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AGRICULTURIST'S MANUAL ;

BEING A FAMILIAR DESCRIPTION OF THE

AGRICULTURAL PLANTS CULTIVATED IN EUROPE,

INCLUDING PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS RESPECTING THOSE SUITED TO THE

CLIMATE OF GREAT BRITAIN;

AND FORMING

A REPORT OF LAWSON'S AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM
IN EDINBURGH.

PETER LAWSON & SON,

SEEDSMEN AND NURSERYMEN TO THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETV
OF SCOTLAND.

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH;

THOMAS CADELL, 141 STRAND, LONDON;

AND W. CURRY JUN. & CO., DUBLIN.

MDCCCXXXVL

rRlNfEU BY NEILL .VND CO. OLV FISHMAKKET. EDINBCUGH.

THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
OF SCOTLAND,

THIS PUBLICATION

IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBKD
BV

THE AUTHORS.

PREFACE.

Feeling a sincere pleasure in promoting whatever appears to
us to have a tendency towards the diffusion of a taste for rural
improvement, and in contributing as far as in our power to give
it a useful direction, we have been induced to lay before the
public a description of the various agricultural plants cultivated
in Europe, and of which specimens may be seen in our collec-
tion. The spirited conduct of our friends, the Messrs Drum-
mond, who had formed an Agricultural collection at Stirling,
suggested to us the advantages likely to be derived from a
similar exhibition in Edinburgh, where it might naturally be
expected to have a much more extended influence. Follow-
ing the laudable example set before us, we accordingly, in the
autumn of 1833, fitted up an Agricultural Museum on our
premises here, judging that by its means we might have
it in our power to present to those honouring us with a
visit, samples of the various improved vegetable productions
connected with agriculture and rural economy, and to bring
under their notice the successful efforts made to facilitate
improvement in these highly important branches of science.
Our endeavours met with more than expected countenance and
support, insomuch that, by the end of the year 1834, we were
enabled, through the medium of the Quarterly Journal of
Agriculture, to lay before the pubHc a report of the state of our
Museum, more ample than at its commencement we could have

VI PREFACE.

anticipated. Encouraged by the increasing number of respect-
able visitors, and the efficient aid of skilful and kind contri-
butors, we determined to persevere in our scheme ; and from
the success which lias attended our labours, we feel justified in
presenting the Report of our Museum this season in form of a
separate publication, being convinced that a descriptive enu-
meration of the various objects which it contains cannot fail to
be of considerable interest to all more directly concerned in the
advancement of agriculture.

To such as are desirous of knowing the peculiar qualities of
the different species and vai'ieties of the agricultural plants cul-
tivated in Europe, or capable of being with advantage introdu-
ced into the field culture of this country, our catalogue may
be confidently recommended, on the ground of its containing
more information on the subject than is to be obtained in con-
nection in any work with which the authors are acquainted.

It had been long believed that too little attention was paid
by farmers to the selection and culture of improved varieties of
plants, and the palm in that respect was generally assigned to
their brethren of the spade, whose pursuits brought the physio-
logy of vegetation more directly under their observation, and
whose success in producing improved varieties of fruits, flowers,
and esculent vegetables had been held forth as an excitement
to emulation. In our report we hope to be able to make it ap-
pear that any ground of charge against farmers for remissness
in this matter no longer exists — and Vv^e sincerely trust that
what has already been achieved will stimulate to redoubled
exertion.

Of the Cereal Grains, we are enabled to exliibit more than
eighty distinct varieties and species of AVheat, many of which
possess superior qualities, so diversified, however, as to afFortl
ample means of selection for sowing on strong or light soils — in

PREFACE, Vll

autumn or spring, on low or elevated situations, while some of
them are suited for greater heights than any at which this
species of grain has hitherto been cultivated in Britain. A great
proportion of these Wheats, as well as the other specimens of
Plants exhibited, have been grown in our own experimental
grounds, and the remarks attached to each kind will enable our
readers to judge of their comparative merits.

Of Barley we are enabled to shew twenty distinct varieties of
various excellence. Of these the Chevalier, Annat, Dunlop, and
Italian, attract merited attention, and lead to the anticipation
of still greater success in the improvement of this species of grain.

Our collection of Oats amounts to thirty-six distinct sorts,
some of which are little known in this country, and affords an
opportunity of comparing the merits of several varieties culti-
vated on the Continent, with those generally cultivated in Bri-
tain. Of Rye, Millet, Maize, and other kinds of grain, there
are also many varieties.

The Leguminous Plants cultivated for their seeds are next
enumerated. Of the more important of these, the Bean, the
Pea, and Kidney-bean, the varieties will be found not less nu-
merous than those of the cereal grasses.

Of the plants cultivated for their Herbage and Forage, and
which are for the most part referred to the three sections of
Gramineous, Leguminous, and Cruciferous, the collection is
pretty extensive, and we are enabled to speak with some confi-
dence of their comparative merits. In this department, how-
ever, we arc sensible that there is still much to learn ; and our
object being to promote the culture of sorts possessing superior
qualities, and to discourage that of worthless kinds, we shall
feel indebted to our practical friends for any useful hints on
the subject, accompanied by specimens. Appended to this sec-
tion will be found an article on the kinds and quantities of

viii PREFACE.

Grass Seeds for sowing down land, in which we have given
tables exhibiting the proportions and mixtures adapted for the
various kinds of husbandry and soil.

The various Plants cultivated for their uses in the Arts and
Manufactures, and for other Economical purposes, also form a
considerable branch in the exhibition. The Esculent Roots,
particularly those of the Potato, Turnip, and Beet, which are
greatly distinguished above the others by their superior utility,
have an imposing appearance in a collection, and will be found
to occupy in our catalogue a space proportioned to their im-
portance. Of the very numerous varieties of the former of these
plants which have been submitted to comparative investigation
by us, we have given a table exhibiting the peculiar merits.
Fifty-one varieties of Turnips are specified, and details are-
given respecting those presented by various individuals to the
Museum.

Arboriculture forms a distinguished feature in the rural im-
provement of the country. In this department, however, Ave
believe there is still much room for exertion ; and to assist us
in our inquiries relative to it, we earnestly solicit the contribu-
tions of such of our friends as have paid attention to this most
important subject. The growth of trees is so variously affected
by soil, climate, and management, that sections of trunks from
different forests or plantations, accompanied by judicious re-
marks, could not fail to afford interesting and useful informa^
tion. The breadth of the annual layers, considered in connexion
with the meteorological phenomena of the corresponding sea-
sons, or as affected on one side of the tree by the size and posi-
tion of the branches or roots ; the commencement and progress
of decay, whether proceeding from the tap-root and affecting
the centre, or from the lateral roots ; and the diseases beginning
near the surface of the tree, while the heart remains sound, af-

PREFACE. IX

ford subjects of observation not less interesting to the physio-
logist than to the forester.

The valuable addition made to the British Arboretum by the
introduction of the larch in the course of the last century, ren-
ders it very probable that many important accessions to our
forest scenery yet remain to be obtained from the natural order
Coniferae. To the introduction and propagation of species of
this tribe our attention has been especially and not unsuccess-
fully directed. The Museum contains living specimens of the
genus Pinus from various parts of the Continents of Europe
and America, and from Nepaul and the Hinnnalayan Moun-
tains, some of which may yet not only rival, but surpass the
larch in the forests of Scotland,

Brief notice is taken of the different Horticultural produc-
tions and models presented to the Museum. In this department,
however, we are especially indebted to the Highland and Agri-
cultural Society of Scotland, for the liberality with which they
have permitted their valuable series of models to be placed for
a limited period in the Museum, to which they have given such
an interest as it could not otherwise have possessed.

The descriptions of the various specimens have been given
with as much conciseness as was judged consistent with perspi-
cuity. Botanical terms are frequently explained in ordinary
language, to render the remarks intelligible to the general
reader ; and observations derived from experience are offered
respecting the culture and uses of the different plants. In short,
as we consider this report to form a standard, to which future
reports, embracing the additions annually made, will be supple-
mentary, we have not spared pains in endeavouring to render it
as complete and useful as possible. For the zeal and ability
with which we have been aided in our endeavours to render
the catalogue worthy of public approbation, we have pleasure

X PREFACE.

in here expressing our obligation to our friend Mr William

GORRIE.

A General Index is subjoined, accompanied by an index of the
names of the Contributors mentioned under the different articles.
To those who have thus generously lent their aid to our under-
taking we tender our best acknowledgments. Should any omis-
sions be here detected, our friends, we are assured, will not at-
tribute them to any want of respect, and we shall not fail to rec-
tify them in our first Supplement.

Edinburgh, 3. Hunter's Souabe,
lOth May 1836.

CONTENTS.

PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR FARINACEOUS SEEDS,
TOGETHER WITH THEIR STRAW OR HAULM.

Page

I. Cereal Grasses, ........ ]

Triticum — Wheat, ........ 1

Secale — Rye, ......... 31

Hordeiim — Barley, ........ 33

Avena — Oat, ......... 43

Danthonia, 64

Phalaris — Canary-grass, ....... 56

Zea — Mays or Indian Corn, ...... 57

Panicum — Millet, ........ 58

Setaria, .......... 58

Sorghum, 60

Oryza — Rice, ......... Gl

II. Leguminous Plants, ........ 62

Faba — Bean, 62

Pisiim — Pea, ......... 69

Phaseolus — Kidney-bean, ...... 85

Dolichos, 93

Ervum — Tare or Lentil, ....... 94

Cicer — Chick Pea, 59

Lathyms — Chickling- Vetch, 96

Vicia — Vetch, ........ 97

Lupinus — Lupine, . 97

III. Buckwheat, ......... 98

IV. Chenopodium, 99

PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR HERBAGE AND FORAGE.

I. Gramineous Herbage and Forage Plants, .... 101

Lolium — Ryegrass, ........ 102

II.

CONTENTS.

Page

Phleurn— Catstail Grass, 113

Alopecurus — Foxtail-grass,

. 116

Arrhenatherum — Tall Oat-grass,

. 116

Dactylis — Cocksfoot-grass,

. 118

Festuca — Fescue-grass,

. 119

Poa — Meadow-grass,

124

Glyceria — Sweet-grass,

. 127

Catabrosa — Whorl-grass,

. 129

Elymus — Lymegrass,

. 130

Ammophila — Sea-reed,

. 132

Agrostis — Bent-grass,

. 132

Avena — Oat-grass,

. 136

Anthoxanthum — Vernal-grass, .

. 137

Cynosurus — Dog's-tail grass.

137

Briza — Quaking-grass,

. 138

Aira — Hair-grass,

. 139

Bromus — Brome-grass,

140

Holcus — Soft-grass,

142

Triticum — Wheat-grass, .

143

Hordeum — Barley-grass, .

144

Melica — Melic-grass,

144

Molinia, ; . . ; .

145

Panicum — Millet-grass,

146

Paspalum, ....

146

Phalaris — Canary-grass,

147

Arundo — Common Reed, .

147

EGUMiNous Herbage and Fokage Plants, .

149

Trifolium — Clover, .....

. 149

Mcdicago — Medick or Lucern,

158

Lotus — Bird's-foot Trefoil,

162

Melilotus — ^Melilot, ....

163

Onobrychis- — Sainfoin,

165

Hedysarum, ....

166

Galega — Goats-rue, .

167

Coronilla — Cro\\Ti Vetch,

167

Anthyllis — Kidney Vetch,

168

Astragalus — Milk Vetch,

168

Vicia — Vetch, ....

169

Lathyrus — Vetchling and Everlasting

Pea,

178

Ervum — Wild Tare,

180

Ulex— Whin, ....

181

Cytisus — Broom,

182

Genista — Greenwced,

183

III.

CONTENTS.

Cruciferous and other Herbage and Forage Plants, not in
eluded in the two foregoing divisions,
Brassica — CabbagC;, .
Bunias — Hill Mustard,
Cichorium — Chiccory or Succory
Lactuca — Lettuce,
Achillea— Milfoil,
Poterium — Burnet,
Symphytum — Comfrey,
Hemerocallis — Day-Hly, .
Apium — Parsley,
Plautago — Plantain,
Spergula — Spurrey, .
Spiraea — Meadowsweet,
Cucurbita — Gourd,
Prangos Pabularia, .

Kinds and Quantities of Grass Seeds for Sowing Down Land,
PLANTS CULTIVATED CHIEFLY FOR THEIR ROOTS

Plants having Tuberous Roots,
Solanum — Potato, ....
Convolvulus — Bindweed,
Helianthus — Sunflower,
Oxalis — Wood-sorrel,
Alstroemeria — Baron Alstrcemer's Lily,
Lathyrus — Vetchling,
Cyperus — Rush, ....

II.

Plants having Thick-fleshy Fusiform Roots,

Brassica — Turnips, &c

Beta — Beet, ......

Daucus — Carrot,

Pastinaca — Parsnip, . . . .

xni

Page

184
184
192
193
196
196
197
197
198
199
200
201
201
202
202

203

213
213
233
233
234
236
236
236

237
237
267
266
269

PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR USES IN THE ARTS,
MANUFACTURES, AND FOR VARIOUS ECONOMICAL
PURPOSES.

1. Plants Yielding Fibre, . 271

Linum — Flax, 271

Cannabis — Hemp, ........ 274

Humulus — Hop, 276

Urtica— Nettle, 276

Phorraium— Flax-Lily, . 277

xiv CONTENTS.

Page

Asclepias — Swallow-wort^ ... . . 277

Apocynum — Dog's-bane,

. 279

Gossypium — Cotton^

, .

. 279

Althaea — Marsh Mallow, .

280

Lavatera — Tree-Mallow, .

280

Sida,

281

Spartium — Spanish Broom,

. 281

II. Plants yielding Oil,

. 283

Brasslca — Rape,

283

Sinapis — Mustard,

. 285

Raphanus — Radish, .

. 286

Camelina — Gold-of-Pleasure,

. 287

Ilespcris — Rocket,

. 288

Linum — Common Flax or Lint,

289

Cannabis — Common Hemp,

290

Papaver — Poppy,

290

Helianthus — Sunflower,

292

Euphorbia — Spurge,

293

Mentha — Mint,

296

Lavandula — Lavender,

. 297

HI. Plants Cultivated for their Coloiking ^Matter or Dyk,

298

I satis — Woad, .

. 299

Reseda — Reseda or Mignonette,

800

Rubia — IMaddcr,

301

Galium — Bcdstraw,

302

Aspcrula — Woodroof,

303

Carthamus — Safflower,

. 304

Crocus, .....

. 305

Rhamnus — Buckthorn,

. 307

Rhus — Sumach,

. 309

Quercus — Oak,

. 310

Lecanora, ....

• 311

IV. Various Plants used in the Arts and Manufactures, not in-
cluded in the tliree last divisions, .... 313
Dipsaeus — Teasel, ........ 313

Salsola— Saltwort or Soda Plant, 314

Plantago — Plantain, ....... 316

Scirpus — Clubrush, ....... 316

Equisetum — Horsetail, . . . . . . .316

V. Plants Cultivated for various Economical Purposes, . 317

Carura — Carawav, ....... 317

CONTENTS.

Page

Coriandrum — Coriander, 318

Cumiiiuin — Cumin, .....

318

Sinapis — Mustard,

319

Cochlearia — Horse-radish,

320

Humulus — Hop,

321

Astragalus — Milk-vetch, ....

322

Nicotiana — Tobacco, ....

324

Liquortia — Liquorice, ....

326

Rheum — Rhubarb,

32G

PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

Pinus— Pine Tree, 327

Abies — Fir Tree, ........ 365

Cedrus — Cedar, ........ 379

Larix— Larch, 382

Cuprcssus — Cypress, 390

Thuja— Arbor Vitse, 393

Araucaria — Southern Pine, ...... 395

Taxus— Yew Tree, 397

Juniperus — Juniper, ....... 399

horticvltxjral productions, ....... 402

Implements and Models, ........ 411

List of Contributors, 414

General Index, ......... 417

AGRICULTURIST'S MANUAL.

PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR FARINACEOUS
SEEDS, TOGETHER WITH THEIR STRAW OR
HAULM.

L CEREAL GRASSES.

( GraniiHea'.)

TRITICUM— WHEAT.

GENEnic CHARACTERS. — Iiiflorescence spiked; glumes tsvo-valved.
equal, or nearly so ; spikelets alternate, two-rowed, many-flowered,
transverse, or placed so that the edges of the florets are towards the
rachis ; jjaleee two, surrounding the seed ; the external or lower one
pointed or awned, and the internal or upper one cleft at the point.

Botanists generally divide the common beardless and bearded
wlieats into two distinct species, terming the former Triticum hylnr-
num or winter wheat, and the latter T. cestivum or summer wheat. But
the propriety of this may well be questioned, more particularly as the
chief distinguishing character between them consists in the varieties
of the former being beardless, or nearly so, while the awns of the lat-
ter are generally two, three, or more inches in length ; and it being an
established fact, that the awns or beards in grasses form by no means a
permanent specific distinction, and that in many cases they do not
even constitute a variety, so much does their presence or absenc^e
depend upon the effects of culture, climate, soil, &c. To the above
some have added, as distinctive characters of the bearded wheats,
that their ears are smaller, spikelets more remote, grains smaller and

2 CEREAL GRASSES.

more elongated ; but even these distinctions, although generally ap-
plicable, are not found to apply with propriety in all cases. But the
principal objection to the names commonly used is, that they make
no proper practical distinction between the two great classes — Win-
ter and Spring Wheats ; for instance, under T. hybernum are in-
cluded several of the earlier, and, without doubt, the best sorts of
spring wheat ; and under T. (estivum are included several bearded
wheats equally hardy, and requiring as long time to arrive at matu-
rity as our common winter sort-.

Taking the above considerations into view, it has, in the present
case, been judged most expedient to include both bearded and beard-
less common wheats under the name of T. sativum (Cultivated Wheat),
as has been done recently by ^ome French authors ; at the same
time making such divisions as are calculated to facilitate the descrip-
tions, and more easily to admit of reference ; not, however, includ-
ing under this name the turgid wheats, and some others which pos-
sess characters sufficiently distinct to admit of their being included
under different species to be afterwards described.

TRITICUM SATIVUM— C0M.MON Cultivated Wheat.
Specific characters — Spike slightly compressed ; spikelets ge-
nerally containing three fertile florets, the under paleae of which have
each a hard bristly point, which in some instances becomes elongated
into an awn ; terminal florets of tiie spikelet barren. Glumes ter-
minated by a rigid point, which is sometimes elongated so as to
resemble a short awn, gibbous or swollen like, contracted at the base,
with a nerve running up the back, which is more distinct toward the
bristled point ; root fibrous. Annual.

* Varieties o/'Triticum s.k-xwmm, generally termed White Beard-
less Wheats, having ichitish coloured ears or spikes, and light
coloured grain or seed ; and which are generally cultivated as
Winter Wheats.

1. Common White Wheat.
This is a name given to whatever white wheat is generally culti-
vated in any district where its culture may not have been super-
seded by one or more of the superior and less mixed varieties. It
is not strictly applicable to any one distinct variety, but rather to an
almost infinite number of varieties of white wheats, not even exclud-
ing: the velvet-eared, and some of the bearded sorts. Its cultivation

WHEAT, 3

is now, however, giving place to varieties less mixed, and Nvhich
produce superior samples.

Specimens in Museum of the common wheat of East Lothian in
grain and straw, weight per bushel 63 lb. ; ditto ditto of the Carse of
Gowrie, weight 63 lb. ; and do. of Morayshire, weight 62^ lb.

2. Hunter's Wheat.

Is so named in compliment to the late Mr Hunter of Tynefield,
East-Lothian, who first discovered it growing in a field on Colding-
ham Muir, Berwickshire. During the last thirty years this sort has
received a very extensive cultivation in the Lothians, and adjacent
districts ; and at present it may be considered the most extensively
cultivated of any genuine or unmixed variety in Scotland. Ear
medium sized, thick, tapering a little towards the point, slightly
pendant or bending to one side ; grain rather large, elongated, ta-
pering very slightly towards the extremity, plump, and of an uniform
dull white or very light brownish colour throughout.

Specimens by Captain Hunter, Tynefield, of crop 1833? weighing
65^ lb. per bushel, grown on the same farm for at least sixty years,
without change of seed; of crop 1834, sown in spring, after tur-
nips, weight 63i lb., produce per imperial acre, 5| quarters ; and
of crop 1835, weighing from 64 to 65| lb. A sample in straw by
the late Rev. William Stark, Dirleton Manse.

Sown at Meadowbank Nursery, 31st October 1834; in ear June
30, and ripe August 24. 1835.

3. MUNGOSWELLS WhEAT.

This variety is the produce of a few ears presenting a superior
appearance, which Mr Patrick Shirreff*, Mungoswells, East-Lothian,
discovered in a field some years since. It is generally accounted a
few days earlier, and tillers more freely in spring than the preceding ;
it is also said by some to be more prolific, but this again is disputed
by others. In sample this sort is so like the preceding as often to
be mistaken by dealers for it, and vice versa.

Samples in grain from Mr Patrick ShirrefF, and in straw by Mr
A. Gorrie, Annat Garden, Carse of Gowrie.

4. UxBRiDGE Wheat.
Is so named from being originally from the neighbourhood of Ox-
bridge, in the county of Middlesex. Ear large, and very compact,

4 CEREAL GRASSES.

tapering very little towards the point, and hanging a good deal to
one side. Grain rather small, short, plump, and of a very white co-
lour, forming altogether a beautiful sample, and is much esteemed by
the London millers, by whom it is preferred to any other variety.

Sample in grain by General Durham of Largo, Fife, weight per
bushel 65 lb. ; and by Messrs Jacob Wrench and Sons, seedsmen,
London. Sample in straw by the late Rev. William Stark, Dirleton
Manse.

From the trials which have been made of the Uxbridge wheat in
this country, it appears to be perfectly suited to our climate, very
prolific, and deserving of attention from cultivators. It maybe con-
sidered two or three days later in ripening than the last mentioned
variety.

5. Chiddam Wheat.

This variety was procured last year from Marklane, by Mr Robb,
Gorgie Mains, near Edinburgh, under the above name. Its grain is
slightly more elongated than that of the preceding, rather thirmer in
skin, and more transparent or flinty like.

Samples in grain by Mr Robb, weight about 65;^ lb. per bushel.

It is a prolific variety, a free grower, and tillers freely in spring.

6. White Essex Wheat.

This variety resembles the Uxbridge wheat in its ears, and Hun-
ter's or Mungoswells in the size and shape of its grains ; but differs
from them in being of a whiter colour, more transparent, and
thinner skinned. This is also an esteemed sort by the English mil-
lers, but has not been sufficiently tried in Scotland to ascertain
whether or not it be well adapted for our climate.

Samples of crop 1834-5, by Messrs Jacob Wrench and Sons,
seedsmen, London, weight G5 lb. per bushel.

Sown at Meadowbank Nursery, October 31. 1834. In ear July 6,
and ripe August 28, 1835, being about four days later than Hunter's
wheat ; and was also considerably longer in straw than any of the
preceding, which were grown side by side with it.

7. Jeffray Wheat.

Ear and grains smaller, and tapering more towards their points
than those of Hunter's wheat, than which it is five or six days longer
in arriving at maturity, and shorter in straw.

Sample in grain, crop 1833, by the Very Rev. Principal Baird.

WHEAT. 5

8. Gregorian Wheat.

Compared with either Hunter's or Mungoswells' wheat, the ears
t>f this sort are longer, but its spikelets are more remote, the straw is
more stiff and upright, the ear being less bent to a side, and the
grains are shorter, rather lighter in colour, and more transparent. It
is hardy, tillers well in spring, and is deservedly esteemed.

Specimens in ear by Messrs Drummond and Sons, nursery and
seedsmen to the Agricultural Association of Stirling ; and by Mr
Thomas Shaw, Rait, Carse of Gowrie.

9. White Golden Drop.

Easily distinguished from all the preceding by the closeness of its
spike, and by having more generally four grains in each spikelet (a
circumstance of rather rare occurrence in the varieties of T. sativum,
they having in general but three). In this respect it may be sup-
posed a variety of T. turgidum, but it differs from that not only
in the shortness of its awn, which is seldom more than the length of
the floret, and that only towards the point of the spike, but also in
its not possessing that strong and coarse appearance, both in straw
and sample, for which the turgid wheats are so distinguished.

Samples in grain and straw, crop 1835, by Mr A. Gorrie, who
discovered it the previous season, in a field of common wheat.
Chaff of a dull white or very light brown colour. Grain light
brownish-yellow or copper coloured, large sized, and of medium
quality. Straw rather above the average length. Ears a good deal
pendant.

10. Talavera Wheat.

This variety was originally introduced from Spain into the south
of England, and from thence into France about 1814 or 1816. Some
years since it was a good deal cultivated in the Lothians and other
wheat districts of Scotland. But at present an opinion is prevalent
amongst farmers that it is too tender to withstand the ungenial weather
so frequent in this country during the spring months, and that it
does not tiller freely. Its cultivation has therefore been in a consi-
derable degree abandoned. Straw about an average length ; ears
long, thin, tapering to the extremity, and upright ; grains very large,
and of a whitish semi-transparent colour.

Sample in straw by the late Rev. W. Stark, and in grain under the
name of Froment de Talavera by Messrs Vilmorin and Co. seeds-
men, Paris.

Sown October 31. 1834; in ear 18th June, and ripe about the
18th of August 1835, being about a week earlier than any of the
common winter wheats ; from which circumstance it might be ad-
vantageously sown as a spring wheat. At present there is scarce-
ly a genuine unmixed sample of this sort to be procured, but it
might repay the trouble and attention requisite in raising it un-
mixed.

11. White Dantzic Wheat.

Straw medium length; ear long, tapering, small, and thinly set;
grain elongated, very small, and of a beautiful white colour. Al-
though this sort yields a most beautiful sample, yet from its unpro-
ductiveness it does not appear that its cultivation in this country
would be attended with any beneficial advantage.

Sample in grain by Mr L. Marshall of Gibson & Co., Dantzic ;
weight 62 J lb., crop 1834 ; and in straw and grain by Mr A. Gorrie,
crops 1834, 1835, grown at Annat Park,

12. Red Dantzic Wheat.

This variety differs so little from the last, that it has been consi-
dered as well not to separate them, by placing the present amongst
the red wheats. The colour of the ears is a light reddish-brown, and
that of the grains is only a slight shade darker than those of the last
sort; in other respects they bear a marked resemblance.

In grain and straw by Mr A. Gorrie ; and by Mr L. Marshall of
Gibson and Co. Dantzic, a sample of mixed Dantzic wheat, weight
61 1 lb., and another of high mixed do. weighing 62i lb. per bushel.

These Dantzic wheats ai'e rather late in ripening, and the samples
from Mr Gorrie, which were grown by him in the Carse of Gowrie,
are very inferior in appearance to those by Mr Marshall from Dantzic ;
thus shewing that our climate is not so well adapted for its culture
as that of the countries adjacent to the Baltic, from whence it is im-
ported, and where, in 1 834, the crop was abundant and of excellent
quality.

13. White Velvet or Woollv-eared Wheat.
Also known in Sussex and Kent, where it is much cultivated, by
the names of Hoary, White, and Stuffed wheats ; also by the name
of Hedge •whea.i(Ble de Haie,Fr.); but this latter is also applied
to other varieties. Straw short, ears small, but close and compact ;
chaflf white, covered with a fine velvety-like down ; grains middle

WHEAT. 7

sized, well formed, of a semi-transparent whitish colour. This
is a favourite variety with the London millers, on account of its
yielding little bran and a fine white flour. In Scotland its cultiva-
tion has often been attempted, but never carried to any great extent,
from an opinion being prevalent amongst growers, that its woolly
chaff is apt to retain the moisture in damp seasons, thereby mate-
rially injuring the sample, by discoloring it, and causing it to sprout.
It is therefore seldom met with in this country, except when mixed
among the common white (No. 1).

Sample in straw and grain by Messrs Drummond and Sons,
Stirling, under the name of Downy Kent wheat ; and in grain by
Messrs Vilmorin and Co., Paris, under the names Ble de Haie ou
Froment blanc veloute.

Introduced into France from the south of England upwards of
twenty years since, and is now cultivated pretty extensively in that
country.

14. White Hungarian Wheat.

Froment blanc de Hongrie. — Fr.

Note This, and all the other cereal grains which have the French

synonyms attached, were procured from Messrs Vilmorin, An-
drieu and Co., seedsmen, Paris.

The white Hungarian wheat is said to have been first introduced
into the neighbourhood of Blois (province of Orleanois) from Eng-
land some years since, and its cultivation is now attended with much
success both in that district and in several others of the north of
France, where it is sometimes known by the name of Froment
bU Anglais or English Wheat. Spike white, of medium length,
very compact, and square-like, terminating abruptly, or not tapering
to the extremity ; chaff smooth and thin, spikelets containing four
grains, which are small, short, and rounded, white, and slightly
transparent.

Weight 6Q lb. per bushel, being the heaviest as well as the finest
and most beautiful sample in the Museum.

Of all the foregoing varieties, this bears most resemblance to the
Uxbridge and Chiddam wheats, from which, however, it is easily
distinguished ; it is a week or nearly so longer in ripening than the
common sorts, but is, from its superior qualities, well deserving of a
fair trial in this country.

8 CEREAL GRASSES.

15. White Flanders Wheat.

Froment blanc de Flandres, Froment blanc de Zee, Ou Froment

Ble blaze de Lille. — Fr.

This variety is held in great esteem in the Northern Departments

of France ; it apparently differs little from the White Essex (No. 6),

and that small difference may be merely the effects of climate and

cultivation.

16. White Naples Wheat.
Richelle blanche de Naples. — Fr,

Is much cultivated in the southern provinces of France. Spike
long, not very compact ; terminal spikelets, having short awns (from
a quarter to an inch long) ; chaff delicately tinged with a dull yellow
or copper colour ; grains large, considerably elongated, and of a yel-
lowish-white colour ; weighs well in sample.

This sort has been introduced for some years into the neigh-
bourhood of Paris, but not with the expected success, the climate
being considered too cold for it in winter. There is therefore no
chance of its being grown to advantage in this country, particularly
as it ripens very late in the season, and the grains, although equally
large, acquire more of a hard, horny, or flinty nature than when grown
in the south of France.

17. White Touzelle Wheat.
Touzelle blanche. — Fr.

Ear or spike rather more compact than in the last variety, chaff
of the same colour, but exceedingly thin and brittle, so that when
very ripe the grains are apt to be shaken out by the least wind. Grain
of a brownish-yellow colour, but said to be much whiter when grown
in Provence, and other parts of the south of France, where only it is
cultivated, it being also too tender to endure the winters in the lati-
tude of Paris.

18. White Beardless Odessa Wheat.
Froment ble d' Odessa sans barbes. — Fr.
Of a considerable number of wheats introduced into France from
Odessa at various times, this seems to be almost the only one merit-
ing, or at least retained in cultivation. It M-as first introduced into
the province of Auvergne, by M. Bonfils, where its cultivation is
rapidly increasing, notwithstanding it is more sensibly affected by

WHEAT. 9

cold than the common wheats of the country. Spike rather loose
and irregular, in colour inclining to a light brown ; grains long,
and tapering slightly towards the point ; above an average size, and
whitish coloured.

The French say that it is equally applicable for spring as for
winter sowing, but, be this as it may, a sample sown last year in
Meadowbank Nursery was later than any of our common winter
wheats by nearly a fortnight.

* * Varieties of T. sativum, generally termed Red Beardless JVi?iter
Wheats, from the reddish colour of their spikes or ears, and their
being more particularly adapted for winter solving.

19- Common or Old Red Wheat.

This seems to be the same with the Froment rouge ordinaire sans
barbes, or Common Beardless Red Wheat of the French. Spike
medium sized, nearly upright, spikelets not very close set ; grain
elongated, and of a dull reddish colour.

It is still cultivated to a pretty considerable extent on very strong-
clay or tenacious soils in the north of France ; but in this country
it is almost entirely superseded by some of the more prolific and
superior varieties, particularly the next following.

20. Blood-red Wheat.

This sort was introduced some years ago into East Lothian from
the London market, and its cultivation has now extended over most
of the wheat districts of Scotland. It is very prolific ; but, like the
rest of the red wheats, less esteemed than the white sorts ; millers
and bakers not giving so much per quarter for it by two or three
shillings ; they, however, find it often very convenient to mix its
flour with that of the white kinds, in the pi'oportion of a fourth part
or so. The straw of the blood-red wheat is long, rather stout, and
not apt to become lodged. Ears large, of rather a bright brownish-
red colour, tapering very slightly to the point. Spikelets close and
spreading. Grain medium sized, of a dark yellowish or coi^per colour,
especiallj^ at the thickest end ; the other being generally darker, and
more transparent ; slightly triangular or cornered on the sides.

Samples in grain and straw by Mr A, Gorrie ; and in straw by
the late Rev. W. Stark, Dirleton.

10 CEREAL GRASSES.

21. Golden or Red Essex Wheat.

This differs from the last variety, by its ears being less compact,
longer, and more tapered towards the point ; and in its grains being
longer, not so round and compact, and more obtusely angled on the
sides. It is also very hardy, prolific, and much esteemed.

Specimens in grain and straw by the Rev. Mr Noble, St Madoes ;
and by Mr Smith, Dumgreen, Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire.

22. Red Kent Wheat.

Spike resembling that of the last, but its grains are much larger,
of a more uniform and darker colour, and also more transparent, hard
and flinty.

Specimens in grain by Messrs Jacob Wrench and Sons, seedsmen,
London ; weight 65 lb. being considered a very superior sample.

23. Lammas or Red English Wheat.
Froment ble Lammas ; ou, Ble rouge Anglais. — Fr.

Originally from England to the north of France, where it has
been cultivated with a considerable degree of success ; but although
taken from a northern to a southern latitude, it is found less adapt-
ed for withstanding ilie winter in the neighbourhood of Paris than the
common red wheat (No. 19). This can only be accounted for by the
winter in that part of France being generally colder than in England.
Form of the ears more waved than in those of the last mentioned sort,
also thinner, and not so much reclined or bent to the side. Spikelets
bright red towards the extremity, lighter and more of a copper
colour towards their insertion into the rachis.

The French consider this sort as yielding the finest sample of any
of their red wheats. It is, however, liable to be shaken when fully ripe,
and should, therefore, be cut a day or two before arriving at full ma-
turity. In the quality of its sample, this variety very much resembles
that of the Red Kent, to which it also bears a marked I'esemblance in
its general character ; so that they are very probably of the same ori-
gin, and owe any distinction more to the effects of a difference in cli-
mate, soil, or culture, than to any thing else.

24. Red Golden-drop Wheat.
Spike similar to that of the Blood-red (No. 20) ; straw shorter,
and requiring a few days longer to arrive at maturity. Grain about
the same size. More uniform and lighter in colour ; also rather

WHEAT. 11

more elongated and rounded on the edges. It is, however, no better
liked by the millers.

Sample from Marklane, crop 1834; and also by Mr A. Gorrie.
In straw and grain, ci'op 1835.

25. Purple stalked GoLDEN-Dnop.

Spike darker in colour, and more compact than that of the last ;
straw also of a dark purple, particularly a few days before ripening.
Grain rather brighter in colour ; in other respects similar.

Specimens in grain and straw by Mr A. Gorrie, Annnt Garden, who
picked it and the three following sorts in a field of common wheat,
1834. This variety seems deserving of cultivation.

26. White-stalked Mouse-tail Red Wheat.
So named from its having a long thin tapering pointed spike.
Grain elongated, of a brownish-yellow colour, irregularly interspersed
with dark semi-transparent spots or blotches. Seems rather unpro-
ductive, and not deserving of cultivation.

27. Red-stalked Mouse-tail Wheat.
Distinguished fi'om the last by having purple coloured straw, and
darker red ears ; grain also dai'ker in colour. Seems also an infe-
rior sort.

28. Sulphur-coloured Wheat.

Ears somewhat more compact than those of the two last sorts ;
grain shorter, more plump, and of a yellow sulphur-like colour.
May be considered as rather a good sort.

29. Red Beardless Caucasian Wheat.
Ble du Catccase, rouge sans barbes, Fr.

Spike dull red, long and upright ; spikelets remote, large, and
spreading ; chaff thick and hard ; grain elongate, semi-transparent,
rather above the medium size, hard and flinty.

This is one of the eai-liest red winter wheats ; and is in France
sometimes sown as a spring wheat. The sample appeal's very infe-
rior, and seemingly not deserving of cultivation [n this country.

12 CEREAL GRASSES.

30. Velvet or Woolly-eared Red Beardless Wheat.
Spike short and compact ; grain slightly elongated, dark red, and

flinty. IVIedium prolific ; but like the White Velvet-eared variety
little esteemed, from its woolly ears being supposed to retain the
moisture in damp weather.

31. Red Velvet or Woolly-eared Wheat of Crete.

Ble rouge velu de Crete Fr.

Spike deep red, downy, compact ; spikelets large and spreading,
containing four and often five grains, which are short and slightly
angular, of a reddish opake-yellow colour.

Sample rather of a superior quality.

32. Hecklan's Red Wheat.
A new variety obtained from England this season, said to be ex-
traordinary productive.

Sample in grain by Mr Dudgeon, Leith.

* * * White Wheats, varieties of'T. sativum, more particularly ad-
apted for spring solving ; but which, from having no, or at least
very short, awns or beards, belong to that class generally termed
varieties of T. hybernum or Winter Wheats.

33. Leghorn or Tuscany Wheat.
Grano Marzolano. — Ital.
Cultivated in the south of Europe for its straw, which is there cm-
ployed for the purpose of making the famous Leghorn plait ; it was
introduced into this country for the same purpose, but is now en-
tirely superseded by the common rye. This name, however, ap-
pears not to apply to any one particular variety, but rather to a mix-
ture of White, Red, Bearded, and Beardless sorts ; the white beard-
less varieties seem, however, to be the most numerous. The whole
seem to belong to the early or spring sorts, m hich is no doubt caused
by their being sown in their native country always in March, on light
sharp sandy soils on the banks of the Arno. When intended for plait,
the seed is sown very thick and the plants pulled when in flower, or
before the grain is formed, when they are generally about eighteen
inches in height, ft is then bleached and tied up in the same man-
ner as we do flax, previous to selecting the portion of the stalk to

WHEAT. 13

be used in the manufacture, which is that between the ear and the
first knot or joint of the straw.

34. White Beardless Tuscany Wheat,
Spikes long, spikelets not very close set ; grains light coloured,

clear, transparent, and thin skinned, forming a good sample, and

seems to be very prolific.

Specimens in grain and straw by Mr A. Gorrie, who is cultivating

this variety for a spring wheat. He picked it some years ago in a

field for Leghorn wheat, the seed of which he had from Messrs

Lawson and Son, who imported it from Leghorn.

Weight of the above mentioned sample in grain about 63 lb. per

bushel.

35. Common White Beardless Spring Wheat.
Froment de 3Iars blanc sans hnrbes. — Fr.
Spike long, small, and tapering ; spikelets remote ; grain short,
plump, and of a dull yellow or brownish colour. This variety is
cultivated as a spring wheat in the central districts of France to as
great an extent as any of the winter sorts. But in general, it is much
mixed with the Common White Bearded Spring Wheat of that coun-
try.

36. White Spring Wheat of Fellemberg.
Froment hie de Mars de Fellemberg. — Fr.
Spike very white ; spikelets broader and more closely placed than
in the last sort ; grains small, slightly elongated, of a clear trans-
parent reddish colour, very hard or flinty. This seems a very vi-
gorous growing wheat ; but, owing to the smallness and hardness of
its seeds, and its great liability to shake when ripe, its cultivation in
France is by no means extensive.

37. Hard Spring Wheat.
Froment ble pictet de Mars. — Fr.
This sort is considered by the French as merely a subvariety of
the last ; and, like it, also procured by them originally from the
neighbourhood of Fellemberg. It diflfers, however, in having less
flinty grains and stronger chaff", on which account it is not so easily
shaken. Neither this nor the last sort are, however, much cultivated
in France, No. 34. being considered much superior to either.

1-i CEREAL GRASSES.

* * * * Red Beardless Wheats, varieties of T. sativum, which are
more particularly adapted for Spring Sowing, although not in-
cliided hy botanists under the specific name of T. ^stivum or
Spring Wheat, from their having almost no awns.

38. Red Beardless Tuscany Wheat,
Ear of a darkish red or brown colour, large, rather compact, and
bending to one side, bearing a considerable resemblance to the Blood-
red Wheat, than which its grains are larger, more pointed, and of a
more uniform yellowish-brown colour ; it is also eight or ten days
earlier in ripening than when sown at the same time.

Specimen in" grain, by Mr A. Gorrie, who gathered it some years
since from Leghorn Wheat, along with No. 33.

It seems to merit cultivation, and, as well as the White Tuscany,
ripens almost as early, although sown in March, as if sown in
autumn.

39. Common Red Beardless Wheat of France.
Froment hie de Mars rouge sans barhes. — Fr.
Originally introduced into France from the north of Germany ;
spike pale red ; spikelets close set ; grain reddish, rather hard or
flinty, and of medium size.

In France this sort has not received a very extensive share of
cultivation, neither does it seem deserving of such.

***** This division consists of White Bearded Wheats, generally
termed varieties of T. jestivum or Summer Wheats; a name,
hoicever, by no means applicable to some of them, ichich are
equally hardy, and require as long to arrive at maturity as
the generality of the Beardless Winter Wheats. TJiose more
particidarly adapted for spring sowing are marked thus f .

40. Common Winter Bearded Wheat.

This variety is scarcely to be met with in cultivation. It may
however, often be seen mixed in small quantities with Common
White Winter Wlieat (No. 1). Spike thin, short, and tapering to
the point ; grain small, elongated, of a light reddish colour, rather
hard and tiinty. Awns considerably longer than the spike.

This is a comparatively worthless variety.

WHEAT. 1,5

41. White Bearded Shanry Wheat.

Ears longer and more compact than those of the preceding ; beards
or awns much shorter ; grains larger and softer, of a light yellowish
colour.

Specimen in grain and straw, by Mr A. Gorrie, who picked it in
a field on the Farm of Shanry ; hence its name.

This is certainly a very superior variety of bearded winter wheat.

I 42. White Bearded Tuscany W^heat.

The appearance of the ear differs little from that of the former,
except in having rather longer awns ; grain longer, more plump, and
of a ver}'^ light colour ; it is also earlier, and better adapted for spring
sowing.

Sample very superior in quality. In straw and grain by jNIr A.
Gorrie, who selected it some years since from a quantity of Leghorn
Wheat, and is cultivating it for spring sowing.

I 43. Chinese Bearded Spring Wheat.

This variety was introduced from Germany by J. C. Loudon, Esq.
conductor of the Gardener's Magazine, &c. and by him distributed
amongst several cultivators in various parts of Britain. Such as were
tried in Scotland were so completely destroyed by rust in the ears
during the first season of their growth, that not one seed could be
got capable of vegetating, and thus the variety was completely lost
for that time. Its liability to be so much affected by rust might be
supposed to argue a tenderness in its constitution, and consequent
unfitness for this climate ; but this by no means follows, it being a
well-authenticated fact, that wheats imported from the Continent are
often very much affected in the same manner the first season, al-
though afterwards they became as hardy, and free from that disease,
as our common winter sorts. Ear nearly similar to that of the last ;
grain white, slightly transparent, a little elongated, and well filled
forming an excellent sample.

Mr Lawson procured a small sample of this sort when in Russia
(summer 1834), from Professor Fischer, St Petersburgh, under the
name of Kalmyntha or Chinese Wheat, which was grown at Mea-
dowbank Nursery last season, along with the rest of the collection ;
it was, however, much injured by rust, but a few grains have arrived
at that maturity which warrants a fair chance of their vegetating.

16 CEREAL GRASS.

f 44. VicTOKiA Wheat.

" Of the wheat in the neighbourhood of Victoria, in the Province
of Caraccas, which Humboldt, in his Personal Narrative, p. 104-7.
lias noticed as being very productive, and as ripening in ^'ictoria in
seventy or seventy-five days from the sowing, Dr Hamilton, No. 15.
Oxford Place, Plymouth, has received seeds from Sir R. K. Porter,
and distributed them in small quantities to various individuals in
Britain. He has sent us 125 grains, which we have placed in hands
that will properly apply them," &c. — Loudon's Gardener's Maga-
zine, vol. ix. p. 700.

Sample in straw, crop 1834, by Mr A. Gorrie, being tlie ])ix)dui'e
of part of the above mentioned seeds received from Mr Loudon.
Also a sample in grain, received by Mr A. Gorrie from Dr Hamilton,
who had it direct from Caraccas, 14th August 1834 ; and in straw,
})art of the produce of this sample, which was sown at Annat Garden
10th June, and cut 16th September 1835, nearly ripe. Straw rather
shoiter than that of common wheats ; ears also shoi't, but pretty
compact, whitish coloured ; awns fully as long as the ears, spread-
ing ; grain long, reddish coloured, slightly cornered and flinty, ra-
ther small in size.

45. Light Yellow-bearded Winter Wheat.
Froinent barbu d'hiver a epijaundtre. — Fr.

Spike compressed ; beard long and spreading ; grain medium
sized, reddish-yellow in colour.

This wheat was formerly very much cultivated in France ; but as
agricultural improvement advances, it seems to give place to the
white beardless varieties. It is nevertheless hardy and productive,
and still cultivated pretty extensively in the province of Ardeche.
It is also, according to M. Creuze-Delessor, the principal wheat in
the department of Vienna, where it is much esteemed, both by mill-
ers and bakers.

t 4'). Common Bearded Spring Wheat ok the French.
Fromcnt hie de mars harbu ordinaire.

Spike small, and more pyramidal than that of the last ; grain
shorter, and a shade lighter in colour.

Formerly the most extensively cultivated spring wiieat in France.

WHEAT. 17

f 47. Tuscany Wheat (for making Straw Hats).
Froment hie de Toscane a chapeaux. — Fr.
This sort very much resembles the last, but grows rather taller,
and is a shade yellower in colour when ripe. It differs also from the
White-bearded Tuscany (No. 42) in being smaller, and less com-
pact in the ear, and in its grains, which are also smaller, flinty, and
of a light reddish colour.

t 48. Cape Wheat.
Froment hie, du Cap — Fr.

Ears white and long ; spikelets and awns spreading, the former
placed closer on the rachis than in the generality of bearded wheats ;
grain elongated, larger, and in general well filled, whitish coloured,
and forming rather a superior sample.

