AERACACHA. 



147 



a light, tolercibly fertile soil with a good clay subsoil. Like 

 clover, it possesses a long tap-root which extends deep 

 into the earth, drawing thence the fertilizing properties 

 which are beyond the reach of many of our cultivated 

 crops. The soil should be deep and mellow and well 

 broken up, so as to be ready for planting soon after the 

 heavy frosts are over. The last of March or the first of 

 April is a suitable time. 



For field culture, they may be planted in the pod, two 

 in the hill ; but for the garden should be shelled. It is 

 best to drop about four in a hill on the level ground ; the 

 rows being laid off three and a half feet wide and the hills 

 two feet asunder; cover them two or three inches. 



When they come up, thin them to two in a hill and, if 

 there be any vacancy, transplant. It is better to plant 

 them level than on ridges, as they are less liable to suffer 

 from drought. As they continue growing all the season, 

 it is well to get them started as early as the season will 

 permit. The only after-culture they require is to keep 

 the ground clear and mellow, and a slight hilling up when 

 they are laid by. They will produce from twenty-five to 

 seventy or eighty bushels per acre, according to soil and 

 culture, and are as easily cultivated as corn. 



Arracacha Esculenta. 



This is an umbelliferous plant, a native of Columbia, 

 the root of which has been compared to the potato in ex- 

 cellence and even supposed by some, likely to supersede 

 it. Its main root divides into several large prongs. It 

 considerably resembles celery in the appearance of its 

 leaves, and belongs to the same natural family. Its root 

 is light, starchy, and wholesome, and to those accustomed 

 to it, agreeable. It is said to thrive best in the elevated 

 mountain regions where the medium temperature does not 



