Okra, or Gumbo

Ocra. Hibiscus esculentus.

Okra is a half-hardy annual, from Central America. Stem simple, sometimes branched at the top, and from two to six feet in height, according to the variety; the leaves are large, palmate, deep-green; the flowers are large, five-petaled, yellowish on the border, purple at the centre; the seed-pods are angular, or grooved, more or less sharply pointed, an inch or an inch and a half in diameter at the base, and from four to eight inches in length; the seeds are large, round-kidney-shaped, of a greenish-drab color, black or dark-brown at the eye, and retain their power of germination five years.

Soil, Sowing, and Cultivation.—Okra may be raised in any common garden soil, and is propagated by seeds sown in April or May. The Dwarf varieties may be grown in rows two feet apart, and a foot from each other in the rows; but the taller sorts require a space of at least three feet between the rows, and nearly two feet from plant to plant in the rows. Keep the soil about the plants loose and open; and, in the process of cultivation, earth up the stems slightly in the manner of earthing pease. The pods will be fit for use in August and September.

It requires a long, warm season; and is most productive when started in a hot-bed, and grown in a warm, sheltered situation.

Use.—The green pods are used while quite young, sliced in soups and similar dishes, to which they impart a thick, viscous, or gummy consistency. Thus served, they are esteemed not only healthful, but very nutritious.

The ripe seeds, roasted and ground, furnish a palatable substitute for coffee.

Varieties.—

Buist's Dwarf Okra. Count. Gent.

A variety recently introduced by Mr. Robert Buist, of Philadelphia. Height two feet; being about half that of the old variety. Its superiority consists in its greater productiveness, and the little space required for its development; while the fruit is of larger size and superior quality. It is said to produce pods at every joint.

Dwarf Okra.

Stem two feet and a half high, sometimes branched at the top, but generally undivided; leaves large, and, as in all varieties, five-lobed; flowers yellow, purple at the centre; pods erect, obtusely pointed, nearly as large in diameter as those of the Giant, but generally about five inches in length.

It is the earliest of the Okras, and the best variety for cultivation in the Northern and Eastern States.

Between this and the Tall, or Giant, there are numerous sub-varieties; the result both of cultivation and climate. The Tall sorts become dwarfish and earlier if long cultivated at the North; and the Dwarfs, on the contrary, increase in height, and grow later, if long grown in tropical climates.

The seeds of all the sorts are similar in size, form, and color.

Pendent-Podded.

The plants of this variety differ slightly, if at all, from those of the Common or Dwarf Okra. It is principally, if not solely, distinguished by the pendulous or drooping character of its pods; those of all other sorts being erect.

Tall or Giant Okra.

White-podded.

Stem five to six feet in height; pods erect, sharply tapering to a point, eight to ten inches in length, and about an inch and a half in diameter near the stem or at the broadest part.

With the exception of its larger size, it is similar to the Dwarf; and, if long cultivated under the influence of short and cool seasons, would probably prove identical.

It yields abundantly, but is best adapted to the climate of the Middle and Southern States.