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delicate flavor, the tender crispness , and the pleasant 
aroma of the cooked shoots, make this one of the most 
appetizing and keenly relished of dishes. 
"It may be interesting to those growing oriental 
bamboo to know that in 1917 bamboo shoots were exported 
from the Island of Formosa to places other than the 
Empire of Japan to the amount of 563,397 kin (751,196 
lbs.)' These were exported principally to China. While 
edible bamboo shoots are used both fresh and canned, 
they are also dried. This of f ice has not yet had oppor- 
tunity, however, to experiment with the dried product. 
The following statement in regard to dried bamboo 
shoots was received May 24, 1919, from Mr. G. Takata, 
director , Department of Productive Industries , Govern- 
ment of Formosa. 
Method of Preparing Dried Bamboo Shoots. 
"In the months of June and July, bamboo shoots or 
'Asa take,' as they are locally called, are collected 
as they grow up to the length of 3 or 4 feet; and the 
tough portion of their bases and the soft portion of 
their upper parts are removed. Then the bamboo shoots 
are peeled off, cut into slender shreds [thin slices?] 
measuring 3 inches long and 2 inches thick [wide?] and 
then they are boiled in iron pans and when they are 
adequately boiled, they are put into a large barrel 
with the boiled water removed. These shreds [slices] 
are placed under moderate weight for usually two weeks 
so that the water contained therein is completely 
forced out. Finally they are dried in the sun until 
they are ready for eating. At the time of boiling the 
bamboos or putting them into a barrel, no kind of medi- 
cine [preservative?] or seasoning is added. Sliced 
and cut bamboo shoots mean bamboos that are cut into 
finer threads [narrower slices?] measuring 2 or 3 inches 
long. Sliced bamboo shoots are in the same manner 
prepared of the upper part only of the bamboo shoots. 
Method of Dressing Dried Bamboo Shoots. 
"Dried bamboo shoots taste bitter and emit some 
smell and have, therefore, to be adequately seasoned 
aft«r they have been thoroughly boiled in hot water. 
Usually dried bamboo shoots are throughly boiled with 
lard or prepared with vegetables, mushrooms, etc., in 
salted broth. 
