293 



UNITED STATES. 



These plants resemble each other, except that cd- 

 does are smaller, more acrid, and require longer 

 boiling than tanniers. 



They are planted in South Carolina, in the latter 

 end of March, in small beds, or hills, three or four 

 feet apart; the leaves are very large, from eighteen 

 inches to two feet long, and from twelve to fifteen 

 inches wide. For seed-plants, the small fruit of the 

 last year, or the larger fruit, cut in two, is planted* 

 During the growth the earth is drawn up once or 

 twice round the root, and the grass hoed from them; 

 Ihey are dug in before the heavy frosts commence, 

 and put away in cellars, covered with earth and 

 straw, or pine leaves. 



They are excellent when boiled and eaten witk 

 butter like yams. 



A rich mellow soil, inclining to moist, such as is 

 generally found along declivities of land, just before 

 it becomes wet and boggy, answers best for eddoes 

 and tanniers. 



The long moss, so called, ( tillandsea usneascites J 

 is a singular and surprising vegetable production: 

 it grows from the limbs and twigs of all trees in the 

 southern regions, from north lat. 35 deg. down as far 

 as 28 deg. and I believe every where within the tro- 

 pics. Wherever it fixes itself, on a limb or branch, 

 it spreads into short and intricate divarications ; these 

 in time collect sand and dust, wafted by the wind, 

 and which, probably by the moisture it absorbs, soft- 

 ens the bark and sappy part of the tree, about the 

 roots of the plant, and renders it more fit for it to es- 

 tablish itself ; and from this small beginning it en- 