The French reckon this one of their best spring wheats ; they find,
however, that it is apt to degenerate unless the seed be often changed.
And it does better in the south than in the north of France.

f 49. Small Sicilian Bearded Spring Wheat.
Froment hie de Mars harhu de Sicile. — Fr.
This differs from all the preceding varieties of bearded wheats, in
the closeness of its spike, and in the hard-like, smooth, shining ap-
pearance of its chaff, which resembles in some degree that of
the large Sicilian wheat (No. 71), but differs also from it in the
shape and texture of its grain. Ears rather under the medium
size ; spikelets contracted, and slightly imbricated ; grains rather
above the medium size, slightly elongated, and flinty ; awns upright,
longer than the spike.

50. Woolly-eared White-bearded Wheat.

Differs from the White-hearded Shanry Wheal, {No. 41), in ha-
ving its ears covered by a fine wool or down.

Specimen in straw by Mr A. Gorrie, who found it along with the
Shanry Wheat above mentioned.

There are doubtless many sub-varieties of this as well as of the
other downy or woolly wheats (enumerated in the present list under
the name of T. sativum), possessing various degrees of merit, but as
cultivators seem to have a prejudice against woolly wheats in general,
the varieties are hitherto little known.

18 CEREAL GRASSES.

****** Red, awncd or bearded Wheats, varieties of T. sativum,
hilt ichich are (jenerally denominated varieties of T. hjstivum, or
Summer Wheat. Those more jiarticularly adapted for Spring
sowing are marked thus f, as in the last division.

f 51. Feun Wheat.

Spike very long (about six inches), compressed, of a light reddish
colour ; spikelets and awns spreading, the former very remote and
often containing four grains, and the latter considerably shorter than
the spike ; grains elongated, and of a bright light reddish colour,
rather flinty.

Specimens in grain and straw by Mr James Young, land-surveyor
and valuator, Perth, grown by him at Pitfour, Carse of Gowrie,
sown 11th March and reaped on the 11th August 1834; average
produce per acre, 4| quarters. Specimens also in grain and straw
by Mr A. Gorrie, crop 1835.

This variety of wheat was introduced into the Carse of Gowrie
in 1829, by Mr James Ross, then farmer at Moorhall, who procured
it from a corn factor at Marklane. Mr Young has grown it for
four years, generally sowing it in the last week of March, and has
always found it to ripen as early as any of the winter wheats sown
in October or November previous.

The following extract, from an account of the Fern wheat, by Mr
Young, published in the Report of Dickson and Turnbull's Agri-
cultural Museum at Perth, 1834, serves to shew its value as a spring
wheat, compared with some of the commonly cultivated winter
sorts : —

" When sown along with Common White, and Red Essex Wheats,
on the 26th March 1833, the Fern was cut on the 27th August, and
the others on the 30th of September, making a difference in favour
of "the Fern wheat of thirty -four days.

Produce per acre. Weight per bushel.

Fern Wheat, . . 4 qrs. 4 bush. . C3^ lb.

Eed Essex, . . ,3 do. 6 do. . 02^ lb.

Common White, . 3 do. 3.^ do. . 60^ lb.

" This difference both in quantity and quality in favour of the
fern wheat arises entirely from its early ripening ; the weather ha-
ving set in dull and w^et for two weeks previous to the other sorts
being cut, and continuing so the greater part of the time they were
in stook. It requires to be carefully pickled before sowing, being

WHEAT. 19

very liable to smut, and should not be allowed to stand till over
ripe, being very apt to shake." The fern wheat is cultivated as a
spring wheat in several parts of the Carse of Gowrie.

f 52. Red Bearded Mendoza Wheat.
Introduced from Mendoza by Sir John Sinclair, Bart. This sort
bears a considerable resemblance to tlie last ; but has stronger chaff,
with larger and coarser grains.

I 53. Red Chinese Wheat.
Froment ble de Mars die Chine. — Fr.

This variety resembles the Small Sicilian Spring Wheat (No.
48) in all its parts, except the colour of its chaff and gfain, which
are of a dark reddish colour.

54. Velvet or Woolly-eared Red-bearded Wheat.
This is a prolific early and hardy winter wheat, and might pro-
bably be found suitable as a spring wheat. Ears long, downy, and
rather compact, of a dark reddish colour ; grains large, flinty, and
rather course ; chaff hard, and not allowing the seeds to be easily
shaken by the wind.

II. TRITICUM COMPACTUM Compact or Square-eared Wheat.

The different varieties to which this name is applied are distinr
guished from the common beardless wheats by the compact or square
form of their ears ; but as this alone is not sufficient to constitute a
distinct species, they might more properly be also comprehended
under the name of T. sativum. But from the specific name compac-
tum, being more explanatory of the appearance of this tribe, it is in
the present instance retained.

t 55. Chili Square Wheat.
Ble de Chili — Ble carre de Chili. — Fr.
Straw and ears very smooth and white, of a stiff upright habit of
growth ; the latter seldom exceeding an inch and a half in length by
about three quarters of an inch in breadth, a little compressed on
two sides ; spikelets narrow, two or three-seeded, placed remarkably
close on the rachis (about six to the inch), and so as to form with it

20 CEREAL GRASSES.

an angle of 45' or thereabout ; grains about forty in each ear, small,
elongated, and of a whitish colour.

f 56. Small Square Spring Wheat.
Ble de Mars a epi carre.
Ears about an inch and a half in length by three quarters of an
inch in breadth ; more square or less compressed than those of the
Chili Wheat; of a brownish-red colour, and, together with the
straw, stiff and upright in habit of growth ; spikelets close set as in
the preceding, and considerably more spread, containing in general
three grains each, which are small in size, slightly elongated, and
well filled ; forming a pretty sample, not unlike that of Red Dantzig
wheat.

t 57. Square Sicilian Spring Wheat.
Ble de Mars carre de Sicile. — Fr.

This sort differs little from the last, except in the awns on the
point of the spike being elongated to rather more than the length of
the spikelets (they being almost wanting in the two last sorts) ; the
grain is also of a brighter red, and more flinty.

This is reckoned in France to be one of their earliest spring wheats.

III. TRITICUM TURGIDUM.— Turgid Wheats.

Specific characters. — Spike always bearded (but in some of
the varieties the beards or awns are easily detached by winds when
fully ripe, which gives them a beardless appearance), compact ; ge-
nerally but not always, with four equal sides ; when otherwise, the
two narrowest sides are generally those on which the spikelets are
attached to the rachis. In most of the varieties the awns and angles
are arranged in four straight parallel lines. Spikelets close set, ge-
nerally much spread. Glumes much swollen, and terminated abruptly,
with their dorsal nerves very prominent, and ending in acute points.
Grain large, irregularly angular-shaped or depressed, caused by their
being so much crowded together in the spike or ear.

Samples on the whole coarse, and of rather inferior quality, com-
pared with those of the more common varieties of T. sativum.

The Turgid wheats are generally hardy, vigorous, and very pro-
ductive ; having long, hard, and often almost solid straw, so coarse
in quality as to be disliked by cattle ; where, however, straw thatch

WHEAT. 21

is reckoned an article of importance, no sort, excepting perhaps the
next species ( T. comjiositum), could be cultivated to more advantage,
provided the soil and climate are suitable. The soils best adapted
for the growth of the Turgid wheats, are those of a strong rich clay
or tenacious nature, and such as the common wheats are apt to be-
come lodged in, the strong straw of the Turgid wheats, notwith-
standing the heaviness of their ears, being fully capable of standing
under any ordinary circumstances. They may all be said to belong
to the latest class of winter wheats, and, therefore, are only adapted
for earlier climates. With all these qualities and defects, the Tur-
gid wheats are not cultivated to any great extent in Britain, or iu
France except in the southern districts.

* Turgid Wheats^ having smooth ears.

58. Smooth White Turgid Wheat of Mongoke.
Ble de Mongoke. — Fr.

Spike very large, white, and square, or having the lateral florets
pressed in, as it were, so as to give the spike somewhat of a cylindri-
cal form ; awns long, straight, and rigid ; grains long, irregularly
shaped, large, white, and thick skinned ; straw very long, and nearly
solid.

Specimen in Museum, two ears brought by Mr Lawaon from the
Continent in 1833.

59. Smooth White Turgid Wheat of Taganrock.
Poulard blanc lisse, epaule blanc du Gatt'nais, ble de Taganrock. — Fr.
Spike scarcely so long as in the last, and a shade darker in colour ;
spikelets not so close ; straw shorter, softer, and more hollow ; grain
smaller than in most of the Turgid wheats, and more regularly
formed, of a yellowish-brown colour, seldom transparent or flinty.
This is one of the earliest, as well as one of the most esteemed
Turgid wheats.

60. LozERE Turgid Wheat.
£le Garagnon de Lozere. — Fr.
Spike shorter than in the last, not so close, and less regular ; seed
whitish-yellow, thin skinned, and of excellent quality.

This variety is much cultivated about Lozere, where it is often
used, boiled or cooked in the same manner as rice.

aa CEREAL GRASSES.

61. Red Smooth Turgid Wheat; Large Red Wheat, or Red

Upright Wheat of Gatinais.
Poulard rouge lisse ; gros hie rouge ; epaule rouge des Gatinais. — Fr.

Spike long, square and compact, of a dull reddish colour ; glumes
very smooth and shining ; grains reddish, slightly compressed on
the sides, or angular, soft, and of medium quality.

Very much cultivated in the central districts of France.

62. Chinese Turgid Wheat.
This variety was received by Mr Lawson in St Petersburgh, 1 834,
from Professor Fischer, under the name of Doragana. Ears white,
large, and very compact, square, and slightly pendulous ; glumes a
little elongated and shining ; awns liable to be broken oft" by wind
when ripe ; grains rather large and flinty.

** Turgid Wheats tcith Downy, Woolly, or Velvet Ears.

63. Cone Rivet, Antifly, or German Thickset Wheat.

Described by Miller in his Gardener's Dictionary under the names
T. quadratum, Square Wheat, Pendulum Wheat, &c.
Poulard blanc velu Fr.

Ears very white and velvety, about four inches long and three
quarters of an inch in diameter at the base, tapering towards the
point, square, very regular and compact ; awns straight, about as
long as the ears, placed in four straight rows, on the angles of the
spike, with two rows of shorter awns arising from the outer paleae of
the middle fertile floret in each spikelet. These short awns lie close
upon the ear, not spreading as the larger ones. Spikelets containing
three or four fertile florets, and generally two towards the point of
the spike ; glumes and paleae short and very round, the latter scarcely
covering the seed when ripe ; the ears become pendulous as they ap-
proach maturity, and contain on an average about seventy-two
grains ; the awns are generally broken off" when ripe, particularly if
the weather should happen to be windy, so that the whole assumes
the appearance of beardless wheat ; grain a little compressed and
wrinkled, whitish-yellow, soft, and considerably larger than that of
common wheat.

Sample inferior, and not well liked by bakers ; straw long, strong,

WHEAT. p^;3

and hollow ; requires nearly a fortnight longer to ripen than connnon
wheat (No. 1).

This sort has been cultivated, although sparingly, in the Carse of
Gowrie for the last six or eight years. It is found to answer best in
strong clay soils, and although a vigorous grower, it yields a scantjr
supply of foliage, and is thought to be rather an impoverishing crop
for the soil. Some years since, when the wheat-fly was so destruc-
tive, this variety was found to be scarcely affected by it, hence it has
received the name of Antifly. On favourable soils, it often yields
several bolls per acre more than the common sorts, and is certainly
one of the most beautiful wheats when growing which can well be
imagined.

Sample in straw by Mr Hogg, nursery and seedsman, Dunse ;
from Mr Smith, Mountmorns, communicated by Mr James Bishop ;
by Messrs Jacob Wrench and Sons, seedsmen, London ; and in straw
and grain by Mr A. Gorrie.

64. Common Rivet Wheat of England.

Spike smaller and less compact than that of the last ; awns more
adhesive when ripe ; glumes and paleae considerably larger and more
elongated than those of the Cone Rivet ; grains also longer and
more flinty.

This sort requires still longer to arrive at maturity than the preceding,
on which account it may be deemed unfit for the climate of Scotland.
In the south of England it is cultivated on the strongest clay soils,

65. Pole Rivet Wheat of England.

Spikes of a lightish brown colour, more compressed and irregu-
larly shaped than those of the last, broadest side (contrary to the ge-
nerality of Turgid wheats) that on which the spikelets are inserted
into the rachis ; spikelets towards the base containing four grains,
and three in those towards the top of the spike ; grains long, reddish,
and flinty ; awns falling off when ripe.

Like the former, this variety is very late, and only grown on strong
soils in England. It seems the same with that known to the French
under the name of Polard rouge bleu, Gros ble rouge, &c. which is
much cultivated in the south and eastern departments of France.

24 CEREAL GRASSES.

66. Turkey Wheat.
£le gros Turquet. — Fr.
This seems a subvariety of the preceding ; ears larger, thicker,
and more regularly square, of a reddish ash colour, with larger and
darker coloured seeds ; sample rather coarse.

This variety is from a fortnight to three weeks later than Common
White Winter Wheat (No. 1).

67. Giant St Helena Wheat.
Ble geant de St Helena. — Fr.
This sort was first introduced to France from St Helena, and lat-
terly from the Baltic, under the name of Ble de Dantzic (certainly
not the Common Dantzig Wheat), so that it probably might have
been originally imported from thence to St Helena. Spikes larger and
more irregularly formed than those of the preceding varieties, the
lower spikelets being more enlarged, and diverging to the sides in a
zigzag manner ; grain also large (in length about 3^ to the inch), and
flinty, similar in quality, but more prolific than the last. Also a late
sort.

68. Red, Grey or Blue, Cone or Rivet Wheat.
Poulard bleu, ble bleu conique. — Fr.
General appearance of the ears (except the colour, which is a red-
dish-blue or ash) the same as in Antifly, or Cone Rivet Wheat
(No. 63), compared with which its grains are also darker in colour,
and rather more flinty. Cultivated in England and the north of
France, generally on strong clay and rich soils. It requires about
the same time to ripen as the last, and is very hardy.

69- Black Petanielle Wheat.
Petanielle noire. — Fr.
Amongst all the varieties of Turgid Wheat, this is most conspi-
cuous for the dark colour of its ears, and awns ; the height of its
straw, the size and abundance of its grains ; its glumes and palese are
of a bluish-black shining-like colour, and the awns, which are also
dark coloured, fall off" when ripe. In the neighbourhood of Paris this
wheat has been much in demand for the last three years ; but has not
as yet had sufficient trial to ascertain whether or not it be so well
adapted for the north as for the south of France, from whence it was
first procured. Its grains are harder, darker coloured, and possess-
ing the other defects peculiar to all the Turgid wheats.

WHEAT. 25

IV. TRITICUM COMPOSITUM.

70. Egyptian Wheat.
Ble de Miracle, Ble de Smyrna. — Fr.

This is sometimes known by the name of Abyssinian Wheat.
It is generally allowed to constitute a different genus from any
of the preceding, botanists placing the distinguishing characteris-
tics on the compound form of the spike ; which is caused by the
lower florets becoming elongated, and formed so as to make the
whole resemble several spikes tied together, or a compound spike.
This compound form is, however, by no means permanent, and when
the spike assumes a simple form, it is not to be distinguished from
the Turgid wheats. Glumes and palese of a glaucous reddish colour,
and slightly downy ; grain short, whitish-brown, and rather flinty ;
straw stiff" and long, nearly solid, or filled with pith.

Samples, both with simple and compound ears, by Mr R. Hogg,
nursery and seedsman, Dunse ; Mr Stark, Cow-rigs, Kelso ; and by
Mr A. Gorrie.

Egyptian Wheat has often been introduced into several parts of
Scotland, under different names, and has received sufficient atten-
tion, but its general produce and quality does not warrant its culti-
vation in this country. It is, however, partially cultivated in the
southern parts of England, and France in particular.

V. TRITICUM DURUM— Hard or Horky Wheat.

Froment dur, ou come. — Fr.
This name is applied to a class of wheats which are easily distin-
guished from all the preceding, by their long-shaped, hard and flinty,
or horny grains ; large broad compressed ears ; elongated spikelets ;
and large hard-like shining chaff". They are all awned, have stiff",
short, upright straw, broad foliage, and the ears are in general very
short in proportion to their breadth. The hard wheats are in gene-
ral very early, and may be sown in spring ; their cultivation has been
several times attempted in Britain, but with little success, owing
partly, no doubt, to the unsuitableness of our climate, and partly to
their peculiar hardness, and, in the estimation of our bakers, infe-
riority of their samples. The chief range of their cultivation lies
along the shores and in the islands of the Mediterranean, and along
the shores of the Levant, as also in Arabia, Persia, and some parts

20 CEREAL GRASSES.

of India. The Arabs cook some of them in the same manner as
they do rice, which they all resemble in the hardness of their grain.
Wheats of this sort are often imported for the London markets,
but were at first very much disliked by millers, from the ordinary
millstones being unsuitable for grinding.

71. Hard Sicilian Wheat.
Ble de Mars pictet de Sicile. — Fr.
This variety, together Mith the other Sicilian Wheat (No. 49)
seems to form, as it were, the connecting link between the common
and hard toheats, the latter bearing most resemblance to the common,
and the former to the hard sorts. Spike square or approaching to a
cylindrical form, about one-third of an inch in diameter, by about
three in length ; beards or awns considerably longer than the spike ;
glumes and paleae long, smooth, white, and shining ; grain medium-
sized, elongated, hard, and horny, of a lightish-red colour.

72. Georgian Wheat.

Spike about 2 inches long, by from one-half to three-sixths of an
inch in breadth, subcylindi-ical, compact, and a little irregular towards
the base ; spikelets long and pointed ; glumes and palete long, whitish,
and slightly downy ; awns about twice as long as the spike ; grains
about one-third of an inch in length, by less than one-sixth in dia-
meter at the middle, slightly triangular, and curved towards the
ends, light red, very hard and flinty, or horny. Straw short, upright,
and quite solid.

73. Siberian Wheat.

Spike and spikelets shorter and more compact than in the last, of a
light brownish colour, and more distinctly downy ; grains rather
shorter, equally hard and flinty ; straw a little hollow.

74. Morocco or Tangier Wheat.

Spike larger and more irregularly shaped than in any of the pre-
ceding ; grains larger, same colour, and equally hard.

This sort, together with several more varieties in mixture, differ-
ing from it chiefly in colour, was sent to this country several years
ago by the British Consul at Tangier ; they were tried in several
parts, but their cultivation has been abandoned, or they are only to
be met with in collections. Straw hard and upright, but generally
hollow.

WHEAT. 27

VII. TRITICUM rOI>ONICUM.

75. Polish Wheat.

Glumes or outer chaff more than an inch in length, or twice the
length of the florets ; spikelets containing four florets, seldom more
than two of which are fertile, the others being barren, at least when
grown in this country ; spikes long, loose, nodding to a side, and
awned ; awns about three times as long as the glumes, very brittle,
and easily broken off when ripe ; grains about half an inch in length,
reddish, transparent, and very hard.

This wheat is at once distinguished by its long, loose, and chaffy-
like spike, and its large grains. It is also named Polish Rye, Astra-
can Rye, Grecian Wheat, Wheat of Cairo, and sometimes Egyptian
Wheat ; but this name is more properly applied to the Triticum
compositum, (No. 70). In Morocco it is known by the name of
Mogadore Wheat. It seems quite unfit for cultivation in this coun-
try, and even in the north of France its tenderness, after repeated
trials, has prevented the extension of its culture.

Although generally termed Polish Wheat, yet it appears to be ra-
ther a native of Africa, in various parts of which it is cultivated ex-
tensively.

Sample in straw, by the late Rev, Wm. Stark, Dirleton.

A wheat brought by Mr Lawson from Russia, 1834, and which
was said to be cultivated extensively in the south of Siberia, turns
out to be the same as the above.

VII. TRITICUM ZEA.

76. Zea or Far.
This wheat is so named from being supposed to be the kind of
grain termed Zea by the Greeks (the Far of the Romans), and not
from any resemblance it has to the Zea Mais (Indian Corn), although
sometimes termed Mays-like wheat, a name which to it is wholly
inapplicable, nothing being more different in appearance than the
thin meagre spike of T. Zea, compared with the large and closely
filled ear of the Zea Mais. Ears long, almost beardless, thin, and
upright ; spikelets not so long as two joints of the rachis, three
flowered, middle one barren ; glumes and paleae adhering to the
grain, which is reddish and flinty, elongated and triangular. In
threshing, the spikelets do not separate from the rachis, but break it,
each retaining a joint attached.

28 CEREAL GRASSES.

This wheat was cultivated as food, and used in sacrifices by the
ancient inhabitants of Italy. It is seldom to be met with now, ex-
cept in botanical collections.

Sample in seeds by Mr C. A. Fischer, Inspector of the Royal Bo-
tanic Garden, Gottingen.

VIII. TRITICUM BENGALENSE.

77. Bengal Wheat.

This wheat was brought by Mr Lawson fiom Germany, under
the above name, two years ago. It bears some resemblance to the
last in the shape and remoteness of its spikelets, which adhere with
equal firmness to the rachis ; the straw and ears are, however, much
longer, the latter containing about thirty-six grains, which are longer
and more easily detached from the chaff than those of T. Zea. It is
of a more luxuriant growth, and has an awn from two to three inches
in length. This is altogether a much superior variety to T. Zea,
and is remarkable as being the earliest wheat in the whole collection.

These two, viz. T. Zea, and T. Bengalense, seem to belong to a
tribe of wheats having adhesive chaff and remote spikelets ; Epeautre
of the French, and named by them T. spelta, but which differ essen-
tially in the form of the ears from our T. spelta, which they term T.
amyleum.

IX. TRITICUM SPELTA.— Spelt Wheat.

T. amyleum of some French authors, and also termed in France
d'epeautre, d'amylon, ou d'amilkorn.

Spike compressed, bearded ; spikelets long, closely imbricated, or
overlapping each other, and smooth, containing three florets, but ge-
nerally only two perfect seeds ; chaff adhering to the grain, as in the
two previous sorts ; grain long, and irregularly triangular in shape,
colour reddish, and transparent, but not hard. The sorts having red
chaff have also their grains a shade darker in colour, as in the com-
mon wheats.

78. Winter Spelt Wheat.

Spike long, and slightly bending to one side ; spikelets about as
long as three joints of the rachis, containing generally two seeds,
but sometimes three, especially towards the base of the spike ; chaff
whitish, rigid and shining ; root leaves of the young plants narrow,
and prostrated or lying on the ground.

WHEAT. 29

79- Summer or Spring Spelt Wheat.
This sort differs little from the last except in being about ten days
or a fortnight earlier ; and the leaves of the young plants assume a
stronger and more upright habit of growth.

80. Red or Brown Two-rowed, or Spelt Wheat.
Triticum dicoccon rufum of Germany.
This variety differs from the two last in the colour of its spike,
which is reddish-brown, and slightly glaucous, particularly before
ripening, and in its grains also being a shade darker.

81. White Broad Spiked Spelt Wheat.
Triticum platystachion of Germany.
Spikes considerably shorter, much broader, thicker, and more com-
pact than those of the last three varieties ; spikelets more generally
three-grained, about as long as four joints of the rachis.

82. Red or Brown Broad Spiked Spelt Wheat.
Triticum platystachien rufum of Germany.
Spikes similar to the last in form ; colour reddish-brown, gene-
rally more or less of a glaucous or bluish hue, particularly before
ripening.

X. TRITICUM MONOCOCCUM.

83. One-grained Wheat.
Froment ungrain et Petit epeautre. — Fr.

Spikes small, very much compressed, two-rowed, resembling bar-
ley ; spikelets close and imbricated, about as long as four joints of
the rachis, two-flowered, only one of which are fertile ; barren floret
with a short, and fertile one with a long beard or awn ; leaves and
straw very small and rigid ; grain small, triangular, transparent, but
soft and mealy.

In the four last mentioned species and their varieties, the chaff
adheres so closely to the grain, as to be separated with difficulty, and
only by the aid of machinery. Their culture has never been attended
to in this country, but some of the spelts, particularly Nos. 78 and
79j might be cultivated on the high land, where the common wheat
is either too tender to withstand the winter, or too late to allow of its
ripening. Amongst the Alps of Switzerland the winter spelt is found
to withstand the severest winters, at altitudes far above that at which

,'30 CEREAL GRASSES.

the range of the naked or commonly cultivated sorts terminate.
And, independentl}^ of its grain, it might be substituted as an her-
bage plant for yielding a crop of green food for cattle early in
spring, in late cold districts, from its tillering well, and yielding a con-
siderably quantitj^ of foliage. It is cultivated in Spain, France,
Switzerland, and other places in the south of Eiu-ope, as also in some
parts of Germany. The winter variety is sown in October, and the
spring sort in February or March. The flour of the spelt wheats
contains more gluten than tliat of the common sorts ; it makes a
superior, very white bread, and is much used by confectioners for
pastry.

The cultivation of T. monococcum is chiefly confined to the moun-
tainous parts of Switzerland. Its flour makes a good dark-coloured
bread, but is more particularly adapted for gruel. It is equally hardy
with the spelt wheat, but far inferior to it in quality and produce ; how-
ever, it thrives on the poorest dry calcareous sandy soils where few
others of the cereal grains would subsist, and yields straw, which,
although short, is, from its firmness and durability, well adapted for
thatching ; for which the straw of the spelt-like wheats in general
seems much better adapted than for fodder.

The following sorts have been lately added, so that an opportunity
has not yet been afforded of growing and comparing them with the
preceding.

By Messrs Drummond and Sons, Stirling.

Crawley Red Wheat, a turgid wheat, and seemingly the same
as the Red Cone or Pole Rivet wheat of England. Also Creeping
Red; Smooth, and Bearded Italian Wheats.
By Professor Low, Edinburgh.

Specimen of T. atratum (Black Wheat).

Specimen of T. hordeiformum (Barley-like , Wheat).
By Professor Fischer, St Petersburg.

A spelt-like wheat, under the name of T. prcemorsum.
By Vilmorin and Co., Paris.

Froment gogrande mars ; F. ble de mars d'Odessa ; F. ble a barbu
et bulbe violette ; F. ble pictet de mars ; and F. ble conzelle rousse.

Quantity of Seed required on different soils, and under different circum-
stances.
On rich lands in good condition, where the soil is strong loam
or clay, and well drained, 2| to 2| bushels per imperial acre may be

RYE. 81

sufficient, of the ordijiaiy varieties. As spring sown wheat does not
tiller well, one-half to three quarters of a bushel more maybe necessary,
but strong clays are not well adapted for spring sown wheat, although
it is quite possible that a suitable variety may be obtained from the
preceding collection for that purpose.

On medium soils one half bushel more may be requisite for each
season of sowing, regulating the quantity to the quality and condition
of the soil, and the preceding crops ; where potatoes have been
raised in the fallow division, at least two to three pecks more will be
necessary than after a clean fallow.

On high and light lands, wheat, after fallow, should be drilled in
from two to three inches deep, to prevent throwing out in spring ;
with this precaution, if the land is in good condition, little more seed
will be wanted than on medium soils, but on such lands wheat holds
best after grass, and in that case requires two or three pecks more
seed than under any other circumstance. Grass lands are generally
sown in autumn.

SECALE CEREALE.— RYE.

The chief Generic distinction between Wheat and Rye consists in
the two glumes or outer chaff of the spikelets in the latter being
bristly or awl-shaped, while those of the former are large and
valved or hollowed, so as to contain a considerable portion of the
lower floret of the spikelet.

1. Common or Winter Rye.
Although rye, comparatively speaking, is little cultivated in Bri-
tain, yet on the Continent it is in some parts considered as being
of the utmost importance in domestic economy. Besides forming
the principal bread for the inhabitants, it is used both in the brewery
and distillery, and in many parts, after undergoing a species of bruis-
ing or coarse grinding, it is used alone or mixed with barley, oats^
beans, pease, or tares, which have undergone a similar operation, and
formed into a kind of coarse bread for feeding domestic animals,
particularly horses. Although its bread contains a less quantity of nu-
tritive matter than that of wheat, it is found to keep longer, and forms
almost the only bread eaten by the inhabitants of the high countries
where the soil and climate are both unsuited for the growth of wheat.

32 CEREAL GRASSES.

It is particularly adapted for poor moorish soils in elevated places,
and indeed for all kinds of inferior dry soils in whatever situation.

Besides being cultivated for its grain, rye is also grown as green
spring food for cattle, either alone, or what is still preferable, mixed
with winter tares ; in either case forming a valuable food for milch
cows and young cattle, between the period when turnips and other
roots are finished, and the cutting of grass and clover.

In some parts of Scotland, as Orkney, Argyleshire, &c., it is grown
exclusively for the manufacture of straw -plait.

Specimens in straw, from the home farm of Sir James Miles
Riddell, Bart. ; by Mr James Carmichael, Strontian, Argyleshire.

2. Spring Rye.

A sample of this sort, from M. Vilmorin and Co. Paris, sown last

summer beside the Common Rye, was of a more upright habit of

growth from its commencement, did not tiller so well, was about

twelve days earlier, shorter in straw by at least one foot, and had a

shorter ear than the common sort. Notwithstanding the seeming

decided difference, however, it is asserted by French writers, who

have repeatedly tried the experiment, that if sown frequently under

similar circumstances with Winter Rye, it acquires the same habit

and appearance.

3. Midsummer Rye.

Le Seigle de la Saint-Jean.

This variety differs very much from either of the above, being
considerably later in running to ear and ripening than the Winter
Rye. It also produces longer straw, much longer ears, and more
root foliage.

In France, and other parts where this sort is grown, it is often
sown in the end of June and eaten down with sheep in the autumn
months and spring until the latter end of April, when it is allowed
to run to seed, and is said to yield a better crop of grain after being
so treated, than if it had been cultivated in the usual manner. The
great length of time between its brairding and running to seed, pe-
culiarly fits it for being treated in this manner. It was originally
introduced into France from Tuscany by M. Vilmorin, and its cul-
tivation is rapidly increasing.

Grown in Meadowbank Nursery last season beside Common or
Winter Rye, it was fully a fortnight longer in coming into ear, and
ten days later in ripening.

BARLEY. 33

4. Perennial Rye, var. of Secale fragile.
Seeds smaller than the preceding ; sown in the beginning of
April ; it has as yet (December) no appearance of running to ear.
Nothing more is as yet known concerning this sort. Mr Lawson
received it last year from Professor Fischer, director of the Imperial
Gardens, St Petersburg, under the above name.

In the case of Rye, the quantity of seed is from two and a half to
three bushels per imperial acre, but when grown for straw-plait this
quantity is more than doubled.

The culture of this grain in Scotland has gradually decreased for
some time past, but its value as green food mixed with tares, and the
variety suited for temporary sheep-pasture, and, above all, its use in
the straw-plait manufactories, may bring that genus, more into notice.

HORDEUM— BARLEY.

Generic description — Inflorescence spiked; spikelets one-flower-
ed, three together ; the two lateral often barren (as in the two-rowed,
barleys) ; glumes two, equal, opposite, so small as to resemble short
awns or bristles ; palese two, the lower one-bearded, the upper with
two keels ; scales two ; stigma feathery ; seed surrounded by the
paleee.

I. HORDEUM YULGARE.

From the descriptions given of this species by botanical writers,
it is almost impossible to decide which of the following sorts this
name is intended to mark : — Millar, in his Gardener's Dictionary,
says of H. vulgare (spring barley), that " all the florets are herma-
phrodite and awned, with the grains in two very upright rows ;" and,
again, " the spike is as it were distich, though there are several rows."
Loudon, in his Encyclopaedia of Plants, mentions that in H. vulgare
" the florets are all hermaphrodite, bearded, seeds in four rows," &c. ;
and in his Encyclopaedia of Agriculture, that it is " the same with
Orge carre sucrion de printemps of the French," (which see).

In the following arrangement, therefore, the specific name vul-
gare is used to denote a class of Barleys similar in their botanical
character to the common bear, Hordeum hexastichon of Professor

34 CEREAL GRASSES.

Low (Elements of Practical Agriculture), but to some of which the
term Spring Barley is wholly inapplicable, from their being the
principal winter barleys sown. The distinguishing characters of this
species arc as follows : —

HoRDEUM vuLGARE (generally termed four-rowed barley). — Florets
all hermaphrodite ; fertile ; middle grains on each side forming a dis-
tinct straight row ; lateral ones forming a kind of double row towards
the base, but uniting so as to form one row towards the extremity of
the spike ; so that instead of being named four or six rowed, they
might with more propriety be named four and six-rowed barleys.

1. Common Bear, Barley-Big, or Rough Barley.

Ear about two and a half inches long, number of grains in each
about sixty ; grains much pointed or tapering towards both ends ;
awns about three and a half inches long, adhering to the grain.
Cultivated chiefly in the Highlands of Scotland, and in the Low-
lands on exposed inferior light soils.

Sample in grain and straw by Mr John Graham, Mill of Con,
Aberfoyle ; and two samples in straw grown on a light peat or mossy
soil at Strontian, Argyleshire, by Mr James Carmichael.

Sown at Meadowbank Nursery, April 7, in ear June 27, ripe
August 12, 1835.

2. Square Barley.
Orge carree. Suction de printemps. — Fr.

In grain by Vilmorin and Co., Paris, weight per bushel 49^ lb. ;
differs from the Common Barley-big, in being three or four days
sooner ripe, and having a thinner skin, properties which it may have
acquired by being grown successively in the more genial climate of
France, and is likely the same variety. It is little cultivated in
France, but extensively in some parts of Germany.

3. White Four-rowed Winter Barley.
Orge carree d'hiver. — Fr,
Ears thicker, and rather longer ; grains larger, thicker skinned ;
and sample altogether coarser like than any of the preceding.

The lower three or four tier of florets are often barren, notwith-
standing which it is considered by the French as being more produc-
tive than any other variety of barley whatever. It is much culti-
vated in the north of France, and said to be very well adapted for
the making of beer. It is generally sown in autumn, and ripens

BARLEY. 35

before any of the spring sown sorts: but if sown in spring, it. is a
week or a fortnight later in ripening than the latest of them.

4. African, Tangier, or Morocco Barley.

Straw and ears much shorter than the last ; grain larger, thiclier
skinned, and not so plump ; foliage when green remarkably broad,
and greedily eaten by hares and rabbits ; awns long and spreading,
and not easily separated from the grain.

Samples in grain and straw by Mr A. Gorrie, grown by him for
several years ; but he has now abandoned its cultivation on account
of its shortness of straw and inferiority of sample.

Introduced to this country some years ago by the British Consul
at Tangier, Morocco.

5. Bengal Barley.

Resembles the last, but is not so strong in the straw. From its
not being sown until near the end of May, an opportunity was not
afforded of making a satisfactory comparison.

Samples in grain from Mr George Drummond, Bengal, commu-
nicated by the Messrs Drummond, Stirling.

6. Black Winter Barley.

Orge carree noir Fr.

Spike long, containing from sixty to seventy grains of a black or
dark bluish colour, larger than those of common big ; awns adhering
to the grain, long and dark coloured ; it is very prolific, but maltsters
and brewers generally have a strong prejudice against it, more by
reason of its colour than any thing else. It is not so hardy as the
white winter sort (No. 3), but by being earlier, it is better adapted
for sov/ing in spring. However, when it is sown as a spring barley,
that operation should not be deferred much beyond the end of March,
otherwise it will not shoot equally, but rather take on a biennial
habit, no part of it running to seed until the season following ; on
which account it is sometimes sown by the French in June and July,
and eaten on the ground by sheep, as in the case of rye (No. 3).
When treated in this manner the Black Barley is found to with-
stand the winter better than when sown in September or October.

c 2

So CEREAL GRASSES.

7. Four or Six rowed Naked Barley, Siberian Barlev.
Hordeum gijmno-hexastichon, but more properly Hordeum vulgarey

var. nudum.

The ear is similar in shape to No. 1, bat rather more distinctly
six-rowed, containing a much greater number of grains, which are
small compared with those of the other naked barleys ; awns rather
upright, and easily broken when ripe. — (The difference between
naked and other barleys, consists in the palese or husk separating
from the gi-ain in thrashing, as in common wheats.) — This sort is also
known by the name of Siberian Barley. See Martyris Edition of
Miller's Gardener's Dictionary, from which, the following extract is
taken: — " Siberian Barlej' was introduced in 1768, by Mr Haliday,
who, ha\ ing near a quart of seed, sowed the whole in drills. The first
week in May, the produce was hung up in the ear, and in the be-
ginning of April 1769; was thrashed out, and found to produce near
a bushel. On the 19th and 20th of that month it was sown again,
and was reaped on the 15th and 16th of August following: the pro-
duce was thirty-six bushels of clean corn, — two bushels, weighing 132
lb., being sent to the mill, yielded 80 lb. of fine flour, equal to the
London second : 40 lb. of a coarse sort, and 12 lb. of bran superior
to that of wheat. The best flour made excellent bread, and so reten-
tive of moisture, as to be as good at twelve or fourteen days after
baking as Mheaten bread on the fourth day. And 1 2 lb. of barley,
and the same of wheat flour being made into bread, and baked in
the same oven, the wheaten loaf weighed 15 lb., and the barley 18
lb. Two bushels of it being malted, were brewed into a half barrel
of ale, and another of small beer, both of which proved very good."

Notwithstanding the above favourable account, the cultivation of
this barley is now almost given over, and, indeed, it was never ex-
tensive in Britain ; but whether arising from prejudice or its being
found unsuitable to the climate, is now difficult to determine. It is
extensively grown in the north of Europe, and even in some parts of
France, and certainly deserves a fair trial in this country, particu-
lai'ly in the north of Scotland, where it might form a valuable acqui-
sition on account of its earliness, it being ripe about a week before
Common Bear (No. 1).

Sample in grain from Messrs Vilmorin and Co., Paris j weight per
bushel 64 lb.

BARLEY. 37

8. Nepaul or Himmalaya Naked Barley, Nepaul Wheat.

Hordeum nepalense ; Hordeum trifurcatum.

Orge trifurqiie. — Fr.

This sort was fust introduced into Britain from the Himmalayau
Mountains (where it grows near the line of perpetual snow) in 1817,
under the name of Nepaul wheat, and said to be a new and early
variety, capable of ripening two crops in one summer. It is found,
however, possessed of all the characteristics of the genus Hordeum
(barley), and differs from the last mentioned variety chiefly in the
form of its awns, which are very short, about half as long as the
grain, generally bent down upon the inner palete (inner chaff or co •
vering of the grain), with the wings of the outer paleag rising to
about one-eighth of an inch on each side, and forming with the awn
a three-forked like termination to the floret ; hence the specific name
trifurcatum. This distinguishing characteristic of the awn is, how-
ever, by no means permanent, for on being cultivated for some time
in this country, the awns occasionally become elongated, as in the
last variety ; and on the same ear is often to be seen the two ex-
tremes, long and short, with all the intermediate forms and sizes of
awns, but even in this case it is easily distinguished from the preced-
ing by its larger, more round, and darker coloured grains. It is also
rather earlier than tlie last ; straw short, except when sown late or
in late situations, stiff, and upright ; foliage when young, broad, and
of a glaucous green colour ; weight per bushel about 62g lb.

Specimen in grain and ears by Alexander Thomson, Esquire, of
Banchory ; the latter shewing the aptitude of the awns to become
long and straight by being cultivated in this country.

XL HORDEUM HEXASTICHON.

9. True Six-rowed Barley, Pomeranian Barley ; also termed
Six-RowED White Winter Barley.

Hordeum hexastichon-zeocriton, {Low^s Elements of Agiiculture).
Orge de Six Hangs. — Fr.

Grains placed in six equidistant and distinct rows ; lower grains
placed nearly at right angles with the rachis, awns in consequence
much spread.

In Miller's Gardener's Dictionary, Martyn's edition, this species
seems to be confounded with the former, Hordeum vulgare. He

38 CEREAL GRASSES.

says in his specific description, " Hordeum hexastichon, Winter or
Square Barley, Bere or Beg. All the florets hermaphrodite and
awned, seeds placed regularly in six rows." And again, " Winter
or Square Barley, commonly called Beer, Barley-Bere or Byg, ha-
ving six rows of grain, has a much thicker spike than Common or
Spring Barley, hut is also much shorter ; the number of grains, hoiv-
ever, in an ear or spike, is greater in the proportion of at least three
to two. The ear is seldom more than two inches in length ; it is
square, with two rows of grain on two sides, on the other two a
single row of grain runs up the middle, so that the former rows are
awned only laterally, and the latter on the sides and along the
middle also." That portion of the above which applies to the True
Six-rowed Barley, is printed in italics ; the other portion can only
apply to one or other of the Square Barleys (^Hordeum vulgare), and
certainly the whole can never be applicable to the same species. In
Hordeum hexastichon, the grains are long, not well filled, and having
the awns adhering to them with great tenacity, It is altogether
the coarsest in sample of any of the barleys, but hardy and prolific.
It is occasionally sown in France, and also in Britain, sometimes as
a winter and sometimes as a spring barley, and is found to answer
pretty well as either. It is nearly a fortnight longer in arriving
at maturity than Common Big (No. 1). There are no varieties of
this species in cultivation.

Specimens in straw by the late Rev. William Stark, Dirleton
Manse, and by Mr Currer, Myreside.

IJI. HORDEUM ZEOCRITON.

10. Putney, Fan, Spuat, or Battledore Barley.

Ear short, and very broad at the base, tapering towards the ex-
tremity ; grain standing out from the rachis as in the last ; awns
spreading much to both sides, very much resembling Hordeum
hexastichon in all its parts, except in the number or rows of grain in
the ear, which is only two. This sort is scarcely in cultivation, nor
does it seem deserving of more attention.

Specimen in straw by the late Rev. William Stark, Dirleton.

IV. HORDEUM DISTICHON— Two-rowed or Long-eared Barley.
In this as in the last species, the lateral florets are male and bai'ren

BARLEY. 39

grains (consequently two-rowed), but the spike is considerably more
elongated, and of equal breadth throughout ; the male or barren
florets are also more minute and indistinct ; the grains are more im-
bricated, or placed so as to overlap one another, instead of standing
out from the rachis as in Hordeum zeocriton.

11. Common Two-rowed or English Barley.

Ears in general three to four inches long by one-third of an inch
broad, containing twenty-eight or thirty grains, which are not very
close set on the rachis ; awns extending about the length of the
spike beyond its point. It may be considered four or six days later
than the Common Big (No. 1), is less prolific, but yields a much
superior sample, and is held in greater esteem by maltsters. It is,
however, not so well suited for inferior soils, and high elevated
late places as the other.

Sample in grain by Mr Robert Dale, West Libberton Mains ;
weight 54 lb. per bushel. In straw by Mr Arnott, Chapel, parish
of Kettle, Fife ; a plant which he discovered in a field, with three
stalks from the same root, two of them having cars of the common
form, and the other having a compound spike resembling that of
Egyptian Wheat, and containing 63 grains.

12. Chevalier Barley.

Ears resembling those of the last, but containing on an average
two or four grains more in each ; grain rounder and more plump ;
sample every way superior to that of the Common Bai'ley, but not
so well adapted for sowing on late soils, being eight or ten days
longer in ripening. This sort was introduced from England some
years ago, and is now in general cultivation in the best agricultural
districts of Scotland.

Crop 1834 — Sample in grain and straw by Sir Anthony Maitland^
Lauder ; weight 56| lb. per bushel. By Mr A. Gorrie ; weight 54A lb.
And in straw by Mr Morris, farm manager, Inverniay.

Crop 1835 — Sample in grain by Richard Garratt, Esquire, Great
Harrondon, Northamptonshire, obtained the prize at Earl Spencer's
Show in September ; weight per bushel (33 quarts) 58 lb. ; produce
per acre about 7 qrs. 2 bushels. Communicated by Mr Garratt to
the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. Also,

Samples in grain by Messrs Jacob Wrench and Sons, seedsmen,
London, weight 56^ lb. per bushel ; an average sample of the Edin-

40 CEREAL GRASSES.

burgh Market, weight 56i lb. per bushel ; and by Mr J. M'Laren,
Castle Hill, Inchtare, Perthshire, a sample of excellent quality, and
equal in colour to any of the above English samples.

The English samples present a marked superiority in colour to the
generality of Scotch samples of the growth of this season (1835),
owing to the continued wet weather which the latter received in
harvesting.

13. Annat Barley.

" This new and very superior barley is the produce of two ears
picked in a field on the farm of Flawcraig, Carse of Gowrie, in 1830,
since which period it has been grown by Mr A. Gorrie at Annat
Garden (hence its name). Last year it was sown on a ridge in the
middle of a field, with Common Barley on the one side and Chevalier
on the other. In bulk of straw it seems to have the advantage of
both these kinds. It was five days ripe before the former, and about
a fortnight before the latter. It was also about 2^ lb. per bushel
heavier than the Chevalier," &c. (See Quarterly Journal of Agri-
culture, March 1835.) The grain is even more round and plump
than that of the Chevalier, of a bright yellow transparent colour.

Sample in grain and straw by Mr A. Gorrie, weight per bushel
57 lb., grown beside the samples of Chevalier mentioned above as
weighing 54| lb.

14. DuNLOP Barley.

Ear and grains similar in size and shape to those of Common Bar-
ley (No. 1 0), but, together with the straw, a good deal darker in co-
lour, particularly a few days before ripening. This variety, which is
but of recent introduction, is now cultivated to a considerable extent
in Perth and Forfar shires, as well as some parts towards the south-
west of Scotland. It is about a week earlier than Common Barley,
and particularly adapted for growing on late situations.

Samples in grain and straw grown on a light soil, 500 feet above
the level of the sea, by Mr A. Gorrie ; weight 53^ lb. per bushel.

15. Stain's Barley.
This variety was sent from London by Lord Lyndoch, to his land-
steward, Mr Stain, Dalcrue, Perthshire, and is now known in that
neighbourhood under the above name. It is the same sort as that
mentioned in Dickson and Turnbull's Museum Report, under the
name of Siberian Barley, as being presented by " Mr Stain, Dalcrue,
Lyndoch ; slender ear and fair sample." It is late in ripening, and

BARLEY. 41

superior in sample to the Common Two-rowed Barley (No. 10).
The name Siberian Barley seems to be applied to different varieties,
amongst which may be mentioned the Two-rowed Naked Barley,
but the true Siberian is undoubtedly the Four or Six rowed Naked
Barley {Hordeum vulgare, var. nudum. No. 7)-
Sample in grain by Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Garden.

