The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-02-21
TOPICS FOR FARMERS.

The Chinese Yam.-Mr. William Cru
zan, of Hamilton County, Indiana, says
that the Chinese Yam possesses merits
that should commend it to the agrieul-
tural classes of the United States, yet
there are many who don't even know
that it is grown in this country, although
it is more than twenty years since its
introduction here, from China. The
difficulty all new beginners have to con-
tend with in the culture of this esculent,
is proper understanding of its wants.
l have grown them for twelve or fifteen
years, and will give the readers of the
paper the benefit of my experience:
In the first place, select soil that is
moderately dry, deep, and rich, and pre-
pare it by spading or plowing deeply;
then plant the tubers eight inches apart
each way. They will need to be culti-
waited few times the first year, to keep
weeds down and soil loose. After the
first year, keep the weeds hoed off or
moved down, as you prefer. The Vans
are perfectly hardy, standing in the
ground all winter and growing again
when spring comes, increasing in size for
number of years. They increase
naturally from the small tubers that
grow on the vines just above each leaf.
These should be saved in the fall, and
kept during winter where they will not
freeze, as freezing Injuries their growth,
and planted in the spring as soon as the
ground gets warm.
As to the product per acre, in the
best of soil, with three years growth
and tubers planted eight inches apart
each way, we could safely calculate on
getting six and quarter tons of Yams
per acre. Some may think this large
! yield, but I believe it is not as large as
l should put it, and think it is not an
overestimate. / have only cultivated
them on small scale, but have come to
| the above conclusion with regard to their
productiveness. A few years ago, was
digging in an old bed of them where
they had been left to grow for several
years, and such sight! The ground
was literally full of roots, measuring
one and half to two feet in length, and
one and half to two inches in diameter
at the largest end, and this, too, where
the soil was not more than eight or ten
inches deep.
They grow in perpendicular position
with the large end downwards. The
vines are ornamental, having heart
shaped leaves edged with scarlet, and
are very pretty. A few tubers planted
near a door or window, and the vines
trained over and about it, make an orna
ment worthy the admiration of all. The
flowers are numerous and have CHINA
mon fragrance, but the vines do moi
bloom until the roots are two years old
In garden culture I let the vines run OF
the ground, except those I wish to save
tubers from for seed. These set stakes
or poles to, as l think by this method
the tubers are produced in greater abun
dance and of large size.
There is scarcely any difference per
ceptible to the taste between the Chimes
Yam, when properly cooked, and th'
Irish potato, although the Yam is mucf
whittier and somewhat finer grained.
Mr.. M. Fl. Rose, of Dorchester County
Maryland, in a communication to me
says in reference tie the Chinese Yam
"f have been cultivating it for abou
seven years, and every year I prize i
more and more. They are pure whit
when cooked, and are dry and mealy
, We cook them either by baking or bill
ing. After this year I shall cease t
i cultivate the Irish potato"
! Mr.. Petit, of Porter County, Indiana
. says, 81 have often eaten them in dill
ferent parts of the world, but did no
i know they could be grown in this par
: of the country, and often wished I coul
= have some of them when potatoes wer
scarce"
They have no insect enemy, an
drought affects them but very little
e as they root SO deeply. There is no ne
+ cessity for their being dug at any tim
= of the year, except when wanted for in
: mediate use. They are suitable fo
J. cooking any time in the year. PEI
r son can plant enough at one planting
e do his family for years, each year bring
q ing him larger Yams. 1 consider thel
/ safer to depend on than the Irish potato
+ which has its enemies and is so sensitiy
a to little freeze.
: I believe their proper cultivatio
= would be attended with success an.
= where in the United States. If tt
q masses of the people better understoo
o their nature, and were better acquainte
s with their many fine qualities, the
would be more generally grown. ]
q conclusion will say that they are tt
+ most profitable crop that cultivate.