RJonandria, 
23 
grows to the height of two, and sometimes three 
feet ; it is a native of the East Indies, and is exten- 
sively cultivated in the West Indies, where it is planted 
in March or April, flowers about September, and when 
the stalks have withered about the end of the year, the 
roots are dug up in January and February following. 
The roots of ginger, on account of which it is culti- 
vated, furnish a well known and excellent spice. Two 
kinds are met with in commerce, the black and the 
white ginger. They are the roots of the same plant, 
and differ only in the selection and mode of curing. 
The larger roots are chosen for the white ginger ; and 
each root being washed and scraped separately, is dried 
in the sun. The whole of the remaining roots of the 
crop, after being picked and cleaned, are put into bas- 
kets, dipped into boiling water, and after being scald- 
ed, are dried on a platform, and put up in bags for the 
market, under the name of black ginger. 
The young roots of ginger constitute one of the most 
delicious preserves. When intended for this purpose, 
the roots are dug up while they are tender and full of 
sap, carefully picked and washed, and after being scrap- 
ed and peeled, they are put into jars, and covered with 
syrup, which is sometimes shifted two or three times. 
Ganna. Gen. c/jar.— -Cal. three-leaved ; cor. six- 
parted, erect, with a two- parted, re volute lip ; style 
lance-shaped, adhering to the corolla. 
Can. Indica , common Indian Reed, or Indian Shot ; 
leaves ovate, acuminated, and ribbed ; the first name 
derived from the appearance of its stem and leaves, 
and the second from its hard round seeds, resembling 
lead shot, and employed, it is said, by the Indians for 
C 
