December 20 ,1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
587 
Sophora japonica, Cerasus sinensis, Halesia tetraptera, and many 
more of exotic parentage which might adorn our London open 
spaces.—J. R. S. C. 
A NEW VEGETABLE. 
attention was called in France to a new vegetable, 
which had been introduced from Japan under the name of Chiro-Gi. 
It was shown at a meeting of the 
National Horticultural Society of 
France by M. Chappelier, and several 
writers in French periodicals de¬ 
scribed it as of a very promising 
character. The botanical name 
under which it first appeared in 
publications ivas Stachys affinis, but 
the authorities have since decided 
that it is distinct from the species 
named, and the appropriate title of 
Stachys tuberifera is now adopted. 
In France the popular name of 
“ Crosnes ” has become current ; in 
England the name “ Spirals ’’ has 
been suggested as suitable, and now 
it is catalogued as “ the Chinese 
Artichoke,” though Japanese would 
perhaps have been more suitable. 
Specimens were exhibited in 
December, 1887, before the Fruit 
Committee of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society, by Mr. A. G. 
Hookings, gardener to Sir H. 
Thompson, Moulsey, who has grown 
it successfully, but it was regarded 
as little more than a curiosity. 
Since then it has been tried in the 
Chiswick Garden, where it has 
grown and increased with surprising 
rapidity, and though the tubers are 
small they afford ample compensa¬ 
tion for this in their numbers. The 
plant is of bushy habit, a foot or 
more in height, with spreading fibrous 
roots, bearing the pe uliar little 
tubers, somewhat spiral-like at first 
glance, but really formed of a series 
of fleshy rings, largest in the centre, 
and gradually decreasing to the 
extremities. They differ much in 
size, ranging from 1 to 3 inches in 
length, and averaging about half an 
inch in diameter, of a consistency 
resembling Jerusalem Artichokes, 
and it is said they are principally 
composed of inulin, the starch sub¬ 
stitute found in the latter vegetable, 
though some have stated that in 
analysis they give 20 per cent, of 
starch. 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High 
Holborn, exhibited tubers at a meet¬ 
ing of the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Fruit Committee, on No¬ 
vember 13th this year, when the 
specimens were cooked and tried by 
the Committee, with the result that 
they were considered very satisfac¬ 
tory, and a first class certificate was 
awarded. Consequently the en¬ 
larged and handsome catalogue or 
Yade Mecum of the firm named for 
the year 1889, which is just issued, 
announces the plant for distribution 
as “ a new vegetable,” and gives an 
illustration, which we have been 
kindly permitted to reproduce in 
fig. 64. "With this as with other 
vegetables much depends upon the 
way it is cooked and prepared for 
table. Boiling, steaming, and roasting are recommended, and 
serving with melted butter ; no doubt, however, several modes 
of preparation will be devised by skilful cooks. 
This Stachys is of easy cultivation and ready increase, having 
proved hardy both in France and this country. A rather finely 
FIG. 61.-CHIRO-GT. 
pulverised fairly rich soil is desirable, in which the roots should 1 
be planted a foot apart in rows about double that distance asunder. 
One important point must be borne in mind—namely, that the- 
tubers do not keep well after they are lifted, so that if removed 
from the ground they should be stored in some slightly moist 
material. 
An analysis of the tubers of this plant is given at page 562 of 
this issue. 
NOTES FROM A HERTS GARDEN. 
Orchids. —We do not attempt the culture of these plants beyond" a. 
few in an ordinary stove, in which respect we are in the same category 
with many others, who admire Orchids yet cannot devote a house or 
houses solely to them ; and though we may not obtain : such a 
wealth of flowers as some, yet there is satisfaction in being able to- 
grow and enjoy the quaint beauty of these most interesting plants m 
ordinary structures. Although houses specially fitted up for Orchid, 
culture may be desirable, yet the fact remains that many of the most 
beautiful, free growing, and fioriferous, and most generally useful 
varieties do equally well, and in some instances better, in an ordinary 
stove, intermediate house, and greenhouse. Indeed, Orchids are as easy 
to grow as hard wooded plants ; all that is wanted is a knowledge of their 
requirements applied with care and attention. Houses of Odonto- 
glossums, of Cattleyas, Vandas, or Dendrobiums and Cypripediums are 
certainly attractive, but they lose more than half their charms by lac-k 
of suitable association. Have by all means houses to grow the plants 
in, but to display them place them where they will best enhance the 
interest and enjoyment of the spectator. 
In December we have Cvpripedium insigne and C. venustum in 
flower, which tell well amongst Adiantums, small Palms, and small 
Dracaenas, of the highly coloured varieties, raised plants of Calantbe 
vestita are graceful, also some Asparagus tenuissimus and A. plumosus 
nanus, against which is Calanthe Veitchi, with its bright rose flowers 
and tall gracefully arching spike; a plant of Oncidium flexuosum 
majus, with a panicle 4 feet high, bearing hundreds of flowers, yellow 
spotted with brown, whilst the air is filled with the “ sweetness ” of' 
Zygopetalum Mackayi. All these are common, and are consequently 
within the reach of everybody. 
Hellebores. —The Christmas Roses have been with us since 
November. Helleborus niger maximus was the first to appear, its large 
white buds tinged with pink being very pretty ; H. altifolius is similar 
if not identical ; Id. niger angustifolius has numerous flowers, large, 
and pure white ; II. niger is also coming very strongly, and has abun¬ 
dant buds that will be expanded before the festive season ; H. atroru- 
bens is also in flower ; its rich reddish purple flowers borne abundantly,, 
contrast finely with the dwarfer form and white flowers of H. niger. 
Habrothamnus elegans. —Every greenhouse and conservatory 
should have a plant of this, which is good either as a pillar or roof 
plant, and is good also for walls, but it is necessary that it have plenty 
of light. Grown in a pot it is fine for decorative purposes, flowering-in 
late summer and autumn when flowers are not too plentiful. It is 
readily increased by cuttings of the half-ripened shoots in July or 
August, in a close frame either with or without heat, but they root 
sooner with gentle bottom heat. Repot the plants as the roots extend, 
not giving large shifts, bat keep the plants near the glass to insure 
sturdy thoroughly solidified growth. Pinch back the growth to a few 
joints of its base by early February so as to induce a bushy growth, and 
give the largest pots when the plants have made a few inches of growth, 
affording liquid manure after the pots are filled with roots. After 
flowering let them rest awhile, cut the shoots back to two or three 
joints from the old wood in January, turn them out and remove about 
a third of the ball when the plants have made an inch or two of fresh 
growth, and return to the same size of pot, in which they may flower, 
feeding after che fresh roots have possession of the soil, or they may be 
shifted into larger pots. Fine plants may be grown in 9 and 10-inch 
pots. Good loam, with a little leaf soil or well-decayed manure suits 
these plants, good drainage being essential. The plants must not be 
watered until it is necessary, but when needed a thorough supply should 
be afforded. 
Planted out in a border of good loam enriched with leaf soil or well- 
decayed manure and efficiently drained, it grows freely and makes a fine 
specimen for a wall not shaded, a pillar, or a short roof, planting firmly, 
as upon the sturdiness of its growth depends the density of its cymes 
and substance of the flowers. In a loose and siliceous soil it grows 
freely enough, but the cymes are small and the flowers poor as com¬ 
pared with those of plants grown in a rather strong and firm soil. It 
may be mulched with short manure or be given surface dress'rgs of 
