Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1916-01-15

unpopular. Perhaps the disagreeable
odor of its gloxinialike flowers, and
the peculiar shape of the hairy seed
pods that succeed them, had something
to do with its disfavor.
The latter are responsible for two
other designations of this vegetable
curiosity, for In England where it is
grown extensively it is known as the
unicorn plant, and in Mexico, where it
grows wild, it is called the devils
finger nails.
The pods are produced in great
abundance and should be gathered
when less than half grown, as they are
worthless after the hardening of their
substance. They are picked in vine
gar like cucumbers and are very USE
full in putting up mixed pickles. The
plants require considerable warmth,
therefore the seed should not be sown
until the trees are out in full leaf.
in full leaf.
They are planted in rows or hills
three feet apart each way and should
be thinned out thoroughly, as they re-
quire considerable space. 1t is good
plan to SOW the seed in hotbed and
transfer the young plants to the gar
den in the latter part Of April or as
soon as the weather is settled.
I have always obtained favorable
results from the English marrow. This
vegetable belongs to the gourd tribe,
and deserves to be better known in
this country, for it is excellent for GU
linary purposes.
1t was first brought to England from
Persia in the year 1919. Although
rather succulent, 1t has fine, mellow
flavor, and is especially delicious when
prepared like squash.
Brussels sprouts are without excep
ton the best winter vegetable that can
be grown. | have picked them, the
sprouts, l mean, as late as November.
The real sprout Is not much larger
than a marble, and 1t Is as firm and
hard almost as the stalk itself. The
seed is sown In May in the same man.
ner as caulifower, and transplanted In
July. one foot apart in the rows, which
should be one and half feet apart
Pe-tsai, a variety of cabbage, is
native of China, and has only been
known as a culinary vegetable in Eu-
rope since 1887.
MY experience with it was that II
did not do well in the summer, but at
tanned perfection in the late autumn
months l prefer to sow 1t in May.
Later 1t is transplanted to rows IS
inches apart and foot apart in rows.
It may be used like the common cab
bage or boiled like spinach.
Kohlrabi is great favorite abroad,
and there is no,reason why it should
not be better known here 1t is
sometimes referred to as the turuip-
rooted cabbage, which is apt, as il Is
the cabbage, and combines the flavor
of both. The edible part of this vege-
table is n rnip-shaped bulb formed
by the enlargement of the stem. When
used for the table it should be taken
up very small, as 1t is then very ten
der and delicate. What commends
kohlrabi especially is its hardness and
good keeping qualities, 1t has even
been known to stand severe drought
1t thrives best in light, rich soil, and
should be sown as early as possible.
When well established it is thinned
to six inches apart in the rows. For
winter use 1t may be sown as late
as the second week In July Its cul-
ture differs In no wise from that of
any other vegetable, but care must be
taken not to throw earth into the
heart of the plant when hoeing.