16. Golden Barley, Italian Barley.

Sample in straw by Messrs Drummond, Stirling, under the former,
and in straw and grain by Mr Imrie, nursery and seedsman, Ayr,
under the latter name. Ear short, but remarkably close, broad, and
compact ; grains larger than in any other variety of H. disticlion,
plump, and of a bright light yellowish colour. Owing to the recent
period at which the above mentioned samples were received, an op-
portunity has not yet been afforded of growing them together for
comparison ; but from their similarity, and distinct appearance from
the other varieties, there is little doubt but they will prove the same.

The Golden Barley is now pretty extensively cultivated about
Deanston and other places in the neighbourhood of Stirling ; it was
first introduced into that district and cultivated by Mr Smith of the
Deanston Works. Under the name of Italian Barley, it was intro-
duced into Ayrshire some years ago, from the Alps of Europe, and
hence it is sometimes called Alpine Barley. It seems upon the whole
a very superior barley, and deserving of cultivation.

17. Chancellor Barley.
Ear rather long ; grains not very close set ; quality of the sample
rather inferior, compared with some of the preceding varieties.

18. RoYSTON Barley.

Grains large, remote ; sample rather inferior, darker in colour than
Common Barley when nearly ripe.

19. Tw^o-rowed Black Barley.

Hordeum distichon nigrum.

This sort is at once distinguished from the others by its black or

dark blue coloured grains, Avhich are large and coarse shaped. It is

prolific, and yields a considerable bulk of straw, but is later by six or

eight days in ripening than the Common Two-rowed Barley.

Sample of a variety similar to the above, but having the grains^

42 CEREAL GRASSES.

placed more close iu the spike, and the barren florets of" a wliilisli
colour, by Mr Patrick M'Kinna, Gowkscroft, near Ayr, who exhibited
it at the Highland Society Show there in October, under the name of
Cape of Good Hope Barley, from its being originally from that place.
A farther trial will, however, be required to ascertain whether or not
it be a decided permanent variety.

It is very likely that the Two-rowed Black Barley may prove as
hardy as the Four and Six rowed Black Winter sort. The black
colour which distinguishes those two sorts, and from which they
derive their names, is confined to the paleaj or outer covering of
the grain, on the removal of which the grain appears white, and will
yield as white flour as any of the other kinds.

20. T\vo-uo\vED Naked BaIiley.
Hordeum distichon nudum.

Ears long, containing twenty-eight or thirty very large grains,
which separate from the paleae or chaff in the manner of wheat.

This variety has been introduced to the notice of agriculturists at
various times and under different names, but its cultivation has always
been abandoned, or at least never carried on to a great extent. Mil-
ler mentions " there being cultivated to a considerable extent in Staf-
fordshire, about sixty or seventy years since, under the name of Triti-
eum speltum, a sort of naked barley or wheat barlej'^, the ear shaped
like barley but the grain like wheat ; that it made good bread and
good malt, and yielded a good increase ; but as no mention is made
of it in Page's Vievv of the Agriculture of that country in 1796," he
supposes it to be lost or not in cultivation. About seven or eight
years since, Mr Loudon introduced it from the north of Europe un-
der the name of Siberian Barley, and distributed it amongst several
cultivators in various parts of Britain. One portion, consisting of
about fifty grains, which he sent to Mr Gorrie, Annat Garden, Perth-
shire, and which was sown in the garden, yielded a considerable
return of grain, and ripened early ; but on its cultivation being ex-
tended to the field, its straw was found to become very brittle and
tender towards the period of ripening, so as to be unfit for support-
ing the ears, and completely incapable of forming into ropes for
binding. Its cultivation was therefore abandoned. Tlie grain, how-
ever, on being ground, yielded a good barley-flour, and, had it not
been for the above mentioned circumstance, it might have been cul-
tivated with advantage for that purpose.

OATS. 43

Sample in grain from Professor Fischer, St Pctcrsburgli, 1834,
under the name of Himalayan Barley ; and by Vilmorin and Co.
Paris.

In France its cultivation is never carried on to any great extent,
owing to the above peculiarity of its straw.

On rich lands three and a quarter bushels of barley will be suffi-
cient seed for an imperial acre, when the tilth is fine, which should
always be the case ; on poor lands five bushels are sometimes sown,
but when sown too thick on any soils, the produce is generally
inferior. In England this grain has always been sown early. In
this country, about twenty years since, barley seed-time was about
the first week in May, but the practice of sowing in April has of late
been gaining ground, as the sample produced is found to weigh more
than when sown later.

The varieties of H. distichon, notwithstanding their inferiority
in quality of produce, compared with some of the four and six-
rowed Barleys, have received a more extended and careful cultiva-
tion not only in Britain but also in France, and other parts of the
Continent. This arises no doubt from the superiority of their samples ;
but were a little more attention devoted to the improvement of the
four and six-rowed sorts by hybridizing or selecting any superior
ears which appear possessed of the fine qualities required, in a short
time we might expect to see the quantity of barley grown upon a
given space, considerably more than at present (in H. distichon
the number of grains in an ear is from twenty-four to thirty, while
in that of H. vulgare there are about sixty and often seventy), and
the sample at the same time equally go.od with that of common two-
rowed barley. There is certainly much more room for improvement
in the case of four and six rowed barleys than in any other of our
cereal srrains.

AVENA— OAT.

Generic characters. — Inflorescence panicled, panicle loose,
compound ; spikelets solitary, two or more flowered ; glumes longer
than the florets, two-valved ; paleaj, lower twice torn, and with the
upper terminating iji two points, two-keeled, sometimes eroded,

44 CEREAL GRASSES.

concave ; awn or beard sometimes absent, but when present, placed
on the l)ack of the lower paleae, jointed and twisted ; seed covered
with minute hair, and furrowed.

I. AVENA SATIVA — Common Cdltivated Oat.

Specific CHARACTERS. — Panicle spreading, nearly equal on all sides.
Spikelets often containing two, but occasionally three fertile florets
(consequently grains). Paleae smooth. Awns, one in each spikelet.

* White Oats, or such as have the palece of a whitish or straw colour.

Of this division cultivators, in every district, have what they term
" Common Oat, or Common White Oat ;" but this name is not uni-
versally applicable to one variety. Thus the Common Oat of Rox-
burghshire, is the Blainsley Oat. The Common Oat of some parts
of Perth and Angus shires is the late Angus Oat ; and in other
parts (chiefly in the north) the Early Angus is termed the Common
Oat ; therefore, in the following enumeration of varieties, the term
Common Oat is not admitted.

1. Potato Oat.

This variety, which has received a more extensive cultivation than
perhaps any other, was first discovered amongst a field of potatoes
(hence its name) in Cumberland, in 1788. Panicle rather compact
and regular. Straw rather short. Grain very white, short and well
filled, seldom bearded or awned, except when cultivated too long on
dry soils without changing the seed. The presence of the awn often
arising from the effects of cultivation, climate, soil, or other causes.

Specimens in grain by Mr Robb, Gorgie Mains, 46^ lb. per bushel.

2. Potato-DAT of the French.

Avoine Patate, Avoine pom?ne cle terre.

Differs most essentially in all its parts from our Potato-oat, being

nearly a fortnight longer in ripening. Panicle more spreading. Grain

a shade darker in colour, longer, and more pointed ; almost always

awned. Straw longer, and rather more slender.

Although the French had this oat originally from England, and
although oats deteriorate very much when cultivated in the climate
of France, yet the difference between it and our Potato-oat is too

OATS. 45

great to leave the least doubt of their being distinct varieties. Tiie
French variety is very inferior, and not deserving of cultivation in
this country.

3. HoPETouN Oat.

This variety was raised some years since by Mr Patrick Shirreff,
Mungoswells, East- Lothian : it is a few days earlier than the Potato
Oat, and not so liable to be shaken out by winds ; its straw is longer,
and not so apt to bend or lodge ; panicle larger, and more spreading ;
grain rather more awned, and a shade Ijrowner in colour, and easily
distinguished by a small reddish mark in the centre of the front of
the grain.

During the last three or four years, the cultivation of the Hope-
toun Oat has extended rapidly throughout every well cultivated dis-
trict in Scotland. It is now generally believed by farmers to be
better adapted for light, than for strong clay soils, and that it is
more liable to be attacked by smut or black than the Potato Oat.
But altogether its cultivation is still increasing, and for growing
on poor late moorish or newly reclaimed lands, no variety is better
adapted.

Sample in grain from Edinburgh market, weight 46 lb. per
bushel ; and in straw by the late Rev. William Stark, Dii'leton Manse.
Sample also in straw by Mr James Wilson, Sweet Hope; height six
and a half feet, grown by Mr Gilbert Wilson in the immediate vicinity
of Musselburgh, 1832. This specimen was from about the middle
of the field, and not nearly so tall as some which grew on the head-
ridges. Previous to being cropped with the Hopetoun Oat, the field
had been some years under grass. Quantity of seed sown per Scotch
acre, four bushels ; produce about fifty-eight bushels.

4. Early Kent Oat.

This sort yields a very superior sample, resembling that of the
Potato Oat (No. 1), differing, however, from it in being sliorter in
straw, and about a week earlier, and also very much in the young
plant, in which, instead of the leaves being narrow and prostrate (as
in the Common Oat), they are of a light-green colour, broad, and
upright, not tillering well ; in this respect resembling the Georgian
Oat.

5. Georgian Oat.
Avoine de Georgie. — Fr.

Grains very large, and thick skinned, seldom awned ; panicle

41') CEREAL GRASSES.

very large, and sjireading ; straw tall and strong, not aj)! to become
lodged, about as early as the last ; young plants of a peculiar upright
habit of growth, not spreading or tillering much; leaves very broad
and luxuriant, of a light yellowish-green colour.

This variety was introduced about ten years since, by Captain
Barclay of Urie. At first it received a rapid and extensive cultiva-
tion on account of its earliness, and the great quantity of straw and
grain which it produced. But owing to the thickness of skin, it
was found to meal very indifferently, and the straw from its coarsness
being disliked by cattle, and also, from the crop being supposed of a
deteriorating nature for the soil, its cultivation has been almost
abandoned. In France the Georgian Oat is of a more recent intro-
duction, and at present held in much esteem.

6. New Early Essex Oat.

In general habit much resembling the last ; panicle, however, more
contracted, and altogether of a whiter colour, equally early, grain
rather more awncd, and thinner skinned.

Specimens in straw and grain by Sir Anthony Maitland, Lauder,
by whom it was introduced into this country. Produce 147 bushels,
after seven bushels sown.

7. Blue Majou Oat.

This variety also bears a marked resemblance to the Georgian
(No. 5). The grains, however, are rather thinner skinned, and
darker in colour, being tinged with a very light bluish colour, parti-
cularly on the back of the lower palea, and the whole of the upper.

Sample in grain by the Right Hon. the Earl of Lauderdale.

8. Strathallan Early Oat.^

About two or three days longer in ripening than the Potato Oat ;

longer in the straw ; grain more elongated, and not so plump or

well filled.

9. Early Angus Oat.

Nearly as early as the Potato Oat, and less liable to be shaken by
high winds when ripe. In other respects this more resembles the
last mentioned sort. It is much cultivated in the district of Angus,
and northward in some parts of the Highlands ; also in most parts of
Scotland, but particularly in the late and more exposed districts.

Sample in straw by the late Rev. William Stark, Dirleton Manse.

OATS. 47

10. Late Angus Oat.

Straw longer than in the early variety ; panicle rather larger, and
more loose ; grain rather longer, generally a shade darker in colour,
and from a week to a fortnight later in ripening.

This is a well known and superior variety, much cultivated, parti-
cularly in the central districts of Scotland, in some parts of which it
is termed Common Oat, or Common late Oat.

Sample in straw by Mr James Carmichael, Strontian, Argyleshire,
groM'n on a peaty soil.

11. Grey Angus Oat.
Differs from the last in the grain being longer, and of a bluish-grey
colour. Not so generally cultivated as the Late Angus, but is never-
tlieless a good sort.

12. Cupar Grange Oai'.

So called from being first raised at the farm of Cupar Grange in
Angus or Forfai'shire. Panicle large, spreading, and loose-like ;
grains large, and generally well filled, forming a superior sample ;
straw rather longer than that of the Late Angus, than which it is
also a few days longer in ripening.

Sample in straw by Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Garden.

13. Blainsley Oat.

The grain is more round and plump in this than in the last sort,
which, however, it greatly resembles. It acquires its name from
being raised at Blainsley. This is the Common Oat in the south-
east districts of Scotland, where it is much cultivated.

Samples in straw by Mr James Carmichael, Strontian, Argyle-
shire ; grown on a peaty or mossy soil. Good crop.

14. KiLDRUMMiE Oat.

Straw long ; panicle erect, rather large, but thinner, and contain-
ing fewer grains than that of the last three sorts, which are also
lighter, long, and rather small. It is nearly a week earlier than the
last. This sort can only be accounted a second rate oat, but is
suitable for high districts.

Sample in grain by P. Thomson, Esq. Hangingside, Linlithgow.

48 CEREAL GRASSES.

15. Common InisH Oat.

This sort is still longer in straw ; more loose and light in the
panicle, late, and every way inferior to the last.

Sample in straw by Messrs Drummond and Sons, Stirling.

16. Drummond Oat.

This variety requires about a Meek longer to ripen than the Potato
Oat (No. 1). It bears more resemblance to the Early Angus, but
differs from it also in its upper paleae or adhesive skin, being of a
bright light reddish or brown colour. It is grown in some parts of
Perthshire, and is found well adapted for very strong clay soils.

Specimens in grain by Mr Alexander Lindsay jun. Myres of Errol,
Carse of Gowrie. Soil a strong bluish clay. Good crop.

17. Macbieiiill or Red Macbieiiill Oat.
Acquires the latter name from being of a very clear light brown
or reddish colour, so light, however, as to entitle it to a place amongst
the white oats ; it differs little in other respects from the preceding.

18. London Don Oat.

This sort seems to be little known in the Lothians ; it is beginning
to be cultivated in a few places in Roxburgh and Berwick shires, but
more extensively in the south-west of Scotland. It seems to yield a
large bulk of straw, is not apt to lodge, and deserving of a more ex-
tended cultivation. Panicle long, and pretty close ; grain forming a
good sample.

Sample in straw by Mr J. Carmichael, Strontian, Argyleshire.
Grown on soil composed chiefly of peat ; yielded a good crop.

19. Danish Oat.

Panicle large and spreading ; glumes or outer chaff large and
broad, of a light yellowish colour ; grains long, light, and awnod,
forming a very inferior sample ; straw of a medium length.

20. Poland Oat.

This sort has been in cultivation for a considerable length of time,
and it is doubtful whether that which now bears the name be the
true original variety ; in general appearance it much resembles an
inferior sample of Potato Oats.

OATS. 49

The specimen at Meadowbank Nursery was a week later in ripen-
ing than that of Potato Oat.

21. Friesland or Dutch Oat.

About 1820 this oat was much cultivated in Perthshire, but it de-
generated rapidly, ripened unequally, and is now almost out of cul-
ture ; it is an early oat, rather shorter than the Blainsley or Cupar
Grange.

22. Three-grained White Oat.
Avoine a trots graines — Fr.

Straw of medium length; panicle rather large and spreading;
grains three in each spikelet ; good- like sample, but a little thick in
the skin. This variety is easily distinguished by the number of
grains in the spikelet, and may turn out a valuable acquisition.

The following white varieties of A. sativa were received at a period
too late for their being sown and satisfactorily compared with
the former.

23. Early White Irish Oat.'J -,,,,,, t>.

, ^ „ ^ f Samples by the Messrs Drum-

24. Tam Finlay Oat. ^ ^ H <? • r

25. Argyleshire Oat. J '

A variety of oat also from the East Indies, by Mr George Drum-
mond, grown in the vicinity of Bengal by Europeans, for feeding
their horses.

* * Red, Dun, or Black-coloured Oats.

26. Red Essex Oat.

Apparently the same as the Avoine rousse of the French. Straw
rather long; panicle not spreading much; grain long, not well filled;
thickish skinned, of a bright reddish colour, approaching to white
towards the small end, and blackish towards the other extremity.
This, although a prolific variety, yields a very meagre inferior
sample, and is scarcely deserving of cultivation.

Specimens in grain by Alexander Thomson, Esq. Banchory.

27. Common Dun Oat.
Grains long, but well filled ; skin not very thick, of a dark-like
colour, lightish towards the point ; panicle very large and spreading ;
straw very long, and not apt to lodge.

50 CEREAL GRASSES.

This is a very prolific sort, and perhaps more deserving of culti-
vation than any other of the coloured oats. Although somewhat
late, it is well adapted for poor light elevated soils, and is much
grown on such in the Lothians and neighbouring districts, as about
the Pentland and Lammermuir Hills.

Sample in straw and grain by Mr John Machray, late gardener and
overseer at Bush House. The former upwards of six feet in height,
containing on each ear from 80 to 100 grains ; weight of the latter
441 lb. per bushel; grown on a lately reclaimed moorish soil; cut 23d
September 1834.

28. Dl'n Winter Oat.
L'Avoiiie d'Hiver. — Fr.

Straw shorter, and panicle not so much spreading as in the last
variety ; grains also rather shorter, and of the same colour.

This oat is by the French considered one of their best, and is one
of their most extensively cultivated varieties. It is generally sown
in September, and ripens early. It is grown as a winter oat to the
greatest extent in the west and south-west of France, as in the de-
partment of Brittany, but is there, as well as in other parts, occa-
sionally sown in spring, but in this case the sample is always inferior
to that sown in winter. It is very hardy, never being injured by the
frosts. In England there is a white variety cultivated as a winter
oat, which must be altogether different from the one here mentioned ;
but as no sample of it has as yet been procured for the Museum, an
opportunity has not been afforded for examining and comparing it
with the others.

29' Brown or Black Riga, or Archangel Oat.

Grains small and plump, generally three in each spikelet ; colour
darker than that of the last, and not so dark as that of the following
variety ; straw rather long, and not liable to lodge ; a very early and
prolific sort.

Sample in straw and grain by Mr A. Gorrie, who picked it about
four years ago in a sample of oats from Archangel (hence its name).

30. Common or Old Black Oat.
L'Avoine noire de brie. — Fr.
In length of the straw, and form of the panicle, similar to the
Potato Oat ; grain large, and rather well filled, of a shining black
colour, lighter towards the point.

OATS. 51

This oat was formerly much cultivated, not only in the Highlands,
but also on inferior soils in the Lowlands of Scotland ; its cultivation is
now, however, much circumscribed, owing more to its colour than to
any real defect in its quality. Farmers in some parts have a pecu-
liar antipathy against black or dun coloured oats. One reason they
give for this is, that the coloured grains degenerate and become
white, thus giving the sample a mixed like appearance ; but proba-
bly this mixture arises more from the slovenly manner in which barns
are often kept, and particularly from thrashing black corn in a mill
after white sorts, without the machinery being properly cleaned down,
than from any real degeneracy.

Samples in grain and straw by Mr Thomas Fair, Lauder, grown
by Mr Dods on the farm of Colmslie-hill, Roxburghshire, on a very
elevated situation. Mr Dods has grown the same without change
of seed on his farm for the space of eight years. The worst crop he
has had of this was seven bolls per imperial acre, and the best ten.
He considers them the most prolific of any sort he has had on his
farm, and about a week earlier than the Potato Oat, and not so easily
shaken by wind; weight 42 lb. per bushel.

II. AVENA ORIENTALIS — Tartaiuan, Hungarian, or One-seeded

Oat.

L'Avoine unilaterale ; Avoine de Hongrie. — Fr.
This species differs from the last in having its panicle more con-
tracted, and altogether confined to one side, or secundate.

31. Common White Tartarian Oat.

Straw very long (about six feet), upright, and not apt to lodge ;
panicle long, and slightly bent to the side on which the grains are ;
grains of a dull white colour, long awned, and not well filled, form-
ing rather a meagre sample.

This variety is very prolific, but considerably longer in ripening
than any of the preceding, and is therefore only fitted for cultivation
in early situations, and requires a superior soil. It is not in general
cultivation in this country. In France it seems to suit better, and
is gi"own to a greater extent.

Samples in straw by the late Rev. William Stark, Dirleton.

32. Black Tartarian Oat.
This variety, although resembling the last in the form of its panicle,

D 2

Sa CEREAL GRASSES.

is nevertheless very different in other respects ; its straw is of a me-
dium length ; grain black, not so long, more plump, and less awned
or bearded than the preceding. It is also one of our earliest oats,
and answers best on high and rather inferior light soils ; is very pro-
lific, and meals much better than the Common White Tartarian. In
some parts of England, the Black Tartarian Oat has been cultivated,
for a considerable length of time, for feeding horses, for which it is
said to be well adapted. Into Scotland its introduction has been
comparatively recent, but its culture is yearly extending.

By J. H. Colt, Esq. of Gartsherrie, a sample in grain under the

name of Black Poland Oat By the late Rev. William Stark, Dirle-

ton, a sample in grain grown on very light sandy soil. — By Mr A.
Gorrie, Annat Garden, in grain and straw. — By David Millie, Esq.
Balhousie, Largo, Fife, where it has been grown very successfully
for many years.

33. Early White Tartarian Oat.
Similar to the last except in colour ; in a field of which, it was dis-
covered, and presented by Mr A. Gorrie.

III. AVENA BRE\ IS.

34. Short Oat.
L'Avoine courte., Avoine pied a Mouche. — Fr.

Panicle mostly confined to one side ; spikelets containing one or
two grains, which are always awned ; grains almost as long as the
glumes (which are little more than a quarter of an inch), plump, and
terminating abruptly at both ends, particularly at the point ; of a
dunnish colour when ripe. The kernel is easily rubbed out, and there
are generally a few scattered hairs about the insertion of the awn, and
towards the point of the paleae.

There is only one variety of this sort in cultivation. The straw
is long and fine, much relished by cattle, either in a green or dry
state. Its cultivation does not seem to have been tried in Britain,
but is chiefly confined to some of the most mountainous districts of
France and Spain, where it is preferred to all others, from its earli-
ness and adaptation to such elevated and inferior soils.

Avena brevis is supposed to have been first introduced into this
country from Germany in 1804.

OATS. 53

IV. AVENA NUDA— Naked Oat.

L'Avoine nue. — Fr.

Spikelets containing three to six florets, longer than the glumes ;
palese not adhering to the seed (as in the other species of oat) ;
hence the name.

35. Common Naked Oat,

Fertile florets, three or four in each spikelet, the lower one, and
sometimes two of which are bearded ; paleee large and loose ; grains
about the size and similar to the kernel of common oats. The cul-
tivation of this oat has been attempted at different times in various
parts of Britain, for the last two or three hundred years. Gerard,
who wrote on agriculture, in 1597, says, that at that period " un-
huUed, or Naked Oats, were cultivated in Norfolk and Suffolk."
Their cultivation, howevei', in any place has never been carried
on extensively, for any length of time, owing chiefly, no doubt,
to their liability to shake when nearly ripe. They are very prolific,
and grow well on inferior soils, particularly on such as contain a con-
siderable portion of peat.

Specimen in straw by the late Rev. Wm. Stark, Dirleton.

36. Small Naked Oat.

This sort differs from the last in being considerably smaller in all
its parts ; panicle more contracted, and one-sided ; florets more com-
pact, and the awns or beards, which are two in each spikelet, longer,
and more persistent, than those of the Common Naked Oat ; than
which, it is also much later, and its grains not half the size.

This sort is certainly less deserving of cultivation than the pre-
ceding, and can only be valued as a curious variety in collections.

V. AVENA STERILIS.

37- Animal or Fly Oat.

Straw short, and reedy ; panicle one-sided, spreading ; spikelets
containing two to five florets, two lowest ones fully more than an inch
in length, fertile and awned, the others never awned, but sometimes
fertile ; back of the under florets, covered with long bristly hairs, as
far up as the insertion of the awn.

This oat is never cultivated, except as an article of curiosity. The
awns and bristly hairs, when acted upon alternately by heat and mois-

54 CEREAL GRASSES.

ture, twist about, so as to give the grain a creeping motion, resem-
bling that of a large fly ; hence its name of Fly or Animated Oat,
and sometimes that of the Hygrometric Oat. It is of a black or dark
brown colour, and, from its resemblance to some winged insect, is
occasionally used as a bait for salmon hooks.

Specimen of seeds, by A. Thomson, Esq. of Banchory.

VI. AVENA FATUA.

38. Wild Oat.

Straw long, rather slender and upright ; panicle spreading equally
on all sides, large, open, and loose-like ; spikelets generally contain-
ing three florets, which are all bearded and hairy at the base ; colour
similar to the last.

This is supposed by some, to be the original from which all the
varieties of A. sativa are derived ; although there is no proper rea-
son given for such a supposition, and from the marked difference
between them, the probability of such may well be questioned. The
seeds of the Wild Oat have been known to retain their vegetative
powers for an extraordinary length of time, when buried in the earth,
at a depth sufficient to prevent their springing. When nearly ripe,
the seeds are very liable to be shaken out, and thus to become in
some places a most troublesome weed. It is never cultivated for
any special purpose, but the awns possess similar hygrometric qua-
lities as those of the last, and are also used for baiting hooks. It
is often mistaken for the next, both being indiscriminately termed
Wild Oats.

DANTHONIA.

This is a genus separated by modern botanists from that of Avena,
chiefly on account of the lower palea being much prolonged, two-
toothed, and so deeply divided that the awn appears as if inserted
between the teeth.

DANTHONIA STRIGOSA.

1. Common Danthonia or Bristle-pointed Oat.
Panicle inclined to one side, nearly simple ; spikelets containing
two or three florets all bearded, about as long as the glumes ; grain
rather small, and thick skinned.

OATS. 55

This oat is cultivated in several countries, particularly in France,
for the purpose of feeding cattle, being either cut and given them in
a green state, or allowed to ripen and given them in the straw. It
is often to be met with in oat fields, particularly amongst the later
sorts, and is termed Wild Oat by farmers, they making no distinc-
tion between it and the former. The difference may, however, be at
once detected, by the Bristle-pointed Oat having rather shorter
straw, and its panicle nodding or bending to one side, while that of
the former is spreading and almost upright ; also by the lower end of
the grain being smooth, while that of the A.fatua is hairy.

Sample in grain by R. Scarth, Esq., Kirkwall, the produce of some
of the northern islands of Orkney ; and in straw by Mr A. Gorrie,
received by him from England, where it is cultivated as food for
hunters or riding horses. This is believed by some, to have been the
original cultivated oat of Scotland. It is still, or was very lately,
cultivated in some parts of the north of Scotland, and in the Orkney
and Shetland Isles, as a bread corn.

2. Argyleshire Small Oat.

This appears to be an improved variety of the former, and only
differs from it, in having a more compound panicle, producing more
seed, and being a shade lighter in colour. ^

Sample in straw by Mr J. Carmichael, Strontian, Argyleshire,
where it is cultivated for cattle, and given to them in winter on the
straw.

In sowing Oats, the quantity must be regulated by the shape and
size of the grain, as well as by the nature and condition of the soil.
There are, for instance, fewer grains in a bushel of Blainsley, Cupar
Grange, or Tartarian Oats, than in the same measure of Potato or
Hopetoun Oats. Some varieties, too, are more leafy than others,
and require to stand farther apart ; in general, however, four busiiels
will be necessary for medium soils, per imperial acre, and in poor
upland soils more than six bushels may be proper.

The soil and climate of Scotland, seem peculiarly suited to the
production of oats in perfection ; and the success with which the in-
troduction and culture of improved varieties of Barley have been at-
tended, may stimulate to exertion, in selecting new and improved
varieties of Oats, suitable to the various soils and situations in this
country.

56 CEREAL GRASSES.

PHALARIS— CANARY GRASS.

Generic characters. — Inflorescence forming a crowded or spike-
like panicle ; spikelets solitary, one-flowered ; glumes two-valved,
equal, keeled and boat -shaped, smooth and beardless, acute ; valves
inclosing the boat-shaped palete, which are also beardless and smooth,
supported at the base by two small hair- like appendages or acces-
sory glumes.

I. PHALARIS CANARIENSIS— Common Canary-Grass.

Panicle contracted so as to resemble an oval spike ; glumes entire
at the point, having a large keel, and two green stripes on each side,
the length of the whole glume, which is thin and chafiy ; straw from
one and a half to two feet in height ; grain smooth and shining, of a
whitish colour, difficult to thrash or separate from the glumes.

Although the Canary -grass be cultivated, to a considerable extent,
in some parts of England, chiefly as food for birds, its growth has
not been attempted, to any considerable extent, in Scotland ; and it is
questionable, whether it would be attended with any beneficial re-
sults, as it requires a longer time to arrive at maturity, than either
oats or barley. In England it is generally sown in February, in
drills about a foot apart, and the quantity of seed per acre is about
five gallons. It requires a superior soil, well pulverized and ma-
nured ; and is, even in the south of England, considered a precarious
crop. In Scotland it does not ripen until the end of September or
beginning of October. In the Canary Islands it is ground into flour,
and made into a nutritious bread, by the inhabitants.

II. PHALARIS CAPENSIS— Cape Canary. Grass.

Introduced from the Cape of Good Hope in 1804. Differs from the
former, in having larger and more slender straw ; a smaller and more
tapering panicle ; considerably smaller and darker coloured grains,
and is every way inferior, except in being rather earlier.

IIL PHALARIS PARADOXA— Bristle-spiked Canary-Grass.

About one foot in height ; spike -like panicle, cylindrical ; inter-
mediate floret hermaphrodite ; the rest imperfect, rigid, and termi-
nating as if bitten off ; glumes of the perfect floret having each one
tooth on their keel ; seed small, and in shape similar to the last ;
ripens in August, but is so unproductive, as to be of little or no va-
lue as a cereal grass.

INDIAN CORN. 57

ZEA— MAYS OR INDIAN CORN.

Generic characters Male and female organs in distinct flow-
ers, but on the same plant ; male in branching terminal spikes ; fe-
male in a concealed spike or elongated receptacle, proceeding from the
joints of the culm or stalk ; calyx a two- valved blunt glume ; corolla a
two-valved glume ; style one, long and pendulous, protruding consi-
derably beyond the leafy envelope of the seed spike ; seeds solitary,
immersed in an oblong common receptacle.

ZEA MAYS.

This is the only species of which there are any varieties in the
Museum. It differs from the others, principally in having entire
leaves ; the varieties are : —

1. Cobbett's Indian Corn.

Height about two feet ; average length of the seed, spike, or re-
ceptacle, about four inches ; colour of the grains yellow ; size small,
compared with most other varieties.

By Mr J. Reddie, Milnathort, September 9- 1834, several plants
with the grains well formed, but not arrived at sufficient maturity
to enable them to vegetate. Sown 8th May ; elevation above the
level of the sea 400 feet. September 9, an ear almost ripe by
Dr Drummond, West Newington, Etlinburgh, grown in the open

air By Mr Park, Dalkeith, two ears fully ripe, October 20, also

grown in the open air 1835, Several specimens grown in the

Nursery at Meadowbank, full3Mnpe. Sown April 27, and pulled
October 6, from seeds procured from Paris under the name of Mais
Quarantain (or Quarantine Mais). In France this sort requires about
three months to ripen. »

2. Egyptian, or Chicken Corn,
" Zea Mais a Poulet, le plus petit et le plus precoce" of M. Vilmo-
rin's Catalogue, from whom it was received. This is the smallest
and earliest of the Indian Corns ; colour of the seed yellow, as in
the last. Grown along with the former, at Meadowbank Nursery
last season (summer 1835). This variety ripens nearly a fortnight
sooner. Its quantity of produce, however, compared with that of the
others, is very small.

Also, presented I)y Mr Grant Thorb\n-n, seedsman. New York,

38 CEREAL GRASSES.

an interesting collection of the difterent varieties of Indian Corn
cultivated in North America.

PANICUM— MILLET.

Generic Description Glume three-valved, containing two

florets, one of which is generally barren, valves unequal, the outer
being very small ; paleae two, concave, equal, beardless, seed coated
with the hardened paleae ; panicle scattered and loose.

rANlCUM MILIACEUM— Common Millet.

Panicle loose, nodding ; leaves long, broad, slightly hairy ; sheaths
hairy ; valves or loose chafFsharp-pointed ; seed when ripe, about one-
eighth of an inch in length, ovate, and slightly pointed at both ends,
smooth, shining ; height about three and a half or four feet.

The following varieties are arranged according to their time of
ripening, the difference between the earliest and the latest being
only about a week. They are all from Messrs J. G. Booth and
Company, Hamburgh : —

1. Common Millet.

Panicle rather bundled like, and nodding a good deal to one side ;
colour light green ; colour of the seed yellow.

2. Grev-seeded Millet.
Panicle more loose and spreading than that of the last variety ;
seed greyish coloured ; panicle darker green than the last.

3. White-seeded Millet.
Panicle light green, more contracted or bundled and nodding than
in any of the others ; seeds white.

4. Black-seeded Millet.
Panicle of a mixed blackish-green colour, very loose ; seeds almost
black.

SETARIA.
This is a genus, separated from that of Panicum on account of it?

MILLET. 59

panicles being contracted so as to resemble a spike, its other charac-
teristics are the same, except in having a bristle-like appendage pro-
ceeding from under the glumes, considerably longer than the spikelet
termed the involucrum.

L SETARIA ITALIC A— Italian Millet.

Spike-like panicle, compound, nodding to one side ; spikelets
crowded or heaped like, but more distinct towards the base : invo-
lucre or bristle much longer than the florets ; rachis downy ; seeds
about half as long as those of the Common Millet, not so small, and
of a lighter colour, slightly tinged with green ; height three to four
feet. Seeds did not ripen in the nursery this season (1835).

2. SETARIA GERMANICA—German Millet.

Differs from the last in being much dwarfer ; spike more short,
compact, and upright ; seeds about the same size, and of a dark
greyish colour ; equally late in ripening.

In Hungary this sort is cultivated as green food for horses, and is
said to be preferred by them to all other grasses. The seeds are also
occasionally used as those of other millets.

3. Red-seeded Millet.
This variety seems to resemble the Italian Millet, but is much
earlier ; seed longer, more smooth, and of a reddish colour ; spike
not so pendulous ; height about four feet. This, together with the
following, ripens about the same time as the Common Millet {Pani-
cum miliaceum).

4. Small Whitish-seeded Millet.
Spike larger than in any of the preceding ; bristles much shorter ;
height about four feet.

From the lateness of the period at which the millets ripen, it is
questionable how far they are at all fitted for our climate. In the
south of England their culture has been attempted, but is now aban-
doned, owing to the facility with which they are imported from Ger-
many and the south of Europe.

The quantity of seed required per imperial acre, when sown broad-
cast, is about a peck, but when in drills from ten to twelve quarts
will suffice. Owing to the large size of the plants, they require to

60 CEREAL GRASSES.

stand at least fi-om six inches to one foot distant. In America the
Common Millet is often known to yield twenty bushels per acre after
one quarter of a bushel sown ; and the hay is so much relished by
cattle, and horses in particular, notwithstanding its seeming coarse-
ness, that they prefer it to that of Common Timothy-grass. The
young plants are very impatient of cold, and should not be sown
until every chance of frosty nights is over, or about the first week
of May, in Britain, north of France, and Canada, &c. ; in more south-
ern and less variable climates, such as Italy, Spain, &c., it requires
to be sown earlier, in order to take advantage of the winter sap.
The Millets should all be harvested shortly after they begin to change
their colour, not waiting until the whole be ripe, else the earliest and
best of the grain will be shaken and lost, no grain being easier thrashed
and separated from its glumes by the mill. In German}', and the
southern countries of Europe, also in America, some parts of Asia,
and in most countries lying under the warmer latitudes of the tem-
perate zone, the millets form a very essential article in the domestic
economy of the inhabitants, being deprived of the husk, and used
whole as rice, or ground into meal or flour, and made into bread, &c.
In this country they are chiefly used for feeding small birds.

SORGHUM— Indian Millet.

Generic characters — Flowers, male, female, and hermaphrodite,
on the same plant ; panicled glume thick and gristly, two-flowered,
close ; paleae of the hermaphrodite bearded, of the male single beard-
less ; male glume one-flowered, stalked ; paleae two, beardless.

SORGHUM VULGARE— Common Indian Millet.

In Arabia it is called Dara or Durra, and in the West Indies
Negro or Guinea Corn. Panicle contracted, oblong ; flowers obo-
vate or inversely egg-shaped ; seed when ripe about as large as that
of hemp, irregularly shaped, smooth, shining, of a brown-reddish co-
lour, hard and flinty. From the hardness and rigidness of the small
peduncles or seed stalks, they are used as brooms, and often imported
as such to this country ; hence it is also termed Broom Corn. It
grows to the height of four to six feet, with long leaves, one to two
inches in breadth. It requires a warmer climate than the Common
Millet to bring it to perfection, but yields a much greater quantity
of grain. Indeed, so much so, that it has been said to yield a greater

RICE. 61

bulk of seed per acre than any other grain whatever, Indian Corn not
excepted. It is cultivated in most tropical countries ; and in others
where the summer is very warm, as the south of Europe, some parts
of North America, and as far north as Germany. In this country it
sometimes flowers, but never ripens seed.

Sample in grain from Professor Fischer, St Petersburg, under the
name of Nagara, by which it is known in the north of China. In
flower from Meadowbank Nursery ; cut October 6. 1 835.

SORGHUM BICOI.OIl— Whitish Indian Millet.

Glumes smaller, softer, and less adhesive than those of the com-
mon sort ; seeds larger and more round, of a whitish colour, tinged
with a light brown or pink, and less flinty than those of the last ;
than which it requires a still warmer climate, being considerably
later in ripening.

Sample in grain by Vilmorin and Co., Paris. By J. G. Booth
and Co., Hamburgh. Plants grown at Meadowbank Nursery, 1835,
with the panicles scarcely so much as beginning to appear.

ORYZA— RICE.

Description — Stamina six ; styles two ; glumes two, one-flower-
ed ; palese two, equal, adhering to the seed.

I. ORYZA SATIVA— Common Rice, East India Rice ou Paddy.
Sample in grain imported from the East Indies.

II. ORYZA MUTICA— Mountain Rice.

Grains much shorter and more rounded than those of the last,
it also differs from it in growing in dry ground, while the Com-
mon only grows in water and marshes. This is the hardiest kind
of rice which has been as yet introduced to Europe, and is that sort
which is cultivated in some parts of Hungary, but will not ripen in
our climate.

Specimen in seeds by Vilmorin and Co., Paris.

There is said to be a hardy rice cultivated on the Hirnmalayan
Mountains, almost as high as the verge of perpetual snow, which
might be found suitable for the climate of this country ; this variety
has not as yet, however, been introduced.

( c^ )

II. LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

(Leguminosce.)

FABA— BEAN*

* Faba vulgaris arvensis, Field Beans, or such as are only adapt-
ed for field culture, having smaller and more compact seeds than
the other sorts.

1. Common Scotch or Horse Bean.

This is almost the only sort cultivated in Scotland, and so well
known as to require little or no description, were it not for the pur-
pose of comparing and describing the rest with more facility. In
length the seed is from one-half to five-eighths of an inch, by three-
eighths in breadth, generally slightly or rather irregularly com-
pressed and wrinkled on the sides, and frequently a little hollowed
or flattened at the end ; of a whitish or light brownish colour, occa-
sionally interspersed with darker blotches, particularly towards the
extremities ; colour of the eye black ; straw three to five feet in
length ; middling prolific ; average weight per bushel 62 lb.

There is perhaps no other grain over the shape and colour of
which the climate, soil, and culture, has so much influence as in the
case of the bean. Thus, in a warm dry summer, the sample is al-
ways more plump, and white in colour, particularly if followed by a
dry harvest, and more so when cultivated on a strong rich clay, than on
a light soil, and when drilled than when sown broadcast. But the great
diversity of appearance in some samples of Common Beans, is owing
more to a mixture of varieties than to any other cause. That such
a mixture exists, any person may perceive by examining a field of
beans in full flower, when they will be seen to present an infinite di-
versity in the colour of their flowers ; and although this may not, and
does not always precede a different colour or form in the seed, yet it
doubtless constitutes a variety, and therefore the seeds are more
likely to vary than if the flowers were all the same.

* The generic characters of the Bean and Pea, and some others, are so' well
known, that any description has in the present instance been considered unne-
cessary.

BEANS. 68

2. New Large Red or Scarlet Field Bean.

This is a remarkably distinct variety, having large reddish colour-
ed beans, and being very prolific.

Sample by Mr A. Gorrie, who discovered it in the Carse of Gow-
rie, 1834, amongst a field of common Field Beans (No. 1). Seems
deserving of cviltivation.

3. Common Tick Bean.

La Feverolle proprement dite. — Fr,
This sort is seldom cultivated in Scotland. In England and
France, it is the kind of field bean held in highest estimation, and
there often termed Common Horse Bean, or Common Field Bean,
from its being more commonly cultivated than any other sort. It
differs from the Common Scotch Bean, in having shorter straw; being
more prolific ; seeds rather smaller, more cylindrical, and rounded at
the ends. It is also better suited for growing on light soils.
Sample by Mr David Hogg, Leith, weight 67 lbs.

4. Harrow Tick Bean.

This variety is still smaller in all its parts than the last, it is
also better suited for light soils. Its seeds are remarkably plump
and hardy. There are, besides the preceding, many varieties known
by the name of Tick Beans, as the Flat Ticks, Essex Ticks, French
Ticks, &c. which differ only from the Common by being cultivated
on different soils, or under different circumstances.

5. Winter Bean.
La Feverolle dliiver. — Fr.

Height three to four feet ; remarkably hardy and prolific ; seed
small, very plump and heavy, seldom having the least depression in
the sides ; same colom" as the Common Bean, but with the addition
of a dark greenish spot on the short side, a little below the termi-
nation of the small very black ej^e.

This sort has not been as yet fairly tried in Scotland. In France
and England, it is found to stand the winters well, although often
more severe than ours. It was introduced into England about the
year 1825.

This and the Heligoland Bean are said by some to be the same
variety. But from not having a sample (to be relied on as perfectly
gemiine) of the latter in the Museum, an opportunity has not been

64 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

afforded of comparing them satisfactorily ; which may, however, be
done in another season.

6. Pigeon Bean.
This sort is the smallest seeded of all the beans ; it is also of dwarf
growth, but rather early and prolific ; and in colour considerably
darker than any of the preceding. It derives its name from being
used instead of pease for feeding pigeons.

It has not hitherto been extensively cultivated in Britain, but to a
considerable extent on the lighter bean soils of Germany, where it ori-
ginated.

7. Purple Field-bean.

This sort resembles the Winter Bean very much, except in the
colour of its flower and seeds ; the former a darker and of a reddish
or pink-like tinge, and the latter a reddish-brown or purple. It is
scarcely so prolific as the last mentioned, which may be owing in a
great measure to the lateness of the period at which it ripens. It
might probably succeed as a winter-bean, but has not hitherto been
tried as such in this country.

8. Alexandrian Field-bean.

This sort grows about the same height as the Common Bean
(No. 1.), but is later in ripening; in consequence of which the seeds
are seldom so plump or well filled. In size and shape they much
resemble the Common Bean, but differ in colour, being of a dull
reddish-brown.

Seems not at all suitable for general culture in this country.

** Faba vulgaris arvensis vel hortensis, Field ok Garden
Beans, or such as are generally cultivated m the gardens in Scot-
land ; but may be grown in the field under favourable circum-
stances. Seeds larger than those in the preceding^ and smaller
than most of those in the folloiving division.

9. Early Mazagan.
La Feve de Mazagan.
This sort is supposed to have been originally brought from a Por-
tuguese settlement on the coast of Africa. When grown in that
place, the seeds are said to be smaller even than our horse-beans, but
they grow to a larger size when cultivated in Portugal or England.
1

BEANS. 65

Stem about four feet high, and rather slender ; pods four to five
inches long, rather narrow, and containing four or five seeds;
flowers, as in most of the white and green varieties, white, with dark
brownish stripes on the vexilluni or standard, and two dark brown
spots on the alee or wings ; seeds, when ripe, of a whitish colour,
rather larger, and more flattened, than those of the Common Horse-
bean (No. 1).

In Scotland, the cultivation of this sort as a field bean has seldom
been attempted ; from its early and prolific habits, it might no doubt
succeed in favourable situations. It grows best on a stiff" or medium
soil, avoiding alike the strong clays and very light soils, particularly
if of an inferior quality.

Sown at Meadowbank Nursery (soil rather light, black loam) 27th
April 1835; in flower 28th June; height at that period two and
a quarter feet. Ripe 24th August ; height at that period four feet.

10. Long-podded Bean, Hangdown Long-pod, Early Long-
pod, Large Long-pod, Lisbon, Early Lisbon, Sandwich,
Early Mom, &c.

La Feve a tongues cosses Fr.

Stalks four to five feet in height ; pods six to seven inches long
by about one and one-fourth broad, rather pendulous, containing four
or five beans ; seed, when ripe, whitish, about an inch long, and
five-eighths of an inch in breadth, flat, and generally rounded at the
point. This sort is about a week later than the last, but rather
more prolific.

There are several varieties of long-pod beans, under different
names ; but a season or two's culture, under similar circumstances, is
found to produce so great a similarity in their habits, that it is very
probable their temporary dissimilarity arises only from the effects of
soil and previous culture. One variety, however, may be mentioned
as possessing more distinct and seemingly permanent characteristics
than the others, viz. :—

11. Child's New Early Long-pod.

This variety is only of recent introduction by Mr Child, an emi-
nent seedsman in London : it is fully as prolific as the Common
Long-pod ; considerably earlier ; its seeds are more irregularly
shaped, and much thicker, especially towards the eye.

Sample in grain by Messrs Field and Child, London.

CO LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

Tliese three sorts are the most likely to succeed in field culture of
those generally cultivated in the garden. Some of the following
might likewise be tried, although with less chance of success ; they
are, therefore, classed under the third division as foUovrs : —

*** Faba VULGARIS HORTENSis, Garden Beuns.

12. Dwarf Fan or Cluster.

Height two to two and a half feet ; very prolific, and the earliest
and dwarfest of all the garden beans ; pods short, and nearly cylin-
drical, containing three or four beans, which are larger and rather
more flattened than the Early Mazagan.

This is an old and esteemed garden bean, but from its dwarf habit
of growth wholly unfit for field culture.

