THE EDIBLE WILD ROOTS OF THE FARM 63 
So, if we go out to examine the plants producing nature’s 
root crops, we shall find them a mixed lot of solanums, 
legumes, aroids, etc., growing in all kinds of situations, wet 
and dry, in sun and in shade, and producing food reserves 
that have little in common either in character or in content. 
Study 7. Wild Root Crops of the Farm 
This study will consist in an examination of the edible 
and the poisonous roots found growing wild on the farm. 
Such exotics as parsnip, carrot and chicory will oe found 
growing as weeds in the field. The native root crops will 
have to be sought in the woods and thickets and in swampy 
places. 
The equipment needed will be a knife, a bag and a stout 
digging tool of some sort. 
The program of work will consist of a trip to selected places 
where the wild roots may be foundin abundance, the examina- 
tion of them one by one as to all their parts, measuring of the 
roots, slicing of them, tasting of them, testing of them, etc., 
and recording their characters. ' 
The record will consist of: 
x. A table prepared with headings as indicated on pages 
64 and 6s and carefully filled out for about a dozen species. 
2. Simple sectional diagrams representing the structure of 
(1) some wild tuber; (2) a scaly bulb; (3) a solid bulb or 
corm; (4) a fleshy rhizome; and (5) a true fleshy root. 
Fic. 87. Apios Tuberosa. (Drawn by C. P. Alexander) 
