Tuber magnatum.

This species is the most celebrated of all the truffles, and always commands an enormous price. It occurs abundantly in the mountains of Piedmont, and probably nowhere else.

TUBER MELANOSPORUM. _Thomp._

This is the Truffle of the Paris markets. It is richly scented, and also greatly superior in flavor to the common sorts.

Other genera and species of Fungi are considered harmless, and are occasionally used for food. Some of the edible kinds, however, in size, form, color, and organization, so closely approach certain poisonous or deleterious species, as to confuse even the most experienced student.

None of the family (not excepting even the common cultivated Mushroom) should therefore be gathered for use, except by those who may possess a thorough knowledge of the various species and their properties.

CHAPTER XII.

MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES.

Alkekengi, or Ground Cherry. Corn. Egg-plant. Martynia. Oil Radish.

Okra, or Gumbo. Pepper. Rhubarb, or Pie-plant. Sunflower. Tobacco.

Tomato.

ALKEKENGI.

Strawberry Tomato. Winter Cherry. Ground Cherry. Barbadoes Gooseberry.

Physalis edulis.

A hardy annual plant from Central or Tropical America. Stem angular, very much branched, but not erect,--in good soils, attaining a length or height of more than three feet; leaves large, triangular; flowers solitary, yellow, spotted or marked with purple, and about half an inch in diameter; fruit rounded or obtuse-heart-shaped, half an inch in diameter, yellow, and semi-transparent at maturity, enclosed in a peculiar thin, membranous, inflated, angular calyx, or covering, which is of a pale-green color while the fruit is forming, but at maturity changes to a dusky-white or reddish-drab. The pedicel, or fruit-stem, is weak and slender; and most of the berries fall spontaneously to the ground at the time of ripening.

The seeds are small, yellow, lens-shaped, and retain their germinative properties three years.

The plants are exceedingly prolific, and will thrive in almost any description of soil. Sow at the same time, and thin or transplant to the same distance, as practised in the cultivation of the Tomato. On land where it has been grown, it springs up spontaneously in great abundance, and often becomes troublesome in the garden.

_Use._--The fruit has a juicy pulp, and, when first tasted, a pleasant, strawberry-like flavor, with a certain degree of sweetness and acidity intermixed. The after-taste is, however, much less agreeable, and is similar to that of the Common Tomato.

By many the fruit is much esteemed, and is served in its natural state at the table as a dessert. With the addition of lemon-juice, it is sometimes preserved in the manner of the plum, as well as stewed and served like cranberries.

If kept from the action of frost, the fruit retains its natural freshness till March or April.

PURPLE ALKEKENGI.

Purple Ground Cherry. Purple Strawberry Tomato. Purple Winter Cherry.

Physalis sp.

This species grows naturally and abundantly in some of the Western States. The fruit is roundish, somewhat depressed, about an inch in diameter, of a deep purple color, and enclosed in the membranous covering peculiar to the genus.

Compared with the preceding species, the fruit is more acid, less perfumed, and not so palatable in its crude state, but by many considered superior for preserving. The plant is less p.u.b.escent, but has much the same habit, and is cultivated in the same manner.

TALL ALKEKENGI.

Tall Ground Cherry. Tall Strawberry Tomato. Physalis p.u.b.escens.

Stem about four feet high, erect and branching; leaves oval, somewhat triangular, soft and velvety; flowers yellow, spotted with deep purple; fruit yellow, of the size of the Common Yellow Alkekengi, enclosed in an angular, inflated calyx, and scarcely distinguishable from the last named.

It is grown from seeds, which are sown like those of the Tomato. It is later, and much less prolific, than the species first described.

CORN.

Zea mays.

_Garden and Table Varieties._--

ADAMS'S EARLY WHITE.

A distinct and well-marked table variety. Ears seven to eight inches in length, two inches in diameter, twelve or fourteen rowed, and rather abruptly contracted at the tips; kernel white, rounded, somewhat deeper than broad, and indented at the exterior end, which is whiter and less transparent than the interior or opposite extremity. The depth and solidity of the kernel give great comparative weight to the ear; and, as the cob is of small size, the proportion of product is unusually large.

In its general appearance, the ear is not unlike some descriptions of Southern or Western field-corn; from which, aside from its smaller dimensions, it would hardly be distinguishable. In quality, it cannot be considered equal to some of the shrivelled-kernelled, sweet descriptions, but will prove acceptable to those to whom the peculiar, sugary character of these may be objectionable. Though later than the Jefferson or Darlings, it is comparatively early, and may be cla.s.sed as a good garden variety.

Much grown for early use and the market in the Middle States, but less generally known or cultivated in New England.

BLACK SWEET.

Slate Sweet.

Plant, in height and general habit, similar to Darling's Early; ears six to eight inches in length, uniformly eight-rowed; kernels roundish, flattened, deep slate-color, much shrivelled at maturity. Early.

The variety is sweet, tender, and well flavored; remains a long period in condition for use; and, aside from its peculiar color (which by some is considered objectionable), is well worthy of cultivation.

BURR'S IMPROVED.

Burr's Sweet.

An improved variety of the Twelve-rowed Sweet. The ears are from twelve to sixteen rowed, rarely eighteen, and, in good soils and seasons, often measure eight or ten inches in length, nearly three inches in diameter, and weigh, when in condition for the table, from eighteen to twenty-two ounces; cob white; kernel rounded, flattened, pure white at first, or while suitable for use,--becoming wrinkled, and changing to dull, yellowish, semi-transparent white, when ripe.

The variety is hardy and productive; and, though not early, usually perfects its crop. For use in its green state, plantings may be made to the 20th of June.

The kernel is tender, remarkably sugary, hardens slowly, is thin-skinned, and generally considered much superior to the Common Twelve-rowed.

It is always dried or ripened for seed with much difficulty; often moulding or decaying before the glazing or hardening of the kernel takes place. If the crop is sufficiently advanced as not to be injured by freezing, it will ripen and dry off best upon the stalks in the open ground; but if in the milk, or still soft and tender at the approach of freezing weather, it should be gathered and suspended, after being husked, in a dry and airy room or building, taking care to keep the ears entirely separate from each other.