THE FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES OF AMERICA TEXT

Stalk six feet or more in height; ears five or six inches long, an inch and a half in diameter, somewhat conical, broadest at the base, and tapering to the top, which is often more or less sharply pointed; the cob is white; the kernels are long and slender, angular, sharply pointed at the outward extremity, as well as to some extent at the opposite, and extremely hard and flinty. They are not formed at right angles on the cob, as in most varieties of corn, but point upward, and rest in an imbricated manner, one over the other. The variety is hardy and prolific; and, though not late, should have the benefit of the whole season. For parching, it is inferior to the Common Parching Corn before described, though it yields as much bulk in proportion to the size of the kernel, and is equally as white: but the sharp points often remain sound; and it is, consequently, less crisp and tender. RICE (YELLOW KERNEL). Another sub-variety of the White Rice; the ear and kernel being of the same form and size. It is equally productive, and matures as early; but, when parched, is inferior to the White both in crispness and flavor. STOWELL'S EVERGREEN. Stowell's Evergreen Sweet. Stalk from six to seven feet in height, and of average diameter; ears of a conical form, six or seven inches long, and two inches and a quarter in diameter at the base; kernels long or deep, pure white when suitable for boiling, of a dull, yellowish-white, and much shrivelled when ripe; cob white, and, in consequence of the depth of the kernels, small in comparison to the diameter of the ear. The variety is intermediate in its season; and, if planted at the same time with Darling's or equally early kinds, will keep the table supplied till October. It is hardy and productive, very tender and sugary, and, as implied by the name, remains a long period in a fresh condition, and suitable for boiling. TUSCARORA. Turkey Wheat. Plant five to six feet in height, moderately strong and vigorous; ears eight-rowed, and of remarkable size,--exceeding, in this respect, almost every sort used for the table in the green state. In good soil, they are often a foot and upwards in length, and from two inches and three-fourths to three inches in diameter at the base. The kernel, which is much larger than that of any other table variety, is pure white, rounded, flattened, and, when divided in the direction of its width, apparently filled with fine flour of snowy whiteness; the cob is red, and of medium size. In point of maturity, the Tuscarora is an intermediate variety. In its green state, it is of fair quality, and considered a valuable sort by those to whom the sweetness of the sugar varieties is objectionable. In their ripened state, the kernels, to a great extent, retain their fresh and full appearance, not shrivelling in the manner of the sugar sort, though almost invariably indented at the ends like some of the Southern Horse-toothed field varieties. When ground in the ripe state, it is much less farinaceous and valuable for cooking or feeding stock than the fine, white, floury appearance of the kernel, when cut or broken, would seem to indicate. TWELVE-ROWED SWEET. A large, comparatively late variety. Stalk seven feet high; the ears are from ten to fourteen rowed, seven to nine inches long, often two inches and a half in diameter in the green state, and taper slightly towards the top, which is bluntly rounded; cob white; the kernels are large, round or circular, sometimes tooth-shaped, pure white when suitable for the table, dull white and shrivelled when ripe. The variety is hardy, yields a certain crop, and is sweet, tender, and of good quality. It is the parent of one or two varieties of superior size and excellence, to which it is now gradually giving place. _Field Varieties._-- CANADA YELLOW. Early Canada. Ear small, about seven inches in length, symmetrical, broadest at the base, and tapering to the tip, uniformly eight-rowed, in four double rows; kernel roundish, smooth, and of a rich, glossy, orange-yellow color; cob small, white; stalk four to five feet high, slender; the leaves are not abundant, and the ears, of which the plant very rarely produces more than two, near the ground. On account of the small size of the ear, the yield per acre is much less than that of almost any other field variety; twenty-five or thirty bushels being an average crop. The dwarfish character of the plants, however, admits of close culture,--three feet in one direction by two or two and a half in the opposite,--affording ample space for their full development; four plants being allowed to a hill. Its chief merit is its early maturity. In ordinary seasons, the crop will be fully ripened in August. If cultivated for a series of years in the Eastern or Middle States, or in a latitude much warmer than that of the Canadas, the plant increases in size, the ears and kernels grow