604 



[Assembly 



In this manner, each plant may be made to yield a hundred 

 fold. The reproduction from the vines, however, may be brought 

 about in more temperate latitudes, by planting them in a garden 

 in the open air. In this case, it is better not to cut up the vines, 

 but to bury them horizontally just below the surface, Avith the mid- 

 rib of the leaves resting on the ground. Should there not be suffi- 

 cient rain, the soil must be kept moist by slight waterings at the 

 close of the day. 



If we may judge by the stagnation of its vegetation during 

 drought, this plant seems to require irrigation, or watering. The 

 leaves and vines are small considering the size of the roots, and 

 ■will probably allow of close planting, say eight or ten to the 

 square yard. The vines in general, when not propped up, spread 

 over the ground without taking root, intertwining with each other; 

 but do not grow to that length as when propped up by polls or 

 stakes. In one instance, in France, a strong pole about ten feet 

 in height above ground was inserted near one of these plants, 

 which wound itself r<?gularly around it and soon overreached its 

 top. This yam requires no cultivation other than that of eradi- 

 cating the weeds, as the operation of earthing up is regarded as 

 quite superfluous. 



What may be the result of meteorological influences on this 



