Tragopogon porrifolius.

Soil

This should be light and moderately fertile. At the time of sowing trench it, turning in a little manure with the bottom spit only.

Sow in March and April, in an open situation to remain, in shallow drills, nine inches asunder, scatter the seeds thinly, and cover them half an inch deep. When the plants are up two or three inches high, thin and weed them, leaving them ten inches asunder, repeating the weeding as may be required during the summer and during very dry weather, watering occasionally very plentifully, and if half an ounce of guano is added to each gallon of water it will be very beneficial. This is all the culture they require. They will have large roots by September or October; when you may begin taking them up for use; and in November, when the leaves begin to decay, a quantity may be preserved in sand for use in time of severe frost; but those left in the ground will not be injured. In spring, when those remaining in the ground begin to vegetate, the shoots when a few inches high may be cut for use as asparagus, being excellent when quite young and tender. Suffer, however, always a few plants to run up to stalk every spring to produce seed.

The best mode of cooking the roots is to boil and mash them, form them into cakes and fry them in butter. The flavour is that of oyster patties. - Aber-crombie. Horey's Mag.