Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1897-09-03
EDIBLE WEEDS.
The Dcpnrtemnt of Agriculture Tells
Many That May BE Eaten.

AInny That May he Eaten.
The department of agriculture be-
lieves that in the plant life of this con-
tincnt may be found many additions TO
our dietary. Frederick V. Coyille,
botanist of the department, has spent
considerable effort to examine many of
the plants now classed as "wecds" (which
are capable of sustaining vitality in
man. He takes the position that
''wder use of green vegetables in the
dietaries of most people, particularly
those with healthy digestions, would be
o marked benefit"
Chemistry has demonstrated largely
the substances which the human sys-
tenn needs, and Dotanist Coville finds
the essentials present in great many
plants, some of which are nowhere con-
sidered as effective food for man, and
some of which have only local use az
human food.
Mr.. Colville points out that wild herb
ivorous animals feed on the fats and
carbohydrates stored up in plant seeds
in the fall. They fatten on this diet and
gather in bodily fuel for the winter.
Having exhausted their supply of fat
by spring, they make green herbage
their principal food. This renews their
muscular vigor and vitality. This die
,ary system prevails among savage peo-
pies, and is largely followed by the In
dians of the western states. Mans food
has grown more artificial with the adj
vance of civilization, until, as Botanist
Coville says, floods are now selected
more by custom than by instinct" The
European races are more given to eat
ing salads and boiled green vegetables
than the people of the United States are.
The greater part of the plant food con-
sumed by Americans is made up of
seeds, roots and tubers. 1t is because
Of this that the people of this country
are bilious.
The first weed which Botanist Coville
would have us eat Is charlock. This
plant grows as n weed from New Eng
land to the Pacific coast, and is con-
sidered n troublesome weed in the
wheat districts of Wisconsin, Minnesota
and North Dakota. 1t is closely related
to black mustard, another familiar
weed. Charlock is known in New York
state as wild mustard" and is consd-
cred poisonous. Charlock was COM
mon pot herb in northern Europe CEN
turies ago, but 1t has not been recog-
nized as food for man in the new world.
The leaves of the chicory plant are
also good to eat, and in some ncighbor-
| hoods are thus utilized. 1t occurs as
weed in the Atlantic and Pacific states,
and here and there in the interior. It's
leaves grow in the form of n rosette,
after the fashion of the dandelion. Yell
| low rocket is weed common through
eat. 1t is closely allied to the winter
cress, which Is used as a winter salad
and pot herb in Washington and Balti-
more.
The dandelion Is q weed which has al
ready gained considerable favor as II
food in the United States, though it Is
not grown for market. 1t is very COM
mon throughout the United States, ex-
cept in the extreme south and west of
the great plains, though it has rooted
itself In certain parts of Washington
ind California. The truckers around
Paris have been cultivating the dande-
lion for many years with good results
and have developed several horticul-
tural varieties. There it is used largely
as a salad, the plants being eaten green
or blanched.
The department of agriculture calls
especial attention to the dock, two
species of which, the broad-leafed and
the curled, occur as common weeds in
meadows, pastures and cultivated fields.
Several species Of dock are use widely
us n pot herb in Europe. Dock was used
extensively by two tribes Of American
Indians, the Pimas and the Maricopas
Dock grows In the arid regions Of Ari-
zona, New Mexico and Texas, where
succulent vegetation is rare.
Lambs quarters, or pigweed or goose
foot is weed which belongs to the same
plant family as the beet and spinach,
and ought to be used as table vegc-
table. 1t is cultivated in Europe, and
is very common throughout the United
States.
Marsh marigold, or "cowslip," is ma.
tive plant of North America. 1t grows
IN swamp land all over the northern
part Of the United States and British
America. 1t has q local use as po,
herb, but its value in this respect is not
generally appreciated. Pigweed occurs
in many fields all over this country, but
the average American does not know it's
value as food plant. 1t is eaten by the
Indians Of the southwest and by the
people of Mexico. In some parts of Cal
ifornia 1t is cultivated by the Chinese
Pokeweed is used locally in some parts
of the south, but its more general use
would be gratifying to the economic
botanists of the department of agricul
ture. The French people have intro
duced this plant into their country ano
esteem 1t highly.
The department thinks it probable
that common nettle, millsweed an(
round-loafed mallow will come to be re
garded as good food.
The suggestions made by the depart
ment may be offensive to some people
but then 1t wasn't SO very long agt
when the tomato or "love APPLE wa,
thought to be poisonous, when the GU
cumber was looked upon as fata
dose, and when people of the north wer,
prcjudiced against the banana.--Wash
ipgton Times.
Incnndescent Lights and the Eyes.
The mantle Of the Auer incandescen
light is made of a network of rare OK
ides. These, on being heated In tn,
Bunsen flame, emit brilliant whit
light. 1t is claimed that no injury t,
the optic nerve has as yet been caused