248 THE FLORIST AND 



H00 SUNG. 



Mr. Darlington : — Under the above name I have had in cultivation, 

 for a number of years, a vegetable which I consider worthy of being gene- 

 rally cultivated. It was introduced originally from China, and through the 

 kindness of a friend in Illinois, (Dr. Kennicott,) I first received the seed. 

 It was represented to be a delicious substitute for asparagus, but not know- 

 ing the part used as such, I have not, until this season, fully discovered its 

 value. It is a species of lettuce, and while young used in the same way, 

 but its greatest value consists (at least such will be the opinion of all lovers 

 of asparagus,) in being an admirable substitute for that most excellent vege- 

 table when the plants are shooting up, and before it comes into flower ; the 

 stems being very tender, and when from a quarter to half an inch in diam- 

 eter, and eighteen inches to two feet high, may be cut into lengths and 

 cooked in the same manner as asparagus. I will not say that it cannot be 

 distinguished from that vegetable, but I do not consider it quite as delicious, 

 and on the same space of ground where a dozen dishes of asparagus can be 

 cut after three or four years of patient and high cultivation, one hundred 

 may be cut of the Hoo Sung in three or four weeks ! I have a small patch 

 going to seed, which I will distribute to any who wish to make a trial of it, 

 by letting me know their wishes. A pre-paid letter with a stamp, or pre- 

 paid envelope enclosed, will insure a return of the seed. 



J. B. Garber. 



[In Farm Journal. 



WATERING BY TRENCHING AND DRAINING. 



That watering is a very important element in the economy of vegetation, 

 may be readily conceived when it is known to form upwards of one-half of 

 all green vegetable matter, and serves as a medium for the conveyance of 

 all their food. All mineral ingredients that enter into the system of plants, 

 must be in a state of solution, or so minutely divided as to be carried along 

 with water. Even the gaseous elements that enter by the roots, are intro- 

 duced with water, since it is supposed that they cannot enter in the ssriform 

 state. 



In the cultivation of the soil, the most important inquiry is, its relation 

 to water. It is waste both of time and money to attempt improvements on 

 wet lands until they are drained. I am aware that draining is not generally 

 recognized as an indispensable auxiliary to successful cultivation, but it is, 



