The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-03
The Musa Iinsetc.

"a memorable event in my life, said
William II. Smith, superintendent OF lhe
National Botanic Gardens, 10 star re-
norter. .'was when / was first lntroducei
TO the musa ensete. a plant that deserves
10 be better known I'm this country.
was seated in the parlor OF one OF the
most unique Of American homes, -Hl
Hunneweus. at Wellesley twenty 1--WE
or more years ago. win me were
Wallach. OF Washington, ana Genera
Mchler. engineer IN charge Oh puD"'
buildings and grounds. we were OH d"
n.i, north i'm search OF rare and beauti-
ful plants 10 decorate the ireslueh.
conservatories. 4 messenger had gone 20
find the owner that We might Ntain per
mission TO inspect the rare gems or ma
ulre collected there Ny anxiety for a
close inspection Of the rich mahongany
mid-rib and line contrasting green OF
the naiestlcs leaves amused Mr. hun
newell and ms travelling companions
very much. 10 was growing IN the cool
conservatory adjoining the residence
yili6ed than Bruce. the GruO-st hacks
sion on my mind never 60 be removed.
[ was delighted 10 see in seedman
catalogue that the seeds could be bought
for a penny apiece. thus putting 1t within
the reach of millions, n much 10 be de
sired result rarely considered by the
average ornamental horticulturist or
florist. It's ornamental value may be
eclipsed by it's usefulness as an escu-
lent. and its name to be cabbage oa-
mana" / am the fortunate owner or
rare first edition Of James Bruces traV-
els TO discover the source Of the Nile IN
Egypt. Arabia. Abyssinia and Nuoia'
published in Edinburgh, 1870. No autnor
f4n HfH
vilifed than Bruce; the Grub-st ns
the penny-a-liners. and even Old gruh
but honest Sam Johnson. took hand at
ii. and yet all he wrote with few uH-
important exceptions, has been verihod
bv SUBSEQUENT travellers There are two
plates Of ensete in Volume Y. page .''
accurate and interesting. The followins
extract from the text may lead 10 the
adoption OF new vegetable:
1T IS said that the Gala. when trans
planted into Abysslnia, brought Tot ln,'
particular use the coffee tree ana th1
ensete, the use of neither OF "hlcH ""
before known. However, the seHel'
opinion is that both are naturally pio'
duced In Abyssinia, provided lhelo -
heat and moisture. 10 grows anu ''''
to great perfection in Gondar put ~
most abounds in that part or Mai'So'N
and GOuttO west OF the Me W"et'
are large plantations of IT, ana there a.
most exclusive OF anything else the loou
OF the Gala inhabiting that province,
Maitsha is nearly upon dead ievel, pu'
stagnate and rtevent the sowing OF sfa4H.
Vegetable food would. therefore pe Nsss
scarce In Maitsha were Il ho' 'o' '"''
plant. a.. or,o.o
appars perfect and full OF leaves thc
body of the plant turns hard and Nitrous
and Is no longer eatable; before II Is the
best OF all vegetables
when you make use OF me ense'e
for eating YOU cut It Immediately above
the small detached roots, ana perhaps
a foot or two higher. as the plant Is OF
ace You strip the green from the upper
mart till II becomes white: when sort
ike a turnip well boiled. IT eaten with
milk or butter Il ia the best OF all foods.
nourishing and easily digested
II do not doubt that this plant VII
ere long be cultivated for US usefulness
as an esculent in the south. In the
North its ornamental character needs
ma haonn- Wash nS'~-