larger, and it is slower in coming to maturity. DUTTON. Early Dutton. Ears nine or ten inches long, broadest at the base, tapering slightly towards the tip, ten or twelve rowed, and rarely found with the broad clefts or longitudinal spaces which often mark the divisions into double rows in the eight-rowed varieties,--the outline being almost invariably smooth and regular; kernel as broad as deep, smooth, and of a rich, clear, glossy, yellow color; cob comparatively large, white; stalk of medium height and strength, producing one or two ears. One of the handsomest of the field varieties, nearly as early as the King Philip, and remarkable for the uniformly perfect manner in which, in good seasons, the ears are tipped, or filled out. In point of productiveness, it compares favorably with the common New-England Eight-rowed; the yield per acre varying from fifty to seventy bushels, according to soil, culture, and season. Much prized for mealing, both on account of its quality, and its peculiar, bright, rich color. In cultivation, the hills are made three feet and a half apart in each direction, and five or six plants allowed to a hill. HILL. Whitman. Whitman's Improved. Webster. Smutty White. Old-Colony Premium. Stalk six feet or more in height, moderately strong at the ground, but comparatively slender above the ear; foliage not abundant; the ears are produced low on the stalk, often in pairs, are uniformly eight-rowed, well filled at the tips, and, when fully grown, ten or eleven inches in length; cob white, and comparatively small; kernel dusky, transparent-white, large and broad, but not deep. The Hill Corn is nearly of the season of the Common New-England Eight-rowed, and is unquestionably the most productive of all field varieties. In Plymouth County, Mass., numerous crops have been raised of a hundred and fifteen bushels and upwards to the acre; and, in two instances, the product exceeded a hundred and forty. This extraordinary yield is in a degree attributable to the small size of the plant, and the relative large size of the ear. The largest crops were obtained by planting three kernels together, in rows three feet asunder, and from fifteen to eighteen inches apart in the rows. No variety is better adapted for cultivation for farm consumption; but for market, whether in the kernel or in the form of meal, its dull, white color is unattractive, and it commands a less price than the yellow descriptions. From the most reliable authority, the variety was originated by Mr. Leonard Hill, of East Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Mass.; and was introduced to public notice in 1825-6. Though at present almost universally known as the "Whitman," it appears to have been originally recognized as the "Hill;" and, of the numerous names by which it has since been called, this is unquestionably the only true and legitimate one. ILLINOIS YELLOW. Western Yellow. Stalk ten feet or more high; foliage abundant; ears high on the stalk, single or in pairs, twelve to sixteen rowed, eleven to thirteen inches long, broadest at the base, and tapering gradually towards the tip, which is bluntly rounded; kernel bright-yellow, long and narrow, or tooth-formed, paler at the outer end, but not indented; cob white. The variety ripens perfectly in the Middle States, but is not suited to the climate of New England. ILLINOIS WHITE. Western White. Similar in its general character to the Illinois Yellow. Kernel rice-white; cob generally white, but sometimes red. KING PHILIP, OR BROWN. Improved King Philip. Ears ten to twelve inches in length, uniformly eight-rowed when the variety is pure or unmixed; kernel copper-red, rather large, somewhat broader than deep, smooth and glossy; cob comparatively small, pinkish-white; stalk six feet in height, producing one or two ears, about two feet and a half from the ground. In warm seasons, it is sometimes fully ripened in ninety days from the time of planting; and may be considered as a week or ten days earlier than the Common New-England Eight-rowed, of which it is apparently an improved variety. Very productive, and recommended as one of the best field sorts now in cultivation. In good soil and favorable seasons, the yield per acre is from seventy-five to ninety bushels; although crops are recorded of a hundred and ten, and even of a hundred and twenty bushels. As grown in different localities, and even in the product of the same field, there is often a marked variation in the depth of color, arising either from the selection of paler seed, or from the natural tendency of the variety toward the clear yellow of the New-England Eight-rowed. A change of color from yellowish-red to paler red or yellow should be regarded as indicative of degeneracy. Said to have originated on one of the islands in Lake Winnipiseogee, N.H. NEW-ENGLAND EIGHT-ROWED. Stalk six or seven feet high, producing one or two ears, which are from ten to eleven inches long, and uniformly