No. 144 ] 



603 



feared. Notwithstanding the plant has a tendency to plunge its 

 roots into the earth perpendicularly, any distortion to which it 

 might be liable in the pot, will not be in the least prejudicial to 

 Its future growth, as is the case with other yams. It is even 



thought, that its culti- 

 vation • in large pots, 

 buried under ground, 

 might be successfully 

 adapted in some cases, 

 particularly where the 

 soil is of a permeable 

 nature, which would 

 / '/ ' allow it to extend its 



roots, to a depth of more than a yard. 



If it is desired to multiply the plant rapidly, in a high latitude, 

 it can be done by means of suckers, or slips. To this end they 

 may be cut in June or July, as many slips as there are sets of 

 leaves on the vine, and plant them side by side under a glass in 

 a light, sandy soil, sufficiently deep for the bud at the base of the 

 leaves merely to be covered. The better way is to let the leaves 

 remain entire, unless they are disproportionably large. In about 

 five or six weeks, the slips will take root, and present at the an- 

 gle of each leaf a small tuber about the size of a pea, as denoted 

 in the cut above. 



These scarcely increase in size during the season, but become 

 sufficiently ripened, on ceasing to water them, to replant in the 

 spring, when they will grow with as much vigor as if produced 

 from the cut tubers, as shown in the figures below. 



