Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-02-21
THE CHUFA.

j. y. DICKERT, NJ. -.
THE CHUFA.
After having satisfactorily experimental
with the chufa, I found that it was the most
valuable and profitable crop the Southern
farmers could plant for raising and fattening
stock and especially hogs-and in or
der to induce them to test its value, and with
view to the benefit of the country generally,
l wrote an article, on the subject, for the New
berr, Herald, part of which was copied in
the YoRKv1LLE ENQUIRER of January 3lst,
and from the wide circulation thus given it, l
am daily receiving orders with inquiries as
to when to plant, how to plant, soil best suit.
ed, mode of cultivation, &c.
As have not time to answer each one sep
arately and individually, beg space in the
columns of the ENQUIRER, to give the desired
information to all.
The chufa is native of Europe especial
ly Russia and Turkey. 1t grows spontane-
ously, and the inhabitants have no fears of
famine, as they use it as substitute for the
''staff of lfe." 1t is also used in making
beverage, by bruising or MASKING it, and add
ing water, which extracts a milky fluid of
creamy consistence. 1t is then allowed to fer
ment, and is drank and relshed as much as
the Germans do lager beer. 1t is very nutri-
tious, and will lsustaiu life, strength and health
for any length of time. 1t makes those who
drink it, very fat and Aeshy; in fact, pro-
duces corpulency.
The nuts, or more properly, tubers, vary in
size, according to the fertility of the land. On
good suitable soil, they grow as large as
chestnut, and even larger. On poor soil,
they are, of course, smaller. AS the tubers
do not rot in the ground during winter, they
can be planted at any time, but will not ger
inmate until warm weather comes. The prop
er time for planting is the latter part of
March or the first of April. They can be
planted as late as June or July and make
full crop. They will grow and produce
profitable crop on any soil and under any
condition or circumstances, but light sandy
soil produces the best results. 1t is said by
others that they will grow proftably on land
that will not make cow-peas; and while |
believe this to be true, I know that the better
the land the more profitable they are.
am satisfied that on any land that we
would cultivate at all, at least 80 bushels per
acre can be made, and on better land from
one to two, and even four to FIVE hundred
bushels can be raised. l read an article, a
few days ago, from noted and highly res
pected Western farmer, who has had 20 years
experience with them. He says he raised as
high as FIVE hundred bushels per acre, and
he believed still better results could be OBJ.
taioed. This seems incredible, yet I believe
it can be done.
To obtain the best results, the land should
be we'll prepared and contain good supply
of vegetable matter or humus. Lay off the
rows 23 to 8 feet apart, (according to fertili-
ty,) and bed up the same as for cotton. Open
the bed with scooter and drop one tuber
every IL to 1S inches apart. Cover with
double foot or two small furrows, (board will
do, but hardly covers deep enough.)
Nothing further need be done until the
grass begins to grow too thick. Then run
around and hoe, and one more blowing will
generally be sufficient, as the chufas will soon
begin to tiller, or branch out, so thick that
the grass will not do much damage.
The tubers should be soaked in warm water
five or six days before planting in order to
facilitate termination. When the plant first
comes up, it looks like sprig of coarse swamp
grass. The stems will begin shooting up, and
continue until thousand or more will come
from one tuber. 1t will make bunch as
large around as half bushel measure, and
grow about two to three feet high. Each
bunch will have mass of small ad.like
roots, matted tightly together, upon which
the tubers form quart, half gallon or peck
to the hill. They grow very shallow Just
under the surface you can take hold of
the top and lift the entire mass of roots and
tubers out of the ground. They grow so shall
low that they certainly extract very little
substance from the soil. Drought seems not
to affect them in the least. 1t is very hardy,
and when you pull bunch up it is a long
time before it willis or dies. think, from its
immense number of small matted roots, it
would be of great benefit to the soil to plant
on hill.sides to prevent washing.
The tops can be cut during the latter part
of the summer, and they make excellent food
for horses and cattle. Cutting does not in
lure the tubers on the contrary, | think it
an advantage, as it causes them to grow larg-
er and mature better.
One of the great advantages of the chufa
is, that the nuts will lie in the ground all
winter in a sound condition, and by having
l;r,ront tobos Dloptad man can have