eight-rowed; kernel broader than deep, bright-yellow, smooth and glossy; cob comparatively small, white. The variety is generally grown in hills three feet and a half apart in each direction, and five or six plants allowed to a hill; the yield varying from fifty to seventy bushels to the acre, according to season, soil, and cultivation. It is a few days later than the King Philip, but ripens perfectly in the Middle States and throughout New England; except, perhaps, at the extreme northern boundary, where the Canada Yellow would probably succeed better. It often occurs with a profuse intermixture of red, sometimes streaked and spotted, sometimes copper-red, like the King Philip, and occasionally of a rich, bright, clear blood-red. As the presence of this color impairs its value for marketing, and particularly for mealing, more care should be exercised in the selection of ears for seed; and this, continued for a few seasons, will restore it to the clear yellow of the Dutton or Early Canada. Many local sub-varieties occur, the result of selection and cultivation, differing in the size and form of the ear; size, form, and color of the kernel; and also in the season of maturity. The Dutton, Early Canada, King Philip, and numerous other less important sorts, are but improved forms of the New-England Eight-rowed. PARKER. A variety remarkable for the extraordinary size of the ears, which, if well grown, often measure thirteen or fourteen inches in length: they are comparatively slender, and uniformly eight-rowed. Cob white and slim; kernels bright-yellow, rounded, broader than deep. Productive, but some days later than the Common New-England Eight-rowed. WHITE HORSE-TOOTH. Southern White. Stalk twelve feet or more in height, with large, luxuriant foliage; ears single, often in pairs, short and very thick, sixteen to twenty-two rowed; kernel remarkably large, milk-white, wedge-formed, indented at the outer end; cob red. YELLOW HORSE-TOOTH. Southern Yellow. Plant similar to that of the White Horse-tooth; kernel very large, bright-yellow, indented; cob red. Extensively cultivated throughout the Southern States, but not adapted to the climate of the Middle or Northern. * * * * * EGG-PLANT. Solanum melongena. The Egg-plant is a native of Africa, and is also indigenous to Tropical America. It is a tender annual, with an erect, branching stem, and oblong, bluish-green, powdered leaves. The flowers are one-petaled, purple, and produced on short stems in the axils of the branches; the fruit is often somewhat oblong, but exceedingly variable in form, size, and color; the seeds are small, yellowish, reniform, flattened, and retain their germinative properties seven years. _Soil._--The Egg-plant will thrive well in any good garden soil, but should have the benefit of a sheltered situation. _Sowing and Culture._--The seed should be sown in a hot-bed in March, at the time and in the manner of sowing tomato seed. The young plants are, however, more tender; and should not be allowed to get chilled, as they recover from its effects very slowly. The plant being decidedly tropical in character, the seedlings should not be transplanted into the open ground until the commencement of summer weather; when they may be set out in rows two feet apart, and two feet asunder in the rows. Keep the ground free from weeds, earth up the plants a little in the process of cultivation, and by the last of August, or beginning of September, abundance of fruit will be produced for the table. If no hot-bed is at hand, sufficient seedling plants for a small garden may be easily raised by sowing a few seeds in March in common flower-pots, and placing them in the sunny window of the sitting-room or kitchen. In favorable seasons, a crop may be obtained by sowing the seeds in May in the open ground, and transplanting the seedlings, when two or three inches high, in a warm and sheltered situation. _Use._--"It is used both boiled and stewed in sauces like the Tomato. A favorite method among the French is to scoop out the seeds, fill up the cavity with sweet herbs, and fry the fruit whole."--_M'Int._ A common method of cooking and serving is as follows: Cut the fruit in slices half an inch thick; press out as much of the juice as possible, and parboil; after which, fry the slices in batter, or in fresh butter in which grated bread has been mixed; season with pepper, salt, and sweet herbs, to suit; or, if preferred, the slices may be broiled as steaks or chops. _Varieties._-- AMERICAN LARGE PURPLE. [Illustration: American Large Purple Egg-plant.] Fruit remarkably large,--often measuring eight inches in depth, seven inches in diameter, and weighing four or five pounds; skin deep-purple, with occasional stripes of green about the stem; plant hardy and stocky. The American Large Purple is more generally cultivated in this country than any other variety. The plants produce two (and rarely three) fruits; but the first formed are invariably