GARDENS. 281 



Asparagus. — Can not be cultivated in Guam. Asa substitute the young shoots 

 of Chenopodium album and of Amarantkus viridis are eaten. 



Beans. — Lima beans will grow, but they do not thrive well. Introduced 

 varieties should be planted at the beginning of the dry season. The purple- 

 flowered Dolichos lablab grows in nearly every garden, together with an interest- 

 ing bean called " seguidillas " (Botor tetragonoloba), the pods of which are winged 

 with four longitudinal frills and are eaten when green. They are tender and 

 succulent and are free from stringiness. Another bean, Vigna sinensis, which 

 furnishes long, succulent pods, is found growing in nearly every garden. The 

 pods are quite tender when young and are cooked like string beans. The mature 

 seeds are edible, but are inferior to those of the common phaseolus, or French 

 bean, which is also sometimes cultivated on the island. The yam-bean, Cacara 

 erosa, a plant of Mexican origin, is cultivated chiefly for the sake of its sweetish, 

 turnip-like roots, which may be eaten either raw, made into salad, cooked as a 

 vegetable, or grated and made into puddings. For list of bean species see Beans. 



Beets. — The climate of Guam is too moist and warm to be favorable to beet culture. 

 They can, however, be grown. It is recommended to plant the seed in pans and 

 transplant them into beds when the plants have four leaves. They should be 

 planted at the beginning of the cold season. There are several distinct types. 

 One, with the root of a whitish color and cylindrical form, is called "acelga." 

 Another, of a deep red color and turnip-shaped, or fusiform, is called "remo- 

 lacha." The tops may be eaten as a pot herb. 



Cabbage. — Can not be cultivated. As a substitute several kinds of mustard are 

 now grown from seed from Japan brought to Guam by the little schooners of the 

 Japanese commercial company which has established a store at Agana. All 

 attempts to grow cauliflower have proven failures. Georgia collards are recom- 

 mended. Tender seedlings of crucifers are subject to the attacks of termites and 

 other insects. Attempts should be made to grow them in pans supported on 

 benches with their legs standing in water. When they have four or six leaves 

 they can be transplanted. 



Carrots. — Attempts to cultivate carrots have failed. 



Celery. — Will not grow. 



Chick peas. — Grow well. 



Cress. — There is a species of Nasturtium or Cardamine which grows spontane- 

 ously. It has the taste of the common watercress and makes an excellent salad. 

 Peppergrass (Lepidium sativum) may be cultivated. The seed should be sown 

 at the end of the rainy season in shallow pans filled with good light soil. 



Cucumbers. — A variety of Cucumis sativus grows spontaneously in w T aste places. 

 The natives usually eat it cooked. Attempts to grow plants from American seed 

 have proved failures. They germinate, but soon sicken and die. Introduced 

 seed should be planted at the beginning of the dry season. 



Eggplant. — This is one of the most important garden vegetables of Guam. The 

 fruit is large, of a dark purple color, and of excellent quality. The plants grow 

 vigorously and with little care, almost like the common Datura. It is usually 

 prepared for the table by stuffing it with chopped meat and roasting it. It is 

 called by its Spanish name "berenhena." 



Garlic. — Grown with difficulty and only in small quantities. 



Grams or " Monggos." — Grow well. They form the principal pulse-crop of the 

 natives. 



Grapes. — Only a few vines grow on the island. It would be well to introduce 

 varieties from the low regions of Peru and Mexico. 



Ground Cherry. — Physalis angulata grows spontaneously; the fruit is eaten 

 uncooked as a salad or in the form of sweet preserves. 



Horse-radish. — Will not grow. 



Lentils. Do not thrive. 



Lettuce. — Grown with great difficulty. Seed subject to the attacks of insects. 

 Should be sown in pans and transplanted when four leaves have developed. See 

 Lactuca sativa. 



Melons. — A melon of quality inferior to our own grows spontaneously on the 

 island. Seeds of canteloupes or muskmelons brought from the United States 

 germinated, but the fruit did not reach maturity. To insure the best results 

 they should be planted late in the dry season and watered. 



Mustard. — Brassica juncea, or Indian mustard, is cultivated in Guam and has 

 escaped in many places. The young leaves are used for "golae," or greens, and 

 take the place of spinach and cabbage. They are also good for salad. Large- 

 leaved varieties from Japanese seed are grown by some of the natives. The 

 leaves are not amplexicaul, the lower ones are stalked and often lyrate or pinna- 



