feet high, erect, light green, with a green, succulent pith; leaves
oblong, tapering to the base, the uppermost clasping; the flowers are
small, yellow, in panicles slightly drooping. If sown in April or May,
the plants will ripen their seed in August.

_Sowing and Cultivation._--Sow in a cool frame, in either April or May,
or continuously, for a succession, at intervals during May, and
transplant into the open ground in the usual manner of treating
lettuces; making the rows about eighteen inches apart, and placing the
plants about the same distance apart in the rows. The plants will be fit
for use early in June.

_Use._--The succulent stem is the part used. This is divested of its
outer rind, and either simply boiled, with a little salt in the water,
and dressed as asparagus, or stewed in soy, with salt, pepper, and
butter added, or boiled in soup as okra. It is a very agreeable and
pleasant addition to the list of vegetable esculents, and worthy of
trial.

The plant is very little cultivated; and there are no described
varieties.

* * * * *

PERENNIAL PHYTOLACCA.

Garget. Poke. Pigeon Berry. Phytolacca decandra.

A hardy, herbaceous, perennial plant, common by roadsides, in waste
places, and springing up spontaneously on newly burned pine-lands. It
has a branching, purplish stem, five to seven feet in height; and large,
oval, pointed, entire leaves. The flowers are produced in July and
August, in long clusters; and are of a dull-white color. The fruit
consists of a flat, purple, juicy berry; and is sometimes used for
dyeing purple.

_Soil and Culture._--It will thrive in almost any soil or situation; and
can be easily propagated from seed, or by dividing the roots. The plant
requires little cultivation, and is so abundant in many localities as to
afford an ample supply for the mere labor of gathering.

_Use._--The young shoots are eaten early in the season, as a substitute
for asparagus, which they resemble in taste. When treated in the manner
of sea-kale, the flavor of the sprouts is scarcely distinguishable from
that of asparagus. The root has reputed important medicinal properties;
and, when taken internally, acts as a violent emetic.

ANNUAL PHYTOLACCA.

Phytolacca esculenta.

An annual species, with foliage similar to the foregoing. It is much
less vigorous and stocky in habit. The seed should be sown in April, in
drills fifteen inches apart. The young shoots, or