter the greatest of . 

 God's blessings, because we are giving vigor to our physical natures, elements 

 that produce agility and vivacity, and, through an active organization, acuteness 

 of thought and brightness of intellect. We should use less of those agents 

 that tend to muddle and make sluggish the life-currents, and more of those agents 

 which invigorate and quicken them. The American people are beginning to 