13. Windsor, White Windsor, Broad Windsor, Broad Spa-
nish, Mumford, Turkey, Taylor's Windsor, &c.

Height about four feet ; pods short, broad, containing two or three
seeds, which are of a flat circular form, about an inch in diameter, but
varying in size according to season, soil, and culture, and of a whitish
colour.

This sort is much esteemed, and extensively cultivated. It is con-
sidered the earliest of late garden beans ; a sure bearer, and from its
not ripening regularly may be gathered day after day for some time.

Specimen in straw by Mr J. Machray, late gardener at Bush
House.

14. Dutch Long-pod.

Height four to five feet ; pods long, broad, and slightly pendulous,
containing five and often six seeds, which are about the size of the
last, but more elongated.

This is rather a superior sort, but not so well known as some of
the others ; it is an excellent bearer, and rather late.

15. Toker, Large Toker Bean, &c.

Height about five feet ; pods rather long and very broad, con-
taining three or four beans of a whitish colour ; differing froni the
Windsor, in being of an elongated oval shape.

This is a medium late sort, and an excellent bearer, but consider-
ed rather coarse, and, therefore, not so much esteemed as the
Windsor (No. 13).

BEANS. 67

16. Johnson's Wonderful Bean.

This is a newly introduced, and apparently a superior variety ; its
pods are long, and contain six or eight beans, resembling in size and
shape those of the Windsor.

Specimen in grain by Messrs Field and Child, London.

17. Green Long-pod, Green Nonpareil, Green Genoa.
This sort differs from the Common White Long-pod (No. 10),
principally in the colour of its seed, which is always green even
when ripe, and in being considerably later in arriving at maturity.
It is an excellent bearer, and of good quality.

18. Green Windsor.
This sort bears the same relation to the White or Common
Windsor that the Green does to the Common White Long-pod, ex-
cept in its ripening about the same time, or only a few days later.
It has the same advantages as the former, of retaining its green colour
when ripe, and may on that account be used at table in a more ad-
vanced state than the Avhite sort.

19. Violette.

Height about four and a half feet ; pods long and broad, contain-
ing three or four beans, which are of a size and shape intermediate
between the Long-pod and Windsor ; of a very light purple colour
when young, and dark red when fully ripe.

This is rather an early sort, coming in use about the same time
as the Common Long-pod.

20. Red Windsor, Scarlet Windsor, Dark Red.

Height about four feet ; pods rather narrower than those of the
Common Windsor, containing about the same number of beans ; si-
milar in shape and size, but of a darker colour than those of the
preceding when young, changing to a bright scarlet when full grown,
and to a deep red when fully ripe.

This is a late sort, prolific, and of good quality, but neither it nor
the last are liked by cooks, on account of their colour.

21. White-blossomed or White-blossomed Long-pod.
The flowers of this sort differ from all the others in being pure
white, having no dark spots on the vexilhun nor alae ; it is very apt

68 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

to degenerate, but may easily be distinguished when in flower from
the above circumstance ; height nearly four feet ; pods long, nearlj^
cylindrical, and slightly pendulous, containing generally four but
sometimes five beans, about six-eighths of an inch in length by half
an inch in breadth, and rather thick or plump, of a black colour, or
mixed with dark brown when ripe. It is a moderate bearer, of ex-
cellent quality, having little of the harsh beany flavour, but not
liked when in an advanced state, on account of the darkness of its
colour.

With regard to the period of ripening, both this and the following
may be said to occupy a medium place, being neither very early nor
very late. This variety possesses the curious anomaly of having
the wiiitest flowers and blackest seeds of any in the collection.

22. Red, or Scarlet-blossomed Bean.

Height about four feet ; colour of the flower generally a bright
red approaching to scarlet, but varying from a pale red to a dark or
almost black colour. Pods medium size, containing generally four
or five beans, similar in shape but rather longer than those of the
long-podded sort, and differing from all the rest in colour, which is a
darkish rusty -brown. An excellent bearer, but not held in esteem on
account of its colour ; when in bloom, however, it is very ornamental.

Miller mentions a Black-blossomed Bean, which is very likely a
variety of the red or scarlet, as it often approaches almost to a black
colour ; it seems to be now either extinct or mixed with the last.

In the early districts of Scotland beans enter into the rotation of
cropping, and are successfully cultivated on all strong soils ; they
form an excellent preparative for wheat, and by attention early va-
rieties might be found which would extend their culture to higher
elevations and lighter soils ; and, with this view, the habits of the
Pigeon and Tick beans should be attended to. When sown broad-
cast, with a mixture of about one-fifth of late grey field-pease, the
seed required will be from five to six bushels ; and when sown in
drills, from four to five bushels per imperial acre, the quantity of
the seed being proportioned to the condition and quality of the soil.
The produce in grain varies from twenty -eight to forty-eight bushels
per imperial acre. Bean haulm forms nutritious food for horses in
the winter and spring mouths.

TEASE. CO

PISUM— PEA.

The cultivated pease are generally' divided into two distinct spe-
cies ; such as have white flowers, with white or bluish coloured seeds
(commonly termed Garden Pease), being included under the name
of Pisum sativum ; and such as have coloured flowers, and in ge-
neral grejs dun, red, or speckled seed (Field Pease), under that of
P. arvense. Their botanical characters are, however, not sufliciently
distinct, nor permanent in their duration to admit of their forming
two distinct species ; but as the varieties in cultivation are so nume-
rous, some mode of classification is necessary in order to admit of
more easy reference ; and for this purpose they are in the present in-
stance divided into four classes, as follows : —

* PiSOM SATIVUM ARVENSE, FlELD PeASE.
** PiSUM SATIVUM ARVENSE vel HORTENSE, PeaSE Suited

either for Field or Garden culture.

*** Pisum sativum hortense, Garden Pease.

* * * * Pisum sativum saccharatdm, varieties wanting the en-
docarp, termed Sugar, or Eatable Podded Pease.

On the 29th of March 1834, most of the varieties enumerated in
the following collection were sown at Meadowbank Nursery, with
the view of compai'ing them M'ith one another, and also of ascertain-
ing in some measure their several properties or qualities ; therefore
in any of the following descriptions, where the periods of flowering
and ripening are mentioned without any reference to the time of
sowing, the above date is always to be understood. In the case of
the Garden Pease, and those generally used in a green state, where
their period of ripening is mentioned, it is not understood as apply-
ing to the period when they were fit for use, but to that at which
their seed was perfectly ripe.

* Pisum sativum arvense, Field Pease, or such as are more parr
ticularly adapted for Field culture.

1. Common Grey Field Pea.
This is a late sort, generally sown alone in the early districts, or
in mixture with Common Beans on strong lands, for which it is pe-

70 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

culiarly adapted, from its requiring about the same time to mature
its seeds. The pod is semi-cj'lindi-ical, long, and well filled, often
containing from six to eight peas. In summer and autumn little
difference is observable in the straw, but when thrashed, three dis-
tinctly marked varieties appear, — one spotted with a bluish green
ground, one light blue, and one bluish coloured green without
spots. When these pease are separated from the beans by a proper-
ly sized riddle, they are in some districts called reeings.

This pea is very prolific ; and its haulm forms excellent fodder
for horses, superior to that of the more early field varieties.

Sample by Mr Alex. Lindsay, Myres of Errol, Carse of Gowrie.

2. Early Grey Warwick, or Early Nimble hog Pea.

Pods very often in pairs, small, straight, and nearly cylindrical,
containing each from three to five peas, which are small, round, or
slightly compressed, with small purple speckles ; height two to three
feet ; in flower 31st May, ripe 20th July ; middling prolific.

This is remarkable as being considerably earlier than any other
field pea at present in cultivation. It seems well adapted for grow-
ing in late situations, and where it may not be likely to suffer from
drought in the month of May or beginning of June. In dry warm
soils its produce of straw is very inconsiderable.

Sample in. grain by INIessrs Nash, Adams, and Nash, London.

3. Grey Hastings.

This variety much resembles the last in its seeds, but it differs in
its pods being longer, and containing more pease ; straw also much
longer and more slender ; its leaves are small, and placed rather re-
motely. It is also at least three weeks later in ripening than the
Grey Warwick.

The Grey Hastings is adapted for light soils, and situations which
are too late for the common sort (No. 1), and was formerly grown
to a considerable extent in some parts of Scotland; but its cultiva-
tion is now rapidly giving place to that of the Partridge Pea.

Sample in grain by Mr William White, Over-Fingask, Carse of
Gowrie ; and by Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Garden.

4. Partridge, Grey Maple, or Marlborough Pea.
Pods broad, and occasionally in pairs, containing five to seven
seeds, which are of medium size, roundish, of a yellowish-brown

PEASE. 71

speckled coloiir, with light coloured eyes ; straw thick and soft -like ;
leaves large and broad ; average height four feet. About a fortnight
earlier than the last sort.

This is generally reckoned the most suitable variety for growing
in late situations, from its combining the properties of being very
early, prolific, and of excellent quality.

5. Grey Rounceval, Giant, or Dutch Pea.

This is at once the tallest growing, the latest, and largest of our
field pease ; pods often in pairs, broad, and rather flattened, contain-
ing five or six seeds, which are a good deal flattened and wrinkled,
of a dunnish-brown colour, with black eyes ; height six to eight feet.

This variety is only adapted for the earlier districts of Scotland,
but is extensively cultivated in some of the southern counties of
England, and some parts of the Continent.

Sample in grain by Mr J. Carmichael.

6. Purple-podded, Australian, or Botany Bay Pea.

Pods generally in pairs and flattened, with thick fleshy skins, ge-
nerally of a dark purple colour ; but this characteristic is not perma-
nent, as they are sometimes found with green pods, in which case
they are, however, easily distinguished from those of other pease by
their thick and fleshy nature. Pease of an average size, slightly
and irregularly compressed, of a light dunnish colour ; sample very
superior in quality ; height five feet, remarkably prolific, and earlier
than the Partridge Pea.

As yet this variety is little known amongst cultivators, but it
seems possessed of properties which entitle it to an extensive share
of cultivation, particularly in late situations.

Sample in straw by Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Garden, who has culti-
vated it successfully for several seasons, and has found it more pro-
ductive in grain and straw than the Partridge Pea.

7. Red or Purple American Field Pea.

Pods generally in pairs, nearly straight, and semi-cylindrical ;
pease medium size, and of a darkish red purple colour, indistinctly
interspersed with darker speckles ; height four to five feet ; medium
early, and remarkably prolific.

Sample in grain by Alexander Thomson, Escj. of Banchory, under
the name of Roman Pease.

72 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

8. Painted Lady Crown Pea,

Has beautiful dark red and whitish coloured blossoms, which, to-
gether with the pods, are produced in abundance towards the termi-
nation of the shoots ; its seeds resemble those of the Partridfjje Pea.

In this country the cultivation of this pea is almost exclusively
confined to the flower border, but on some parts of the Continent,
and also in America, it is subjected to field culture.

9. Winter Field Pea.
Le Pois gris d'hiver. — Fr.

Pods almost always in pairs, small, cylindrical, and straight, con-
taining about six peas, which are smaller than any other of the field
pease whatever, and of a dark colour ; straw about four feet in length,
small and hard-like.

In France and Germany this variety is generally sown in Octo-
ber, and ripens before any of the spring-sown field pease. If the
sowing be, however, deferred until March, it is later in ripening than
most of the other varieties sown at the same time. It is extremely
hardy, and found to endure the severest winters, without suffering
the least injury.

Sample of seeds by Messrs Booth and Co., Hamburgh.

* * PisuM SATIVUM arvense vel HORTENSE, Peose suitable for cul-
tivation either in the field or garden.

In this class is included such white-flowered pease, with white,
green, or blue seeds, as may be grown in this country, either for
their green or ripened seeds.

f Varieties having whitish-coloured seeds.
10. Small White or Yellow French Field Pea.
Pods in pairs, small, well filled, and slightly bent, having long
foot-stalks, and containing five to eight very small round white or
yellowish coloured pease ; straw of medium length, hard, slender,
and rather sparingly clothed with foliage ; seems rather late, not
very prolific, and scarcely deserving of cultivation in this country.

11. Early Charlton.
Pods generally, but not always, in pairs, two and a half to three
inches long by one-half inch broad, well filled, and slightly bent ; pea
rather longer, but in other respects similar to the Double-blossomed

PEASE. 73

Early Frame (No. 29) ; in flower June 3, ripe July 29 ; height
four feet ; prolific.

This is the oldest, most extensively cultivated, and best known
variety of White Pea, and is said by some to be the origin from
which the most esteemed early garden varieties have arisen, and that
they are nothing else than Charlton Pease, considerably modified in
character, from^the effects of cultivation, selection, &c. Although
this idea may seem far-fetched, yet it does not at all seem improba-
ble, especially when we take into consideration the susceptibility of
change from cultivation, and other causes, which the pea is ascer-
tained to possess. Thus the Early Charlton, or any other variety what-
ever, if sown for several years, and only the very earliest and very
latest flowering plants selected for seed each season, the difference
in the time of ripening between the two will ultimately become so
great as to give them the appearance of two distinct varieties ; and
by sowing the earlier portion on light early soils, and the later on
strong black or carse soils, the difference will become materially in-
ci'cased. It is therefore probable, that the Early Frame Pease may
have originated in the Charlton, although they differ essentially in
their habit of growth.

12. Carolina Pea.

Pods generally in pairs, two and a half to three inches long, by
fully five-eighths of an inch broad, very slightly bent, well filled ;
pea from one-fourth to three-eighths of an inch in diameter, cream
coloured, and perfectly round ; in flower 10th June, ripe 8th Au-
gust ; height four feet ; prolific.

13. White Prussian Pea.
Pods generally in pairs, two and a half inches long, from one-half
to five-eighths of an inch broad ; straight, and well filled ; pease
fully one-fourth of an inch in diameter, cream-coloured, round, and
white, not wrinkled, but slightly compressed, from being closely set
in the pod ; in flower 15th June ; ripe 15th August ; height three
to four feet ; very prolific.

14. White Sickle Pea.
Pods rather shorter and more bent than those of the Scimitar
Pea (No. 20), rather larger than, and similar in colour to, that of
the White Prussian; in flower June 18, ripe August 20 ; height
three to four feet ; prolific.

74 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

15. Dantzic Pea.

Pods in pairs, two and one-half inches long, by one-half of an inch
broad, compact, and slightly bent ; smallest of all the White Pease,
quite round, of a bright yellow colour, beautifully transparent, with
whitish eyes ; in flower June 20, ripe August 29 ; straw branching
six to seven feet high ; medium prolific.

It is to be regretted that this pretty pea is not more prolific ; it is
seldom cultivated in this country, but is grown extensively on the
shores of the Baltic, and imported for splitting, or boiling whole.

f f Varieties having white-coloured jiowers, and lohitish seeds, with

black eyes.

IG. Pearl Pea.
Pods in pairs, two and a half to three inches long, by one-half to
five-eighths of an inch broad, slightly bent back, and well filled ; pea
scarcely one-fourth of an inch in diameter, of a dull whitish colour,
quite round and compact ; in flower 20th June, ripe 21st August ;
height six feet ; very prolific.

17. Spanish Moratto.
Pods in pairs, fully three inches long by five-eighths of an inch
broad, slightly curved backwards, compact and firm ; pea rather
larger than the last, and of a dull white colour ; in flower 26th June,
ripe 29th August ; height five to six feet ; medium prolific.

18. Large Egg or Bean Pea.
Pods in pairs, similar to those of the Spanish Moratto ; pea much
larger, more oblong or bean-shaped, and darker coloured ; in flower
22d June, ripe 30th August ; from seven to eight feet high ; medium
crop.

f f I Varieties having blue or greenish coloured seed.

19. Blue Prussian.

Pods almost always in pairs, similar in size and shape to those of
the White Prussian (No. 13), rather larger, and more compressed,
colour bluish-green ; in flower l6th June, ripe 18th August ; height
three to four feet ; very prolific.

The green straw, pods, &c. is in this, and all the other blue pease,
of a darker colour than in the white ones ; the colour of the straw

PEASE. 75

varying (although not to the same extent) according to the colour of
the ripe seed.

20. Blue Scimitar.
Pods generally in pairs, length about three inches, breadth in the
middle five-eighths of an inch, forming a gradual curve from tlie
calyx to the point, sliglitly bent back at both ends, or of a scimitar-
like shape (hence the name) ; pea compressed and very little, wrinkled,
or of a bean-like shape, greatest diameter more than one-third of an
inch, colour light blue; in flower l6th June, ripe 18th August;
height three feet ; prolific.

21. Dwarf Blue or Green Imperial.

Pods generally in pairs, tapering very abruptly at the point,
slightly curved, two and a half to three inches long, by five-eighths
of an inch broad, rather compact and well filled than otherwise ; pea
nearly one-third of an inch in diameter, slightly compressed and
wrinkled, colour light bluish-green; in flower l6th June, ripe 18th
August ; height Uvo to three feet ; prolific.

22. Tall Blue or Green Imperial.

Pods about the same length as those of the last, rather broader,
more flattened, and generally straight ; pea larger, more compressed,
and irregularly shaped, but less wrinkled, same colour ; in flower
19th June, ripe 24th August ; height six feet ; prolific.

The preceding list is not intended to comprehend all the Wliite
or Green Pease which may be found suitable for field culture in this
country, but only a few of those, the merits and habits of which are
sufficiently well known to recommend them as such.

* * * Pisum sativum hortense. Garden Pease, or such as are mare
particularly adapted for garden culture, although not unsuitable
for field cultivation, should such be accounted expedient, as in the
case of growing them for seed.

f Very dwarf -upright growing, varieties not requiring the aid of
stakes or other support, under any circumstances.

23. Bishop's Early Dwarf.
Pods single or in pairs, two inches long, bent back at both ends,

76 LEGUMINOUS TLANTS.

increasing in size towards the middle, which is generally about half"
an inch broad ; pea rather irregularly shaped, from one fifth to one
fourth of an inch in diameter; cream coloured, irregularly blotched
with white, particularly about the eye and the junction of the coty-
ledons; in flower 31st May, ripe 26th July; height one foot ; me-
dium prolific. Found accidentally by Mr Hamilton Bishop, market-
gardener at New Scone, Perthshire, amongst a quantity of Early
Pease.

24. Early Dwakf Brest.
Pods single or in pairs, from one and a half to two inches long ;
by one half inch broad, tapering from the middle to both ends, slightly
bent ; pea one-fourth of an inch in diameter, more round and regu-
larly shaped than Bishop's Early Dwarf; in flower 6th June, ripe
SOth July ; height from one half to one foot ; unprolific.

25. Early Spanish Dwarf.
Pods single and in pairs, from two to two and a half inches long
by fully half an inch broad, broadest within half an inch of, and
tapering abruptly towards the point, and with a gradual curve
to the calyx ; pease rather larger, and more wrinkled than those of
Bishop's Dwarf; colour similar; in flower 10th June, ripe SOth
July; height one foot; medium prolific.

26. Late Spanish Dwarf.
Differs little in general appearance from the former, but is consi-
derably later in ripening; in flower 1 6th June, ripe 14th August;
height one foot ; medium prolific.

27. Blue Spanish Dwarf.
Pods generally in pairs, about two inches long, by half an inch
broad, a good deal bent back or sabre-shaped ; pea about five-eighths
of an inch in diameter, colour dark bluish-green, light towards the eye,
pretty regularly shaped ; in flower 13th June, ripe 18th August ;
height one to two feet ; prolific.

28. Groom's New Superb, or Blue Dwarf Pea.
Pods single and in pairs, two and a half inches long, compact,
and terminating abruptly at both ends ; pease a good deal lai-ger
than those of the last, of a white and light green, or mixed-like ap-
pearance; in flower l6th June, ripe l6th August; height one and
u half to two feet ; medium prolific.

PEASE. 77

+ + Such varieties as require the aid of rods, or stakes, to support
them, to prevent their lying on the ground.

29. DouBLE-iiLossoMiiD Early Frame.
Pods almost always in pairs, slightly bent backwards, well filled,
terminating rather abruptly at both ends, about two and a lialf inches
long, by from three-eighths to half an inch in breadth ; pea, when
fully ripe, round and plump, cream-coloured, approaching to white
towards the eye and at the junction of the cotyledons, almost one-
fourth of an inch in diameter; in flower 31st May, ripe 25th July;
height three to four feet ; prolific.

30. Single Blossom Early Frame.

This variety differs very little from the former, except in having
its pods more generally single, and longer ; (when two pods grow on
the same foot-stalk, they are generally less than when one only is
produced).

The stock from which the above two specimens were grown was
obtained from Messrs Jacob Wrench and Sons, London, and they
were found to be from five to ten days earlier than several specimens
under the same name. This difference must arise from attention
on the part of the growers in choosing the most suitable soils and
situations for growing their previously selected seed-stock of early
pease to the greatest advantage.

31. Early Warwick.

Pods sometimes in pairs and sometimes single, about the same
breadth, rather shorter and more straight than those of the Double-
Blossomed Early Frame ; in flower 31st May, ripe 25th July ;
height three feet ; medium prolific.

This variety has acquired the character of being the earliest of all
the varieties of garden pease, and on this account has lately been
much sought after by cultivators. But from a series of experiments
made since its introduction, it cannot be said to be any earlier than
either of the varieties of early frame above mentioned (and is cer-
tainly less productive than either).

32. Nimble.
This is another name for a variety of Double-blossomed Early
Frame ; it is, however, questionable if any such difference does really

78 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

exist ; at all events, it is not so distinct even as the Warwick, and, at
the farthest, can only be attributed to previous cultivation.

33. Early Golden Hotspur.

Pods generally in pairs, two and a half to three inches long, by
fully half an inch broad, nearly straight, well filled ; pea similar to
that of the Double-blossomed Early Frame, but rather larger ; in
flower 2d June, ripe 27th July ; height three to four feet ; prolific.

This variety is known also by the following names, which are de-
rived from the places in which the seed stock has been previously
cultivated, or other causes: — Reading Hotspur, Essex Hotspur,
Master's Hotspur, and Superfine Early ; any variation in all of which
can only be attributed to causes attending their previous culture.

34. Royal Dwarf.
Pods generally in pairs, straight, three inches long, by five-eighths
of an inch broad ; pea light cream-coloured, fully one-fourth inch in
diameter, occasionally slightly compressed in the sides, arising from
their growing very close in the pods ; in flower 13th June, ripe 10th
August ; height two to three feet ; prolific.

35. Dwarf Prolific.

Pods rather smaller than tliose of the Royal Dwarf; pease also
smaller and whiter; in flower l6th June, ripe 14th August ; height
two to three feet ; very prolific.

36. Dwarf Marrowfat.

Pods rather flattened and inflated, sometimes in pairs, and some-
times single, about three inches long, by six-eighths of an inch
broad at the middle, tapering from thence to both ends with a gra-
dual curve, slightly bent backwards ; pea cream-coloured and white,
from one-fourth to three-eighths of an inch in diameter, slightly com-
pressed and wrinkled; in flower 18th June, ripe iGth August;
height three to four feet ; prolific.

37. Tall Marrowfat.
Pods not so often in pairs as those of the Dwarf, straight, and ter-
minating more abruptly, tliree to three and a half inches in length, by
six-eighths of an inch in breadth ; pea same colovir, and rather longer

TEASE. T9

than the Dwarf Marrowfat ; in flower l6th June; ripe 15th August;
height six to seven feet ; prolific.

38. Matchless Marrowfat.

Pods single and in pairs, about three inches long, by five-eighths
of an inch broad, nearly straight and well filled ; pea fully one-third
of an inch in diameter, compressed, and slightly wrinkled ; sample,
when not very well ripened, possessing a greenish tinge ; in flower
l6th June, ripe 18th August; height three to fouc feet ; very pro-
lific, and of superior quality.

This sort is of recent introduction ; and was obtained from Messrs
Warner, Seaman, and Warner, seedsmen, London.

f39. Early Green Marrowfat.
Pods generally in pairs, well filled, slightly l)ent back at both ends,
from two and a half to three inches long, by fully half an inch broad ;
pease slightly compressed, not much wrinkled, approaching to a cream
colour when very ripe ; those in the pods, nearest the top of the
straw, which are latest in ripening, are of a light green colour, which
gives to the sample a mixed-like appearance, similar to those of the
Matchless Marrowfat ; in flower 10th June, ripe 30th July; height
four feet ; prolific.

40. Late Green Marrow.

Pods rather shorter, broader, and not so well filled as the last ;
pease larger and more wrinkled, similar in other respects ; in flower
16th June, ripe 15th August; height four to five feet; medium

prolific.

41. French Marrowfat.

Pods generally single, three to three and a half inches long, by
six-eighths of an inch broad, much inflated, nearly straight ; pease
white, but greenish when not fully ripe, about one-third of an inch
in diameter, slightly wrinkled, sample mixed-like; in flower l6th
June, ripe 1 4th August ; height three to four feet ; prolific.

42. Woodford's Green Marrow, sometimes termed Nonpareil.
Pods generally in pairs, three to three and a half inches long, by
half an inch broad, almost straight ; pease fully one-fourth of an inch
in diameter, almost roimd, or very slightly compressed on the sides ;
colour darker green than anj^ other variety whatever ; in flower 1 6th

80 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

June, ripe 17tli August; height two to three feet; very prolific,
but rather a coarse pea.

43. Knight's Dwarf White Wrinkled Marrow, or Knight's
Dwarf Marrow.

Pods in pairs, from two and a half to three inches long, by six-
eighths of an inch broad, straight, or almost so, well filled, and ter-
minating abruptly at both ends ; pea, on an average, about tliree-
eighths of an inch in diameter, flattened, and very much wrinkled ;
colour white, and sometimes of a greenish tinge ; in flower 2Gth
June, ripe 15th August; height three feet ; prolific.

44. Knight's Tall White Wrinkled Marrowfat.
Pods in pairs, large, and rather more bent tlian those of the last ;
pease exactly similar ; in flower 24th June, ripe 1 8th August ;
height seven feet ; prolific.

45. Knight's Improved White Wrinkled Marrowfat.
Pods always in pairs, similar to those of the last mentioned
vai'iety ; pease similar to those of the Tall and Dwarf varieties of
Knight's White Marrow, than which it is also rather sweeter and
more prolific ; in flower 20th June, ripe 1 5th August ; height six
feet ; very prolific.

46. Knight's Dwarf Green Wrinkled Marrowfat.
Pods in pairs, three inches long, by six-eighths of an inch broad,
flattish, and very slightly bent; pea, which is alight bluish-green,
differing only from the White Marrow in colour ; in flower 26tli
June, ripe 29th August ; height three feet ; medium prolific.

47. Knight's Tall Green Marrowfat.

Pods rather less, but more compressed, than those of the last va-
riety ; pea similar in shape and colour ; in flower l6th June, ripe
14th August ; height six or seven feet ; prolific.

For the existence of the last five varieties, the country is indebted
to T. A. Knight, Esq. of Downton, President of the London Horticul-
tural Society, who obtained them by crossing or hybridizing some of
the most esteemed older varieties. From their remarkably wrinkled
appearance, together with the peculiar sweetness which they all pos-
sess, Knight's Marrows may be said to form a distinct class of garden

PEASE. 81

pease, possessing qualities which, together with their general pro-
ductiveness, render them a valuable acquisition, both to cultivators
and consumers.

48. Magnum Bonum.
Pods in pairs, about three inches long, by five-eighths of an inch
broad, straight, compact, terminating abruptly at the point, and gra-
dually at the calyx ; pea fully three-eighths of an inch in diameter,
irregularly shaped, but not wrinkled, of a deep cream colour, occa-
sionally very slightly tinged with green ; in flower l6th June, ripe
1 4th August ; height six to seven feet ; prolific.

49. White Crown, American Crown, Rose or Crown Pea.

The name of Crown is applied to this sort from its producing all
its flowers and pods in tufts or crowns on the extremity of the shoots ;
pods in pairs, small, cylindrical, and nearly straight, containing five
or six medium-sized pease of good quality ; ripe about the same time
as the last ; height about five feet ; very prolific.

50. New Tree Pea.

This is a large and luxuriant growing variety of the White Crown,
communicated to the Museum by Robert Dovvnie, Esq. of Appin.

From the specimen grown this season at Meadowbank Nursery,
it seems altogether superior to, and likely to supersede the last.

51. White Rouncivelle.

Pods generally in pairs ; large, broad, a little flattened, and nearly
straight, containing seven or eight peas, which are large, irregular-
ly shaped, and white coloured ; in flower 20th June, ripe 1 8th Au-
gust ; height six feet.

52. Marquis of Hastings.

Pods generally in pairs, three inches long by fully five-eighths of
an inch broad, slightly flattened ; pease more than three-eighths of
an inch in diameter, irregularly white and cream coloured ; in flower
26th June, ripe 16th August; four to five feet high; very prolific.

53. Wellington Pea.
Pods in pairs, three and a half inches long by six-eighths of an
inch broad, well filled, very slightly bent back ; pea rather oblong or
bean-shaped, not wrinkled ; cream-coloured ; largest of all the White

82 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

Pease ; in flower 1 8th June, ripe 20th August ; height four to five
feet; very prolific.

54. Waterloo Pea.
Pods in pairs, from two and a half to three inches long by fully
one-half inch broad ; pea one-third of an inch in diameter, round,
or very slightly compressed, and wrinkled; whitish towards the eye,
the rest cream-coloured or greenish, according to their respective
degrees of ripeness. Sample on this account mixed like. In flower
16th June, ripe 15th August ; height four to five feet ; very prolific.

55. Grotto or Mossv-podded.
This is easily distinguished at first sight from all other pease
whatever, by its pods, which are generally in pairs, straight and
above the middle size, having a rough, mossy, or warted-like ap-
pearance, which turns to a darker colour than the rest of the pod
as it becomes ripe (especially if exposed to rain or damp weather),
it is then easilj^ partially rubbed off"; pea one-third of an inch
in diameter, rovindish, very slightly crinkled, of a dirty-greenish
colour, approaching to white at the eye when pulled ripe, which
gives the sample rather a mixed-like appearance ; in flower 28th
June, ripe 27th August; five to six feet in height ; very prolific.

**** PisuM SATIVUM SACCHARATUM, Sugar, Eatable Podded, or
Skinless Pease.

Such as want the tough inner fihn or endocarp, and on that ac-
count used with the green pods entire, in the same manner as kidney-
beans, but they may also be used as other pease either green or ripe.
When net ripe, the pods of some of the varieties have the appear-
ance of being mucli swollen or distended with air, but on ripening
they become shrunk and collapse closely on the seeds.

f TVJiite Flowered Eatable Podded Pease.

56. Common Dwarf Crooked Sugar.
Pods three inches long by five-eighths of an inch broad, crooked
or jointed-like, with the seeds, as in all the Sugar Pease, very pro-
minent, especially on becoming ripe and dry ; pease fully one-fourth
of an inch in diameter, white, and slightly wrinkled; in flower 19th
June, ripe 13th August ; height two feet ; prolific.

PEASE. 83

57. Late Dwarf Sugar or Tamarind Pea.
Differs from the last in being from a week to a fortnight longer in
ripening ; is also of a more broad-leaved luxuriant-like habit of
growth, and produces larger pods.

58. Dutch Dwarf Sugar.
Pods small, cylindrical, and nearly straight, containing five or six
pease, of good quality, and not very prolific. About the same height
and as early as the Early Frame (No. 29), but less patient than it
of the spring frosts.

59. Common Tall Crooked Sugar.
Pods rather longer than those of the Common Dwarf ; pease longer,
darker coloured, and more irregularly shaped ; in flower 16th June,
ripe 1 7th August ; height four to five feet ; prolific.

60. Vilmorin's Sugar.

Pods small, well filled, and straight, containing seven or eight pease,
which appear very prominent even in the young pods ; height five
to six feet ; rather late ; said to be of excellent quality, and the most
abundant bearer amongst all the white eatable podded pease.

Specimen by Vilmorin and Co. Paris, under the title of Espece
de Pois tres excellent.

61. Late Wyker Sugar.
This variety bears a considerable resemblance to the last, but is
taller, and later in ripening.

If Red or Purple-Jloivered Eatable Podded Pease,

62. Tall, or French Imperial.
Pods single, about seven inches long by one inch broad, very
much inflated and slightly bent, afterwards becoming very much
shrunk and crooked ; blossoms reddish, like those of the Common
Field Pea ; pease fully one-third of an inch in diameter, compressed
or slightly wrinkled, of a dun-greyish colour ; sown 27th March, in
flower 26th June, ripe 6th September ; height five to six feet.

63. Red or Purple American Eatable Podded or Sugar Pea.
This differs from the Common Red American (No. 7), in its pods

F 2

84 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

wanting the endocarp, and the pease appearing more prominently
through the skin.

Sample in grain by Mr Murray, Montague Street, Edinburgh.

64. Fishamend's Sugar.
This variety is a good deal like the French Imperial (No. 62),
but its seeds are much smaller and more compact ; a good bearer,
and in France much esteemed for its pods when young.

By Vallentin Schertzer and Sons, Haarlem, on the 26th December
1835, specimen of dried young Sugar Pease in the pods ; and also a
sample of young unripe pease, in an excellent state of preservation.

Sorts lately added, the characters of which have not yet been as-
certained by experiment in this country.

By M. Vilmorin and Co., Paris.
The earliest Early French Pea.

By Messrs Field and Child, London.
The earliest Early English Pea, under the name of Race Horse.

By Mr Sivwright, Abercromhie Place.
New branching White Pea ; to be sown at the distance of ten
inches in the rows.

By Mr Airth, Lishurn, Ireland.
A new and very prolific garden pea.

By Mr Miller, Dalswinton.
A new early and full-podded pea, found amongst a quantity of
French lentils.

The superior attention devoted by horticulturists, compared with
that of agriculturists, in procuring and improving the varieties of
different plants under their care, is perhaps more clearly exemplified
in the case of pease than in that of any other tribe of plants what-
ever, as may be seen by comparing the number of white-blossomed
or garden pease in cultivation, with that of the purple-flowered, grey,
or field sorts ; and the beneficial results arising therefrom serve as
a stimulus for cultivators to persevere in the improvement of such
sorts as are found to be best suited for field culture. In this coun-
try, that class generally termed eatable podded, or sugar pease, has
been hitherto comparatively neglected ; and it is to the French, who
cultivate and use them to a much greater extent, that we are in-
debted for most of the varieties which we possess.

KIDNEY-BEANS. 85

Almost every kind of soil will answer for one or other of the va-
rieties of pea, provided it is possessed of a medium degree of fer-
tility, and not too wet. The quantity of seed required per imperial
acre, when sown broadcast, is from two and a half to three and a
half bushels ; when drilled, two to two and a half bushels will suffice ;
the quantity in either case increased or lessened according to cir-
cumstances.

In the case of the pea, the drill system is considered better than
sowing broadcast, not only as it affords a better opportunity of
cleaning the soil, but the produce is generally found superior, both
in quantity and quality. The average produce of ripe seed varies
from twenty to thirty bushels per acre.

The uses both of the grain and haulm of the pea are well known,
but one circumstance of material importance to consumers is, that
some samples fall in boiling, while others do not. This arises not
from any difference in the kind, but from being cultivated on dif-
ferent kinds of soils ; those which fall in boiling are termed boilers ;
and the hard ones owe their property to being cultivated on strong
aluminous or calcareous soils. To counteract this fault, it is only ne-
cessary to throw into the water a little of the subcarbonate of soda.

PHASEOLUS— KIDNEY-BEAN.

Haricot of the French.

The varieties of Kidney-bean, generally cultivated, are con-
sidered as belonging to two distinct species, viz. Phaseolns vulgaris
and Phaseolus multijiorus, the dwarf sorts being referred to the
former, and the runners or pole-beans to the latter species. The
dwarf sorts are in general the earliest, but the others are much more
productive ; although less adapted for cultivating for their ripe seeds,
were such accounted a desirable object in this country.

As a farinaceous seed for the food of man, the Kidney -bean is
considered by the French as being far superior to any other legume,
and next, if not of equal importance, with wheat. In this country,
however, notwithstanding that many of the earlier varieties might
be grown to advantage on light early soils, their culture has
hitherto been scarcely extended beyond the gardens of the opulent ;
and even there, kidney-beans occupy but a small breadth, and are
only cultivated for their pods, which are used in a green state, or

gjg LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

when about half grown. In France, and other countries of Europe,
as also in the Canadas and United States of America, and elsewhere,
kidney-beans are not only used, in a green state, to a much greater
extent than in this country, but are cultivated in the fields, and by
every cottager who possesses a piece of garden-ground, for their ripe
seeds, of which they make various kinds of dishes, and consider
them of as much importance in their domestic economy as the cot-
tagers in this country do potatoes. Unlike the common bean, the
kidney-bean does best in a light, sharp, dry soil of medium fertility,
and the produce, per acre, even of some of the dwarf varieties, is
often more than double that of any other cultivated legume.

I. PHASEOLUS VULGARIS— Dwarf Kidney-beans.

Les Haricots nains. — Fr.

* White-seeded Dwarf Kidney -beans.

1. Common Round White Kidney-eean.
Le Haricot rond hlanc commun — Fr.

In France this sort is much esteemed for field culture, particular-
ly in the western districts, where it is often distinguished by the
name of favette or little bean. Pods long, nearly cylindrical, and
well filled with seeds, which, when ripe, are about three-eighths of
an inch in diameter, nearly round, and rather swollen than sunk at
the eye ; medium early, but not well adapted for using in a green
state, by reason of the inner skin of the pods being more tough than
in most of the others. It is, therefore, only cultivated in France for
its ripe seed, and on that account little known in Britain.

A sample in the Museum from Mr G. Thorburn, seedsman. New
York, under the name of American Soup-bean, very much resembles
this in grain, but an opportunity has not yet been afforded of grow-
ing them together for comparison.

2. Dwarf Soissons Kidney-bean.
Le Haricot de Soissons. — Fr.
This is a very early sort, medium prolific, but not much culti-
vated ; pods medium long, and a little flattened ; seeds about six-
eighths of an inch in length by nearly three-eighths of an inch in
breadth, a good deal flattened and bent or kidney-shaped, very much
hollowed at the eye. It is equally well adapted for using in a green
and ripe state. Scarcely known in Britain.

KIDNEY-BEANS. 87'

3. Dwarf Canterbury.

Pods three to four inches in length, nearly straight, narrow and
well filled ; seeds about half an inch in length by one-fourth in
breadth, slightly flattened, and nearly straight.

This is a well-known, very dwarf, and early sort, but rather un-
productive. It is nevertheless an esteemed sort for an early crop,
the young pods being very tender.

4. Dwarf Sabre Kidney-bean.

Pods six to seven inches long, bent or curved ; seeds slightly flat-
tened, full five-eighths of an inch in length by about three-eighths
in breadth, very slightly kidney-shaped ; the seeds straight, and the
eye a little sunk.

In Britain this sort has received only a medium share of cultiva-
tion, but in Holland it is reckoned a very superior sort ; is exten-
sively cultivated, and found to be well adapted for using either in a
green or ripe state. Medium early and dwarf.

5. Dutch Dwarf.

Pods longer, more straight, and flattened, than those of the last
mentioned sort ; seeds larger, and of the same shape, but ripens fully
earlier.

Is also much cultivated in Holland, as well as in this country, and
reckoned one of the best for using in a green state. Its long pods
are liable to lie upon the ground, and apt to become damaged in
wet or damp v>'eather ; and it is, therefore, not so well suited for
growing extensively for its ripe seed.

6. Battersea Kidney-bean.
This differs from the last in having longer seeds ; rather shorter
and broader pods ; and in being later in arriving at maturity.

7. Flagelet-shaped Kidney-bean.
Seeds not so broad, and more compressed than any of the pre-
ceding, kidney-shaped ; pods short and narrow ; habit of the plant
very dwai'f, rather late, and not very productive. It is, however, of
superior quality, and by some an esteemed sort.

88 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

8. White Swiss Kidney-bean.
Rather larger, and more cylindrical than the last ; pods long, and
rather narrow ; late and productive ; little known in this country.
In France chiefly cultivated for using in a green state.

* * Dun and Yellowish-coloured Dicarf Kidney-heans.

9. Round Light Dun Chinese Kidney-bean.

Habit of growth very dwarf and close ; pods short (from two to
three inches) and having a tough skin ; beans small, nearly round,
and of a very light dun or almost white colour, with a darker coloured
ring round the eye. A very inferior variety.

10. Canadian or Round American Kidney-bean.
Pods long (five to six inches), slightly curved, almost cylindrical
when ripe ; seeds of a light copper colour, nearly round (about one-
half by three-eighths of an inch), not sunk at the eye, which is sur-
rounded by a dark red ring ; medium early, but not well adapted for
use in a green state, the pods being rather tough ; it is, however,
very prolific, and well adapted for growing, when ripe seed is tlie
object in view.

11. Small Yellow, Round Yellow, Small Round Yellow,
Dwarf Yellow.

Rather smaller in all the parts than the preceding ; of a dark
copper colour, with a very small dark ring round the eye, also rather
tough skinned, but cultivated occasionally in this country for its
green pods. It is very prolific, and might be grown to advantage
for its ripe seeds.

12. Light Dun, Cream, or Straw-coloured Kidney-bean.

Pods long, and neai'ly straight, almost cylindrical when ripe, and
containing about six seeds of a light dun colour, slightly kidney-
shaped, about five-eighths of an inch in length, and a little flattened ;
habit of growth rather tall, and a little straggling.

13. Dark Dun, or Liver-coloured Kidney-bean.
Differs from the last in being of a more dwarf and compact habit
of growth, and in its seeds being considerably darker in colour. This
and the last are well known amongst cultivators in this country, they

KIDNEY-BEANS. 89

are early, very hardy and productive. On the Continent they are
esteemed alike for using in a green and ripe state.

* * * Dwarf Speckled Kidney-beans.

14. Jersey Dwarf Kidney-bean.

Pods short, and nearly cylindrical; seeds small, and roundish,

thickly interspersed with dark speckles ; and in appearance resembling

the seeds of the common yellow lupine, but scarcely so much flattened ;

medium early, and prolific, suitable either for using in a green or ripe

state.

15. Flesh-coloured Kidney-bean.

Pods generally five inches long, curved, slightly speckled with
brown, narrow, and nearly cylindrical when ripe, containing about
five seeds, which are rather large, long, and slightly kidney-shaped ;
flesh coloured, thinly and irregularly interspersed with reddish
speckles ; habit of growth dwarf, and compact ; early, and prolific.

16. Zebra Speckled Kidney-bean.

Pods about the same size and shape as those of the last, much
speckled, with a dark purple or almost black colour ; seeds same
shape, and rather less than those of the Flesh-coloured ; colour nearly
white, rather sparingly interspersed with black or very dark purple
speckles ; habit of growth much stronger than the last, it is also
about a week later, and a still better bearer.

17- Magpie Kidney-bean.
Differs from the last in having larger and darker pods, being much
later, and not nearly so productive, and also in the ground colour of
the bean, which is rather more inclined to a French white.

18. Red Speckled Kidney-bean.

Pods long, nearly straight, and well-filled, slightly speckled into

light brown ; colour of the seeds dull red, thinly interspersed with

light brown speckles, size and shape similar to the preceding ; habit

of growth robust, and not very close ; medium early, and a medium

bearer.

19. Fulmer Spotted Kidney-bean.

Very dwarf, medium early, and prolific, ground colour of the seed
dark purple, speckled light brown.

90 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

This sort and the preceding four are better adapted for using in a
green than in a ripe state.

* * * * Variotts other sorts not inclvded in the foregoing divisions.

20. Round-seeded Chinese Kidney-bean.

Pods about four inches long, slightly bent, and almost cylindri-
cal, when ripe containing four or five small seeds, which are almost
round, of a reddish colour next the eye, and white on the opposite
side ; dwarf, and rather late, only a medium bearer.

21. Common Dwarf Chinese Kidney-bean.

Seeds same colour as the preceding, but much more elongated ;
ripens earlier, grows stronger, and is very superior to the last.

22. Dwarf Negro or Black Kidney-bean.

Seed small, elongated, and black ; pods long and cylindrical, slight-
ly curved and abundant, a free grower, much esteemed both in this
country and on the Continent for its green pods, and also occasion-
ally cultivated for its ripe seeds. This sort is used very much for
the food of the black population in the Brazils.

***** Varieties which, although referred to the tribe of Dtoarf
Kidney-heans (P. vulgaris), have nevei't?ieless short runners,
particularly when sown late or in wet seasons, and xoliich seem to
occupy an intermediate place between the true Dwarfs and Run-
ners or Pole Beans (P. multiflorus).

23. Common White Runners.

Le Haricot blanc commun. — Fr.
Pods long, broad, and crooked, containing seven or eight seeds,
which are white, about an inch long, by half an inch in breadth, a
good deal flattened, and kidney-shaped ; grows to the height of three
feet, but bears chiefly at about one foot from the ground.

24. Tall Soissons Kidney-bean.

Le Haricot de Soissons.

This is only considered an improved variety of the last ; its pods

are generally longer, and its seeds of a more brilliant transparent

white, but is said to degenerate when cultivated elsewhere than at

KIDNEYBEANS. ^1

Soissons. The seeds of this sort are more esteemed in Paris mar-
ket for using in a ripe state than any other whatever ; neither it nor
the preceding are used in a green state, owing to the toughness of
their skins.

25. Improved French Pole Bean.

This is a variety differing from the last two in having large pods
about one foot long, by from one to one and a half inch in breadth,
a good deal compressed, and containing generally from ten to twelve
or more seeds ; the skin of the pods is also more tender and better
adapted for using in a green state than any of the two former.

Specimen from Mr Spindler, 24. Greenside Street, Edinburgh, who
received it from Hanover under the name of Schiver bohner.

26. French Tall Pearl Beans, or Turkey Pease.
Le Haricot Predome. — Fr.
Seeds small, round, white, and transparent ; pods three to four
inches long, well filled, and clasping the beans firm when ripe, so
as to have a wrinkled-like appearance ; pods remarkably tender
and well adapted for using in a green state ; earlier than any of the
last three sorts, but too late to depend on for a crop of ripe seed in
this climate.

27. New Imperial French Pearl Beans, or Turkey Pease.

This is an improved variety of the former, being finer, and still
more tender podded ; they are both very superior sorts, and well
worth the attention of cultivators. Much cultivated in Normandy.

Specimen from J. G. Booth and Company, Hamburgh.

28. Sabre Runner, or German Sabre.
Resembles No. 23 and 24, except in being of dwarf growth, hav-
ing smaller seeds, and being equally well adapted for using either in
a green or ripe state. Much cultivated in Germany, but scarcely
ripens in this country, except under favourable circumstances.

