The National tribune., 1899-10-12
NEW VEGETABLES DISCOVERED.
Discoveries of an Agricultural Department
Expert in Europe.

The officials of the Department of Agri-
culture are highly pleased with the results
obtained by the special agents who have
been studying the seeds and plants of foreign
countries with view of introducing them
into the United States.
Walter G. Swingle, of TIE Division of
Botany, has returned from n visit to Mediter-
ranean countries, where he studied the agri-
culture of Southern Europe and of Northern
Africa, and gained much valuable inforina-
ton. He came across a number of new
vegetables. Of these he SAYS:
The croSne or StachyS is a Chinese and
japanese vegetable. 1t has white tubers
two to four inches long and the size of ones
finger, but looking like a crowded string of
large beads. They were imported into
France, where their value was discovered
by the late N. Paillieux, q gentleman of
leisure, who devoted his grounds at CrOSne
near PARIS, to the culture of strange ard
new vegetables from all parts OF the world
He was so pleased with this one that Ee
did everything possible to bring it into no.
tee. After several years he succeeded and
the vegetable is now well known in Paris
1t is called crosne, after the name of \. .
PaillleuXs place. Boiled or fried ard
served with meat it is delicious The plant
is hardy and grows in all soils, yielding as
much as five tons to the acre. Two other
tuberS Of delicate flavor much esteemed in
Paris, are the tuberous rooted cherville and
tuherous rooted nasturtium Uhe mayna of
Chile).
in the Mediterranean countries much
service is made of the vegetable marrow,
OF which many species are known. 1t is
sort of squash. and is eaten before fully
ripe, when il much resembles a large green
cucumber. Cooked and served with meat
it is excellent. and no food is considered
more easily Gigosted. Many varieties are
known in Italy, Greece and Turkey, as
well as in Germany and England. Among
other vegetables of great merit might be
mentioned two species of asparagus, new
10 America. One Of these came from Al
geria, and the other, from Naples, called as
paraEus kale, is said 10 he the most de-
licious of the cabbage family The lettuces
of Italy and Turkey are exceptionally fine"
Mr. Swinglc also brought specimens of
the pistacl c nut, which he thinks likely will
prove of great value 10 Ca.~ornia and Ar-
Zona. Large quantities Of these nuts are
imported for Use in flavoring ice cream, etc
Another novelty obtained by tire Depart
ment is a large-fruited, ever bearing straw
berry, which has been brought out in
France within recent Years. Lovers of
cantelOGpes viii be interested in TIE intro
duCtion of TIE Kirk Agache muskmelon.
which has q great reputation for flavor and
sweetness in the country around Smyrna.
Speaking of TIE artichoke. Mr.. Swingle
says: This vegetable is highly priced by
rich and poor alike in Europe, and is cul-
tivated extensively in France and Italy.
The New York market is now supplied from
France and Italy, Naples being a heavy
exporter. The Department will endeavor
TO extend their cultivation i'll the Southern
States, and it is thought demand will
arise as soon as the qualities of the tuber
are known to the DpODle generally"