the best developed. It is similar to, if not identical with, the Round Purple of English and French authors. CHINESE LONG WHITE. _Vil._ Quite distinct from the Common White or the Purple. Plant of low growth, with comparatively pale foliage; fruit white, eight or nine inches long, two inches and a half in diameter, and often more or less curved, particularly when the end is in contact with the ground. It is later than the White or Purple varieties, and nearly of the season of the Scarlet-fruited. To obtain the fruit in full perfection, the plants must be started in a hot-bed. GUADALOUPE STRIPED. _Vil._ Fruit nearly ovoid, smaller than the Round or Long Purple; skin white, streaked and variegated with red. LONG PURPLE. _Trans._ The plants of this variety are of the height of the Round Purple, but are subject to some variation in the color of the branches and in the production of spines; flowers large, purple, with a spiny calyx; the fruit is oblong, somewhat club-shaped, six or eight inches in length, sometimes straight, but often slightly bent; at maturity, the skin is generally deep-purple, but the color varies much more than the Large Round; it is sometimes pale-purple, slightly striped, sometimes variegated with longitudinal, yellowish stripes, and always more deeply colored on the exposed side. It is early, of easy culture, hardy and productive, excellent for the table, thrives well in almost any section of the Northern States, and, if started in a hot-bed, would perfect its fruit in the Canadas. NEW-YORK IMPROVED. A sub-variety of the Large Round, producing the same number of fruits, which are generally of a deeper color, and average of larger size. The leaves are often spiny; and, if the variety is genuine, the plants will be readily distinguished from those of the last named by their more dense or compact habit of growth. It is, however, comparatively late, and better suited to the climate of the Middle States than to that of New England; though it is successfully cultivated in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., by starting the plants in a hot-bed, and setting them in a warm and sheltered situation. ROUND PURPLE. _Trans._ Large Round Purple. Plant from two to three feet high, branching, generally tinged with purple, producing two and sometimes three fruits; the leaves are large, downy, oblong, lobed on the borders, with scattered spines on the midribs; flowers large, pale-purple,--the flower-stem and calyx invested with purple spines; the fruit is obovate, four or five inches in diameter, six or seven inches deep, slightly indented at the apex, and of a fine deep-purple when well matured,--specimens sometimes occur slightly striped or rayed with yellowish-green. The American Large Purple, if not the same, is but an improved form of this variety. SCARLET-FRUITED EGG-PLANT. _Hov. Mag._ A highly ornamental variety, introduced from Portugal. The plant attains the height of three feet, with leaves about six inches long. In general appearance, it resembles the Common Egg-plant; but the fruit, which is about the size of a hen's egg, is of a beautiful scarlet. It is rarely if ever used for food, but is principally cultivated for its peculiar, richly colored, and ornamental fruit, which makes a fine garnish. The variety is late, and comparatively tender. The seeds should be started early in a hot-bed, and the plants grown in a warm and sheltered situation. WHITE EGG-PLANT. Fruit milk-white, egg-shaped, varying from three to five inches in length, and from two inches and a half to three inches and a half in diameter. It is the earliest, hardiest, and most productive of all varieties. The plants frequently produce five or six fruits each; but the first formed are generally the largest. If sown in the open ground early in May, the plants will often perfect a portion of their fruit; but they are most productive when started in a hot-bed. The fruit is sometimes eaten cooked in the manner of the Purple varieties, but is less esteemed. * * * * * MARTYNIA. Unicorn Plant. _Gray._ Martynia proboscidea. [Illustration: The Martynia.] A hardy, annual plant, with a strong, branching stem two feet and a half or three feet high. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, entire or undulated, downy, viscous, and of a peculiar, musk-like odor when bruised or roughly handled; the flowers are large, bell-shaped, somewhat two-lipped, dull-white, tinged or spotted with yellow and purple, and produced in long, leafless racemes, or clusters; the seed-pods are green, very downy or hairy, fleshy, oval, an inch and a half in their greatest diameter, and taper to a long, comparatively slender, incurved horn, or beak. The fleshy, succulent character of the pods is of short duration: they soon become fibrous, the elongated beak splits at the point, the two parts diverge, the outer green covering falls off, and the pod becomes black, shrivelled, hard, and woody. The seeds are