29. Purple Speckled Kidney Bean.
Pods about four inches long, slightly flattened, straight, narrow,
and speckled, with purple seeds, small, nearly straight on the sides,
slightly compressed ; ground colour dark purple, interspersed with
light brown or straw coloured speckles ; rather late, and but a me-
dium bearer, chiefly cultivated for its green pods.

92 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

30. Black Speckled.
Compared with the last this sort has longer pods, darker coloured
seeds, is a better bearer, and a little earlier, also cultivated for using
in a green state.

.31. Red Prague.
Resembles the Pearl Beans in shape and habit of growth, also in
being very good either green or ripe, but differs in the colour, which
is reddish, and in being very late, and on that account not so well
suited to our climate.

II. PHASEOLUS MULTIFLORUS— I>AHGE Hunker or Pole
Kidney-bean.

Besides being larger in seed, and of much stronger growth than
the varieties of P. vulgaris^ those of this species are distinguished
by the seedling plants having their cotyledons under ground, and in
being of a perennial nature if protected from cold, and by the racemes
of flowers being as long or longer than the leaves, while those of the
other are generally much shorter.

32. Scarlet Runner Kidney-bean.
This variety is too well known to require any description ; besides
being cultivated for its pods and seeds, it is often grown for its
beautiful scarlet flowers.

33. Painted Lady Runner.
This differs from the last in having the keel or centre of the flower
almost white ; its seeds are also much lighter coloured, and it is con-
sidered a better bearer.

34. White Dutch Runners, New Large White Runners.

This sort has white flowers, and white seeds, it is also an abun-
dant bearer, and by some considered superior to either of the last
two varieties in quality.

IIL PHASEOLUS LUNATUS— Lima Kidney-bean.

35. Common Lima, or Scimitar-podded Kidney-bean.
Pods long, curved, and more smooth than those of the last spe-
cies ; seed larger, and much thicker at one end than at the other.

KIDNEY-BEANS. 93

of a dull white colour. Like the Large Runners, this is remarkable
for the largeness and great produce of its seeds, but so tender that
even in the latitude of Paris it requires to be forced before being
planted out in spring, in order to insure a supply of ripe seed.

Although Kidney Beans in a ripe state are not likely soon to form
any considerable portion of the food of man in this country, yet many
of the early and prolific sorts offer an opportunity of adding to the
very few dishes, at a cheap rate, which appear on the cottager's table.

DOLICHOS.

This genus is very nearly allied to the preceding, only differing
slightly in the form of the flower. The seeds and pods of several of
the species are used in the same manner as those of the Phaseoltis^
in the countries from which they are originally procured. Their
culture has been attempted in various parts of Europe, but although
generally suited for the warmer countries, such as the south of France,
Spain, Italy, &c., they are, for the most part, so inferior in quality to
the kidney beans, as only to merit the attention of cultivators for the
sake of variety. They are all too tender to be cultivated in our
climate without the aid of artificial heat at some period of their exist-
ence.

The names of the only species cultivated for food are as follows :

I. DOLICHOS UNGUICULATUS— Birds-foot Dolichos.
Le Dolique a onglet mongette ou banette. — Fr.

II. D. SESQUIPEDALIS— Long-podded Dolichos.
Le Dolique a longues goiisses. — Fr.

III. D. LABLAB — Black-seeded or Egyptian Dolichos.
Le Dolique lablab. — Fr.

IV. D. SOJA— SojA Beans.
Le Dolique soja — Fr.

V. D. CATIANG — Small-fruited Dolichos.

94 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

ERVUM— TARE or LENTIL.

There is only one species of this genus deserving of much culti-
vation, viz., E. lens or lentil, but of it there are several varieties.

The Lentil is a legume of the greatest antiquity, being in esteem
in the days of the Patriarchs, and much prized in eastern countries
ever since. In Egypt and Syria the seeds are parched in frying-
pans, and sold in shops, being considered by the natives as the best
food for those who undertake long journeys.

The Lentil is said to have been first introduced into Britain about
the year 1545, but although well adapted to our climate, its cultiva-
tion has never been attended to. In France, Germany, Holland, and
other countries of the Continent, it is grown to a considerable ex-
tent, for its seeds and haulm. The former are round and flat, pro-
duced in great abundance in small, flat, square-like pods, generally two
on each foot-stalk, and one or two seeds in each pod ; they are used in
various ways, but principally when ripe in soups, as split pease ; and
the haulm is considered, both in a green and dry state, so nutritious
as to compensate for its small bulk of produce, and pai'ticularly well
adapted for feeding calves, and other young stock. When given as
green food for cattle, it should be cut when the first pods ai-e nearly
full grown ; and in this case it is generally sown broadcast, but drilled
when grown for ripe seeds. The soil best adapted for the Lentil is that
of a dry, light, calcareous, sandy nature, being very impatient of wet.

I. ERVUM LENS Common Lentil.

L Large Lentil.

Flowers very small and whitish, generally two, but sometimes
three on each peduncle or foot-stalk ; pods when ripe about three-
fourths of an inch in length, by one-half in breadth, flattened, and
containing generally only one seed, which is round and compressed,
about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and about one-eighth in
thickness, of a whitish or cream colour Sown at Meadowbank Nur-
sery on the 7th April 1835 ; in flower 6th July ; ripe in the second
week of August ; height one foot to fifteen inches.

This is certainly the most productive varietj^, but on the Con-
tinent it is considered inferior in quality to the next sort.

2. Common Lentil, Yellow Lentil.
This differs from the preceding variety in having smaller seeds,

LENTILS.—CHICK-PEA. 9S>

and being considered of a superior quality. It is the sort most es-
teemed in the Paris market ; about as early as the last.

3. Red Lentil.
Seeds about the same size as those of the last, of a I'eddish-brown
colour ; flowers also light red, about as early as the preceding.

4. Small Lentil.

Seeds not much more than one- eighth of an inch in diameter;
flowers also reddish, and pods often containing two seeds.

This is the variety mostly sown for green food in France, although
its ripe seeds are also used. It is rather later, and grows taller, than
any of the preceding. When sown in drills they should be ten to
fifteen inches apart, and the plants at about four or five inches dis-
tant in the rows. The Lentils are of a close branching habit of
growth, and one plant will produce 100 to 150, and often a consi-
derably greater number of pods.

II. ERVUM MONANTHOS— One-flowerld Lentil.
La Lentille unijleur. — Fr.

This differs essentially from the other Lentils ; its seeds are from
one-eighth to two-eighths of an inch in diameter, globular, but often
slightly Avrinkled, of a dunnish-brown colour, and generally three or
four in each pod. It is much less esteemed than the varieties of
E. lens, but is, notwithstanding, cultivated in some parts of France,
and elsewhere, both for its seeds and herbaere or haulm.

CICER ARIETINUM— Chick Pea.

The Chick Pea is a native of the south of Em'ope, as also of the
north of Africa and some parts of Asia. In countries where the
winters are not very severe, the Chick Pea is sown in autumn, but
it is alike too tender to endure the rigoxu" of our winters, and scarce-
ly arrives at maturity during our summer, consequently it is quite
unsuitable for field culture in this country.

The Chick Pea is of a stiff", branching, upright habit of growth,
one and a half to two feet high, producing small red or white incon-
spicuous flowers, which are followed by swollen or bladder-like pods,
about an inch in length, by three-fourths of an inch in diameter, con-

96 LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

taining three or four seeds of a whitish colour, about the size of com-
mon pease, globular, and irregularly indented or wrinkled on the
surface.

LATHYRUS— Chickling Vetch.

LATHYRUS SATIVUS— Cultivated Lathykus, Lentil of Spain,
on Chickling Vetch.

La Gesse cultivee. — Fr.

Notwithstanding the pernicious qualities assigned to the L. sati-
vus by Duvernoy, as its causing rigidity of the limbs, delirium, and
other dreadful effects, to such an extent that its use was prohibited
by an edict of George Duke of Wurtemberg, in 1671, which was
confirmed and enforced by his successors, yet it is still grown in
some provinces of France, and elsewhere. Its seeds being used in
soups, and its meal or flour mixed with that of the cereal grains, is
made into bread ; and also given to hogs, and other live stock, but
generally in mixture. It is still given in various parts, as a green
food for horses and cattle. L. sativus grows to the height of about
three or four feet, attaching itself to branches, &c. for support, in the
manner of pease ; its leaves are small and grassy-like ; flowers soli-
tary and abundant, about half the size of those of the Common Pea,
of a bright blue colour generally, but changing in some varieties ;
pods when fully grown about an inch and a half in length, by three-
fourths of an inch in breadth, flattened, with two wing-like appendages
running along the back, containing generally two flattish and rather
irregularly-shaped seeds, of a dun or brownish colour, and of rather
an agreeable taste.

There is another variety, termed the White-flowered Chickling
Vetch, which differs from the common sort in nothing except in the
colour of its flowers and seeds, which are white, and the foliage is
also a slight shade lighter in colour.

Others of this genus also produce farinaceous seeds which may
be used as food, but in too small quantities to admit of their being
advantageously used for such in this country.

LUPINE. 9T.

VICIA— VETCH.

The seeds of most of the Viciae may be eaten as food by man ;
but they are generally too small, or produced too sparingly, to ad-
mit of their culture for this purpose being attended with any bene-
ficial effects. The only species of the genus deserving attention for
this purpose, is the Vicia sativa, and of its varieties, — the

VICIA SATIVA ALBA— White Tare, Lentil of Canada, oa

Napoleon Pea.

La Vesce blanche, ou Lentille du Canada. — Fr.

This variety differs from the Common Tare in being of dwarfer
growth, and producing a much greater quantity of seeds, which
are of a white or cream colour, and possesses a much milder taste.
In France and Canada these are used as a substitute for pease,
both green and ripe, in soups and other dishes ; they are also ground
and made into bread, but in this case their flour is generally mixed
with that of wheat, or others of the cereal grains. The White Tare
has been known in Scotland for a considerable time, but from only
being grown for soiling cattle, its culture was never extensive, owing
to its dwarfness of growth, compared with the Common Tare.

The other varieties of V. saliva (Summer and Winter Tares), al-
though cultivated sometimes for their seeds, belong more properly
to the Leguminous forage and herbage plants.

LUPINUS.— LUPINE.

The Lupines are distinguished from others of the cultivated Le-
guminosse by their strong branching habit of growth, as well as by
their stamens, which are ten, being all united towards the base of
their filaments (hence referred by some botanists to class MonadeU
phia, and order Decandria of Linnaeus) ; anthers, five oblong and
five round in each flower ; calyx two-lipped ; skin of the pods thick,
pods compressed and swollen at the seeds.

The only species hitherto cultivated for their farinaceous seeds
are the Lupinus albus and L. lutetts, White and Yellow Lupines ;
the former distinguished by its white flowers, white and slightly

98 BUCKWHEAT.

compressed seeds, and the latter by having yellow flowers, and speck-
led roundish seeds.

The White Lupine was extensively cultivated by the Romans for
its ripened seeds, which they used as food, and also as well as the
green herbage for feeding their domestic animals ; at present, how-
ever, the Yellow Lupine is more extensively grown in Italy, for the
same purposes, and also in some parts in the south of France, on
poor drj-^ grounds, for cutting in a green state, and ploughing down
as manure.

Besides the preceding varieties, others of the Leguminosa? in the
Museum might be enumerated as being cultivated for their seeds, —
as Ervilia sativa, Tetragonolobus purpureus, Ochrus pallida, &c.
which are grown in several parts of the Continent, but their produce is
either so inferior in quantity or quality, as to render them of little
value in domestic economy.

in. BUCKWHEAT, or PERSICARIA.

{PolygoncB.)

POLYGONUM FAGOPYllUM.

L Common Buckwheat.

In Scotland the Buckwheat is seldom cultivated, except for feed-
ing pheasants and other game. On the Continent, however, and
even in some parts of England, it is used in the distillery, and its
flour made into bread, which is palatable, and very nutritious. In
France, besides being used for feeding fowls, pigs, &c. it is given to
horses, and it is said that a bushel of its grain goes farther than two
bushels of oats, and if mixed with four times its bulk of bran, will be
full feeding for any horse a week. Its haulm or straw is said to be
more nourishing than that of clover, and its beautiful pink or reddish
blossoms form a rich repast for bees. The quantity of seed required
is about one and a half bushel per acre ; it is always sown broadcast,
and the produce of Common Buckwheat may be reckoned about
four quarters per imperial acre.

BUCKWHEAT. 99

POLYGONUM T ATARI CUM.

2. Tartarian Buckwheat.
This sort differs from the former in having the edges of its seeds
toothed, and being of a more slender but taller habit of growth. It
is not considered so productive, but is more hardy, and better adapt-
ed for growing in mountainous situations, as in Switzerland, where
it is sometimes cultivated, as well as in Siberia, which seems to be
its native country.

POLYGONUM EMAIlGINATU."\r.

3. Notch-seeded Buckwheat.
Seeds much larger than the Common Buckwheat, their wings also
larger and notched. Native of Nepaul, wliere it is cultivated ; but
M'hen grown in our climate, a considerable number of its flowers are
generally abortive.

POLYGONUM CYMOSUM.

4. Perennial Buckwheat.
This sort w^as procured from M, Vilmorin and Co. last season,
under the above name. The seeds are larger, thicker skinned, more
winged and flattened on the sides than those of the Common Buck-
wheat.

IV. CHENOPODIUM— GOOSE-FOOT.

CChenopodecE.)
CHENOPODIUM QUINOA White and Black seeded Vakieties.

The following extract is from Loudon's Gardener's Magazine,
December 1834: — " This plant, in Mexico, ranks in utility with
the potato, the maize, and the wheat. The leaves are used as
spinage or sorrel, or as greens ; and the seeds in soups and broths,
or as rice. Throughout great part of South America, and espe-
cially in Peru, the seeds are in as common use as rice is in Hin-
dostan. The seeds are considered more heating than rice, and on
that account they are frequently given to domestic poultry to make

100 CHENOPODIUM.

them lay early. The seeds are small, yellowish-white, round, feome-
what flattened, about a line in diameter, and, on a cursory glance,
might be mistaken for those of millet ; mixed with the latter seeds,
and fermented, a pleasant kind of beer is said to be produced. They
are contained in a single envelope, from which they are very easily
sepaiated. The Quinoa was first introduced into England in 1822,
and it has ripened seeds at Kew. No particular notice, however,
appears to have been taken of the plant till this season, when it was
grown by A. B. Lambert, Esq. V. P. L. S. at Boyton, where it has
ripened abundance of seeds, on plants varying from three to seven
feet in height. We trust the plant will now have a fair trial, both
in gardens and fields. To do any good in producing nutritious
seeds, the plant should be subjected to field culture, in which we see
not the slightest difficulty. It might be sown very thinly in drills,
three feet apart, at about the same season as barley, and the plants
afterwards thinned to the distance of one foot apart. There appears
at present no reason whatever why it should not become as common
in the fields of Europe as barley, wherever that grain can be culti-
vated."

About fifty seeds of the White variety, weighing not more than
one-fourth of a drachm, were sown in Meadowbank Nursery, about
the end of April 1835. The plants grew to the height of about four
feet, producing short and compactly placed branches, and an abun-
dance of succulent foliage, which was found an excellent substitute
for spinage. In the first week of October, the plants being ripe, were
cut up, and on being dried, the seed was rubbed out, and weighed
exactly 4 lb. 2 oz., besides what was eaten by birds and lost from va-
rious causes.

The Red-seeded variety (if a variety it can only be termed) is very
different from the White-seeded sort. It grows to the height of six
or eight feet, and even more, with numerous long and spreading
branches, producing a greater abundance of succulent foliage than
the former, but from its lateness it seems wholly unfitted for cultiva-
ting in this climate, for its ripe seeds. Sown at the same period as
the former : it is now, 1 2th November, only in full flower, with a few
of the earlier seeds partially formed. The seeds of both these kinds
of Chenopodium were presented by J. C. Loudon, Esq. conductor of
the Gardener's Magazine, &c.

PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR HERB
AGE AND FORAGE.

The plants cultivated, or capable of being advantageously culti-
vated, in this country for herbage and forage, are arranged in the
following order : —

I. Gramineous (^Granmiece), comprehending the Grasses.
II. Leguminous {L.€guminos<e), having their seeds in legumes or

pods, such as Tares, Clovers, &c.
III. Cruciferous {Criicifercp), such as Cabbage, Rape, &c., and
other herbage and forage plants, not included in the above,
and belonging to other natural families, Chiccory, Yarrow,
Ribgrass, &c.

To this division of the Report Tables are attached, shewing the
kinds and quantities of seeds Ijest adapted for sowing down lands to
grass under various circumstances, being the result of careful and
minute trials and comparisons since the paper on this subject by Mr
C. Lawson appeared in the Quarterli/ Journal of Agricultiir Cywol. iv.
No. 23.

L GRAMINEOUS HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS,

Or such as belong to the natural order Graminece of Jussieu ; and
with a few exceptions (which are noticed in course), to the class
Triandria and order Digynia of Linnfeus.

Under this head it is by no means intended to particularize all
the grasses in the Museum, but only such as more especially demand
the attention of the agriculturist, either from their possessing quali-
ties entitling them to cultivation under certain circumstances, or on
account of their possessing properties injurious to the soil, or to such
crops as they are generally found growing amongst.

In the following arrangement the different genera, as well as the
species in each genus, are placed so as to follow each other, as much
as possible, according to their relative value, or the estimation in
"which they are generally held by cultivators in this country, com-
mencing with those sorts which are most prized.

102 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

LOLIUM— RYEGRASS.

Generic characters. — Inflorescence spiked; spikelets many-
flowered, and, except the terminal one, alternate, in two opposite
Eows, sessile, presenting their edge to the rachis, and those on the
sides having each a one-valved glume at their inferior extremity,
the terminating spikelet having two such glumes ; germ or seed
coated with two-valved paleae, which adhere firmly to the seed when
ripe.

I. LOLIUM PERENNE — Common Ryegrass.

L'lvraie vivace. — Fr.

Spikelets longer than the glumes, beai'dless ; root fibrous, peren-
nial.

The Common Ryegrass possesses several good qualities to recom-
mend it to the attention of cultivators, the principal of which are, —
its suitableness to a great variety of soils ; the facility with which it
is propagated, by reason of its seeds being produced in abundance,
and their uniformity in ripening ; and, although last, not the least of
its good qualities, the fibrous structure of its roots, which fit it in an
eminent degree for alternate husbandry. However, notwithstanding
all these good qualities, its culture, in this country at least, has
doubtless been carried too far, to the exclusion often of sorts which
would yield a greater return, and might in every respect be grown
in similar circumstances, to far greater advantage.

In the south of France the climate is generally supposed to be
unfavourable for the growth of the Common Ryegrass, from the great
heat and drought of the summer ; and even in the northern pro-
vinces it is only lately that its culture has been much attended to,
but in them it is yearly on the increase. In North America its cul-
tivation is little known ; it has, however, been partiallj'^ tried in
Canada and the States, by settlers from this country, but found to
be scarcely capable of withstanding the rigour of their winters.

Like other plants which have received an extensive cultivation,
there are several varieties of the Common Ryegrass, the principal of
which are as follows : —

1. Common Perennial or Scotch Perennial Ryegrass. — This
is the sort most generally employed for sowing on such lands as are
subjected to rotations, in which two or more successive seasons of

GR AMINES. 103

grass crop are required ; and in such cases the seeds should be saved
from plants of at least two years' standing, by which means the pro-
duce is of more permanent duration than that of seed saved from the
crop of the first season ; indeed, so much does the duration of Rye-
grass depend on the previous manner adopted in saving the seed,
that it is the produce of seeds saved successively from the first year's
crop which constitutes that which, from the comparative shortness of
its duration, is generally termed,

2. Annual Ryegrass, — owing to the acquired annual habits of
the sort generally known by this name. It differs from the more
permanent varieties by having fewer root leaves, and a greater quan-
tity of culms or stalks, which are rather longer, and furnished with a
smaller proportion of foliage than those of most of the perennial va-
rieties. From the quantity and length of its stalks or culms, this
sort has been considered as yielding a greater bulk of crop the first
season, and so, better suited for single crops of hay than the perennial
sorts ; but the results of late experiments tend to shew that the quan-
tity of root and stalk leaves which these last produce, fully compen-
sates for any deficiency which may arise from the weight of their
culms, besides rendering the hay less wiry and more palatable than
that of the Annual Ryegrass, which, in fact, seems to possess no su-
perior quality, except that it yields a greater quantity of seeds.

3. Whitworth's Ryegrass So named in honour of Mr Whit-
worth, at Acre House, a gentleman who has paid much attention to
the cultivation and improvement of the different varieties of Lolium
perenne. In the Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis, this sort is men-
tioned as possessing in an eminent degree the properties of early and
late growth, and to be of such a perennial nature, or so tenacious of
life, that the ground requires two or three ploughings to overcome
its vivacity so as to prevent its injuring the succeeding crop. Its
foliage is remarkably fine, which renders it suitable as a mixture for
sowing in pleasure grounds.

4. Pacey's Ryegrass — This variety produces an abundance of
foliage, both at the roots and on the stalks, Avhich, although rather
broader, and not so fine to appearance as that of the former, is also,
from its perennial character, well adapted for pleasure grounds and

104 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

permanent pasture. Its spikelets are shorter, and contain fewer seeds
than most of the other varieties.

5. Russell's Ryegrass. — Named in compliment to the Duke of
Bedford, who iirst pointed out the original plant, from whence the
stock has been raised, to Mr Holdich, the late editor of the Farmer's
Journal. It is of a much stronger habit of growth, and yields a
greater bulk of crop than any of the preceding ; it grows also early
in spring, and remains late in the autumn.

6. Molle's Ryeghass. — This is a favourite variety in some places,
it is rather of a slender habit, but grows tall, and yields a very bulky
crop.

7. Stickney's Ryegrass. — This variety ^vaa raised by Mr Stick-
Dey, an intelligent agriculturist in Holderness. It resembles the last
a good deal in habit of growth, but is more of a perennial nature,
grows stronger and more freely in the beginning and end of the
season.

In the Museum, seed of this variety from Mr Stickney ; and a
specimen of the grass by Mr Black, land-steward, Dalkeith, from
the Duke of Buccleuch's agricultural garden.

8. Pollexfen's Ryegrass This variety acquires its name from

being raised by Thomas Pollexfcn, Esq. Kirkv.all, in Orkney, who
has, by devoting much attention to the improvement of the Ryegrass
for a considerable period, obtained this superior variety, similar in
its qualities to the preceding, but of a darker green colour.

Sample of seed communicated by Mr Pollexfen.

9. Devonshike Evergreen Ryegrass, commonly termed Devon
Evers. — This variety does not yield such a bulky crop as the last,
but it is still more perennial in its nature, and withstands the rigour
of winter well ; hence it derives the name of Evergreen.

10. Spreading Ryegrass (Z. stoloniferum). — This name is applied
to a remarkably stoloniferous variety, the seeds of which were pro-
cured from Germany, evidently a distinct variety from the Stolonife-
rous Ryegrass mentioned bj-^ Sinclair in his Hcrt. Gram. Woburn.
It was about a fortnight longer in running to seed in the nursery last

GRAMINE^. 105

season than any of the other varieties of Ryegrass, and produced
comparatively few flower-stalks. It is of early spring growth, push-
ing out long prostrate stolons or shoots, with an abundance of foliage,
so that one plant, by the time the spikes begin to appear, will form
a close tuft, extending from two to three feet in diameter ; these
shoots, however, although lying on the ground, never attempted to
strike root until near the end of the season, and even then very spa-
ringly. Entire height about fifteen or eighteen inches from the sur-
face, but the length from the root to the point of the spike is often
nearly three feet, spike long and slender ; spikelets remote, small, and
few seeded.

11. Thick-stalked Ryegrass. — This variety was procured from
Vilmorin and Co., Paris, under the name of Lolmm grossum ; it is
nearly as remarkable for its stiff and upright habit of growth as the
last is for its slender stolon iferous habit ; height about twenty inches ;
spike about eight inches long, and very broad ; spikelets, which are
very long, placed so that the point of the one reaches to the base of
the next above, containing each eight or ten seeds. In bulk of crop
(so far as can be judged from the produce of a small sample grown
in the nursery along with the others), the L. grossum appears to be
inferior to most of the preceding : the seed was sown two years ago,
and the plants still remain lively, having ripened seed last year, but
they do not seem to grow freely in the beginning, but stand well
out in the end of the season.

The above are the most esteemed varieties of Lolium perenne, but
there are many more of inferior importance, and possessing less per-
manent characters. Those of the most perennial habits, which are
distinguished by their yielding a greater abundance of root leaves
and fewer stalks or culms, are denominated Perennial ; and those of
shorter duration, which generally produce a smaller quantity of root
leaves and a greater number of culms, are termed Annual Ryegrasses ;
but even these last will, under favourable circumstances, exist two or
three years, while under unfavourable circumstances the most perennial
varieties will scarcely exist more than one year. Of those termed
Annual there is only one variety in cultivation. But even the sorts
which are most permanent in their characters, or such as are most
capable of producing the same sort from seed, have become so much
changed in habits and characters from the effects of continued culture

108 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

upon different soils, and under different circumstances, as no longer
to retain any traces of the properties for which they might have been
originally distinguished.

II. LOLIUM ITALICUM — Italian Ryegrass.

L'lvraie (Tltalie Fr.

Specific characters. — Lower paleae terminated by an awn or
beard, which constitutes the most marked distinction between this
and L. percnne, the varieties of the latter being all beardless.
Botanists, however, agree in concluding that the presence or absence
of the awn in Graminece does not constitute a sufficiently permanent
character, from its being often caused merely by the effects of climate,
soil, &c. Hence it has been concluded that the Italian Ryegrass is
only a variety of L. perenne. The Italian Kj'egrass, however, pos-
sesses other distinctive characters which, although they may seem of
little consequence in the estimation of the botanist, are, nevertheless,
(some of them at least), of considerable importance to the agricul-
turist. Compared with any of the varieties of Common Ryegrass, the
L. italicum affords a stronger braird, arrives sooner at maturity, has a
greater abundance of foliage, which is broader, and of a lighter or
more lively green colour, grows considerably taller, is more upright,
or less inclined to spread on the ground ; its spikes are longer ; spike-
lets more thinly set, and upon the whole producing a less bulk of
seed, which is smaller, has the awn (above mentioned) adhering to
it, and is generally little more than half the weight per bushel of that
of Common Perennial R3^egrass when grown under similar circum-
stances. Another of its distinguishing characters is, that it is pre-
ferred by cattle to any of the common sorts, a fact which has been
proved by numerous experiments in various parts of the country, as
a confirmation of which the following instances may be adduced : —

Part of a grass-park at Pitfour Castle, Carse of Gowrie, sown down
in spring (1833), was found to be so much preferred by cattle to the
rest which was sown with coaunon ryegrass, that while the latter
produced a considerable number of stalks which flowered and per-
fected seeds, the former was kei)t quite bare, and scarcely allowed
to produce a single stalk during the whole season ; and the cattle,
which were kept in a house at niglit, on being let out in the morn-
ing, were observed to go regularly straight across the whole park

GRAMiNEi*;. 107

without stopping to feed until they came to that portion occupied
by the Italian Rj^egrass. — Coinmunicaled by Mr James Young, land-
surveyor and valuator, Perth, formerly land-steward at Pitfour Castle.
In spring 1833, an extensive park was laid down at Dalkeith
Palace, part of which was sown with common ryegrass, part with the
most approved mixtures for permanent pasture, and part with Italian
ryegrass alone. The whole was depastured with sheep and cattle,
and during the dry weather in July and August 1835, the stalks or
culms of the connnon ryegrass (which were produced in great abun-
dance) flowered and ripened seed, and assum.ed a dry withered-like
appearance until the wet weather set in in September. The mixture
produced a much less quantity of culms, and retained all along a
much greener appearance than the last mentioned portion ; and the
Italian ryegrass produced scarcely any, from their being closely eaten
down, while it retained its verdure much better than any of the
others, not only during the warm dry weather, but also during the
whole of the previous winter. However, from the upright habit of
growth which it possesses, the Italian ryegrass has rather a bare
rooted appearance, and seems better adapted for forming part of a
mixture than for sowing alone as a pasture grass. — Communicated
by Mr Black, land-steward, Dalkeith Park.

The following account of the introduction of the Italian ryegrass
into Britain, and other circumstances connected with its culture on
the Continent, &c. is extracted from Mr Lawson's Report, published
in the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, January 1832.

" In the 12th Number of the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, the
following observations, from the Bulletin des Sciences Agricolcs,
were made on Italian Ryegrass : —

" ' This plant is said to be distinguished from the common rye-
grass (Lolium perenne), by its larger leaves, by its being of a deeper
green, and by the greater height to which it grows. It is usually
sown in autumn, as is the general practice with grass-seeds in the
south of Europe. After the field is harrowed, it is sown at the rate
of from IG to 18 lb. per acre, and the seed rolled in. In the follow-
ing autumn the turf is covered like an old meadow, and the crop of
the following year is more than double. It may be also sown in
spring. If it be sown with clover or lucerne, its growth is so rapid
that it will quickly choke them. It is eaten greedily by cattle,
whether green or dry, and yields fifty per cent, of hay.'

108 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

" As there is no account of any trial having been made of this
grass in Britain, it was an object of some importance to obtain a few
seeds or plants of it, for the purpose of observing its characters and
mode of growth in this country.

" Mr Thomson of Banchory having procured a few seeds of it at
the Agricultural Exhibition at Munich, had the goodness to commu-
nicate them to me. About the same time I obtained a small quan-
tity of M'hat was called a new kind of ryegrass from Hamburgh.
These two were sown last spring; and, at the same time, for the pur-
pose of comparison, was sown along with them, a small quantity of
Stickney's ryegrass, which is held to be one of the most valuable
varieties of pereimial rj'egrass under cultivation. The progress of
these plants was carefully observed. There was no difference in the
period of their germination, or of appearing above ground. But in
a short period afterwards, the seeds obtained from Italy and from
Hamburgh both exhibited a decided superiority in their growth over
that of Stickney's ryegrass ; and this superiority was afterwards
maintained during the whole of the season.

" The general appearance of these two foreign grasses was the same,
they being broader in the leaf and much more luxuriant in growth
than Stickney's ryegrass ; and when examined after they came into
flower, they were both found to be the same variety of ryegrass. It
is not known whether this Italian ryegrass is a native of Italy or of
Germany, neither is it known in which of these countries it was first
cultivated. The whole character of this plant, so far as it has been
observed, accords precisely with the account in the Bulletin des
Sciences Agricoles ; and although the small scale upon which the
experiment was here made, did not afford an opportunity of ascer-
taining ho\\' it was relished by pasturing animals, the account ob-
tained from Hamburgh precisely confirms that above stated, for it is
represented as being softer, more juicy, of a richer foliage, and more
relished by cattle, than the common ryegrass.

" Though the Italian ryegrass will be valuable as an early grass,
it also retains its powers of growth to a late period in the season. A
patch of it, which had flowered and ripened its seeds, was cut over
in the first week in November ; and notwithstanding the frosts that
we have since had, occasionally pretty severe for the season of the
year, at which period vegetation in plants is nearlj' dormant, these
plants have put forth new leaves, which, at present (24tb December),

GRAMINEiE. 109

have attained the length of above a foot, shewing a superiority to
any other grass in producing winter herbage.

" This grass, too, is found to be more hardy than the common
ryegrass ; for, in the vicinity of Hamburgh, the common ryegrass
will not stand the winters when very severe ; whereas the Italian
ryegrass withstands the severities of winter, even when sown in Sep-
tember, and, consequently, the plants are young and tender when
the frosts prevail.

" That it is a perennial grass, too, has been ascertained by the cul-
tivation of it at Hamburgh. A few plants in their second year have
been sent here from that place, which, though completely checked in
their growth by the effects of the sea-voyage, were planted about the
middle of November, and have now put forth a number of fresh
leaves."

Specimens of Italian Ryegrass, with particulars regarding the cul-
tivation, &c.

From the Right Hon. the Earl of Lauderdale. Communicated by Mr
Thomas Fair, Woodheads.

Sample of the hay of Italian Ryegrass, sown without a crop on
the 1 7th May 1 834, and cut on the 9th of August following, when
the seed was found to be perfectly ripe. The field from whence
this specimen was taken produced nothing previously, except rushes
and other plants indicative of a cold, marshy, moorish soil. In the
month of January 1834, it was trenched and drained, and had about
twelve single cart-loads of lime given it per acre, with no other ma-
nure whatever ; and although the produce was not weighed, yet it
was reckoned by judges to be superior in bulk to what might have
been expected from Common Ryegrass grown on the same extent of
superior corn land. Horses were found to eat the hay with great
avidity, and in preference to that of Common Ryegrass and Clover.
The aftermath being allowed to grow until the 30th of September,
was at that period nearly as good as the first crop ; when it was
eaten down by sheep.

By William M'Dowall, Esq. of Garthland, Barr.

Hay of the second cutting of Italian Ryegrass 1834, from a field
sown in spring 1833, and from which two cuttings were also ob-
tained the first season. And also three plants, having each from
seventy to one hundred stalks, in length from fifteen to thirty-six

110 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

inches. Tlie first of these specimens, from Mr M'Dowall, tends to
shew the perennial nature of the Italian Ryegrass, combined with its
tendency to arrive early at maturity. The others shew its produc-
tiveness and liability to tiller, or its bushy habit of growth, if not
sown too thick.

From Jonathan Richardson, Enq., Ingram Lodge, Lishurn, Ireland, com-
vtwiicated hy Mr Airih,

Two specimens of Italian Ryegrass sown, without a crop, on the
4th May 1834 ; the first crop w'as cut on the last day of July follow-
ing ; average height four and a half feet. Second, cut in the end of
September ; average height of it four feet three inches.

By Mr A. Gorrie, Annut Garden.

A specimen of Italian Ryegrass, cut for seed third week of July
1 834, from a field sown on the 9th of April 1 833, and which ripen-
ed two crops of seed that same season. Also a sample cut from the
same field on the 28th September 1 834, at which period the fourth
crop of seed w^as almost ripe. In order to ascertain the permanency
of its duration, the Italian Ryegrass was allowed to stand for another
season, but was found to yield a very small return (in 1835) owing
to the exhausting effects which the previous ripening of four crops
of seed must have had both on the soil and plants.

By Jas. Biggar, Esq. Maryholm, Dumfries.

Samples of the first and second crops of Italian Ryegrass seed
saved by him in 1834. Weight of the former 17i lb. and of the
latter 14 lb. per bushel.

Notwithstanding the favourable results of the above experiments,
several parties who have tried the Italian Ryegrass, state that it is
of less permanent duration than agrees with the characters generally
given of it. In the case of the Italian, as in that of Common Ryegrass,
occasional failures will no doubt take place, and these may often
arise from local causes which, in many instances, may be difficult to
account for.

As a farther elucidation of the character and habits of the Italian
Ryegrass, we insert the following extract of a letter from M. B. de

GRAMINE^. Ill

Boiitteville to M. Vihnorin, translated from the French periodical Le
CultivateuTy Journal des Progres Agricoles, August 1835, Paris.

" I have perused your observations, and those of M. Mathieu de
Dombasle, on the Italian Ryegrass. I am convinced that at the end
of two or three years its bulk of produce is considerably diminished ;
but one of the most advantageous modes of cultivating it is to sow
it with clover. For a period of two years, after raising a crop of
grain on a field in which I had sown clover, which was very thin,
and even quite bare in some parts, I sowed along with it in autumn
some Italian Ryegrass, which yielded a magnificent crop both of
grass and clover. This season, I have sown some during spring and
autumn among thin crops of clover, and have obtained very satisfac-
tory results. Immediately after sowing this year's crops of clover,
I have added some Italian Ryegrass, about 10 lb. to the acre, and
my reason for not sowing more, is the fear of injuring my crops of
oats and wheat. As soon as I have reaped my oat and wheat crops
from these fields, if the clover and Italian Ryegrass seem not suffi-
ciently thick, I intend sowing them anew. After last year's experi-
ment, and that of the two former years, I am persuaded that my suc-
cess will equal my expectations. I am surprised that M. de Dom-
basle (who sows the common ryegrass among clover,) has not sub-
stituted the Italian, which grows much quicker, and yields hay of a
much superior quality. After the two first cuttings of clover, we
have excellent pasture, which is always in a state of verdure.

" To resume, I do not think that the Italian Ryegrass is suited for
permanent pasture ; * but I think it is very proper as a rotation crop,
either mixed with clover or bj' itself, and one or at most two years
in the ground. In sowing it alone, this plant may succeed the
clover with advantage, which cannot be sown with profit on the
same ground oftener than every five or six years, at least in the
north and in the Somme department, where my operations are con-
ducted. If my observations seem worthy of notice, you may insert
an extract from them in some journal.

" In 1835 I shall reap Italian Ryegrass, without mixture, from
twelve acres. I have this year sown down other twelve acres ; alto-

• This remark of M. Bouttcville is only applicable to the Italian Ryegrass
when sov.n alone for permanent pasture, for certainly if mixed with the more
perenni.al sorts, it will tend much to increase the bulk of crop for the first two
years, and as it dies out the others will occupy the spaces which are left.

112 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

gether, with my clover, I have sown thirty-two acrss, and I still in-
tend sowing on my estate of Omiecourt about eight or ten acres more,
as soon as the crops are reaped.

" You see, Sir, that my experiments have been conducted on rather
an extensive scale.

" I can assure you that its hay is excellent for feeding horses and
cattle; and that its nutritious qualities are greater in proportion to
Its weight than that of the other hays and clovers.

" BON. DE BOUTTEVILLE."

III. LOLIUM TEMULENTUM.—Beahded Darnel.
Also known in some districts by the name of Doites.

Specific characters. — Spikelets generally about the same length
as the glume ; lower palese terminated by an awn from three to six
times its own length; seeds, when fully grown, about one-sixth of an
inch in length, swollen, and generally four in each spikelet ; habit
of growth stiif and upright ; culm or stalk feels rough by drawing the
finger upwards ; root fibrous ; annual.

This is a most pernicious weed in wheat fields, where it is some-
times abundant ; but as agriculture advances, it is rapidly disappear-
ing in this country. Judging, however, from the quantity of its
seeds to be seen in most samples of foreign wheat, it must be very
prevalent in some parts of the Continent. The seeds, if very abun-
dant, mixed with wheat and made into bread, prove injurious to
health, causing delirium and stupefaction. It is never to be met
with except in wheat fields. From its seeds being about the same
size, consequently difficult to separate, and ripening about the same
period as those of the wheat, its presence no doubt arises from a bad
stock of seed.

IV. LOLIUM ARVENSE — Var. Beardless Darnel of Britain.

This differs from the preceding in having very short soft imper-
fect awns, and a smooth culm or stalk ; but resembles it in its strong
upright habit of growth, and in other particulars.

Specimen in Museum found by Mr Baird, foreman at Meadowbank
Nursery, in a field of wheat near Largo, Fife, in 1 834 ; also, in
1835, a specimen in grass, and a sample of seeds from Captain Pear-
son, Villoren, Falkirk. From the great similarity between this and

GRAMINE^. 113

the preceding, it is generally thought to be a variety, and very
likely possesses the same deleterious qualities.

V. LOLIUM ARVENSE Tbue Annual Beardless Darnel.

This Darnel, the seed of which was received from Mr C. A. Fischer,
Gottingen, under the above name, differs most essentially in its general
characteristics from the preceding. Its spikes are short, nodding or
drooping to one side, and seldom containing more than six or eight
spikelets, whereas the last two generally contain about double that
number ; spikelets beardless, longer than the glumes, five to ten
seeded ; seeds considerably smaller, but of the same shape as those
of the Common Beardless and Bearded Darnels ; habit of growth
dwarf and straggling ; culms or stalks jointed, very slender, and
slightly rough upwards ; root fibrous ; annual. From the smallness
of this species, it is alike harmless and useless to the agriculturist.

PHLEUM Catstail Grass.

Generic characters.- — Inflorescence panicled ; panicle contract-
ed so as to resemble a close spike ; spikelets solitary, one-flowered ;
glumes two-valved, nearly equal, with a nerve running up the back,
and terminating in a short bristle or awn ; valves navicular or boat-
shaped, inclosing the paleae, which are two, boat-shaped, and beard-
less.

I. PHLEUM PRATENSE Meadow Catstail, Timothy, or Herd's

Grass.

Fleole des Pres — Fr.

Specific characters. — Panicle spiked, cylindrical ; glumes ter-
minating abruptly, with a short awn or bristle nearly their own
length, arising from the termination of the fringed or ciliated keel ;
root perennial ; flowers in the end of June.

In America this grass is cultivated almost exclusively where the
soil is favourable ; and in Britain it is also coming into repute and
cultivated to a considerable extent, particularly in some districts of
England. It thrives best on moist soils or carse lands, and also on
newly reclaimed moorish soils ; when grown on dry light soils its
roots become bulbous or tuberous. According to the Woburn ex-

114 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

}ierimeiits, the Timothy grass possesses the advantage of affording
double the quantity of nutriment when its seeds are ripe that it does
if cut when in flower ; hence it presents an increased stimulus to its
cultivation, from its seeds being procured without its being lessened
in value as a hay crop. Therefore, on tenacious, strong, and rather
moist soils, it is entitled to a precedence almost to any other, and
should at least form a considerable portion of the mixture employed
for sowing down such, either for alternate husbandry or permanent
pasture. Compared with several others, it is, however, rather de-
ficient as an early spring grass, but is equal to any of the common
ryegrasses. It receives the name of Cats-tail from the form of its
contracted panicle ; and is the Highland badge of the clan Suther-
land, whose crest is a cat. The name of Timoth}'- grass it receives
in America, from being originally brought by Mr Timothy Hanson
from New York to Carolina. Herd's grass, or Herd-grass, is an-
other American name for it.

Specimen of its hay, about two feet long, from the top of Gascon-
hall-hill, estate of Annat, 500 feet above the level of the sea, by Mr
A. Gorrie, shewing its adaptation to such situations ; also, specimens
of first and second cuttings, 1834, raised on a strong damp soil from
American seed, sown the previous season. Height of the first four
feet, and of the second about three and a half feet ; these seemed to
possess a more vigorous growth, and produced longer spikes than
the common sort of this country ; but of it there is a considerable
number of varieties differing from one another in the colour of the
anthers and spike, also in the shape and length of the latter, and in
other particulars,

II. PHLEUM NODOSUIVI — Knotty-rooted, or Jointed Timothy,
OR Cats-taii.-grass.

This name is often applied to the bulbous-rooted variety of P.
pratense above mentioned, as being found only on dry soils; but
it differs from it in the form of its culm or stalk, which is knee-
jointed, and of a prostrate spreading habit of growth. Its panicles
are shorter and more tapering towards the extremities, and its jointed
culm more concealed by the sheaths of its foliage. With all these
differences, however, it is generally considered as only a variety of
the preceding. When grown from seed it retains its original cha-
racteristics.

Specimens iu Museum grown in Meadow1)ank Nursery from seeds

GRAMINEiE. 115

procured in Holland, and from plants found naturally in the King's
Park, Dalkeith Park, and on the road side near Roslin ; this last
differs from the preceding in having white anthers, whereas the
others are of a dull reddish or brown colour.

ALOPECURUS— FOXTAIL-GRASS.

Generic characters. — Inflorescence in a contracted panicle simi-
lar to the last genus, but differing from it in the glumes being less
nerved, joined together at the base, and beardless ; paleas joined to-
gether except the half of one of the sides ; with an awn proceeding
from their base, glumes and paleae adhering to th(> seed when ripe.

\. ALOPECURUS PRATENSIS— Meadow Foxi AIL-GRASS.
Xe Vulpin des Pres. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Culm or stalk erect, smooth panicle
cylindrically spiked, obtuse ; glumes woolly or ciliated, joined below
the middle ; awn twice the length of the paleae ; root fibrous, peren-
nial ; flowers in May and beginning of June.

This is one of the earliest and best of pasture grasses, but not so
well adapted for hay, as it produces but few stalks, which are but
sparingly furnished with leaves ; its root leaves are very broad, long,
soft, slender, and grow rapidly when cut or eaten down by live stock ;
it grows naturally on rather superior soils of medium texture, and
constitutes the greater portion of many of the richer natural pastures
in Britain. It requires two or three years after sowing to arrive at
full maturity.

Specimen by Mr J. Carmichael, Strontian, Argyleshire, where it
grows abundantly in superior soils.

II. ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS—JoiNTED Foxtail-grass.

Le Vulpin genouille. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Culm trailing on the ground, leafy, with
kneed joints, from which proceed roots when growing in wet places ;
panicle much smaller, tapering more towards the extremities than
that of the A. pratensis, and generally of a darker colour ; glumes
united at the basp, slightly hairy and fringed ; awn twice as long

K 2

116 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

as the paleae ; root fibrous, and perennial ; flowers in June, July, and
August.

This species grows naturally in watery or marshy places, but sel-
dom on peaty soils ; its seeds are difficult to procure, owing to the
small number of culms or seed stalks which it produces, and the re-
markable irregularity of their ripening. It may be considered of
little importance to the agriculturist on account of the small quan-
tity of herbage which it yields ; however, on some of the irrigated
meadows near Edinburgh, and on the alluvial banks of rivers, where
it is occasionally flooded by fresh-water tides, its produce is not so
very inconsiderable, yet such places might be occupied by others
which would yield a larger bulk of produce.

III. ALOPECURUS AGRESTIS—StENDEtt Foxtail-grass.
Le Vulpin des Champs. — Fr.

Specific characters Culm at first slightly kneed at the lower

joints, afterwards erect, rough upwards, contracted; panicle gene-
rally of a purplish colour, long, and slender ; glumes almost smooth,
united below the middle ; awn twice as long as the spikelet, kneed
or jointed-like in the middle ; root fibrous, of biennial duration ;
flowers in July and August.

This grass is generally termed an annual, but it will flower and
last two seasons on a light dry soil. It is of comparatively little im-
portance, but may be sown along with some others on light sandy
soils on the sea coast, where it will grow much better than any of the
common ryegrasses.

Specimen by Mr Black, from the Agricultural Garden, Dalkeith,
the produce of seeds brought from Holland. And by Mr Robert
Stark, from Dirlton Common, where it grows naturally on poor sili-
ceous sandy soil.

