Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-10-19

been produced, besides from to 4 tons of tops.
The information thus elicited serves to guide
our farmers in the selection of seeds of the hest
varieties for their localities. s-r .r.. SO =
A few years ago. on it's introduction. the cul-
ture OF the Chufa" was urged upon the pub
lic The resemblance Of this tuber to the well
known nut grass caused its extirpation, in many
instances, as soon as it had appeared above
ground. The representations Of those who
acted upon impulse in defiance of the assurances
OF this office, were sufficient to deter many
others from making a fair experiment with this
crop. Time, however, is disspating the error
and prejudices which have stood in the way,
ana the Chuta is becoming generally acknowl-
edged as an important acquisition to the conn
try. "We know it," says the Alabama Cotton
Planter, to be the most valuable crop for fat
tening hogs that can be grown We last wear
put lot OF half-starved hogs upon an acre of
IL, and We have never seen animals improve so
last. The chickens also forsook the home lot
Tor the Chufa-patch, and fattened faster than
we nad ever known them to do on corn, and
the flavor OF their flesh was delicious We took
the hogs on in early spring, and now Tin early
summer) find splendid stand of Chufas on the
same ground. And the Planter, which has
always been free to acknowledge the success of
the Efforts arising from the appropriations by
Government, concludes by saying: 1--WE look
upon 1t as the greatest acquisition introduced
by the Patent Office" Tie prejudice alread Y
alluded to, and which through want of informa-
.lon mas been industriously propagated even by
influential writers should explain the tardiness
OF this crop in winning its way to public favor:
but IT Is now established and will don ubtless
nencetorward be reckOned an important ele
ment In our agricultural wealth. 1t may not
be we'll to attempt an estimate of its present
worth; but could this be accurately made, il
mlgnthot De extrayagant to place it as another
more than sufficient Offset to the entire annual
outlay by Government for agricultural pur-
poses.
The " Malaga Sweet Potato, introduced
from the south of Spain the past winter, is pros
pering in the Southern and Middle States. IT
Is not only a most productive and delicious es-
culent, but retains its soundness and sweetness
throughout the winter and spring, more effect
ually than any other variety.
Many new and improved varieties of culi-
nary vegetables and ornamental flowers have
been disseminated throughout the country. es
peclally In the Western and newly settled dis.
tricts, where most of them had previously been
but little known; and it is gratifying circum-
stance that the success and appreciation of
them have served to excite a new and general
interest in their culture, and to create a de-
mand which has induced the establishment of
hundreds OF stores for the sale of seeds imported
direct from the same sources in Europe whence
those dispensed ty this Office were obtained.
The value of tho " Market-garden Products
of the United States in 1850, was reported in the
Census OF that year at 81, $50 ,03O A percept-
ible and marked improvement has been effect
cd in many Of these products by the introduc
ton OF approved varieties of peas beans, rad
ishes, beets, carrots, parsnips, onions, locks.
celery, cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, kale,
lettuce, asparagus, melons, cucumbers. egg.
plants, tomatoes, &c, and it is believed that
this improvement is fully equal to 25 per cent.
OF the aggregate value already quoted, or
81 ,320, ,007 per annum.
The remarks here made in relation 10 veoe
tables and flowers are equally true with respect
to fruits. A new impetus has been given to
the culture of these through the same instru-
mentalities, aided by the pictorial illustrations
accompanying the instructions and recommend
atiOns contained in the Reports of the Patent
Office on Agriculture. Cuttings and crafts of
American and foreign origin have been care
fully distributed, and great benefits have been
realized in many localities in the apple, pear.
prune and other fruit crops.
The importations of the product of the vine
in 1857 were as follows
,