No. 144.J 605 



product in diflferent climates and seasons cannot at present be de- 

 termined. In the neighborhood of Paris, last year, it made rapid 

 progress; the long vines growing vigorously and putting forth an 

 abunda'ice of leaves. Towards August, many flowers of the male 

 kind appeared, and by the middle of September the vegetation 

 was insensibly checked, assuming a yellow tint, indicating that 

 the period of maturity of the tubers was near at hand, which, 

 however, were not dug before the 6th of November. 



The expense of labor may be more than that of the potato, but 

 it will be amply compensated by the prolific result. To facititate 

 the extraction of the tubers from the earth, it is recommended 

 that they be planted as near a's practicable in bunches, or hills. 



This root, it will be seen, is voluminous, rich in nutritive mat- 

 ter, and can be cooked in every respect like the common potato, 

 and can even be eaten in the raw s'.ate. It also bids fair to be- 

 come a source of as much profit to the cultivator ; richer in fact 

 in nutriment; it is believed to be destined to render even greater 

 service to the vrorld. 



Earth J^lmond, or Chufa^ (Cyperus esculentus,) from the south 

 of Spain. This is a perennial, indigenous to the southern parts 

 of Europe, growing in the form of a rush to the height of about 

 three feet, producing small tubers about the size of an ordinary 

 bean, and are known by the Valencians by the name of "chufas." 

 The tu'jers resemble in taste a delicious chestnut or cocoa nut, and 

 like them, may be eaten raw or cooked. After soaking in water 

 twelve hours, they are eaten as a sauce. They are chiefly em- 

 ployed in Spain for making an orgeat, (orchafa de chufas,) a de- 

 lightful, refreshing drink, much used in Madrid, Valencia, Cuba, 

 and other hot climates where it is known. 



In the middle States, it may be planted in June or July, in 

 bunches, two feet apart each way, ten or twelve tubers in each, 

 about six inches asunder. As soon as the first shoots begin to 

 appear, the ground should be watered, and repeated every ten 

 days, should there be no rain. It may be cultivated at the ex- 

 treme north by starting the tubers in a hot-bed and transplanting 

 into open ground in May. No cultivation is necessary, except 