ARRHENATHERUM— TALL OAT-GRASS.

Generic characters. — Flowers male and hermaphrodite upon
the same plant (consequently belonging to the class Polygamia, and
order Moncecia of Linnaeus) ; panicle loose, spreading ; glumes two-
valved and two-flowered ; lowest floret male, or with stamens only,
and a long twisted awn inserted a little above the base ; upper one
perfect, with a short straight bristle below the point.

GRAMINEyE. 117

I. ARRHENATHERUM AVENACEUM— Fibrous-rooted Tall

Oat-like Grass.

UAvoine elevec—Fr.

Also known by the names of Avena elatior, and Hohm avena-
ceus. The only botanical distinction between this and the following
is in its having fibrous, while the other has bulbous or tuberous
roots ; it also differs in the colour of its foliage, which is of a
more vivid green, grows taller, more close, or, in other words,
produces a much greater number of stalks or culms upon a given
space of ground, and it also produces a greater bulk of foliage on
the culm than the bulbous-rooted variety, qualities which render it
a valuable grass for cultivating, either for hay or pasture ; its fibrous
roots adapting it in an eminent degree for alternate husbandry,
contrary to those of the bulbous-rooted sort, which render it a
most troublesome weed in cultivated land, owing to the great tena-
city of life which its tubers possess. Attempts have been made
to account for the different forms of the root from the difference of
soil on which they are cultivated (light dry soils causing the forma-
tion of the bulbous roots, and moist rich soils the fibrous ones). If
the difference does arise from such causes, it must be from a very
long continued growth on their respective soils ; for the seed of the
true fibrous variety never produces bulbous-rooted plants although
sown on the most light dry soils, and suffered to grow on such for a
great length of time ; seeds of the bulbous-rooted sort, will, on the
other hand, produce plants having bulbous roots the first season of
their growth on whatever kind of soil they may be sown.

In France the Fibrous-rooted Oat -grass is cultivated to a greater
extent than any other kind whatever, and is there sometimes known
by the name of Haygrass de France. Although rather late in flower-
ing, it yields a considerable quantity of foliage in the spring months,
and reproduces rapidly after being cropped. It has not been as yet
fairly tried in tiiis country, but, judging fi-om several experiments
which have been made in various parts, it seems well deserving of a
more extended cultivation.

II. ARRHENATHERUM BULBOSUM Bulbotts-rooted Oat-

grass, OR Knot-grass.

This sort is more common than the other in most parts of this conn-

118 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

try, and is generally found growing on light soils. In cultivated
fields and rocky places it is only to be overcome by proper tillage and
gathering off its roots ; its foliage is thin, and not well relished by
cattle. It is admitted as forming a distinct species by some botanists^
although it is more commonly termed a variety of the preceding.

DACTYLIS— COCKSFOOT-GRASS.

Generic characters. — Inflorescence in a compound panicle;
spikelets collected together, in crowded, one-sided heads or bundles
towards the points of the branches ; glumes of two unequal valves,
the larger one-keeled, two to seven flowered ; lower paleae notched
at the end, and having a small setaceous-like bristle ; upper terminat-
ing into teeth-like points ; seed not furrowed, surrounded by the
paleae.

DACTYLIS GLOMEllATA — Rough CocKsrooT, on Orchard-grass

OF America.

Le Dactyle pelotonne Fr.

Specific characters — Panicle one-sided ; spikelets crowded or
in heaps, three or four flowered ; leaves and culm rough or scabrous,
the former keeled ; root fibrous ; perennial ; flowers in June and
July.

The Rough Cocksfoot is a well known grass, growing abun-
dantly on all waste places where not very barely cropped by cattle.
It is a valuable grass in cultivation on account of the great quantity
of produce which it yields, and the rapidity with which its leaves
grow after being cut. Its habit of growth is tufty, and rather un-
sightly, with broad foliage of a slightly glaucous-green colour, which
renders it unfit for ornamental parks and pleasure grounds. Sheep
are remarkably fond of it, but they should be put to graze early in
spring, for if allowed to stand too long, it gets hard and coarse.
When subjected to perpetual pasturage the Cocksfoot does not seem
to last above five or six years, but gives place to the smaller and
finer leaved sorts. This may be accounted for by its spreading very
little in the ground, and being in general closely eaten down by
cattle, particularly sheep. It is well adapted for growing in shady

GRAMINE^. 119

moist places, under trees, &c. In America it is getting into extea-
sive cultivation, under the name of Orchard-grass.
Specimen by Mr J. Carmichael.

FESTUCA— FESCUE-GRASS.

Generic characters Panicle loose, crowded, or spiked; glumes

opposite, unequal, beardless, and shorter than the lowest floret ;
palete two, the outer one pointed or bearded ; seed inclosed by the
palese.

T. FESTUCA PKATENSIS— Meadow Fescue GUASs.
La Fetuque des Pres. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Panicle spreading, branched, and nodding
a little to one side ; spikelets long, and containing many cylindrical
florets ; outer palese acute, not bearded ; leaves broad, and of a lively
green colour ; root fibrous ; perennial ; height generally from two to
three feet ; flowers in June and July.

This is an excellent grass either for alternate husbandry or per-
manent pasture, but more particularly the latter : when growing na-
turally it is generally found on superior, rather moist soils, and on
such often forming a considerable portion of the natural pasture. It
is well liked by all kinds of domestic herbivorous animals.

Specimen by Mr J. Carmichael.

II. FESTUCA LOLIACEA — Spiked or Ryegrass-like Fescue.

In habit of growth and bulk of produce this species much resembles
the last, but dififers from it in having its inflorescence spiked, as in
the ryegrass, also by being naturally more adapted to grow in marshy
situations. It is easily distinguished from the ryegrass by its spike-
lets having occasionally a short foot-stalk, always two glumes, and in
improving in proportion to its age, which is directly the reverse of
the ryegrass. The true F. loliacea produces little seed, and hence
has been considered a hybrid between the F. pratensis and GlyceTia
Jluitans, an opinion which seems justified in some respect by its
growing generally on soils more moist than the former, but never
in water like the latter. In the neighbourhood of Edinburgh it is
rarely found in a wild state, but may be seen in Dalkeith and Dal-
meny Parks, as also in a marsh above the new bridge at Pathhead

120 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

Ford. There are, however, many intermediate varieties between F.
loliacea and F. pratensis, which have short branches towards the
base of the spike, and become two-rowed towards the point ; these
are generally more prolific in seed, equal in value, and constitute the
F. loliacea of the seed-shops.

By Mr T. Bishop, Methven Castle, Perthshire, a specimen of one
of these hybrid varieties, approaching, however, very near to the true
F. loliacea, and apparently of a very luxuriant habit of growth.

III. FESTUCA ELATIOR— Tali. Fescue-gkass.

La Fetuque elevee. — Fr.

This species may be easily distinguished from F. pratensis by
being much larger (nearly double) in all its parts. It is also like
it perennial, and fibrous-rooted ; grows naturally on moist superior
soils, in waste places, by the banks of rivers, &c. It is rather a
coarse-like grass, but may be sown either for hay or permanent pas-
ture, on moist soils, shady places, &c. It yields an abundant crop,
and notwithstanding its seeming coarseness, is relished by cattle ge-
nerally. There seems to be several varieties intermediate between
this and the F. pratensis. But the varieties of most importance to
the cultivator are those distinguished by the names of F. elatior fer-
tilis and F. elatior sterilis : the former produces an abundance of
seeds, and may be at once known by its more pendulous or drooping
panicle ; the latter, which is the most common, in a wild state pro-
duces comparatively few perfect florets.

IV. FESTUCA HETEROPHYLLA—Vabious-leaved Fescue-grass.
La Fetuque afeuilles varices. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Panicle compound, loose, and spreading a
little ; spikelets five or seven flowered ; seeds cylindrical, elongated,
and awned ; root leaves long, narrow, and flexuose, of a dark green
colour ; leaves of the culm or stalk broad, and of a lighter or more
vivid green ; culms numerous and upright ; root fibrous, perennial ;
flowers in June and July ; height four to five feet.

This species is a native of France, from whence it is said to have
been introduced into Britain in 1812- It is grown pretty exten-
sively on several parts of the Continent, particularly in the Low
Countries, from which its seeds are imported. It appears well
adapted for our climate, and ripens an abundance of seed. For one

GRAMINE^. 121

crop of hay it seems particularly well adapted, and will yield as great,
if not a greater, bulk of produce than any other of the Fescues what-
ever, but produces little else except root leaves after being cut.
Upon the whole, it seems well fitted for sowing as a mixture, either
on hay or pasture lands, but particularly on the former.

Specimen by Mr Black, from the Agricultural Garden at Dalkeith.

V. FESTUCA DURIUSCULA—Hahd Fescue-ghass.

Specific characters. — Panicle erect, and spreading mostly to
one side ; spikelets oblong, containing about six florets, which ter-
minate in a point, or short awn ; stem-leaves broader and more
flattened than the root ones, which are rounded or wire -shaped ;
root fibrous, perennial ; flowers in June and July ; height from one
and a half to two feet.

The Hard Fescue may be classed amongst the best native grasses
for general purposes. It will thrive on a great variety of soils, and
produce a greater weight of fodder than might be expected from its
dwarf habit of growth, compared with some of the others, and is
found to resist the effect of severe drought in summer, and to retain
its verdure during winter in a remarkable degree. It constitutes a
great portion of the best natural pastures in this country, especially
where the soil is light and dry. From the fineness of its foliage and
greenness in winter, it is well adapted for sowing in parks and plea-
sure grounds, especially for sheep pasture ; but for short grass to be
kept under the scythe, it should, from its wiry nature, enter spa-
ringly into the mixture.

There is a variety of this species having remarkably long slender
root leaves, and few stems. Specimens were received from Mr T.
Bishop, under the name of F. Uri, shewing the remarkable length
of its root leaves, some of which measure upwards of three feet in
length.

VI. FESTUCA RUBRA— Red or Creeping Fescue-grass.

This is considered by some as merely a variety of the former,
slightly altered in habit, from growing always on light dry sandy
soils. It is distinguished, however, by its creeping roots, broader
and generally darker coloured foliage, and producing a smaller num-
ber of stems. From its creeping rooted habit, it is comparatively of
little use to the agriculturist, except for sowing on light sandy sea
coasts, after the shifting sand has been partly consolidated.

122 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

VII. FESTUCA ARENARIA— Sand Fescue-grass.

This name is applied to a Fescue found growing abundantly amongst
Elymus arenarius, Ammophila arundinacea, &c. on the verge of the
blowing sands called the Sands of Barry, Forfarshire. Its character-
istics are, panicle large, and spreading to one side ; spikelets almost
beardless, seven or nine flowered ; glumes smooth, distinctly three-
nerved ; under or external palese covered by a thick hoary or velvety
whitish down ; internal one smooth, or nearly so ; root leaves long
and wiry-like, bundled together by long reddish sheaths ; stem leaves
also long, and a good deal flattened ; stems nearly upright, with large
slightly kneed joints ; average height of specimens growing amongst
the sand eighteen inches ; root creeping, perennial ; flowers in June
and July.

By Mr A. Gorrie, a specimen grown for one j'ear on a strong rich
and rather moist soil, and found to retain its woolly spikelets, and
other characteristics.

The cultivation of this Fescue has never been attempted on an ex-
tensive scale, but it would no doubt succeed well on light sands, yield-
ing on such a considerable quantity of nutritious animal food, where
few other grasses will grow, except the Sand Lyme and Reed grasses,
which cattle refuse to eat. It is noticed by some botanists as being
only a variety of F. rubra or F. duriuscula, but whether it be en-
titled to rank as a distinct species or not, it is certainl}^ very distinct
from either in habit and appearance.

Of these last mentioned three species (which seem to form a class
of Hard Fescues by themselves), there are numerous intermediate
varieties, some of which it is difficult to ascertain to what species
they really belong, or whether they should be allowed to constitute
new species altogether. To the cultivator, however, it is of the ut-
most importance to select such as seem to combine the greatest num-
ber of superior qualities, — such as those producing a greater number
of stems on a given space ; those which are of a tall habit of growth ;
those remarkable for producing an abundant supply of foliage early
and late in the season ; or possessing any other superior advantage,
as adapted to particular soils, &c.

GRAMINE^. 1 S3

VIII. FESTUCA OVINA— Sheep's Fescue.
La Fetvque Ovine — Fr.

Specific characters Panicle contracted, one-sided ; spikelets

four or five flowered, beardless, or slightly bearded ; leaves very nar-
row and rough ; stem square ; seed small, cylindrical, and pointed at
both ends ; grows in small tufts ; root fibrous, perennial ; height
from a foot to eighteen inches ; flowers in June and July.

The Sheep's Fescue is easily distinguished from the F. duriuscula
by its dwarf and more tufted habit of growth, its short, stiff", upright
leaves, and above all by its square-like culms or stalks. Its quantity of
produce is much inferior to that of the other cultivated Fescues, but it
is admirably adapted for growing on elevated moorish sheep pastures,
and is so well liked by these animals, that it has been said they have
no relish for pastures except where it exists. Although its foliage
be fine, yet it is not well adapted for sowing on bowling-greens, &c.
on account of its small tufted habit of growth, and the difficulty ex-
perienced in cutting it with the scythe. Like most of the common
Fescues, there are many varieties of the Festuca ovina, but the prin-
cipal of these, at least in an agricultural point of view, and which has
been termed a distict species, is the

IX. FESTUCA TENUIFOLIA— Fine-leaved Fescue.
La Fetuque a feuilles fines. — Fr.

This sort grows naturally in great abundance along with the
Sheep Fescue, in many of the dry pastures of France, and may
be met with occasionally in Britain also. It differs from the pre-
ceding in its being of a less tufted habit of growth, having shorter
stems or culms, more loose panicles, awnless, smaller and brighter
coloured seeds, and much longer and more slender leaves, which are
of a light vivid green colour. It is well suited for sowing down
pleasure grounds for short grass, but of little importance in field
culture.

X. FESTUCA CALAMAfllA— Keed Wood Fescue-grass.

Specific characters. — Panicle compound, thin and loose, having
a fine delicate appearance ; spikelets small, four or five seeded, and
placed on very slender footstalks, not bearded ; glumes small and
bristle-shaped ; leaves broad, long, and tender-like, of a bright lively

124 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

green colour ; root fibrous, perennial ; height about four feet ; flowers
in July.

This grass seems to possess qualities sufficient to entitle it to a
share of cultivation. It is rather rare, being only found in old moist
shady woods. It seems not to produce a great quantity of seed,
which will prove a hinderance to its culture.

POA— MEADOW-GRASS.

Generic characters. — Panicle loose, spreading, more or less
branched ; spikelets containing two or more florets ; glumes two-
valved, shorter than the florets, nearly equal ; paleae bluntish, awn-
less, generally somewhat woolly at the base, the upper one terminat-
ing in two teeth-like points.]

I. POA NEMORALIS— Wood IMeadow-grass.
Le JPdlurin des Bois — Fr.

Specific characters. — Panicle loose, spreading, and slightly
bent to one side ; spikelets ovate, three-flowered ; palese obscurely
nerved ; ligule, or small membrane at the junction of the stem
leaves, with their sheaths nearly wanting ; leaves plaited at the
base, broader and longer than the sheath ; culm slender, but pretty
upright ; root fibrous, or slightly spreading, when growing in light
sandy soil ; flowers in the end of June ; height two to three feet.

The Wood Meadow-grass, as its name implies, is naturally found
in shady woods, particularly in alpine situations. It is therefore
well adapted for growing under trees, but will also thrive on exposed
places, and even on inferior light soils. Its habit of growth is deli-
cate, uprigiit, close, and regular, with its panicles partially drooping
or bending when nearly ripe. There is no grass better adapted for
pleasure grounds, particularly under trees, as it will not only grow
in such places, but form a fine sward where few of the other fine
grasses can exist. It produces a considerable deal of foliage early in
spring, but grows rather slowly after being cut for seed. From the
closeness of its habit of growth, it is found to displace annual and
biennial weeds, and also those of more permanent duration, provided
it be allowed to run to seed. There is a variety of Poa nemoralis

GRAMINE^. 125

occasionally found with much narrower leaves, and generally more
slender and jointed in the culm, but it is of inferior importance.

Specimen of Poa nemoralis in ripe seed, by Mr A. Gorrie ; cut
in the first week of August 1834 ; height two feet nine inches ; and
aftermath of ditto, cut on the 15th of September following, height
eighteen inches. Also a dried specimen and plants of a curious va-
riety, with white culms, together with the branches of the panicle,
and large nerves on the back of the leaves, the spikelets and rest of
the leaves being green. This variety seems permanent in its cha-
racters and forms an ornamental grass.

II. POA NERVATA— Nerved Meadow-grass.

This species is said to be a native of North America, and was in-
troduced to Britain in the year 1822. It bears a considerable re-
semblance to the last, but on close inspection, it is found to differ, in
having larger spikelets, containing five to seven florets, and its seeds,
when examined by a microscope, appear blunter, and distinctly se-
ven-nerved ; its culm is more furrowed or angular, and is also more
jointed. As a spring grass it is equally early with the P. nemoralis,
and grows more rapidly than it, when cropped or cut for ripe seed.

By Mr T. Bishop, a specimen of the grass and sample of seed.
And by Mr Black, from the Agricultural Garden, Dalkeith, a speci-
men of P. nervata, sown along with P. nemoralis on the 7th of
April 1835. The panicles of the former appeared on the 20th of
July, height at that time one foot, and the latter in about a week af-
terwards, height ten inches. From the above results the P. nervata
would seem to claim the precedence, but it has not been so exten-
sively tried in this country ; it yields seed more sparingly than the
P. nemoralis.

III. POA TRIVIALIS — Rough-stalked Meadow-grass.
Le Pdturin commun. — Fr.

Specific characters — Panicle spreading equally on all sides ;
spikelets about three-flowered ; florets downy at the base, five-
nerved ; stem and sheaths roughish ; leaves rather smooth ; pro-
ducing shoots from the base of the culms, which trail on the
ground, and produce small roots at their joints in moist weather ;
root fibrous, perennial ; flowers in the end of June ; height two to
two and a half feet.

1 26 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

This is a valuable grass as a mixture for pasture lands, particularly^
on damp soils, and where partly shaded by trees ; its stoloniferous
shoots begin to grow pretty early in spring, and by lying prostrate
on the ground form a beautiful verdant carpet. As the season be-
comes more advanced, however, these shoots become dried from the
effects of much sunshine, but shoot out again towards the end of the
season, when the weather becomes more moist, and continue green
during the most of the winter ; a habit of growth which fits it for
mixing along with the upright growing sorts, such as the Italian
Ryegrass. Although possessed of tender foliage, and so easily cut
with the scythe, it is not adapted for sowing for short grass, not only
as it is apt to get dried up in summer, but its stoloniferous shoots
are apt to be raised by the rake or broom in cleaning off, and thus
giving the work an unfinished appearance.

IV. POA PRATENSIS— Smooth-stalked Meadow-grass.
Le Pdturin des Pres. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Panicle spreading equally on all sides;
root creeping ; upper or stem leaves shorter than their sheaths ; stem
smooth ; leaves hardish and roughish ; height two feet ; flowers in
the end of May ; grows naturally in very dry situations.

This grass has been greatly recommended for sowing as a pasture
grass, from its jdelding a large quantity of herbage at a very early
period of the season ; but it possesses several bad properties, which
render the propriety of its culture at least doubtful, except perhaps
in very dry soils. Its creeping roots are impoverishing for the soil,
and its foliage ceases in a great measure to grow after the month of
June ; it is, moreover, apt to be injured by the disease called rust,
and it grows in large patches, entirely banishing all the other grasses
within its reach.

V. POA COMPRESSA — Flat or Compressed Stalked Meadow-
grass

Specific characters. — Panicle a good deal contracted, and con-
fined mostly to one side ; culms or stalks of a straggling habit of
growth, upright towards the extremity, kneed at the joints, and lying
on the ground towards the root, flattened or compressed ; leaves short
and rather narrow, particularly those on the culm ; spikelets ovate-
lanceolate, five to nine flowered ; root perennial, fibrous, or slightly

GRAMINE7E. 127

spreading ; height one and a half to two feet ; flowers in June. Grows
naturally on dry, rocky, or stOny places, old walls, &c. ; seldom or
never on good pasture soils.

There is a variety of this grass with more speading panicles, less
compressed, and rather more upright culms, and possessed of rather
superior merits. But neither of them are deserving of culture, ex-
cept for covering dry bare rocky places with an appearance of ver-
dure. It appears to be this latter variety which is most common in
the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, as at Salisbury Crags, old walls at
St Leonards, &c.

VI. POA ANNUA — Annual Meadow-grass.

Generic characters — Panicle spreading on one side ; spikelets
oblong-ovate, five to seven flowered, florets without a web at their
base ; stem slightly compressed ; roots fibrous ; annual ; average
height about nine inches ; flowers most part of the year.

The Poa annua is the most common grass in all temperate cli-
mates, and generally considered as a most troublesome weed. In some
parts of Suffolk it forms whole fields to the total exclusion of all
other grasses whatever, and is there greedily eaten by cows and
sheep, hence it has been recommended as a pasture grass ; but there
are two obstacles which tend to prevent its cultivation, viz. its small
bulk of produce, and the difficulty with which its seeds are collect-
ed ; the latter owing to the irregularity with which they arrive at
maturity, and their being easily shaken when ripe. It has, however,
been beneficially employed for sowing on greens and bleaching
grounds in towns and places where the perennial grasses are apt to
be destroyed in winter ; in summer it will ripen its seeds in four or
five weeks from the time of sowine;'.

GLYCERIA— SWEET-GRASS.

This is a genus separated by modern botanists from those of Fes-
tuca and Poa, and distinguished by having slender elongated spike-
lets, five and nine flowered ; glumes unequal ; lower paleee blunt,
ending as if torn, or many-toothed ; navicular or boat-shaped, with
thin transparent membranous edges, embracing the upper, which is
bifid-toothed, as in the genus Poa.

128 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

I. GLYCERIA FLUITANS— Floating Sweet Meadow or Fescue

Grass.

Le Paturin Jlottant ou F etuque Jlottante. — Fr.
Known also by the names of Festuca Jluitans, Poajluitans.

Specific characters. — Panicle very long and slender, slightly
branched at the base, and bending at the top ; spikelets very slender,
and containing seven to nine florets; stem decumbent at base, ob-
lique afterwards, and upright from the last joint to the panicle ;
leaves long, broad, and floating when in deep water; root fibrous ;
height two to three feet. Flowers from the middle of May to the
end of August.

Grows naturally in, and by the sides of ditches, pools, rivers, and
on alluvial fresh Avater marshy soils generally. This grass is eaten
with avidity by horses, cattle, sheep, and swine. It has been said
not to thrive except when constantly in water, but there are few
grasses better adapted for irrigated meadows, and even on mode-
rately dry ground it will yield a considerable produce. Besides
being useful as an herbage and forage plant, its seeds are eaten greedi-
ly by wild ducks and other marsh fowls ; as also by trout and other
fresh water fish. They are very nourishing, and form the manna
seeds, or manna croup, of the shops, which are used in soups and
gruels. They are rather difficult to collect, from ripening irregularly,
and being easily shaken when ripe. In Germany and Poland they
are gathered by putting a cloth under the panicles, and shaking or
beating them off with a stick (much in the same manner in which
juniper berries are collected in our country), repeating the operation
every two or three days until the whole are ripened.

There is a variety occasionally to be met with in this country ;
the seeds of which are much shorter, and which is on that account
termed the Short-seeded Floating Meadow-grass^ and sometimes
imported from the Continent under that name. It seems inferior to
the other in all its parts ; and, besides the shortness of its seeds, it
may easily be distinguished by a much dwarfer habit of growth, and
having shorter and more branching panicles. It seems also less
adapted for growing on dry soils.

Specimens of both varieties by Mr Black, grown on dry soil in
the Agricultural Garden, Dalkeith Park.

GRAMINEiE. V2^

II. GI.yCERIA AQUATICA— Water Sweet or Meadow-gras?.

Le Paturin aquatique. — Fr.
Also termed Poa aquatica.
Specific characters. — Panicle erect, much branched, and spread-
ing equally on all sides ; spikelets elongated, about seven to nine
seeded, and not very slender ; seeds short, compact, and seven-nerved
or ribbed ; culm upright, cylindrical, and smooth or nearly so ;
leaves long, broad, tapering to the point, and of a vivid green colour ;
root powerfully creeping ; height about six feet on an average, but
often much more ; flowers in theiatter end of July.

Like the last species, this grows naturally in, and by the sides of
pools, and on rich alluvial soil, more especially on the banks of ri-
vers, where it is occasionally covered by fresh water tides. The fol-
lowing extract from liOudon's Encyclopaedia of Plants, shews the
habits and qualities of this grass : — " This is one of the tallest of
British grasses, with a powerful creeping root ; a native of most
parts of Europe, and very common in the fens of Cambridgeshire
and Lincolnshire, where it not only affords rich pasturage in sum-
mer, but forms the chief winter fodder. It is sometimes cut thrice
in one season. It grows not only in very moist ground, but in deep
water ; and with cat's-tail, burr-reed, &c,, soon fills up ditches, and
occasions them to require frequent cleansing. In this respect it is
a formidable plant even in slow rivers. In the Island of Ely they
cleanse these by an instrument called a bear, which is an iron roller
with a number of pieces of iron like small spades fixed to it ; this is
drawn up and down the river by horses walking along the bank, and
tears up the plants by the roots which float, and are carried down the
stream (^Curtis)."

Specimen by Mr A. Gorrie, height ten feet. Grows abundantly
on the alluvial banks of the Tay.

CATABROSA— WHORL-GRASS.

Generic characters — Panicle upright, with horizontal, whorled,
spreading branches ; leaves long, broad, and terminated abruptly at
the point ; young leaves, and the portions of the culm or stalk which
are covered by the sheaths of the leaves, very tender, and possessed

130 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

of a remarkably sweet pleasant taste, resembling that of liquorice
root ; glumes unequal, membranaceous, broadly ovate, containing
two beardless florets, which are much longer than the glumes ; culm
decumbent at the base, rooting at the joints, oblique afterwards, and
terminating upright ; root fibrous, perennial ; height one to two and
a half, and sometimes three feet ; flowers in June
There is only one species of this genus, viz.:

CATABROSA AQUATICA— Water Whori.-grass.
he Paturin canche — Fr.

This species grows naturally in marshy places, or in such situa-
tions as the Glycerin Jiuitans is generally found ; to which it bears a
considerable resemblance in general habit, but differs essentially in the
stiff branching form of its panicle, and in its spikelets containing only
two florets ; while those of the Glyceria contains from five to eleven,
but more generally seven to nine. It is sometimes known by the
name of Water Hair-grass, (Aira aquaticci).

From a supposition that it will only grow in water or mud, the
C. aquatica has been discarded as being unfit for cultivation, but
it might no doubt be grown with advantage on irrigated meadows,
as an instance of which it is found to thrive well on some of the ir-
rigated meadows near Edinburgh, particularly those below Salisbury
Crags. Cattle are very fond of its foliage, and it is also eaten by
wild ducks and other aquatic fowls.

ELYMUS— LYME-GRASS.

Generic characters Inflorescence in a simple or compound

spike ; two or three spikelets in each tooth of the rachis, containing
three or more fertile florets in each, and having two-valved glumes
attached laterally, or at one side of the base of every spikelet ; lower
palese entire, terminating in a bristle or awn.

I. ELYMUS SIBIRICUS— Siberian Lyme-grass.

Specific characters — Spike compound at or below the middle,
pendulous ; spikelets generally solitary on the lateral branches, and
in twos or threes on the centre spike ; about five-flowered ; florets
longer than the small and slightly bristled pointed glumes ; lower

GRAMINE/E. ISl

paleae terminated by an awn nearly twice its own length ; root
fibrous ; perennial ; flowers in June ; height four feet.

The Siberian Lyme-grass does not produce its foliage till rather late
in the spring, but it grows rapidly afterwards ; and its leaves, which
are numerous, long, and broad (but soft and tender), cover the stem
up to near the spike, and are, together with the culm, much relished
by cattle, either in a green or dry state. Although termed a per-
ennial, it is not so permanent in its duration as some of the other
grasses, being more of the habit of the Ryegrasses in this respect ;
and, like most of them, it may no doubt be better fitted for alternate
husbandry than for permanent pasture.

The soils best adapted for the growth of Siberian Lime-grass seem
to be such as are of a free texture, and rather dry than otherwise ;
when grown on cold, wet, tenacious soils, its foliage is apt to be in-
jured by rust.

Specimen of the grass and ripe seed by INIr A. Gorrie, cut in the
second week of August, height about four feet ; and aftermath of the
same cut in the first week of October following (1834), height about
two and a half feet, with the spikes nearly all developed and partly
in flower.

II. ELYMUS ARENARIUS— Sand or Sea-side Lyme-grass.
L'Elyme des Sables. — Fr.

Specific description. — Spike simple, erect and close ; spikelets
generally in pairs, and three-flowered ; florets awnless, pubescent, ra-
ther shorter than the fringed glumes ; leaves of a light glaucous
colour, and partly rolled in at the edges ; perennial, with powerfully
creeping roots ; height four feet ; flowers in July.

This grass is not eaten by any of our domestic animals ; owing
no doubt to its excessive hardness and coarseness. Sir Humphrey
Davy found, by analyzing the soluble matter afforded by this grass,
that it contained one-third of its weight of sugar, hence it has been
not inappropriately termed the sugar-cane of Britain ; and its hay,
from thus containing a considerable quantity of nutritious matter,
has been recommended to be cut like chaff and given to cattle, ei-
ther alone or mixed with other food. The purpose, however, for
which E. arenarius is generally employed, and for which its creep-
ing matted roots fit it in an eminent degree, is for binding loose
sands, and preventing the encroachment of the sea, for which purpose

132 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

it is employed in several parts of Britain, and more extensively on
the shores of Holland ; and is only to be met with growing naturally
in such situations.

AMMOPHILA— SEA-REED.

Although possessed of no qualities to render it of any importance
to the generality of cultivators, the genus Ammophila, from its simi-
larity in use and habit, is so like the Elymus arenarius that it has
been thought as well on the present occasion not to separate them,
and it is therefore inserted in precedence to others of far more ge-
neral importance.

Generic characters. — Panicle cylindrical, pointed; spikelets one-
flowered ; glumes two-keeled ; valves chaffy, and longer than the
floret ; floret surrounded with a tuft of hair at the base ; ripe seed,
in size and shape resembling a grain of oats ; leaves involute, or
rolled inwards at the edges, of a light green colour, hard, sharp-
pointed, and rather longer than the culm ; root creeping ; perennial ;
height one and a half to two feet ; flowers in July.

There is but one species of the genus Animophila, viz. the A.
arundinacea, Sea- Reed or Mat-grass, also known by the names of
Arundo arenaria and Psamma arenaria. It is principally used,
along with the preceding, for fixing or consolidating shifting sand,
and for preventing encroachments of the sea ; for which purposes
its value is so well appreciated, that there are several enactments
prohibiting the destroying of the Marrum, as it is sometimes called,
under severe penalties. It receives the name of Mat-grass from its
being employed in the fabrication of mats ; it also affords excellent
and durable thatch, and has been found to yield a fibre equal to flax,
but short, and in smaller quantities.

Specimen by Mr Robert Stark, from Sands at Dirleton Common.

AGROSTIS— BENT-GRASS.

Generic characters. — Inflorescence panicled ; panicle loose,
spreading ; spikelets one-flowered ; glumes beardless, valved, un-
equal, longer than the floret ; outer palese large, nearly surround-

GRAMINE^. 133

ing the seed, bearded, or not ; inner one small, sometimes almost
awanting.

I. AGROSTIS ALBA— (A. STOLON IFERA of some Botanists)

FioRiN OR Marsh Bent-grass.

Specific characters — Panicle rather contracted, branches slight-
ly hairy, branchlets spreading ; under paleae five-nerved, beardless ;
root perennial, fibrous when growing in marshy or damp soils, but
assuming more of a creeping habit when growing on light dry soil ;
height one to one and a half foot ; flowers in July.

There is a great number of varieties of A. alba, to several of
which distinct specific names have been applied ; of these may be
enumerated A. stolo?iifera, Stoloniferous Bent-grass or Fiorin, A.
alba latifolia, which seems to be the same with the preceding, A. com-
pressa, A. sylvatica, and several others, which all seem to agree in
acquiring a very stoloniferous habit when growing in moist situa-
tions, but assuming more of a tufted habit when growing on dry
soils. The famous fiorin of Dr Richardson seems to be the A. alba,
var. latifolia, which is distinguished by its broad leaves and more
luxuriant habit of growth. In this country it has not been found in
general to deserve the high characters which have been bestowed
upon it ; it is said, however, to be better adapted for the climate of
Ireland. One reason why it may have partly failed in this country
is, that cultivators who have been at the trouble to give it a trial may
have done so on damp marshy soils indiscriminately, without paying
attention to what particular soil may be best adapted for it. The
soils and situations on which it is found to thrive best in a natural
state are such as are of a free and porous texture, have a considerable
portion of peat in their composition, and are well supplied with
water, rather of a running than of a stagnant nature, such as the sides
of ditches in reclaimed peaty lands. As the best means of propa-
gating this grass, it has been recommended by Dr Richardson and
others to cut down the stoloniferous shoots in small pieces, and strew
them on the ground, giving them a course of rolling, and at the same
time taking care that the weather be rather moist than otherwise ;
this, however, is a tedious as well as a precarious operation, and the
principal reason given for it by its advocates is the difficulty of pro-
curing seed, and its shyness in vegetating. These objections are,
however, groundless, for seeds of this and several other varieties of

1B4 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

A. alba are yearly imported from Germany and France ; and all
that is found requisite to insure a regular braird, is to have the land
in a fine pulverized state before sowing, otherwise the seeds are apt
to be buried from their smallness. It is scarcely advisable to sow
the Fiorin on any other than a damp or irrigated peaty soil.

II. AGROSTIS VULGARIS— CoMJioN or Creeping-rooted Bent-
grass, ALSO Black Switch, Squitch, or Quick-grass.

This bent-grass is distinguished from the preceding and its varie-
ties by its more loose and spreading panicles ; creeping perennial
roots, being generally confined to dry soils by its less stoloniferous
and more tufted habit of growth.

It is generally considered as a troublesome weed in di-y light soils,
and from its not being well liked by cattle, it commonly attracts at-
tention only as being a useless grass, to be got quit of as soon as pos-
sible, more particularly as its creeping roots prove highly injurious
to the soil. The only effectual means to accomplish its destruction
is repeated ploughing and harrowing the soil, and gathering its
roots. However, notwithstanding its bad qualities, sheep are found
to eat it, particularly in the winter months, and it is sometimes sown
on bare gravelly places, where the more valuable grasses will not
grow, for the purposes of covering them with vegetation.

As of the former, there are many varieties of A. vulgaris, the most
remarkable of which may be mentioned. The A. dispar, distinguished
by its larger panicle, broader leaves, more straggling habit of growth,
and more powerfully creeping roots. This variety, or, as it is some-
times termed, a distinct species, is generally to be met with on strong,
superior black land ; and from this circumstance it may have acquired
its more luxuriant habit, which, however, is permanent when raised
from seed. Another variety, termed the Creeping grass of Suffolk,
seems intermediate between these two, and possessed of no superior
qualities to either.

III. AGROSTIS CANINA— Brown Bent-grass.

Specific descriptions. — Panicle spreading equally on all sides,
but not loose ; branches long, but rather upright in their habit of
growth, so as to give the panicle a slightly contracted-like appear-
ance ; glumes imequal, pomted, and slightly rough at the keel ; lower
paleae enveloping the seed, with an awn proceeding from below the
middle ; upper palese wanting, or very minute ; leaves narrow, and

GRAMINEiE. 135

pointed ; culms numerous, and generally upright ; slightly stolonife-
rous ; root fibrous ; perennial ; height about a foot and a half; flowers
in June and July.

Grows naturally in poor wet peaty soils, and is only valuable for
cultivating on such. Cattle seem to prefer this to most others of
the genus. One of the most distinct varieties of A. canina is that
termed A. capillaris ; it has a more vigorous habit of growth, with a
much larger, and more horizontal branched, spreading panicle. There
are also numerous other varieties of less importance, all, however,
distinguished from the two preceding species and their varieties, by
having their florets less or more awned.

Specimens of the different varieties by Mr J. Carmichael.

IV. AGROSTIS SPICA-VENTI— Silky, OR Windward Spiked Bent-
grass.

Panicle very slender, nodding, or bending to a side ; branches in
whorls, also slender ; awns very long, inserted below the point of
the outer paleae ; culms upright ; root fibrous j annual ; flowers in
July and August ; height two feet.

Grows naturally on sandy or gravelly soils ; from its annual habits
it is of little importance .to agriculturists, being only useful for
sowing in blanks of gi^ass fields, so as to insure one crop of hay in
the season.

AVENA— OAT-GRASS.
For Generic characters see Cereal Grains {Avena).

AVENA FLAVESCENS— Yellowish Oat-grass.

U Avoine jaundtre. — Fr.

Panicle loose, wavy, and much branched, of a yellowish -green
shining colour ; spikelets containing three florets, the outer palea
of which terminate in two bristle-like points, and has an awn arising
from about the middle twice as long as the floret ; glumes unequal,
the largest about as long as the florets ; root fibrous ; perennial ;
height one and a half to two feet ; flowers in July. Grows naturally
in dry pasture, on rather light and good soils.

The A. jiavesccns yields a considerable bulk of fine herbage, and

136 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

deserves to form a portion of all mixtures on light dry soils, either
for hay or pasture. It arrives early at maturity, and, although a
perennial, yet, if allowed to ripen seed, it is but of short duration,
particularly if grown on stiff moist soils. It is the most useful as a
hay and pasture grass of the genus Arena, as well as the smallest
seeded of all the native species. This grass is separated by modern
botanists from the genus Arena, and placed under that of Trisetum,
which is distinguished from the preceding by having the lower paleae
terminated in two bristle-like points, and an awn proceeding from
about its middle, so as to form in all three bristles, hence the name
Trisetum.

There are other two species of the genus Arena, viz. A. praten-
sis and A. vel Trisetum pubescens, which have been recommended
as deserving of cultivation ; they are generally to be found on dry
rocky soils, but possess too little merit to entitle them to farther
notice.

ANTHOXANTHUM— VERNAL-GRASS.

This genus is distinguished from all other cultivated grasses, in
having two stamens and two styles in each floret, and consequently
belonging to the second class and second order, Diandria Digynia
of Linnaeus.

ANTHOXANTHUM ODORATUM— Sweet-Scented Vernal-ghass.
La Flouve odorante. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Panicle spiked, oblong ; florets upon short
footstalks, and longer than their awns ; root fibrous ; perennial ;
height fifteen or eighteen inches ; flowers in May. Grows naturally
on dry pastures.

The Sweet-scented Vernal-grass yields but a scanty portion of
herbage, and is not particularly relished by any kind of live-stock,
except perhaps sheep, but cattle and horses do not refuse it when
mixed amongst other grasses. It is remarkable for giving out a
pleasant sweet smell during the process of drying, similar to that of
the sweet-scented woodroof ; and it is to the presence of this grass
that hay from natural meadows owes its peculiar fragrance. It has
been recommended to be sown in sheep pastures for the purpose of
improving the mutton, a quality which it is said to possess, and which

GRAMINE^. 137

is founded on the fact that pastures in which it naturally abounds
are said to produce the finest mutton. On the whole, permanent
pastures should not be sown without a mixture of this grass, parti-
cularly in parks and pleasure grounds, were it for no other reason
than the pleasant scent which it gives out, not only when cut for hay,
but also when the seeds become nearly ripe. Notwithstanding its
dwarf growth and the close sward which it forms, it is but ill adapted
for sowing on ornamental grounds intended for short grass, on ac-
coxmt of its broad foliage, which has rather a coarse appearance.

There is a variety of the Sweet Vernal-grass, sometimes termed
A. alpi?ium, which is distinguished from the common by its leaves
being broader, culms shorter, and its panicles more spreading and
barren towards the base. Generally found in woods and shady places,
particularly in alpine situations ; to the above distinctions may be
added that of its flowering later in the season, and more irregularly.

CYNOSURUS— DOG'S-TAIL GRASS.

Generic characters — Panicle spiked ; spikelets containing four
or five florets ; glumes shorter than the florets ; and besides the
glumes, each spikelet has a deeply cut or pinnatifid leaf attached to
its base, termed an involucrum ; lower palcK very acute, upper cleft
at the point.

CYNOSURUS CRISTATUS— Crested Dog's tail Grass.
Cretelle des Pres — Fr.

Specific characters. — Spike-like panicle, having the spikelets
and their appendages on one side ; spikelets beardless, much shorter
than their pinnatifid involucrum ; culms u^Driglit ; leaves short,
rather narrow, and tapering gradually to the points ; root fibrous,
perennial ; flowers in June and July ; height one to two feet.

This grass seems to have a wide range of soils. It grows natu-
rally on dry pastures, and also on those where the soil is damp and
tenacious, and has been found to thrive well in irrigated meadows.
Its stalks are not eaten by cattle, but allowed to stand and ripen
seed, hence it has been said that it is undeserving of cultivation, as
cattle will not eat it ; but this applies only to the culms or stalks, as
all domestic animals, and particularly sheep, are fond of the root

138 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

leaves, which, although short, are produced in abundance. Slieep
are said to be less liable to be affected by the disease called
foot-rot, when fed on pastures containing a considerable portion of
this, than on such as are composed of the more tender and soft-
leaved sorts. In pasture lands, where this grass does not naturally
form a portion of the mixture, it is expedient to introduce a little of
it ; but, on the other hand, there are many pastures in which it is far
too predominant. From its forming a close turf, and having rather
fine foliage, it may be advantageously sown on bowling-greens, and
other places to be kept under by the scythe, it not being so diffi-
cult to cut as its hardish-like culms and leaves would lead one to
suppose.

BRIZA— QUAKING-GRASS.

Generic characters. — Inflorescence panicled ; panicle spread-
ing, compound and loose ; glumes boat-shaped, compressed, slightly
cordate or heart-shaped at the base, and shorter than the florets ;
spikelets pendulous, three or more flowered ; florets imbricated in
two rov.'s ; external paleas slightly heart-shaped at the base, embra-
cing the upper, which is ranch shorter, and nearly round.

I. BRIZA MEDIA— Common Quaking-Guass.
La Brize tremblante. — Fr.

Panicle erect, of a reddish-brown colour ; spikelets about seven-
flowered, heart-shaped, drooping ; culm erect, about one and a half
or two feet in height ; root fibrous ; perennial ; flowers in June ;
grows naturally in light inferior and rather dry soils.

The B. media possesses the remarkable peculiarities of thriving
best on poor inferior soils, and from a given weight yielding more
nutritious matter than any other grass indigenous to such soils.
Owing, however, to the seeds not retaining their vegetating powers
beyond a rather limited period, and the difficulty with which they
are procured, its cultivation is attended with considerable disadvan-
tage, for such soils as suit it best will not afford paying a high price
for the seed, and its foliage is not produced in great quantities,
owing to its shortness.

There is a variety occasionally to be met with in moors, differing

GRAMINE^. 139

from the common in being of a much more light and yellowish-green
colour, but in other respects the same.

AIRA— HAIR-GRASS.

Generic characters Panicle spreading ; branches slender ;

glumes two-valved, equal to or shorter than the florets ; spikelets
generally two-flowered ; palece two, equal.

I. AIRA CiESPITOSA— Tufted Hair-grass.

Glumes and florets equal in length ; panicle difiuse ; beards
or awns straight, short ; leaves long and flat ; culm upright, bend-
ing at the top ; root fibrous, perennial ; height four feet ; flowers
in the beginning of August. Grows naturally on rather supe-
rior marsh or damp soils, forming large tufts or hassocks, as they
are sometimes termed ; and as the grass is scarcely eaten by
domestic animals, it becomes the business of the farmer to extir-
pate these as soon as possible, not only on account of their un-
sightly appearance, but because they occupy a considerable por-
tion of the soil which would otherwise be capable of producing
more valuable grasses, particularly as these tufts or hassocks are
generally the most predominant on the best soils. The most
effectual manner of accomplishing this, is to root them fairly out
with a large hoe, such as is generally used for cutting up whins or
furze, afterwards stirring the soil, and scattering in a few seeds of
any of the strong or fast growing superior grasses, such as the
Rough Cock's-foot {Dactylis glomerata). Sometimes, however, the
Aira ccesjntosa may be advantageously sown as a cover for game,
particularly rabbits and hares, and, in the neighbourhood of ponds
and marshes, for snipes and other fowl which frequent those places.

Specimens of two varieties of A. ccespitosa, differing in their co-
lour, the one being green and the other brownish, which is the most
common, by Mr J. Carmichael ; and of a viviparous variety found
occasionally on the banks of the Tay, by Mr A. Gorrie.

There is, however, another variety, the seeds of which were ob-
tained from Messrs Booth at Hamburgh, and which seems possessed
of qualities superior to any other of the genus. This is termed
Aira ccespitosa lutescens, Yellowish Tufted Hair-grass, and is distin-
guished from the common by having larger florets, perfectly smooth

140 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

culms, softer and much more early foliage, not so liable to grow in
tufts, of a dwarfer habit of growth, and the whole plant (foliage,
culm, and panicle) being of an agreeable yellowish-green colour.
This sort seems to bear a much greater affinity to A. alpina than to
A. ccespitosa, but differs from it also in having its leaves much
broader and more flattened, and in having the awn inserted near the
base of the outer palese ; whereas (according to Hooker's Brit. Flor.),
in the A. alpina, the awn is inserted above the middle of the floret.
In flower about a month earlier than the Common Tufted Hair-
grass. This will no doubt prove a superior and very early grass,
but farther experience is required to confirm its characters.

Specimen by Mr Black, from Agricultural Garden, Dalkeith Park.

II. AIRA FLEXUOSA— Waved or Zigzag Hair-grass.

Panicle spreading irregularly, centre branch waved ; branches
dividing in threes ; spikelets three-flowered, as large as the glumes ;
awn jointed or bent, longer than the florets ; culms upright and
together, with the branches of the panicle of a dark reddish co-
lour ; leaves short and bristly ; root fibrous ; perennial ; height
one and a half to two feet ; flowers in July. Grows naturally on
heathy soils, and has been recommended for sowing on such ; but as
its chief produce consists in culms or stems, with very little foliage,
and few joints, and as cattle do not seem to relish the former, it is
scarcely deserving of culture, except perhaps in small quantities as a
mixture, on moorish soils.

