VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AXD CULTURE. 323 



wliich will supply a large family. Cut the tops smoothly 

 off near the surface, when wanted, and fresh ones will 

 soon spring up. Chives make a very pretty edging for 

 beds in winter and spring. Renew every four years by 

 taking up and dividing the roots. 



Use, — It is an excellent substitute for young onions in 

 winter and spring salading, and is also used like leeks 

 and onions in seasoning soups, gravies, etc. The leaves, 

 cut up fine and mixed with meal and water, are often fed 

 to young chickens as a preventive of disease. The little 

 bulbs may be taken up and stored, and are a tolerable 

 substitute for small onions. 



CORN, SWEET OR SUGAR.— (Zca maize, var. saccharata.) 



Indian corn, or maize, is a native plant, found dis- 

 distributed in all the milder climates of America at its 

 discovery. There are six varieties or classes recognized 

 as belonging to the genus Zea, viz.: Sweet corn (me- 

 charata), Flint corn (indurata), Pop (everta), Dent corn 

 (indentata), Soft corn (amylacea), Husk corn (vaginata). 



The cultivation of the sweet corn is not common in the 

 South, for the reason that it is difficult to secure satisfac- 

 tory crops with seeds obtained from the Northern seed- 

 men. The boll-worm is also found to be very destructive 

 to sweet corn, more so than it is with the field varieties 

 of corn. If, however, seeds are carefully selected from 

 the crops of two or three years' successive growths much 

 more satisfactory results may be expected, from the fact 

 that the plant becomes acclimated by this series of culti- 

 vation and selection. The best garden varieties of sweet 

 corn are as follows: 



Crosby's Extra Early. — The ears are rather small, 

 but this is a productive variety; rich, sugary flavor; a 

 dwarf form requiring a rich soil. This is one of the old 

 standard varieties. 



