The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-11-24

the result.
The ChsSa.
In these days a really valuable adj
dition to the stock of the plants that
are worthy of general attention is
rare. Many so-called new grains,
vegetables, trees, ETC., are regularly |
advertised every year, and pushed in
to unmerited prominence, to be re-
placed in due course by others Of a
like kind. In consequence Of this,
great many farmers have become dis
trusttul Of everything, whether good
or bad, and resolutely abstain from
countenancing or touching anything
that is not established and known.
The middle ground here, as elsewhere,
is best--the man who buys on the re-
commendation of a peddlef or agent
will be duped; and the individual
who is destitute Of all disposition to
investigate and experiment will sure
ly find himself, or be considered, far
behind. The interest in the chufa
plant has been on the increase for at
least a couple of years, and a good
point in its favor is that even now it
increases rather than abates. The de-
maud for the "seed"-as the little tu-
beers formed at the roots and which
constitute the valuable part Of the
plant, are called-will next season
be ahead of the supply, and this in
spite of the fact chufas have been
grown very extensively and in all
parts of the country this year.
The chufa is generally regarded by
those who have seen it as a grass,
though correctly speaking it is a sedge,
and not a true grass. Mr.. Henry I.
Duncan Jr., has been growing the
chufa in his garden at Lexington, KY,
and he has sent us a specimen, root
and ALL" lately taken up very careful
ly, which is hanging up in our office,
so to remain for the edifcation OF our
friends who may call. The foliage Is
about two feet long, and the nuts,
or, more correctly, tubers, are in a
cluster among the fbrous roots. The
chuh is evidently, as Mr.. Duncan
says, very prolific, and it is said to be
excellent for feeding almost every
kind of domestic animal, and is not
such bad fare for even man himself.
Thus far we have not seen anything
in the public prints about the heritage.
1t would be quite important to know
whether cattle, horses, ETC., like oil
dislike it. Can it be made into hay
Our subject is native Of the south
of Europe, and also grows wild in
some parts of Africa. 1t is cultivated
in various parts of the old world
Egypt, Italy. Spain, France, Portu
gal, etc. 1t is not native in North
, America. 1t bears variety OF titles
chufa, earth almond, or, as the French
have it, pomme de terre. In severa
European countries, chufas are us 'c
, as an article of human food, and have
become a considerable item in COM
merce. They possess restorative and
stimulant, Us well as nutritive proper
ties, and contain about l6 per cent o
, oil. The botanists call this plan
! eyperus esculentus.
The cultivation Of the chuia is very
, simple; all that is necessary is to
I plant in rows, after the ground is pre-
I pared, as for any ordinary crop, and
, keep the surface stirred, at regular in
4 tervals, and free from weeds, until 1
, fair start has been obtained aftel
, which the chufas are able take care o
themselves. Some Of those who grow
! this plant for hogs, instead of harvest
, ing after the regular and approves
! methods, let these champion rooter
loose, with liberty to help themselves
Il is only necessary, so those VIII
have tested the matter say, to plan
! chufas once-indeed their ''staying
qualities are such that they are report
, ed very difficult to eradicate. Tn
little tuber, or "seed"-the part, w
1 repeat. used as foods slightly large
r than a good-sized pea. In the Soutl
q the chuia may be planted in shallow
: burrows two feet apart and one foo
y from tuber to tuber, any time from
y December to April.
There are many good points abou
!. this plant to recommend il TO the con
sideralion of the progressive farmer
: also, there are thousands Of farmer
who, TO our certain knowledge, wan
/" the "seeds," and, such being the case
: those who have them for sale will con
u suit their own interest by making tn
fact widely known. Farmers Hom'
y Journal.