Specimens by Mr J. Reddie, Milnathort, and Mr J. Carmichael.

BROMUS— BROME-GRASS.

Generic characters. — Panicle loose and spreading; glumes two,
unequal ; valves beardless, many-flowered, shorter than the florets ;
lower paleae cleft in two at its extremity, with an awn proceeding
from between or under the two points.

This characteristic in the genus Bromus, of the awn proceeding
from under, instead of from the point of the outer valve of the floret,
is the principal botanical distinction between it and the genus I^es-
tuca ; but in their comparative merits as herbage and forage grasses,
their difference is still more remarkable ; for while the Festuca com-

GRAMINE^. 141

prebends many of oiir finest and most nutritious sorts, the Bromus
is distinguished in a great measure for the coarse appearance and in-
nutritious nature of almost, if not all, the species which it contains, and
several of which are most troublesome weeds to the agriculturist.

I. BROMUS GIGANTEUS— Tall or Giant Brome-grass.

(Festuca Gigantea).

Specific characters Panicle large, spreading, and hanging to

one side, branches slender ; spikelets three to six flowered ; glumes
very unequal, shortest one about half as long as the floret ; florets
slightly hairy or downy on the edges ; awn proceeding from very
near the point of the slightly cleft outer paleae, scarcely half as long
as the floret ; leaves long, very broad, ribbed, and of a vivid green
colour ; root fibrous ; perennial ; height four to five feet ; flowers in
July and August. Grows naturally in woods, but not common. It
yields an immense bulk of foliage, which, however, is not well re-
lished by cattle, except in a dry state, mixed with other hay. To-
gether with some of the other Brome-grasses, this is eaten by deer
and roe in winter, and also by sheep when better food is scarce.

II. BROMUS PRATENSIS Meadow Brome-Grass.

Panicle nearly erect, spreading ; spikelets large, drooping when
ripe, slightly rough, and containing eight or ten florets ; glumes
large, slightly triangular, and nearly equal ; awn short, inserted al-
most on the point of the paleae ; culms smooth ; leaves long, slender,
and pendulous ; root fibrous, perennial ; height two to three feet ;
flowers in July. Said to be a native of some parts of England.

From the softness and great length of the foliage of this grass, it
may turn out one of the most useful in the genus, but as yet its pro-
perties are not sufficiently known.

III. BROMUS SECALINUS— Rye-seeded Brome-grass or Goose-
grass.

This is a well-known weed in wheat and rye fields ; it is easily
distinguished by its large hanging panicles, large drooping spikelets,
and the seeds when ripe somewhat resembling rye. These seeds,
when ground amongst flour and made into bread, impart to it a
bitter taste, and are said to produce the same dangerous effects as
those of the Bearded Darnel {Lolium temulentum). Wheat and rye
were formerly, and are yet supposed by some to degenerate into this

142 HERBAGE xiND FORAGE PLANTS.

grass ; but it is needless to add, that such notions are only founded in
a total ignorance of the laws of nature relating to vegetation,

IV. BROMUS MOLLIS— Soft or Downy Brome-grass ; and
BROMUS RACEMOSUS— Smooth Brome-grass,

Are common weeds in Ryegrass fields, particularly the former.
They both grow much taller than the Ryegrass, have large branch-
ing drooping panicles, and are distinguished from one another by the
smoothness and rougher downyness of their spikelets.

The seeds of B. mollis are said to produce giddiness in the hu-
man species and quadrupeds, and to prove fatal to poultry ; and as
they both contain but little nutritious matter in their leaves or stalks,
and occupy a considerable portion of ground, from their bushy habit
of growth, to the deterioration of the hay crop, it becomes a desir-
able object to extirpate them, or rather to prevent their appearance ;
and the only effectual way of accomplishing this, is to make a proper
selection of seed. In a sample of Ryegrass seeds, it is very easy to
detect those of either the B. mollis or B. racemosus, by their being
larger, much broader towards the point, and generally terminated by
a short awn.

HOLCUS— SOFT-GRASS.

This genus, like that of Arrhenatherum (p. 116.), belongs to
the class Pohjgamia and order Moncecia of Linnaeus, and is distin-
guished from the above-mentioned genus by having the upper floret
of the spikelet with stamens only, and awned, with the lower floret
perfect and awnless, being just the reverse of what takes place in the
other.

I. HOLCUS LANATUS — Woolly Soft-grass, or Yorkshire Fog.
La Houque laineuse. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Panicle rather crowded and upright ;
spikelets two-flowered ; awn much shorter than the floret, and re-
curved ; culms numerous and upright ; leaves downy ; root fibrous,
perennial ; height one and a half to two feet ; flowers in June and
July. Grows naturally on inferior light soils, and particularly on

GRAMINE^. 143

such as have a little peat in their composition, and are of a dampish
nature. On such soils it is generally found in a natural state.

The H. lanatus yields a large bulk of foggage, which, however,
is not liked by cattle, either in a green state or wlien made into hay,
owing, it is supposed, to its soft spongy nature, and not having a
sufficiency of a subacid or saline taste ; hence it has been recom-
mended to sprinkle its hay over with a little salt when stacking it,
or before giving it to cattle.

II. HOLCUS MOLLIS— Creeping Soft-guass.

This is easily distinguished from the preceding species, by its
producing fewer culms, having more loose panicles, longer awns
(hence it is sometimes termed Bearded Soft-grass), broader foliage,
and powerfully creeping roots ; grows naturally in a great variety
of soils.

It is possessed of no property to recommend it for cultivation ; and,
therefore, where it abounds naturally it should rather be extirpated
to make room for superior sorts.

These two species of Holcus are distinguished from all the rest of
our common grasses by the soft and woolly appearance of their pa-
nicles ; those of H. lanatits assume a great variety of shades in
colour, from a white to a beautiful red, but generall}^ on a whitish-
like ground.

TRITICUM— .WHEAT-GRASS.

For Generic descriptions see Cereal Grains.

I. TRITICUM CANINUM— Bearded Wheat-grass.

Specific descriptions. — Glumes shortly bearded ; spikelets five-
flowered, florets having long awns ; culms nearly upright, spike
bending towards the point; Vhole plant greatly resembling the
Common Couch-grass, except in its spikes being more bearded, fo-
liage more abundant, and having fibrous roots ; grows naturally in
woods as well as on the sea coast.

The foliage is eaten with avidity by cattle, and from its bulk of
produce might be reckoned a superior grass, but it is found very
liable to be injured by rust ; perhaps by paying proper attention to
the selection of soils, this disadvantage might be overcome.

144 HERBAGE AND FOLIAGE PLANTS.

IL TRITICUM REPENS— Common Couch-grass, Dog-ghass,
Quickens, &c.

This grass is too well known to require any description. It is
one of the most troublesome weeds in arable land, and is only to be
overcome by judicious fallowing or fallow-cropping.

Sir H. Davy found the roots to contain nearly three times as
much nourishment as the stalks and leaves ; they are sweet and
greedily eaten by cattle and horses. Hence, by gathering them be-
fore being too much dried, and giving them a proper washing, they
might, as food for domestic animals, considerably more than repay
the trouble attending the operation.

HORDEUM—BARLEY-GRASS.

For Generic characters see Cereal Grains.

HORDEUM PRATENS E— Meadow Barley-grass.

Specific characters. — Lateral florets male or barren, with a
short beard ; glumes bristly and rough ; culms kneed and not very
upright ; foliage scanty ; roots fibrous ; perennial ; height one and
a half to two feet ; flowers in June. Grows naturally in moist mea-
dows ; rare in Scotland.

This grass is adapted for irrigation ; it is also very nutritious ;
but its produce is inferior in bulk, and its seeds not so easily pro-
cured as those of several other grasses equally suitable for such situ-
ations ; it is also liable to rust, and therefore not deserving of much
attention.

MELICA— MELIC-GRASS.

Generic characters Glumes unequal, two to five flowered,

membranaceous or chaff'-like, nearly as long as the florets ; terminal
florets abortive and stalked ; seed not furrowed ; panicle either
simple or compound.

I. MELICA UNIFLORA— One-flowered Melic-grass.

Specific characters. — Panicle slightly branching, hanging to
one side ; spikelets two-flowered, only one of which is perfect ;

GR AMINES. 145

paleae beardless; culm leafy ; leaves broad, thin, and tendor-like, of a
vivid green colour ; root fibrous, perennial ; height one and a half to
^JSM) feet ; flowers in May and June ; grows naturally in shady woods.
. As a fine grass for growing under trees, this might perhaps be
cultivated with ad\'antage ; cattle are very fond of it.

The M. nutans is another wood grass in habit somewhat resem-
bling this, but differing in having longer spikelets, containing each
two or three fertile florets, and having its panicle less branched or
nearly simple. It seems, however, of a more tender or delicate ha-
bit, and not likely to succeed so well under cultivation as the M.
uniflora.

II. MELICA CILIATA—CiLiATED Melic-grass.

La Melique ciliee. — Fr.

Panicle resembling a cylindrical spike, nodding slightly ; outer paleae
of the lower floret much ciliated or fringed ; culm erect, rather leafy ;
root fibrous ; perennial. Grows naturally and very abundantly in
France on stony gravelly situations, and has been recommended
for cultivating on such places.

III. MELICA ALTISSIMA— Tall or Siberian Melic-grass,
X« Melique elevee. — Fr.

Panicle spiked, nodding, and the spikelets whitish coloured,
hanging on one side, three-flowered, third flower imperfect ; paleaa
smooth ; culm erect, leafy ; leaves tender, long and very broad, of a
vivid green colour ; height three or four feet ; root perennial ; fi-
brous ; flowers in August. Native of Siberia.

The Tall Melic-grass has been much recommended on the Con-
tinent. Cattle are found to be very fond of it, and it yields a con-
siderable bulk of produce. It comes late in spring, and does not
stand well out in the end of the season.

MOLINIA.

This is a genus separated from that of Melica by modern bo-
tanists. The Molinia ccerulea, Blue Molenia, or Melic-grass, is a
smooth-stalked tufted growing grass, with a contracted bluish colour-

146 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

ed panicle, which grows abundantly on some moors ; it is remark-
able for its culm (which rises to about a foot and a half in height)
having no joints except one within an inch or so of the ground,
consequently its foliage, which is short and hardish, is chiefly all
produced from the roots. The culms are hard and tough, and in
some parts of England are used for making brooms ; it is also used
in the Orkney and Shetland Isles by the fishermen for making ropes
for their nets.

Specimen by Mr J. Reddie, Milnathort, grown on a dryish peaty
soil ; height eighteen inches. On account of the toughness of the
culms, and their want of joints, Mr Reddie suggests that they might
be used advantageously in straw-plait. Also by Mr J. Carmichael,
Strontian.

The plant is not nutritious, and is seldom eaten by domestic
animals.

PANICUM—MILLET-GRASS.

For GnxERic CHARACTERS Pcc Ceieul Grains.

PANICUM ALTISSIMUM-Tai.lest :\r.i.LET-GnAss.
Le Pants elive — Fr.

This grass is a native of America, where it is sometimes cultivated
for hay or forage. It grows to the height of four or five feet, with
a large spreading panicle, and is said to be relished by cattle. It
does not perfect its seeds well even in its native country, and is
therefore propagated chiefly by dividing its roots, for the trouble of
which the large return which it yields is said to be a handsome re-
muneration. It has been tried in France within the last few years,
but not to any great extent. In botanical collections it is found to
grow well in this country, but has never been subjected to field
culture.

PASPALUM.

This name is applied to a tribe of Millet-like grasses chiefly na-
tives of warm climates. The P. stoloniferum was introduced some
years ago from Peru to Franco, with very higli recommendations as

GRAMINE^. 147

nn agricultural plant. It is a stoloniferous grass (as its name im-
ports), and has an abundance of large, broad, and very tender foliage,
which is miic h relished by cattle. In the neighbourhood of Paris,
however, it rarely ripens its seeds, and is, moreover, apt to be injured
in winter ; so there is little probability of its ever being of any be-
nefit in our climate.

PHALARIS— CANARY-GRASS.

For Generic characters see Cereal Grains.

PHALARIS AiiUNDINACEA-llEED LIKE Canary-gkass.

Specific characters. — Panicle spreading, crowded, generally of
a dark reddish colour ; seed long, smooth, and shining ; culms up-
right, and nearly covered by the sheaths of the long, broad, tapering,
dark green leaves ; root creeping; height four to six feet; flowers
in Jul}'. Grows naturally on alluvial soils, l)y the sides of rivers,
lakes, pools, &c.

According to the exi>eriments of Sir PL Davy, this grass contains
a considerable portion of nutritious matter ; but from its coarseness,
cattle in general refuse it, but are said to eat it if cut into chaff and
mixed with other food. It yields a vast bulk of hay, wliich in some
parts is found very convenient for littering cattle. The conmion
Gardeners Garter is a variety of this grass.

ARUNDO PHRAGMITES, or PHRAGMITES COMMUNIS.

— Common Reed.

This is a well known grass, and the tallest of all the British Gra-
mine<z. It grows naturally by the banks of rivers, edges of pools,
&c. but to greatest perfection on rich alluvial deposits which are oc-
casionally flooded by fresh water tides, as on the north banks of the
Tay in the Carse of Gowrie, where it is found of considerable im-
portance for thatch. It has powerfully creei)ing and very deep
roots, and becomes a troublesome weed when such places as it grows
naturally upon are drained and subjected to cultivation. In the
Carse of Gowrie there are several tracts of the best alluvial deposit
which have been under cultivation for upwards of a century, and yet

M 2

148 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

the A. phragmites grows as luxuriantly amongst the crops as at first.
The panicles of this grass will dye wool of a greenish colour.

II. ARUNDO DONAX— Cultivated Reed.
Native of the south of Europe, where it is cultivated for a great
many purposes ; it supplies materials for looms, fishing-rods, &c. and
is generally imported from Spain and Portugal. With us it grows
to a great size (eight or ten feet high) in a season, and its large broad
foliage is very ornamental about fishing-ponds, &c. but our climate
is too cold to allow of its arriving at maturity, or acquiring that
hardness of texture which it does in warmer countries.

The following collection of Grasses were presented by Mr J. Red-
die, Milnathort, September 5. 1834 ; they were grown on land which,
until the previous year, had not been under cultivation for a period
of forty years ; and the pasture in its unimproved state was not
worth five shillings an acre, but has now by a proper system of drain-
ing and trenching more than quadrupled in value.

LoLiUM ITALICUM, Ituliaii Ri/e-grass Sown 10th May, height

two and a half feet, seed ripe ; ditto, sown "iOth June, height nearly
two feet, in flower.

Festuca elatior, Tall Fescue. — Two samples sown 10th May
and 20th June, length of the leaves fifteen inches and twelve inches.
No appearance of running to flower in this or the next five sorts.

Festuca gigantea. Giant Fescue Sown as above, height twelve

and ten inches.

Festuca heterophvlla. Various-leaved Fescue — Sown as above,
height six and four inches.

Festuca loliacea, Spiked or Darnel Fescue, — Sown as above,
height twelve and nine inches.

Festuca tenuifolia, Fine-leaved Fescue Sown as above, height

four and three inches.

Glvceria aquatica, Water Sweet Grass. — Sown as above, height
sixteen and thirteen inches.

Poa nemoralis. Wood Meadow-grass. — Sown as above, height
sixteen and twelve inches. The first in full flower, the other coming
in ear.

Glyceria fluitans. Floating Sweet Grass Sown 10th May,

height om'teen inches ; coming in ear.

GRAMINE.E. lid

A VENA FLAVESCENS, Yellowish Oat-cjrciss — Sown 1 0th May, height
twelve inches ; coming in ear; and

Festuca pratensis, Meadow Fescue — Sown 19th June, height
eight inches.

Also exhibited in the Museum.

Samples in seed of the superior Hay and Pasture Grasses, by the
following parties : —

Messrs Nash, Adams and Nash ; Messrs Wni. and John Noble,
London ; Messrs J. G. Booth and Co., Hamburgh ; M. Vilmorin,
Andrieux, and Co., Paris.

II. LEGUMINOUS HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS,

Belonging to the natural order Leguminosa of Jussieu, and to the
class and order Diadelphia Decandria of Linnaeus.

* Leguminous herbaceous plants, having no tendrils with which to
attach themselves to other bodies for support.

Next to Graminece, the natural order Leguminoscn comprehends
the most important class of herbage and forage plants, as well as of
those more exclusively cultivated for their seed. And of the nume-
rous genera belonging to this order, the most important, at least to
European agriculturists, is the genus

TRIFOLIUM—CLOVEE.

Generic characters Stamens ten, nine of which are united,

and one solitary ; petals generally remaining attached when dry or
withered ; legume or pod in general shorter than the calyx ; one or
few seeded ; flowers crowded in an oblong or globular head ; leaves
composed of three leaflets.

I. TRIFOLIUM PllATENSK— Common Red or Purple-headed
Clover or Trefoil.

Grand Trefle rouge Fr.

Specific characters — Spikes dense, globular, or slightly elon-
gated ; calyx teeth bristly-like, the lower one longer than the rest;

150 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

stipules (or small leaf-like appendages at the junction of the leaf-stalk
with the stem) ovate, and bristle-pointed ; leaflets oval, or inversely
heart-shaped ; habit of growth upright and branching ; flowers in
June and July ; colour generally reddish-purple, but of various
shades, and sometimes even white flowered.

The varieties of T. pratense may be divided into two classes, viz.
the Perennial and Biennial sorts ; the former of which compre-
hends those of most permanent duration, and such as are best adapt-
ed for sowing in permanent pastures ; the latter such as are most
suitable for alternate husbandry, from their being of shorter duration ;
to these, however, the term Biennial is not strictly applicable, as,
under favourable circumstances, the most short-lived varieties are
found to last for a series of years.

f Perennial Red Cloveus, Trifolium pratense perenne.

1. Native Perennial Red Clover This sort is so distinct in

its general appearance from the common cultivated varieties of
T. pratense, that some have supposed it to constitute a different
species. Compared with the common Red Clover of the fields, its
flowers, foliage, and stems, are in general darker coloured ; leaflets
narrower, and, together with the stems, much more downy or hairy,
and roots more fibrous ; it differs also in tJie form of the calyx, and
in some other characteristics of minor importance. This sort grows
naturally in old pastures, heathy moors, &c. and presents several va-
rieties, differing slightly in colour and in habit of growth, but re-
taining more or less of the narrowness and wooUiness of their fo-
liage, and all agreeing in their permanency of duration.

2. Common Cultivated Perennial Red Clover, ok Cow-
GRASS. — The variety generally cultivated in this country under the
above name, bears a good deal of resemblance to the biennial sort in
its general habits and appearance, and differs from it only in having
rather more woolly leaves, in being of fully more permanent duration,
and a few days later in coming in flower ; the seeds being higher priced
than those of the Common Red Clover, it becomes a matter of con-
sideration with cultivators whether the slight difference in their du-
ration be a sufficient compensation for the additional cost. Either
of the three following varieties are of much more permanent dura-
tion than this.

LEGUMINOS.E. 151

3. Duke of Norfolk's Cow-grass. — This variety is of much
more permanent duration than the last ; it is easily distinguished
from it by being much darker coloured in its stalks, leaves, and
flowers, having more fibrous roots, and being earlier by nearly a
week.

Sample of seeds from which this specimen was grown at Meadow-
bank Nursery, from Mr Samuel Couper, Bury St Edmonds.

4. Perennial Red Clover of Argovie. Le Trejle d'Argovie,

Fr This variety was originally introduced into France from

Switzerland, where it is much cultivated. The French reckon it the
most perennial variety which they possess, and as such cultivate it to
a considerable extent. The Tre/ie d'Argovie is rather of a dwarf
and more spreading habit of growth than any of the other varieties ;
its leaves and flowers are light coloured, and the former are gene-
rally marked by lightish coloured spots or blotches near the base of
each leaflet.

A sample of this vai'iety, sown in the Nursery at Meadowbauk iu
the second week of April 1833, was in full flower on the 20th of
August following; and in 1835 it flowered fully a fortnight earlier
than any other variety of T. pratense in the collection, except tli/3
following.

5. Perennial Red Clover of Germany. — This variety was re-
<;eived in 1834, from Mr A. C. Fischer, Inspector of the Botanic
Gardens at Gottiugen, under the name of T. pratense perenne. It
very much resembles the last, but differs from it in being a few day*
later, and rather more luxuriant in its habit of growth.

tt iR'F-NNiAL Red Clovers, Trifolima pratense

Common or ENCLisii Red Clover In addition to their short-
ness of duration, this and the rest of the biennial trovers are distin-
guished from the more permanent sorts by their roots being more
fusiform (thick and fleshy, or carrot-shaped), and h^ their leaves and
stems being generally more smooth, or less hairy. That variety
more particularly denominated English Red Clovei-, is of a strong
luxuriant habit of growth; its seeds arc large, and in sample are of a
bold purple colour. It is more particularly adapted for rather supe-
rior soils, but like the other varieties, it derives its name from the

152 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

country in which it is grown ; and from being often the produce of
foreign seed, it in such cases partakes to a certain degree of the
qualities of that particular variety from which it may have been
produced.

Of the other varieties may be mentioned Holstcin, German, Co-
logne, Juliers or Dutch, Flemish, French, American, and Normandy
lied Clovers ; and of these the most important are the Juliers or
Dutch, and French varieties. The former of these is of a light co-
lour, of a strong and coarse-like habit of growth, and succeeds better
than most of the others on strong soils of an inferior description,
particularly such as are of a dampish nature ; its seeds are easily dis-
tinguished by their being large, less plump or well filled, and of a
more yellow colour than those of most of the others, arising from the
humidity of the climate in which it is produced. The French Clover
is remarkably smooth in all its parts, leaflets roundish, and altogether
of a rich green succulent appearance ; its seeds, which are chiefly
from the southern departments of France, are small, plump, and have a
considerable portion of purple in their colour ; it is best suited for su-
perior soils, in sheltered situations. The Normandy Red Clover, Trejie
de Normandy, Fr., is from the north of France ; it is as yet not very
well known in this country, but appears to be of a strong luxuriant
habit of growth, of a dark green colour, produces comparatively
few flowers, and is some days later than the conmion sorts. The
American variety has smaller seeds, in which the yellow colour is
predominant, not quite so luxuriant in growth, its stalks are hard and
small, and it is considered of more permanent duration than any
others of the biennial kinds.

II. TRIFOLIUM REPENS— White or Dutch Clover.
Le TreJle hlanc — Fr.

Specific characteks, — Heads globular; pods four-seeded ; teeth
of the calyx unequal ; colour of the flowers white, or sometimes
tinged with very light pink ; leaflets inversely heart-shaped, often
having a black or darkish coloured blotch near the base ; flower-
stalks without leaves, upright ; stem creeping on the ground and
rooting at the joints ; roots fibrous ; perennial ; flowers throughout
the summer months and beginning of autumn. Grows naturally in
pastures, in a great variety of soils and situations.

LEGUMINOS^. 153

The White Dutch Clover is too well known as a pasture plant to
require any farther description.

III. TRIFOLIUM HYBRIDUM— Hybrid or Bastard Clover,

Is so named from being intermediate in its appearance between
the two preceding species.

Specific characters. — Heads globular, stalked ; pods four-seed-
ed ; teeth of the calyx nearly equal ; leaflets ovate, and slightly ser-
rated ; stems branching, and in habit of growth not so upright as
those of Common Red Clover ; root fibrous ; perennial ; flowers in
June and July.

Seeds of this clover brought from Sweden, and presented by Mr
George Stephens, land-drainer, Edinburgh, under the name of Alsike
Clover, and which were sown at Meadowbank Nursery on the 17th
April 1834, produced flowers on the 25th August, and ripened seed
in the beginning of October following ; height of the plants about
twenty inches. And in 1835 the same plants were in full flower on
the 1 8th June, and ripened seed in the begiiming of August ; height
about two feet.

From what has been seen of the T. Iiybridum, it seems to be a
valuable perennial clover, and well adapted for growing in this
country, but hitherto seeds have not been obtained in sufficient
quantity to give it a fair trial in field culture. From the dissimilarity
between this and the Common Clover, it may very likely be found
to thrive on such soils as are termed by farmers clover-sick ; should
such prove to be the case, it will be a most valuable acquisition.

IV. TlilFOLIUM MEDIUM— Zigzag Clover or Marl-grass.

Also sometimes termed Coic-grass.

Of all our native clovers this bears the greatest resemblance to the
common red sort, T. pratense, but it is easily distinguished from it
by its more rigid zigzag stems, narrower and darker green spotless
leaflets, and above all, by its creeping roots, and being always found
growing in considerable patches, instead of solitary plants, like the
other, and on very dry banks, tops of old walls, &c.

From the name of Cow-grass being sometimes applied to this as
well as to the perennial variety of T. pratense, they have often been
confounded with one another. It has been recommended to sow the
zigzag clover in mixture with the i>ermanent pasture grasses, on ac-

154 HERBAC4E AND FORAGE PLANTS.

count of its permanency of duration ; hut its advocates must cithor
have taken it for the true cow-grass as before mentioned, or had not
been properly acquainted with its nature and habits ; for it can only
be considered as a pestiferous weed in places where it is naturally
abundant, from the circumstance that cattle seldom eat it, or at least
in small quantities, except their pasture be very bare, its powerfully
creeping roots too v/hich displace every other plant within their
reach, must prove very hurtful to pasture ' nor are the seeds of this
clover produced in sufficient quantities for the purpose of sowing ex-
tensivelj', were it even found more deserving.

V. TRIFOLIUM ALPESTRE— OvAL-nEADEn Cloveh, ALriNE

Cloveu.

This species resembles in some measure the preceding, with which
it is often confounded. It is more fibrous-rooted ; stem upright?
straight, and scarcely branched ; heads always in pairs,^and more
elongated or oval-shaped. Native of Hungary, Austria, and several
other countries of Europe.

Sown in tiie Nursery April 1834, it flowered about the middle of
August following ; height eighteen inches. In 1835, it flowered about
the 18th of June, and ripened seed in the beginning of August;
height from eighteen inches to two feet.

The culture of T. aJpestre has been recommended by several con-
tinental writers, but it does not seem possessed of properties suflft-
cient to recommend it to the notice of cultivators, in this country at
least, particularly as its stalks are very hard, and its foliage scanty,
so that it is not likel}^ cattle would be so fond of it as of the com-
mon red clover.

From its large and beautiful purple heads of flowers, it forms
an elegant ornamental plant.

VI. TRIFOLIUM INCARNATUM— Scarlet, Crimson, or Italian
Clover, ok Trefoil.

Le Trejie incarnat Fr.

Specific characters — Spikes or heads oblong, tapering, and
nodding to one side, of a beautiful bright scarlet colour when in
flower ; leaflets roundish ; stem pretty upright, much branched ; tlie
whole plant (stem, branches, leaves, and calyx) villous or covered

LEGUMINOS.E. 155

with short wool or hair ; flowers in June and July ; height eighteen
inches to two feet ; root annual. Native of Italy.

The T. incarnatwn has long been known in this country amongst
horticulturists as a beautiful border annual. But it is onl}^ within
these few years that its cultivation has been recommended as yield-
ing an excellent and abundant crop of fodder for feeding cattle. It
has been grown with much success in England, particularly in the
southern counties ; but hitherto its culture has not been attended
with the expected success in most parts of Scotland ; whether this
want of success should be attributed to the effects of climate, or to
the mode of culture has not yet been satisfactorily ascertained.

In England it has been found to succeed best, either drilled (in
rows at the distance of from eight inches to one foot) or sown broad-
cast on stubble after the corn crops have been removed, and with no
previous preparation save a course or two of harrowing, just suffi-
cient to stir the soil to the depth of an inch or two, so that the seed
may be more easily covered. In very tenacious soils a very shallow
ploughing is given ; but in general it is found better to dispense with
the plough altogether, for the many failures which occurred previous
to its culture being properly understood, are now attributed entirely
to the ground having been too much loosened and pulverized by re-
peated ploughings.

The advantages to be derived from the cultivation of T. incarna-
tiim are, that when sown in autumn it may be cut and cleared from
the ground in the beginning of June following, and the land fallowed
for wheat or spring corn ; it forms a valuable green food for cattle at
an early period of the season, and, if cut when in full floAver, it yields
a more abundant crop, and makes a superior hay to that of common
clovers, at least it is more readily eaten by horses. There can be no
doubt but the south of England is better suited for the growth of the
crimson clover than any part of Scotland, from the circumstance that
the corn crops are much eai'lier removed, consequently the young
plants have more time to attain strength before the winter season
sets in ; however, it does not follow but that it may be grown with
advantage in the more favourable districts of Scotland, were its cul-
ture fairly understood.

In England about 18 lb. or 20 lb. of seed is allowed to the acre, but
in Scotland it has been thought advisable to add a few pounds more,
to provide against contingencies ; when drilled, of course, the quan-

lo() HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

tity required will be less, and it may be increased or lessened ac-
cording to the nature of the climate and soil.

VIII. TRIFOLIUM MOLINERI— MoLiNERs Clover.

This clover has a great resemblance to T. incamatum in general
habit and appearance, and is on that account considered by some as
only a permanent variety. It differs, however, in the colour of its
flowers, which is a light pink or French white ; it is also earlier in
arriving at maturity, and more of a biennial nature, and might be
found better suited for the climate of Scotland, but has not yet been
tried in the field. It is cultivated in some parts of France and Swit-
zerland.

VIII. TRIFOLIUM ALEXANDRINUM—Alexakduian or Egyptian

Clover.

Specific descriptions. — Heads slightly oblong or oval, stalk-
ed ; calyx villous or hairy ; teeth narrow, and sharp pointed, un-
equal ; leaflets long, and narrow, slightly toothed, and, together with
the stems, almost smooth ; stem branching, and nearly upright ;
colour of the flowers light sulphur-yellow or French white ; root an-
nual ; height eighteen inches to two feet ; flowers in June and July ;
native of Egypt.

As an agricultural plant, the introduction of the Alexandrian is
more recent than that of the crimson clover ; compared with which
it is of a taller and more straggling habit of growth, and not so well
clothed with leaves ; it is also a few days earlier in flowering. As
yet it has not been satisfactorily ascertained whether the same prepa-
ration of the ground before sowing, which is in practice in the case
of T. i7icarnatu?n, be equally applicable in the case of T. Alexan-
drinum, or if the ground should be more pulverized. It should, how-
ever, be sown at the same time, viz. the end of August, for an early
spring crop. And it has been suggested that one or both might be
sown in spring along with the Italian Ryegrass for summer feeding,
instead of the common tares, particularly since they are found to be
less injurious to the soil.

About the same quantity of seed is required per acre, as of the
oi'imson clover (p. 15.5).

LEGUMINOS^. 157

IX. TRTFOLIUM FILIFORME — Yellow Suckling Clover on

Trefoil.

Specific characters. — Heads small, loose, and five-flowered
colour of the flowers bright yellow ; flower-stalks slender or flexuose ;
stems procumbent, leaflets scarcely having foot-stalks ; grows natu-
rally on dry rocky or gravelly places.

Common Suckling Clover has been recommended for growing on
dry gravelly or rocky places, which are incapable of supporting the
more valuable grasses and clovers, but, from the small bulk of pro-
duce which it yields, the propriety of its cultivation is questionable,
and, besides, cattle are not found to relish it if they can procure more
nutritious food. Although generally termed an annual, T.filiforme
is often found of biennial duration, especially when grown in medium
good soil, or when eaten down by cattle or sheep.

X. TRIFOLIUM TROCUMBENS— Hop Trefoil.

This species grows on similar soils and situations with the last,
and, like it, has also been recommended for cultivation. It is, how-
ever, possessed of still less merit, as cattle are generally found to re-
fuse it, and it may be seen in dry pastures, towards the end of July
when the seeds are ripe, completely withered or dried, and so forming
a very unsightly contrast with the green verdure around ; it is, more-
over, very liable to be much injured by mildew.

T. procumhens is readily distinguished from T. filiforme by its
more compact, upright, and branching habit of growth, and by its
close globular shining heads of yellow flowers. Its average height is
from four to six inches.

XL TRIFOLIUM FRAGIFERUM— Strawberrv-head Clover.

Heads globose, upon long foot-stalks ; colour of the flowers light
pink ; calyx after flowering inflated, and reddish coloured towards the
period of ripening (which gives the heads the appearance of straw-
berries), membranaceous, downy, with two of its teeth bent down ;
leaflets obcordate, and serrated ; stem creeping ; root fibrous, peren-
nial. Grows naturally on light dry sandy soils, particularly in the
vicinity of the sea.

In habit of growth the Z'.yVo^2ycrMm approaches that of T.repens,
but it is rather more creeping and easily distinguished by its inflated
calyces and strawberry-like heads.

The cultivation of this species has hitherto met with little atteu-

158 HERBAGE AND TOR AGE PLANTS.

tiou, but it might be grown with advantage as a mixture in perma-
nent pasture on partly consolidated sands near the sea-coast.

Specimen from Aberlady and Dunbar Bays, East Lothian, where it
grows naturally, by Mr Robert Stark.

The following species of Trifolium, although occasionally enume-
rated amongst agricultural plants, are not possessed of qualities suffi-
cient to entitle them to a share of cultivation in this country, except
as ornamental plants in flower borders.

XII. TRIFOIJU.M RUUENS— LoNG-spiKED Dark Purple-headed

Clover.

Native of the south of Europe, yields a good bulk of herbage, but
seldom perfects seeds ; root fibrous ; perennial.

XIII. TRIFOLIUM BADIUM— Villousstalked Clover.

A native of the Pyrenees, yields rather a small bulk of herbage,
and its seeds are easily dispersed when ripe, so that they are difficult
to collect in considerable quantities. It produces an abundance of
globular heads, of a bright shining yellow colour, which render it a
desirable object in flower borders. Hoot fibrous, perennial.

XIV. TRIFOLIUM PANNONICUM— Hungarian Clover.

Native of Hungary ; flowers whitish ; a strong and upright grower,
but rather delicate for field culture. Root fibrous, perennial.

XV. TRIFOLIUM STELLATUM— Starry Trefoil.

Grows naturally on light soils in the vicinity of the sea ; rare in
Britain. A curious upright growing annual, but not deserving of cul-
ture as an agricultural plant.

MEDICAGO— MEDICK or LUCERN.

Generic characters — Stamens diadelphous (nine united, and one
solitary) ; legume or pod one-celled (having no divisions between the
seeds) ; sickle-shaped, or spirally twisted, compressed and mem-
branaceous.

LEGUMINOS^. 159

1- MEDICAGO LUPULINA — Black Meuick, Nonsuch, or Yellow

Clover.

La Luzerne lupuline. — Fr.

The Common Yellow Clover (as this plant is generally termed in
this country) is too well known to require any description ; it has been
cultivated in mixture with red clover and ryegrass for a great length
of time. Its seeds, which are produced in much greater abundance,
are consequently cheaper than those of any of the other clovers, and
it is questionable whether this circumstance may not contribute to
the extensive cultivation which it receives more than any other su-
perior merit which it possesses. Although its produce is bulky,
yet cattle are generally rather unfond of it either in a green or dry
state, and only eat it with a seeming relish when mixed with more
nutritious and esteemed food ; on which account it should enter but
sparingly into mixtures.

II. MEDICAGO SATIVA— Purple Medick or Lucerne.
La Luzerne cultivee ou Foin de Bourgogne. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Stem erect, branching, smooth ; leaflets
long, toothed ; flowers in racemes or clusters, generally of a purplish
colour ; pods loosely spirally twisted ; root thick and branching, pe-
netrating very deep into the subsoil ; perennial ; height about three
feet ; flowers in June and July.

The cultivation of Lucerne is of unknown antiquity in Italy, Spain,
and the south of France ; it is also cultivated in Persia, and several
other countries of Asia, Peru, and elsewhere in South America, and
in the Canadas and United States of North America.

In Britain, a great deal has been said in its favour as an early
plant for yielding fodder before the red clover, and its cultivation
has often been attempted, and attended with various degrees of suc-
cess. The climate of Scotland has been considered by some as too
cold for the growth of lucerne, but the numerous failures which have
taken place may be more justly attributed to an improper choice of
soil than to any other cause. The soils which appear most conge-
nial to it are those of a very light sandy or dry nature, as, for ex-
ample, several places in the neighbourhood of Musselburgh, where
it is found to thrive well, although exposed to the direct influence of
the sea breeze, and to be fit for cutting at least a fortnight earlier

160 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

than common ryegrass and red clover. Provided, however, the sub-
soil be always dry, and particularly, if it be of a calcareous nature,
it is not indispensable that the surface-soil be very sandy, as lucerne
in such cases is found to grow freely on medium black loams ; but
lands which have a damp subsoil, or are of a tenacious nature and
damp in winter, are totally unfit for growing it, even although they
may be, in the general acceptation of the term, very good soils.

Various modes of culture have been employed in the case of lu-
cerne, as sowing it broadcast, or drilled, either with or without a corn
crop ; but that which is decidedly the best is to sow it in drills (about
eight or ten inches distant) without any other crop whatever, and
keeping it quite free from weeds by hoeing and hand-cleaning du-
ring the summer ; also thinning out such parts as may be too thick,
so that the plants left may stand at the distance of three inches or
thereabouts separate.

If proper attention be paid to the young plants, they will yield a
considerable crop the succeeding season, but it is the third season
after sowing at least before they arrive at full maturity ; and after-
wards they will continue to produce good crops for eight years, and
even more, provided they receive a good top-dressing occasionally
in winter, and kept free from couch-grass and other perennial weeds.
The quantit}'^ of seed generally allowed per acre is about 15 lb. when
drilled, and 20 lb. when sown broadcast.

III. MEDICAGO SATIVAvar. KUSTICA ; MEDICAGO MEDIA.—

BROWNISH-FLOWEnED OR INTERMEDIATE LuCERNE.

La Luzerne rustique Fr.

This is supposed to be a sort of intermediate variety between the
Common Lucerne and the next species (Yellow Lucerne), an opinion
which seems to be founded chiefly on the colour of its flowers, which
are of a dull yellowish-brown. Compared with the last species this
sort produces longer and more slender shoots, which are more pro-
strate or lying on the ground.

Plants of this sort have been growing for several years in the
Nursery, the seed of which was procured from M. Vilmorin, and are
found uniformly to yield a greater bulk of fodder than the common
lucerne ; but as yet it does not appear to be much cultivated even in
France.

LEGUMINOSiE.

161

IV. MEDICAGO FALCATA—Yellow Sickle Medick, or Yellow

Lucerne.

La Luzerne faucille — Fr.

This species differs from the Common Lucerne principally, in three
particular characteristics, viz. in being of a stronger or more woody
upright habit of growth ; in the colour of its flowers, which is bright
yellow ; and in its pods, which are only bent or sickle shaped, in-
stead of being spirally twisted like those of the Purple or Common
Lucerne.

The cultivation of the Yellow Lucerne is chiefly confined to Swit-
zerland, and the more mountainous parts of France. It possesses
no superior advantage over the common, except in thriving on infe-
rior soils ; and is certainly of less value as food for cattle, on account
of its hard and coarse woody habit of growth.

A species of Medicago presented by Mr A. Gorrie, the seeds of
which were gathered in North America by Mr P. Shirreff", Mungos-
wells, bears a considerable resemblance to the M. falcate, but differs
from it in several minute botanical characteristics. It does not,
however, appear to be more deserving of cultivation.

There are several other species of the genus Medicago which yield
a good deal of hei'bage, and apparently deserve cultivation, but cattle
are found to reject them, as is supposed from their having too bitter
and disagreeable a taste. Of these may be mentioned Medicago mu-
ricata, M. cretacea, M. scutellata, &c. Seeds of these three, as well
as of the following interesting collection, were presented by Mr C.
A. Fischer, Inspector of the Botanical Garden, Gottingen.

Medicago prostrata.

ECHINUS.

ELEGANS.

TEREBELLUM.

TRIBULOIDES.

ACULEATA.

MACULATA.

Med

CAGO NIGRA.

UNCINATA.

MUREX.

ARENAKIA.

CIRCINATA.

GLUTINOSA,

HELIX,

16a HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

LOTUS— BIRD'S-FOOT TREFOIL.

Generic characters. — Stamens, nine united, and one free ; le-
gume or pod indistinctly one-celled, many seeded, cylindrical, and
straight.

I. LOTUS CORNICULATUS— Common Biud's-foot Thefoil.

Le Lotier cornicule, ou Trefle cornu. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Flowers eight or ten, in depressed heads,
generally of a bright yellow, but sometimes orange- coloured, espe-
cially before being fully expanded ; stem decumbent, smooth ; root
thick and fusiform ; perennial ; flowers about the 20th of June, and
continues till the end of August. Height from six inches to one foot-
Grows abundantly on dry elevated pastures and heathy soils.

This plant is well deserving of cultivation on light dry and high
elevated inferior soils, and on such will yield a greater bulk of her-
bage than any of the cultivated clovers. It is highly nutritious, and
eaten with avidity by cattle. From the great depth to which its roots
penetrate, it is not liable to be injured by drought, and is thereby
enabled to retain its verdure after the grasses and other plants are
burnt up,

II. LOTUS MAJOR— Gheateu Biud's-foot Trefoil.

This species grows naturally in moist situations, by the sides of
ditches, damp hedges, and bushy places, and attains its greatest luxuri-
ance in such soils as have a portion of peat in their composition. Some
eminent botanists are of opinion that this is nothing else than a variety
of the preceding, and account for the difference in their appearance
from the natural place of growth of the L. major causing a greater
development of its parts ; but besides its more luxuriant habit, it dif-
fers materially from L. corniculatus in the form of its roots, which
are fibrous and creeping, while those of the latter are thick and fusi-
form, characteristics which both retain when cultivated in any soils,
or under any circumstances. But perhaps the principal distinction
is in the seed of L. major being scarcely one half the size of that of
L. corniculatus, and of an olive-greenish colour when ripe, while
that of the latter is not only larger in size but is of a dark brown or
almost black colour ; but they may be easily distinguished by the
leaves of L, major being closer and more rounded, and, M"hen in

LEGUMINOS^. 168

riower, by its having more compact heads, with more nmnerous and
smaller flowers.

Lotus villosus L.e Lotier velu, Fr. — Is only a villous or

downy-leaved variety of L. major, which grows better on good dry-
ish soils than the smooth-leaved variety. Both of these, with several
intermediate varieties, may be seen growing naturally on damp soils
by the sides of hedges, ditches, &c.

MELILOTUS— MELILOT.

Generic characters. — Legume one-celled, one or more seeded,
longer than the tubular five-toothed calyx ; keel of the flower shorter
than the wings and standard ; flowers disposed in racemes or long
loose clusters; leaflets in threes.

I. MELILOTUS OFFICINALIS— Common Melilot.

Specific characters. — Pods two-seeded and rough ; flowers
yellow, more than twice the length of the calyx, and disposed in
long loose one-sided clusters or racemes ; stipules or small leaf-like
appendages at the base of the leaf; footstalks small, sharp pointed,
and undivided ; stems upright and branching at the base from three
to five feet in height. Generally termed an annual, or biennial, but
is often of four years' duration ; grows naturally in dry pastures and
waste places ; flowers in July.

Cattle in general are very fond of this Melilot when cut in a
young and tender state, but, like all the rest of the genus, when al-
lowed to arrive at full flower, its stalks become so hard and woody
that the tops and leaves only are fit for being eaten. It might be
cultivated to advantage on poor dry soils, either alone or in mixture
with some of the grasses or other herbage plants ; and although not
well suited for hay, on account of its hard and woody nature, and the
small bulk of its foliage when dried, yet a slight mixture of it is
found to impart to the whole crop an agreeable sweet scent, similar
to that of the sweet-scented vernal grass {Anthoxanthum odoratum).

There is a variety of this species cultivated in France under the
name of M. officinalis altissima, which grows rather stronger, and
is later in flowering than the common sort.

It is to the M. officinalis that the famous Gruyere Cheese owes its

164 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

flavour ; the flowers and seeds after being dried, are bruised of
ground and mixed with the eurd before pressing.

II. MELILOTUS MACRORHIZA— Long-hooted oh Siberian
RIelilot.

Le Melilot hlanc de Siberia. — Fr.

This species, which is a native of Hungary, differs from the pre-
ceding ill having white flowers ; long thick carrot-shaped-like roots ;
generally one-seeded pods ; grows considerably taller, and is rather
shy in flowering.

This species, like the former, is best adapted for growing on light
dry soils, and is cultivated on such to a considerable extent in some
parts of the Continent, particularly on tlie light sandy coasts of Hol-
land, and some parts of France, where it is sometimes sown in mix-
ture with Vicia biennis.

III. MELII^OTUS CCERULEA — Blue-floweued Melilot or Sweet

Trefoil.

Le 3Ielilot bleu, Lotier odorant, Trifle musque. — Fr.

This species is only of annual duration, and is distinguished from
an the others by its blue-coloured flowers.

M. carulea is well known in our flower borders under the name
of Sweet Trefoil, but its cultivation for cattle's food is as yet chiefly
confined to Germany, It is of rapid growth, and might be sown in
fields where the common clover may have partly failed, but sliould
be cut before being in full flower, as its large hollow tubular stalks
become very hard and woody afterwards.

Tliere are several other Meiilots which might be cultivated with
equal advantage to any of the above, but their seeds are less easily
procured. One species, viz. Melilotus leucantha, deserves to be
tried : as yet, however, it is very rare, being only found in two
or three places in Scotland, as on the south shore of the Firth of
Forth, near Aberlady, and on the Sands of Barry, Foifarshire, in
which latter locality it grows to the height of about two feet on the
partly consolidated sea sands, along with Ammophila arundinucea,
31. vuhjaris is occasionally cultivated in Germany ; it much resembles
the M. macrorhizo, but scarcely grows so tall, and its roots are more
fibrous.

LEGUMINOS^. 16S

ONOBRYCHIS— SAINFOIN.

Generic characters. — Pod one-celled, one-seeded, thick-skinned
with a rough netted-like surface, crested or winged; calyx five-toothed,
■or parted.

ONOBRYCHIS SATIVA— Common or Cultivated Sainfoin.

