Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1914-03-19
prepared by the United States Depart

prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture
The newly introduced vegetable, the
dasheen, which resembles the potato
and is a peculiarly suitable crop for
our Southern states. has been expert
mented with by scientists of the de.
partment Of agriculture, who now give
the details of special way in which
it may be forced By forcing and
blanching the shoots of this tuber
crop (which ordinarily is grown like
the potato) the scientists have OBJ
tanned new tender delicacy for the
table which may be used much like
asparagus, while its flavor is suggest
i've of mushrooms.
Several ways of forcing and blanch-
ing the shoots of this vegetable have
been tried and satisfactory shoots have
been grown in all these ways. In one
of the experiments blanching was ac-
complished by keeping the shoots Gov
cred with sand In other experiments
by the department, frame covered
with several thicknesses of burlap was
used The boxes in which these exper-
iments were carried on were placed
in a greenhouse on a bench that was
supplied with bottom heat.
Where the production of shoots on
large scale is desired other methods
are more suitable. These are de-
scribed in a circular just issued by the
office OF foreign seed and plant intro
duction, entitled "The Forcing and
Blanching of Dasheen Shoots" The
office will supply the bulletin to any
one that requests it. Requests should
be addressed to the United States de-
partment of agriculture. Washington,
D. c.
The new circular gives number OF
Illustrations, one of which shows a |
bed of dasheens in a greenhouse at
Battle Creek, Mich. There is board
covering shown in the course OF con-
struction which is for the purpose OF
blanching the shoots. This is prac-
tically light-proof and should have
sides from IS to "a inches high. The
temperature inside this should be
about 10 degrees F. The soil Tor sandl
should be a little warmer, say 80 de-
grees. To obtain this temperature 1t
is best to partially inclose the space
beneath the bed.
To obtain the shoots, corms of the
dasheen, weighing two to three pounds
or more, are planted in fairly warm
Mace in very moist sand or sandy soil.
"Corm" Is the term used to describe
the bulb-like root of the plant as
"tuber" is used to describe that of the
rotato A half-and-half mixture OF sand
and ordinary potting soil has given
GOOD results. The corms are just COW
cred the terminal bud being at the
surface. Provision must be made for
koening the shoots in total darkness
from, the time they begin to grow. Wa
for should be supplied often enough to
Lean the sand or soil continuously
moist.
The first crop of shoots is usually
ready for cutting in 80 to 40 days after
From six to ten cuttings
ran be made at intervals OF 10 to IA y
1ovs depending upon temperature and
+he size of the corms used The shoots
, 70 cut close to the CORN. and as far
nc practicable, before the leaves be
pin TO expand. They will then usually
bo eight to sixteen inches long. t
After the corms become exhausted,
which is indicated by the weak growth
n the shoots, they are discarded. o
Ont of doors in a warm region, as
n Florida, the corms may be planted
n rows in sandy soil and the shoots
,lanched by ridging the soil as growth c
Instead OF ridging the soil,
,oards may be used, as in blanching =
celery. but the shoots must not at any D
,tage of their growth be exposed to c
ight for any considerable length OF a
ime.
The shoots have been found to keep
veil for several days IL in a cool, dry
lace. AS they are very succulent,
however. It is better that the period o.
4 storage be very limited-not over IL
wo to four days when avoidable. A n
title ventilation Is necessary, but as "
he shoots soon wilt IL evaporation is b.
90 rapid paraffined paper should be bi
sed In wrapping and slight opening ei
eft m
Sometimes. when the shoots are to Ell
e kept for only a day or two before h,