No. 144.J 593 



white, and about the size of mustard seed. The leaves of this 

 plant, before it attains full maturity, are eaten like spinach ; but 

 the seeds are the parts most generally used as food, being both 

 nutritious and wholesome, as well as easy of digestion. They are 

 prepared in a variety of ways, but most frequently are boiled in 

 milk or soups, or cooked with sweet i>epp€rs and cheese. 



This plant is very vigorous, quite insensible to cold, and pro- 

 duces an abundance of seed on a good light warm soil. Its cul- 

 ture is simple. If intended for its grain, it may be sown in a 

 sheltered border early in the spring in order that it can be trans- 

 planted before the return of summer heats, or it may be sown in 

 open culture in drills in the middle of spring. When the plants 

 become of sufl&cient size, they are removed and planted at the dis- 

 tance of twenty inches apart, well exposed to the sun. If desired 

 for the leaves, only, they may be set nearer to each other, and 

 the stalks cut off at the first gathering, in order to cause them to 

 branch out for a succession of crops. By watering during the 

 summer, should there not be rain, the product of leaves will be 

 incessantly renewed. 



Forty-days maize, (Mais quarantain,) a dwarf variety, from the 

 south of Spain, reputed once to have ripened high up the Alps, 

 in forty days after planting. The object of introducing this grain 

 into the United States, was on account of its quick growth, early- 

 maturity, and sweet flavor in the green state, as well as the deli- 

 cacy of the bread made from its meal. Besides, it appears to be 

 well adapted to the high latitudes and elevated valleys in many 

 parts of the country where most other varieties of corn will not 

 thrive, and with a chance of a successful result in crossing it with 

 the larger sorts to which it might impart, in a degree, its quality 

 of early ripening, if not its taste. 



Indian Millet, or Dourah Cor7i, (Holcus sorghum,) from St. 

 Martin, in the West Indies. As its name implies, it is a native of 

 India, and is cultivated in most parts of Asia Minor, Africa, the 

 West Indies, and Brazil. It has also been introduced into the 

 south of Europe, China, Cochin-China, Japan, and into the south- 

 ern and middle portions of the United States. In Arabia, it is 



[Assembly No, 144.] L2 