Generic characters Leaflets nine to fifteen on each leaf, oppo-
site, acute, smooth ; pods toothed at the margin and ribs ; wings of
the flower about as long as the calyx ; flowers in spikes, on long foot-
stalks, of a beautiful pink or flesh colour ; stems nearly upright ;
roots subfusiforin, and penetrating to a considerable depth ; peren-
nial ; height two to three feet : flowers in June and July. Grows
naturally in light chalky soils in various parts of England.

Although a native of England, the Sainfoin is said to have been ori-
ginally introduced as an agricultural plant from France, and is now con-
sidered the most important leguminous herbage and forage plant in the
calcareous districts of both countries, and particularly on the poor,
dry, thin, chalky districts in the South of England. It may be sown
either broadcast or drilled, but the former system is generally pre-
ferred ; from the seeds being large, they require to be deeper covered
than those of clover, and for this purpose it has been recommended
to plough them in, with a very shallow furrow. When the broad-
cast system is adopted, from 100 lb to 110 lb., or about four bushels
of seed, are required per acre ; and when drilled, about one-fourth less
will suffice. A very judicious method, which is practised in some
parts, is to sow it with about half the quantity of barley or other grain
usually sown for a full crop, which gives it the advantage of being
shaded and kept moist during the first summer, without the chance
of the plants being weakened from the closeness of the corn crop.
In cases where the barley or corn is drilled, the Sainfoin should be
drilled aci'oss the field, or the drills running at right angles with those
of the corn crop. The usual period of duration of Sainfoin, in a
profitable state, is from eight to ten years in chalky soils, and seven
or eight in those of a sandy or gravelly nature ; but although the plants
lose a good deal of their vigour at that age, they have been known to
exist for nearly a hundred years. The duration of the crop may,
however, be increased by judicious top-dressing, and the manures
found most suitably for this purpose are such as contain a consider-

166 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

able portion of gypsum, as Dutch ashes, ashes of various kinds of
peat, &c.

In Scotland the cultivation of Sainfoin has hitherto been little
attended to, partly, no doubt, from an opinion that it is only suited
for chalky soils ; but it has been ascertained to succeed well on
almost any soil, provided it be sufficiently dry ; and particularly on
such as are of a calcareous sandy nature, or are incumbent on lime-
stone, and on such of these as are too thin or dry for producing good
crops of corn or grass, it might be grown with very beneficial results.

A variety of Sainfoin, which was received from M. Vilmorin and
Co. Paris, under the name of O. sativa, var. bifera, and which was
sown in the nursery at Meadowbank two years since, was found to
grow faster, and produce flowers earlier than the common sort ; and
during the last summer their comparative merits were as follows : —

O. sativa, common variety, in flower June 8th ; height at that
period two feet ; seed ripe August 4 ; height two and a half feet ;
second cutting flowered on the 20th of September ; greatest height
from one and a half to two feet.

O. sativa bifera. In flower June 4 ; height two and a half feet ;
seeds ripe July 28 ; height fully three feet ; second cutting in full
flower on the 4th of September ; greatest height about two and a half
feet.

HEDY-SARU^L

The genus Hedysarum, from which that of Onobrychis is sepa-
rated by modern botanists, differs from it in having two or more
seeded, celled, jointed-like pods, and the only species entitled to at-
tention as an herbage plant is the

HEDYSARUM CORONARIUM— French Honeysuckle.

This well known beautiful scarlet-flowered biennial is grown in the
fields in several of the southern countries of Europe, for the purpose
of feeding mules and horses. It is said to be very nutritious, and
yields an immense crop, being from four to five feet in height ; it is
used either in a green state or made into hay. The French Honey-
suckle has been recommended for cultivation in this country, but it
does not seem deserving of much attention, as, independently of its
biennial nature, and consequently only yielding one good crop in two
seasons, it is tender, and easily destroyed by frost in the spring

LEGUMINOS^E. 1 67

months, so that it could only be grown in the warmest dry soils in
sheltered situations.

Besides the scarlet-flowered variety there is one with white flowers,
which, however, is of inferior importance, from its producing a smaller
bulk of herbage.

GALEGA— GOATS-RUE,

Geneuic characters. — Calyx with small sharp-pointed, nearly
equal teeth ; stamens ten, all united ; pods with oblique streaks be-
tween the seeds.

GALEGA OFFICINALIS— Officinal Goats-hue.

Specific characters — Leaflets long, pointed, and together with
the stems, quite smooth ; stipules or appendages at the base of the
leaves, small, and sagittate or arrow-headed-like ; flowers in racemes,
those of the common variety light purple or pinkish coloured ; pods
upright, five to eight seeded, nearly cylindrical, and distended with
air, most swollen at the seeds, which are longish ; stems upright ;
about three feet in height ; root perennial ; flowers in July and
August. Native of Spain.

Although the cultivation of this plant has been recommended,
owing to the great bulk of produce which it yields, yet it seems
questionable whether or not it would be expedient, from the circum-
stance that cattle are generally found to refuse it, except in smal
quantities, and when they can get nothing more agreeable to their
taste. Granting, however, that its herbage should be found to be
wholesome and nutritious, this dislike which they seem to manifest
might be overcome by habit.

COKONILLA— CROWN VETCH.

Generic characters — Calyx two-lipped, under two and upper
three teethed ; standard of the flower about the same length as the
wings ; stamens ten, nine united and one free ; pods round, straight,
and jointed.

None of the species of this genus are natives of Britain, and only
oi36of theni has beeri recommended to be grown as food for cattle, viz.

168 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

CORONILLA VARIA — Vahious-flowehed Crown Vetch.

Specific characters Flowers light purple or pinkish various-
coloured, collected together in round heads or crowns ; leaves coin-
pound, long, and smooth ; stem also smooth, and declining towards
the base when full grown ; roots perennial, and powerfully creeping ;
height about three feet.

This is a native of the Continent, and may occasionally be met
with in gardens. It thrives best on light, warm, dry soils, and on
such will yield two very bulky crops of green fodder in a season ;
but its powerfully creeping roots render its culture unadvisable
except in waste places. Cattle are not fond of it, owing, as is sup-
posed, to its possessing a rather disagreeable bitter taste.

ANTHYLLIS-KIDNEY-VETCH.

Generic characters. — Calyx five-toothed, inflated, inclosing the
small, roundish, one-seeded pod ; stamens ten, all united towards the
base of the filaments, or monadelphoiis.

ANTHYLLIS VULNERARIA— Common Kidney-Vetch.

Specific characters Leaves various, compound, terminal

leaflet much larger than any of the others ; flowers in crowded heads,
generally yellow, with hairy calyces ; stem prostrate towards the
base, about one foot to eighteen inches in height ; grows naturally
on very dry soils, and particularly on such as are of a calcareous
nature ; root thick, long, and descending, perennial.

The Common Kidney- Vetch does not yield much produce, but is
eaten with avidity by horses, sheep, and cattle, as also by hares, and
rabbits, and might therefore be introduced into mixtures for very dry
soils.

ASTRAGALUS— MILK- VETCH.

Generic characters Stamens ten, nine united and one free ;

style smooth ; keel of the flower blunt ; pods swollen, and two-celled,
with the seeds in two rows.

ASTRAGALUS GLYCYPHYLLUS— Sweet Milk-vetch or
Bastard LitiuoRicE.

Specific characters Leaves smooth, compound ; leaflets oval ;

LEGUMINOSiE. 169

pods subtriangular and curved, several together on a common foot-
stalk, which is shorter than the leaves ; flowers yellowish-green
coloured ; stem prostrate towards the base ; about three feet in
height ; roots long, and very thick, penetrating to a great depth in
the soil ; perennial ; native of Scotland, but not common ; grows na-
turally on superior soils by the sides of streams, &c.

The leaves and roots of this plant possess a sweet taste, somewhat
resembling liquorice, but in the former mixed with a slight degree of
bitter. It yields a heavy crop, and cattle are said to become fond of
it after being used to it for some time.

** Leguminous Herbaceous Plants, termed Climbers, or having ten-
drils on their leaves, with ichich they attach themselves to bodies
for support.

VICIA— VETCH.

In its generic characters this is distinguished from others of the
climbing Leguminos(v by the style having a tuft of hair under the
stigma ; stamens diadelphous, nine united, and one free.

I. VICIA SATIVA— Cultivated Vetch or Common Take.
La Vesce commune. — Fr.

Specific characters Flowers generally in pairs, without foot-
stalks, aad of a red or purplish colour ; stamens ten, nine united and
one free ; leaflets oblong, terminating abruptly, with a small point in
the middle ; stipules small, and toothed ; pods more or less downy
or hairy ; root annual.

In a wild state Vicia sativa is found (but in most parts rather
scarce) growing by hedges, road sides, and in stony places where
not very dry, as in rubbish heaps about quarries, &c. The wild
variety, however, differs from those generally cultivated, in being
of much dwarfer, and of a more slender habit of growth, and also
having much smoother leaves and stalks.

Those sorts in general cultivation are the Common or Summer
Tare, and the Winter Tare, which resemble one another in general
appearance, but the latter variety is distinguished by being usually of
smaller growth, and its pods being more smooth and cylindrical, con-
taining more seeds, and in its general habit it is liker the wild variety.

170 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

The Common or Summer Tare presents in the appearance of its
seeds much diversity of size, arising from soil and culture ; the larger
sizes are better known in many places by the name of Vetches, whilst the
smaller samples are denominated Tares, and are either sown as a green
food for cattle, or for their ripe seed. In the former case they are gene-
rally sown with oats or barley, and so as to come in for use between
the first and second ci'ops of grass. The quantity of seed required
per imperial acre may be two and a half bushels of lares, and one or
a half of oats or barley, or from three and a half to four bushels of
tares when sown alone. The practice of sowing one or other of the
cereal grasses amongst tares is to be highly recommended, not only
as it insures a greater bulk of produce from the stems of the grasses
rising above the tares, but they also serve to prevent them lying on
the ground, and so becoming injured in damp weather ; cattle are
also fonder of the fodder in a mixed than in an unmixed state. When
sown for their ripe seed the summer tare is generally mixed with
beans, or pease and beans, in the proportion of about a fourth part in
bulk, or less, of the whole quantity of seed per acre.

The Winter Tare, when intended for early spring food, is sown
in autumn, either alone, or, what is far more preferable, in mixture
with rye. About the same quantity of seed is allowed per acre as
in the case of the summer tares, for although the seeds are smaller
(consequently producing a greater number of plants from a given
measure) ; yet, from the inclemency of the season, the young plants
are more apt to be destroyed.

It has been ascertained that winter tares, repeatedly sown in spring,
acquire more of the tender nature peculiar to the sununer sort.
Therefore it is essential for cultivators to sow only such seed as
is not only the produce of the true winter tare, but of it, sown in
autumn. When winter tares are sown for their seeds, the general
practice has hitherto been to sow them alone ; but since the intro-
duction of the winter beans it may be more advisable to sow them in
mixture, — the seeds, as well as those of the spring or summer sort,
being easily separated from the beans when thrashed by means of
a properly sized riddle.

To insure a good crop of tares, the soil is not only required to be
of a superior nature, but also well cleaned or free from root and an-
nual weeds ; and it is also requisite in most cases to apply an extra
quantity of manure. They should never be allowed to remain on
the ground until nearly ripe, except when intended for seed, as they

LEGUMINOSiE. 171

prove highly injurious to the soil, being considered the most impo-
verising of all our commonly cultivated leguminous crops.

White-seeded Tare, or Lentil of Canada, is grown chiefly for its
seeds, and is therefore placed amongst plants cultivated for their
farinaceous seeds (which see).

VICIA BIENNIS— Biennial Vetch or Siberian Tare.
La Vesce bisannuelle, ou Vesce de Siberie. — Fr.

Specific characters — Flowers about eight or ten together, on
long peduncles or footstalks, of a light purplish-pink colour ; leaflets
small, smooth, and sharp pointed, about ten or twelve in each leaf;
tendrils long, and generally branching ; pods smooth and flattened,
from an inch to an inch and a half in length, by about two-eighths
in breadth ; seeds small, round, and of a dark dull green colour ;
habit of growth slender, and branching ; height six to eight feet, ge-
nerally of annual duration when allowed to ripen seed on stiff wet
soils, but will grow two seasons under favourable circumstances ;
flowers in July and August ; native of Siberia ; introduced to Britain
about the year 1733.

This Vetch has been much recommended for cultivation, as it not
only grows to a great height, and yields a large bulk of fodder, but
it remains green throughout winter in defiance of the most severe
frosts. Although recommended by Miller, about 1759, its culture
has not been attended to in this country, but it is grown in some
parts of France, and particularly in Germany on light soils. Those
who cultivate it iij the latter country find it advisable to sow it in
mixture with one or other of the Melilots, as, from its tall and slender
habit of growth, unless supported, it is apt to become lodged and
much damaged in damp weather, and for this purpose the biennial
species of the genus 3Ielilotus are exceedingly well adapted, owing
to their strong upright habit of growth and similarity of duration.

III. VICIA CRACCA—TuFTED Vetch.

Specific characters Peduncles, or footstalks of the flowers,

longer than the leaves ; flowers in a closely imbricated, elongated,
one-sided cluster or raceme, of a bluish or purple colour ; leaflets
lanceolate, and, together with the stems and peduncles, slightly hairy,
and of a hoary light bluish-green colour ; roots small and creeping;
height four to five feet. Grows naturally by the sides of plantations,
in hedges, &c.

172 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

V. Cracca yields a considerable bulk of fodder, uhicli is greedily
eaten by cattle, and is considered as being more nutritious and
healthy food than the Common Tare, from its containing a much
smaller proportion of watery matter. It thrives best on a soil of me-
dium texture, but will grow well on such as are of a light sandy
nature, as also on strong clays, provided they be well drained, and
the moisture not allowed to stagnate about the roots in the winter
or spring months.

In 1 833, a portion of ground at Meadowbank Nursery, containing
SCO square yards, was sown with V. Cracca, the seed of which was
procured from Mr P. Shireff, Mungoswells. In 1835, the first flowers
of the same were appearing on the 1 2th of June, average height at
tliat period two and a half feet ; ripe and cut on the second week of
August, average height or length of tlie shoots four to five feet. The
same was thrashed out on the l6th of September, and the wliole pro-
duce found to be 30 lb. clean seed, 24 stones dried straw or haulm,
and 2 stones of chaff, or broke separated from the straw and seed in
the operations of thrashing and cleaning. No second cutting or after-
math was produced.

A variety, seeds of which were received from M. Vilmorin & Co.,
Paris, under the name of V. Cracca, turns out to be very distinct from
the Common Tufted Vetch of this country, in its having broader and
smoother dark green foliage, much darker purple flowers, is about a
week later in flowering, and yields a greater quantity of seed.

IV. VICIA SYLVATICA— Wood Vetch.

Specific characters Flowers arranged as in the last species,

of a vai'iegated pink-like colour ; leaflets elliptical ; stipules small,
sublunate, and bristle-pointed ; tendrils large and branching ; whole
plant almost smooth ; root very slightly creeping, perennial ; height
four to six feet ; flowers in July. Grows naturally in stony places,
amon"-st trees and bushes, also on strong damp tilly inferior soils, as
on some parts of the banks of the Tay above Perth ; it is also found
growing luxuriantly within the influence of the sea breeze, and even
when subjected to the salt spray arising from the waves, as amongst
the rocks on the sea coast to the east of Arbroath. Cattle are fond
of the Wood Vetch as fodder, but although it yields a large bulk of
herbage on soils and in situations where few other plants will thrive,
its cultivation has been hitherto neglected. One great hinderance to
the procuring of its seeds in large quantities, is the irregularity with

LEGUMINOSiE. 173

which they ripen, and the liability of the ripe pods to drop or become
detached from the stalks, so that, in order to obtain the full crop of
seeds, they require to be gathered with the hand as they arrive at
maturity.

Specimen, five to six feet in length, by Mr J. Carmichael, Stron-
tian, Argyleshire, where it grows naturally in waste places, amongst
bushes, &c. And by Mr A. Gorrie, a variety having white flowers.

V. VICIA LUTEA — Yellow-flowered Seaside Vetch.

Specific characters — Pods solitary, without footstalks, reflex-
ed, broad, flattened, and hairy ; stem branching and very prostrate,
except when supported by other plants ; flowers of a dull yellowish
colour ; root fibrous, not strictly perennial, but lasting for several
years ; height two to three feet. Grows naturally on stony or gra-
velly situations on the sea coast, and can only be valued, in an agri-
cultural point of view, as being capable of growing on such, and af-
fording rather more produce than the common clovers grown under
similar circumstances.

One obstacle to the cultivation of the perennial Vetches,particularly
V. Cracca and V. sylvatica, for herbage, is the want of strong growing
plants of similar duration to grow amongst them for their support, and
which might also be cut at the same time for cattle's food. For this
purpose it has been recommended to sow common beans, which may
do very well during the first and second seasons after sowing,* but
as the vetches become older, they increase in luxuriance of growth
for at least several years ; while, on the other hand, beans, or any
other annual plant, will become weaker, not only from being repeat-
edly sown on the same soil, but from the soil becoming too hard
from not being ploughed or worked. In the case of the Wood Vetch,
this latter objection might be partly overcome, by growing it in
drills at least two feet apart, the interstices being dug or ploughed
every year, and a little manure added if required, and then beans or
any other strong growing annual plants might be sown in the middle
of each space. This mode of culture is, however, not so applicable
in the case of V. Cracca, from its more running or creeping roots.

* There can be little doubt but the best, as well as the most natural, season for
sowing the native vetches, particularly the perennial sorts, is when their seeds
are ripe, or early in autumn ; although that operation may likewise be deferred
till spring.

174 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

However, on those soils and situations where they grow naturally,
they may form part of mixtures in permanent pastures.

VI. VICIA SEPIUM— Bush Vetch.

Specific characters. — Flowers on short footstalks, about four or
six together, generally of a red or dull purplish colour, lightest and
slightly striped on the upper petal or standard ; leaflets broad and
roundish, smaller towards the point of the leaf, and, together with the
flowers, thickest or most abundant at the point of the shoot ; root
slightly creeping, perennial ; average height about two feet. Grows
naturally in shady places, and generally on superior and rather dry soils.

This is another perennial vetch, but from its rather dwarf and
close bushy habit of growth, it does not require the aid of other
plants for support to the same extent as the last mentioned sorts.

Cattle in general aie very fond of the Bush Vetch, and it seems
naturally well adapted for sowing along with the superior wood
grasses, under trees, or in such shady places where the common
clovers will not succeed well ; but like most of the other perennial
vetches, its seeds are difficult to procure in large quantities.

Specimens by Mr J. Carmichael ; and by Mr J. Reddie, Milna-
thort. Also specimens of a variety having white flowers, found on
a bank by the roadside near Lasswade.

VII. VICIA VILLOSA — Villous or Hairy Vetch.

At first sight this species is apt to be mistaken for V. Cracca,
which it very much resembles in its flowers and foliage, but differs
essentially in having an annual root, while that of the other is peren-
nial. The whole plant of the V. villosa is also more villous or hairy,
of a taller and more branching habit of growth, and produces a much
n-reater quantity of pods, which are also larger and broader than those
of the last mentioned sort.

Specimen of one plant, from nine and a half to ten feet in length,
havino- numerous branches, and producing from twelve to thirteen
hundred ripe seeds, by Mr A. Gorrie, who discovered a few of its
seeds, with some others, in a sample of Dantzic Wheat, in 1 834, and
had them sown, for the purpose of ascertaining the kinds of weeds
most predominant in the wheat fields about that place. The other
seeds turned out to be of Ervum hirsutum, Agrostemma Githago,
Lolium temulcntum, and a few more peculiar to the wheat fields of
this country.

LEGUMINOS^. 173

Part of the above seeds were sown in the Nursery at Meadow-
bank on the 10th of April 1835 ; the plants flowered about the 20th
of July, and produced a full crop of ripe seeds by the last week of
August ; average height about eight feet.

The V. villosa is of slender growth, and relying, like the V. Cracca,
for support on whatever stronger plants may be growing beside it ;
for which purpose the Sweet Melilot {Melilotus ccerulect), or some such
strong growing annual, might be introduced with advantage in the
case of this and the other slender growing annual vetches. It also
possesses the same advantages as the V. Cracca, of containing less
watery matter than the Common Tare, and being greedily eaten by
cattle or horses, either in a green or dry state. Compared with the
Common Tare, the V, villosa, when sown in spring, comes away
rather slower at first ; but its actual weight, or bulk of produce from
a given space of ground, when fully grown, may be reckoned neai-ly
double that of the other. Young plants, wliich were sown the pre-
vious autumn, were found to withstand the last winter, at Annat
Gai-den, without suifering the least apparent injury. Should farther
experience prove it suitable for sowing as a winter vetch (as there
is little doubt but it will, considering the great severity of the win-
ters in its native country), it will add greatly to its value.

VIII. VICIA PSEUDO-CRACCA—Bastard Tufted Vetch.

This species also differs from the true Tufted Vetch in having
annual roots, and from the preceding in being of dwarfer growth,
having smoother and finer foliage than either, and also in having
much lighter coloured flowers. It is a native of the South of Europe,
and has been recommended for field culture, but its merits are as yet
little known in this country.

IX. VICIA ATROPURPUREA—Dark Purple-floavered Vetch.

Specific characters Peduncles many-flowered, shorter thaff

the leaf; teeth of the calyx setaceous, very villous; leaflets dark
green coloured, and slightly villous ; pods short, broad, and pretty
well filled, containing three or four seeds ; height three feet ; root
annual. Native of the north of Africa.

This is also recommended for field culture by the French, but
from its coming from such a warm country as the North of Africa,
it is not likely to succeed so well in this climate as some of the pre-
ceding.

176 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

X. VICIA ANGUSTIFOLIA— Narrow.leaved Vetch.

Flowers reddish coloured, single, or in pairs, without footstalks ;
pods of a shining black colour when ripe ; leaflets narrow, and ter-
minated abruptly at the points, smoothish and dark green coloured ;
root annual ; height three to four feet. Grows naturally in woods
and hedges in Germany.

The Narrow-leaved Vetch yields a large portion of foliage, and
stands well in the end of the season, not being so easily injured by
frost as the clovers and common tares, and from its being much less
soft and juicy than the latter, it is not so liable to be damaged in
damp weather.

XI. VICIA TRICOLOR— Three-colouhed Vetch.

This species is easily distinguished by its flowers, which are with-
out peduncles, being of a jet black colour on the wings or ala^, in-
clining to a dull brown towards the posterior extremity, and the rest
of the flower being of a green colour ; height two to three feet ; an-
nual. Native of America, from whicli it was recently introduced.

This vetch was first recommended by Mr Loudon, in his Gardener's
Magazine, as a new plant, which might be grown with advantage in
this country as food for cattle.

Specimens by Mr A. Gorrie, from seed procured through Mr
Loudon, from Mrs Marryat, Wimbledon House. It seems dwarfer
in growth than some of the other annual vetches, but jnelds a greater
quantity of seed. Farther experience is, however, required respect-
ing it.

XII. VICIA NARBONENSIS — Narbonke or Broad-leaved Vetch.

Specific characters — Pods either without or with very short
footstalks, one or two, and sometimes three together, large, flattish,
and of a darkish colour when ripe ; leaflets about six on each leaf,
large, roundish, and entire ; colour of the flowers reddish-purple ;
stems much branching, thick, soft, and hollow, of rather a stout ha-
bit of growth, and not relying much upon other plants for support ;
height two to three feet. Native of France ; annual.

The V. narbonnensis is cultivated in Germany, and some other
parts of the Continent, as a substitute for the Common Tare. It
yields a large and close-growing crop of succulent fodder, of a strong
beany taste, and is at first not well liked by cattle ; however, if sown
in autumn, it stands our winters well, and grows very fast in the

leguminoStE. 177

early spring months, at which period cattle are fonder of it than they
are when the clover season comes on.

Samples in straw and seed by Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Gardens, who
has grown it for several successive seasons, and has all along found
it to retain its greenness in winter in a remarkable degree, and to
yield an abundant crop in the spring months ; and in grain by David
Falconer, Esq. of Carlourie.

XIII. VICIA SERRATIFOLIA— Saw-leaved Vetch.

This species is a native of Hungary, and so like the former in its
general appearance, as to be only considered a variety. It differs
chiefly in having its leaves and stipules deeply indented or serrated,
while those of the former are entire, or almost so. It is cultivated
in some parts of the Continent as the preceding.

Specimens by Mr Robert Fairbairn, Freeman Cottage.

XIV. VICIA PLATYCARPUS— Large-podded Vetch.

Pods solitary, without footstalks, large, broad, and inflated ; leaves
resembling those of the V. narbonensis ; stems strong, and nearly
upright ; height one and a half to two feet. Seems much inferior to
the two last in bulk of produce.

The three last species may be said to form a kind of class of
VicifB by themselves, from the broadness of their leaves, their strong
habit of growth, and the thickness and succulency of their stems, and
seem to form as it were the connecting link between the Tares, and
other slender climbing sorts, and the V. Faba, or Bean, which has
been separated by modern botanists into a genus by itself.

Several other species might probably be cultivated with equal suc-
cess to many of the foregoing, particularly the following, which are
pait of a collection from Mr C. A. Fischer, Inspector of the Botanic
Garden, Gottingen, but which have not been as yet sufficiently tried.

ViciA PANNONicA, Hungarian Vetch.

DUMETOUUM, Great Wood Veteh.

BicoLOR, Two-coloured Vetch.

INTERMEDIA, Hybrid Vetch.
... BENGALENSis, Bengal Vetch.
... PisiFORMis, Pea-shaped Vetch.

178 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

LATHYRUS— VETCHLING and EVERLASTING PEA.

Generic characters. — Stamens diadelphous (nine united and
one free) ; style plane, downy above, broader upwards ; mouth of the
calyx oblique, with its two upper segments shortest.

I. LATHYRUS LATIFOLIUS— Bboad-leaved Everlasting Pea.

Specific characters. — Flowers reddish or purple, many together
on long peduncles ; tendrils with two ovate-elliptical leaflets ; stem
winged, about six feet in length ; perennial ; flowers July and Au-
gust. Grows naturally in woods, but rare in Britain, in a wild
state ; it is, however, often cultivated in gardens as an ornamental
climber.

II. LATHYRUS SYLVESTRIS— Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea.

Specific characters Peduncles about four to six flowered ;

tendrils with a pair of long narrow or sword-shaped leaflets ; stem
winged, from four to five feet in length ; perennial. Grows natu-
rally in woods, but also rare in a wild state.

These two Everlasting Peas yield an extraordinary bulk of foliage
and stems, and hence have been recommended for culture as cattle's
food. They both produce but little seed, which scarcely ripens in
this country, except in early situations ; they may, however, be propa-
gated with facility by dividing the roots, were their culture to a great
extent found beneficial ; cattle seem to have a dislike for the pro-
duce, particularly in a green state, which might perhaps be overcome
by habit. They both certainly deserve to be made the subjects of
farther experiments. With regard to providing for their support by
means of introducing stronger growing herbage plants, the same re-
marks are applicable in the case of the Everlasting Peas as in that
of the Vicia sylvatica, &c. (see page 172).

III. LATHYRUS PRATENSIS— Yellow or Meadow Vetchltng.

Specific characters. — Flowers bright yellow coloured ; from two
to eight on very long peduncles ; pods of a blackish colour when
ripe ; tendrils with two long pointed, three-nerved leaflets ; stipules
arrow-shaped, nearly as large as the leaflets ; stem winged, two to
three feet in height ; root powerfully creeping ; perennial ; flowers

LEGUMINOS^. 179

ill July. Grows naturally either in moist or dry soils, but generally
on such as are of good quality.

Cattle in general eat this species with avidity, hence it has been
recommended for being grown on very dry soils. The creeping na-
ture of its roots, however, presents a considerable objection to its
culture, except when it is intended to remain permanent.

Specimens by Mr J. Reddie, Milnathort, and by Mr J. Car-
michael.

IV. LATHYRUS HIRSUTUS— Rough-podded Vetchling.
La Gesse velue. — Fr.

Specific characters Peduncles two and three flowered ; each

tendril with a pair of linear lanceolate leaflets ; stem winged ; stand-
ard of the flowers crimson, other parts pale ; pods rough or hairy,
broad slightly flattened, containing five or six small round rough
blackish-coloured seeds ; height two feet ; root annual ; grows natu-
rally in the South of England, but rare.

The cultivation of this species has been attempted in some parts of
France, and it is found to succeed pretty well as a winter vetch, being
sown in autumn, and cut for use early in the ensuing season.

V. LATHYRUS CICERA— Flat-podded Vetchling.
Also termed Chickling Vetch ; but this latter name is more often
applied to the L. sativus — See plants cultivated for their Farinace-
ous Seeds, page 96.

Le Gesse chiche. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Peduncles one-flowered, colour of the
flower red ; tendrils two-leaved ; pods ovate, compressed, channelled
at the back ; height two to three feet ; annual ; flowers in June and
July. Native of the South of Europe.

In this country the Lathyrus cicera has not hitherto been sub-
jected to culture as an agricultural plant ; but in the South of France
it is grown pretty considerably in some districts for the purpose of
feeding live-stock, particularly sheep. Its seeds also are occasion-
ally used like those of L. sativus, being ground and the flour mixed
in small quantities with that of the cereal grasses, and made into
bread ; but when used alone, it is even more injurious to health than
the last mentioned.

The following are a few of the most interesting of a collection of

ISO HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

the genus Laihyrus, by Mr C. A. Fischer, Gottingen ; those which
seem at all applicable for being cultivated as food for cattle are
marked thus*.

* Lathyrus cornutus, Horned Pea.
AMPHiCARPOs, Earth Pea.
CLYMENUM, Clymenum.
ALATUS, Winged Vetcliling.
AURicuLATUs, Jointed-podded VetcMing.
ANGULATUS, Angular -Seeded Vetchling.
NissoLiA, Nissolia.
APHACA, Yellow Vetchling.
iTALicus, Italian Vetchling.
LUSiTANicus, Spanish Vetchling.

ERVUM— WILD TARE.

Generic characters. — Stamens, nine united and one free ; stigma
round-headed, hairy, or downy all over.

I. ERVUM ERVILIA VEL ERVILIA SATIVA— Cult ivated Ervilia.
L'Ers ervillier. — Fr.

This species is distinguished from others of the genus, by its up-
right branching habit of growth, requiring no support from other
plants ; also by its small jointed-like swollen pods, w^hich contain
two to five whitish seeds, about the size of those of the Common
Tare ; its leaves contain eight to fourteen pairs of leaflets, and are
terminated by a very small tendril. The average height of the plant
does not exceed eighteen inches.

This species is cultivated in some parts of the Continent both for its
seeds and green or dried culms and leaves, w^hich are considered highly
nutritious, and are given to milch cows and working animals. The
seed being ground to a coarse flour, which is mixed with bran and a
little salt, is made into cakes which are given to horses and cattle
but found less suitable for feeding swine. The herbage is also con-
sidered so nutritious as to recompense for the smallness of its bulk,
and is seldom given to animals except in mixture. It is found to
-thrive well on very poor sandy soils.

LEGUMINOSiE. 181

II. ERVUM HIRSUTUM— Common or Hairy Wild Tare,
Mouse Tare, Fetter, &c.

Peduncles many-flowered ; flowers small and whitish ; pods hairy
generally two-seeded ; leaflets linear-oblong, and terminated abrupt-
ly ; stem two to three feet long, weak, straggling, and relying on
other plants for support ; annual.

Grows naturally on dry soils, amongst bushes, by sides of hedges,
and often too abundant in wheat fields both in this country and on
the Continent ; when such is the case it proves highly injurious to
the grain crop, and can only be got rid of by always taking care to
prevent its seeds becoming ripe. The liability with which its seeds
become shaken or dispersed when ripe, and the length of time which
tliey are known to retain their vegetative powers when buried in the
soil, together with the smallness of its bulk of herbage compared
with common tares, renders the cultivation of this plant not worth
attending to ; but in cases where it abounds naturally, it forms ex-
cellent food either for cattle or horses.

*** Leguminous Shrubby Plants,

ULEX— WHIN.
I. ULEX EUROP^US— Common Whin, Furze or Gorze.

Generic characters Stamens ten ; monadelphous (all united

towards the base of their filaments) ; calyx two leaves, with two
small scale-like appendages attached laterally at their base ; pods
turgid, little longer than the calyx ; leaves spiny.

The common whin is too well known to require any specific de-
scription ; it has been employed for an unknown length of time in
this country for feeding horses, cattle, and sheep, during the winter
months. Whins are given to horses and cattle in a green state, after
undergoing a process of thrashing or bruising until the prickles are
so far reduced or deprived of their acute points, that the animals can
eat them with perfect safety or without endangering their mouths ;
sheep, on the other hand, are merely turned out to feed on whins
when the snow is too deep for allowing them to get at the grass ;
and although they are found to fatten and thrive much better on
the former, yet they seldom touch them until forced to do so from
not getting at the grass, but when once accustomed to the whins,
they continue to eat them in greater or less quantities according to
the state of the pasture, until the young grass comes in in the be-

182 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

ginning of summer ; hence, when whins are plentiful in the winter
pasture, shepherds always look with anxiety for a snow storm in the
early part of that season.

For bruising whins, the flail was the only instrument formerly used,
but several machines have now been invented for that purpose.

In this climate the whin will not succeed Ijeyond 900 feet above
the level of the sea, but many sheep-walks might be improved by in-
troducing it on moors under that altitude. The plant has been used
sown on the tops and in the face of mud fences as a cheap and effi-
cient hedge on dry and poor soils, where thorns will not prosper.
For sowing a single line a mile in length 3 lb. to 4 lb. of seed will
be sufficient.

Some poor uplands might be profitably laid under whins, sown
broadcast, with or without a corn crop, at the rate of 20 lb. or 24 lb.
an acre, to be mown annually for winter green food.

The Double Flowered Whin, a variety of the above which is
propagated by cuttings, has been recommended for hedges where
spreading of whin seed in the neighbouring ground should be guard-
ed against.

II. ULEX STRICTA vel HIBERNICA Upright or Irish Whin.

This differs from the last in being of a much more upright and
compact habit of growth, and in its shoots and prickles being so soft
and tender that cattle of any kind can eat them without their under-
going the operation of thrashing or bruising. One great objection,
however, to its extensive culture is, that it is not capable of being
propagated by seed, as it produces but few flowers ; but its superior
merits may on many occasions repay the attention requisite in cul-
tivating it by cuttings of the young shoots, which are found to root
freely by being planted about the end of August in a shady situa-
tion (as at the back of a wall) amongst clean sand, or sand with a
slight mixture of any light rich soil in its composition. When so
treated, they will produce roots in spring or summer following, and
may be finally planted out in the succeeding autumn or spring
months.

CYTISUS— BROOM.

Generic characters. — Calyx two-lipped, upper generally entire,
and lower slightly three-toothed ; stamens ten, monadelphous, en-

LEGUMINOS/E. ]83

closed by the blunt keel ; pod compressed, many -seeded ; leaves ge-
nerally ternate.

CYTISUS vel SPARTIUM SCOPARIUM— Common Broom.

This well known plant has been recommended for sowing on sheep
pastures, for the purpose of affording those animals a supply of winter
food ; but although they are found to eat it down when growing na-
turally within their reach ; yet from its excessive bitterness of taste,
and the diuretic qualities ascribed to it, it may be questioned whether
they do not take it rather by way of medicine than for actual nou-
rishment. And the propriety of introducing it to a great extent is
doubtful, particularly as it is said to produce bad effects when eaten
in large quantities.

GENISTA— GREENWEED.

Generic characters. — Calyx two parted, the upper two and
lower three, toothed ; stamens ten, monadelphous scarcely enveloped
by the keel ; pods generally many-seeded.

I. GENISTA PILOSA— Hairy Greenweed.
This is a small, slender branched yellow flowering shrub, having
its pods, leaves, and young shoots, all over downy. Native of some
parts of England, and found abundantly in the pastures in some parts
of France, where its cultivation has been much recommended, from
its being well adapted for growing on light sandy soils, and much
sought after by sheep.

II. GENISTA TINCTORIA— Dyer's Greenweed.

This species bears some resemblance to the last in its habit of
growth, but differs materially in the smoothness of its young shoots
and foliage.

Grows naturally in some parts of Scotland, and abundantly in
England ; it has also been recommended for sowing in sheep pas-
tures, but with less propriety than the former. Its principal use is
its affording a fine yellow dye.

184 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

III. CRUCIFEROUS AND OTHER HERBAGE AND

FORAGE PLANTS, not included in the two foregoing

divisions.

I. Plants belonging to the class Tetr adynamia of Linnaeus anci
to the natural order Crucifercc of Jussieu.

BRASSICA— CABBAGE.

Generic characters. — Petals four, equal, and placed opposite
each other at right angles, or cruciate (as in all the genera belonging
to this natural order, and from which its name Cruciferce) is derived.
Cotyledons two, folded together, enwrapping the radicula or embryo
roots ; siliqua or pod nearly cylindrical, with valves opening length-
wise, and having a linear dissepiment or internal partition ; seeds glo-
bular ; style small, short and blunt ; calyx closed, or pressing upon the
base of the petals.

I. BRASSICA OLERACEA— Common or Wild Cabbage.

Specific characters Root hardish and fusiform ; leaves al-
ways smooth, of a glaucous colour, somewhat thick or fleshy ; waved,
irregularly lobed, and generally somewhat lyrate-shaped ; pods not
beaked ; flowers in May and June ; biennial. Native of Britain, but
confined chiefly to cliffs on the sea coast of England.

When in flower, the B. oleracea bears a considerable resemblance
to the common corn-mustard or charlock {Sinapis arvensis), except
in the colour and smoothness of its foliage. As an agricultural plant
it is entirely undeserving of attention, were it not from the circum-
stance of its being generally considered as the origin from which all
our cultivated varieties of the cabbage tribe are derived, notwith-
standing the remarkable diversity in their appearance. From this cir-
cumstance the B. oleracea and its cultivated varieties are often al-
luded to as being a remarkable proof of the advantages resulting
from a careful cultivation, improvement, and selection of the most
deserving varieties of any of our cultivated economical plants. Nor
can a more suitable example be adduced than to compare this insig-
nificant weed-like plant of the sea-coast with the gigantic growth of
the Tree or Cow Cabbage, the large close head of Drumhead Cab-
bage, or with different forms or habits of growth apparent in the

CRUCIFER.E. 185

Brussels Sprouts, Red Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kohl Rabi, and nume-
rous other varieties ; to attempt any thing like a description of the
whole of which is in the present instance thought to be quite un-
necessary, particularly as the greater number belong more properly
to what are generally termed Horticultural Plants. The following
therefore are such as either are, or may be most advantageously cul-
tivated, as food for live-stock, particularly cattle and pigs.

i; Tree or Cow-Cabbage, &c. — Habit of growth, strong and
upright, with numerous branches, and rather small and thin, smooth,
vivid green coloured leaves, stalks and branches very hard or
woody, except towards the point, roots large and spreading, ave-
rage height about five feet ; but in very deep rich soil, the plants
will often attain double that height before beginning to shoot or
run to seed. In Jersey, and some of the northern departments
of France, where this variety is chiefly cultivated, the longest of
the stalks are used for supporting kidney beans, pease, &c., and
also as cross-spars for the purpose of supporting the thatch or roof
of the smaller class of farm-buildings, cottages, &c., and when
kept dry, are said to last upwards of half a century. (For farther
information, see Loudon's Gardener's Magazine, and Encyclopedia
of Agriculture). This variety is also known by the following names :
Chou Cavalier, Chou a Vaches, Branching Cabbage, Jersey Kale,
&c. The produce of seeds of this last variety, however, which were
procured from France, seems to be slightly different from the true
Cow- Cabbage, and to occupy an intermediate space between it and
the lOOO-headed cabbage. Another variety received from the same
quarter (and said to be only of recent introduction), under the name
of Chou Laponic, Lapland Cabbage, seems to differ very slightly
from the Cow Cabbage, and may be considered as only a very slight-
ly improved variety.

In Museum, specimen of a stalk of Cow- Cabbage 11 5 feet in
height, by the Very Reverend Principal Baird.

2. Thousand-headed Cabbage This is also a branching sort,

bearing a considerable resemblance to the Cow Cabbage, but of a
more close or compact habit of growth, with rather darker green and
more rough or wrinkled leaves.

3. Common Plain-leaved or Scotch Kale. — Habit of growth

186 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

upright, unbranched, leaves very large, thickish, and very close set ;
plain and light red or purplish coloured, average height above two
feet. This variety was formerly very extensively cultivated by the
cottagers in various parts of Scotland, but has of late become rather
scarce, arising, no doubt, from inattention in growing the seed, allow-
ing it to become mixed or hybridized by being raised too near that
of German greens, and other varieties of the same species. When
genuine, this is an excellent sort, considered either as a pot vegeta-
ble or for growing as food for milch cows, and other cattle, pigs, &c.

4, 5. Green, and Red or Purple Tall German Greens. —
Average height about four feet ; stems vmbranched ; leaves nume-
rous, of medium size, and very much curled, which is the distinguish-
ing characteristic of what may be denominated the tribe to which the
term German Greens is applied. The epithet Tall is applied to the
two varieties here mentioned from their habit of growth, compared
witli most of the other sorts, which are much dwarfer, and altliough
considft-ed finer in quality, are far deficient in quantity of produce
to either of the tall sorts.

6. Scotch Drumhead or Late Cabbage. — This, and all the
other varieties to which, in this country at least, the term Cabbage
is generally understood to apply, are distinguished by their plain
smoothish leaves, and, before running to seed, by the terminating
leaves being collected or bundled together, so as to form a solid-like
hard or compact globular or conical-shaped head, The Drumhead
or Late Cabbage is too well known to require any desciiption. The
same remark may be also applied to the Scotch Grey, and Large
York and Sugar-loaf Cabbages, which four (and the two first in par-
ticular) are generally reckoned the best adapted for extensive field
culture of all the numerous tribe generally designated Cabbages.

From the garden of Thomas Williamson Ramsay, Esq. Lixmount,
two specimens of Drumhead Cabbage, weighing 1 8^ and 23 lb., grown
in rich lightish garden soil.

7. Large Savoy, Cape, or Drumhead Savoy. — The Savoys re-
semble the Cabbages in the solid-like globular form of their heads, but
differ in their leaves being very rugose (rough or coarsely wrinkled).
The variety here mentioned is considered as one of the hardiest, as
well as the most productive of leaves, and may therefore be reckoned

CRUCIFER^. 187

as one of the best for field culture, and its merits may be stated as
rather superior to the early York or Sugar-loaf Cabbages, with this
addition, that the Large Savoy is considerably hardier, and better
adapted for use in winter than either.

8. Kohl-Rabi, Large Red and Green Field Sorts — Kohl-
Rabi differs most essentially from all the other varieties of ^. oleracea,
in having its stems towards their upper extremity swollen out into a
large globular pulpy mass, in consistence and texture somewhat re-
sembling a Swedish turnip, from and near the summit of which the
leaves, which are smooth, of various shapes and shades of colour, pro-
ceed. The varieties of Kohl-Rabi are numerous, but those of most
importance for field culture are the Large Red and Green sorts ;
these are grown to a considerable extent on some parts of the Con-
tinent, particularly in the Low Countries and the North of France,
for feeding cattle, and especially milch cows, a purpose for which they
seem admirably adapted, as, from their having a taste similar to the
leaves of others of the species, they are found not to impart any of
that peculiar disagreeble taste to the milk which it acquires when the
cows are fed on turnips.

Specimens of the above two sorts by Mr Robert Fowls, Fordel,
Fifeshire, grown on medium black soil, about eight inches in depth,
incumbent on whinstone, and which was well manured with farm-
yard dung ; the plants were placed at the distance of fifteen inches
apart from each other ; average weight of two bulbs of the purple
sort, 7 lb. 7 oz., ditto of the green sort, 6 lb. 5 oz. ; and by Mr
Spindler, 24. Greenside, Edinburgh, two bulbs of transparent green
Kohl-Rabi, weighing 5| and 5| lb.

Also, by Mr James Barnet, Superintendent of the Experimental
Garden, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, a very interesting collection of
the cultivated varieties and subvarieties of IB. oleracea, many of
which are recently introduced from the Continent, and when more
generally known, there seems every probability that some of them
will be found valuable acquisitions to that class of hardy esculent
vegetables.

Besides the varieties above enumerated, many others have been
recommended by speculative agriculturists as being eminently suit-
able for field culture, such as Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, and even
Cauliflower ; but although, when grown to any considerable extent
for the market, the waste leaves, &c. of these and others, may be

18S HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

beneficially used as cattle's food, yet, for growing for that purpose
alone, in their relative values, compared with most of those men-
tioned above, they will be found deficient. One variety, however, viz.
Perennial Wohurn Kale, is said to possess merits which entitle it to
particular attention ; farther experiments are, however, required to
ascertain its fitness for Scotland-
Much has been said and written recommendatory of the Cabbage
tribe being more extensively subjected to field culture in this coun-
try, for feeding cattle, sheep, swine, and even poultry ; but, judging
from any trials which have been made, as well as from the natural
habits of the whole tribe, their culture seems only likely to be at-
tended with any chance of decided advantage on the most superior
class of soils, particularly on such as are of rather strong textur-e, and
where an abundant supply of manure can be had ; and even in many
such cases it is questionable how far they ought to be preferred to
turnips, over which, however, they possess the advantage, as has been
already hinted at, of improving rather than deteriorating the quality of
the milk of cows fed upon them, and also of growing freely on lands
which are too stiff in texture for the growth of any sort of turnips.

In field culture the Cabbage tribe may be planted in March, or in
May and June, the plants in the former case being the produce of
seeds sown in the previous autumn, and in the latter case they may be
from seeds sown in February or March immediately preceding. The
young plants should be dibbled in on the top of drills prepared in the
same manner as is usually done for turnips, with the addition of a slight
rolling, to level or smooth down the tops ; the drills may be made at
the distance of two feet, and tlie plants placed at the distance of fif-
teen or eighteen inches in the row, increasing or diminishing the
width and distance, according to the size and habit of growth of the
variety (at the distance of two by one and a half feet, 14,500 to
15,000 plants will be required for an imperial acre). The after cul-
ture of hoeing and weeding is the same as is required in other drilled
o-reen crops. The Cow Cabbage, Kale, and other open-headed va-
rieties, will yield a regular supply of leaves from the time when the
plants are from one to two feet in height, which are obtained by
stripping off the under tiers successively, until the entire crop be
taken ; l)ut in the case of the other Cabbages, stripping off the leaves,
if at all attempted, should be done with more caution, otherwise the
swelling and firming of the heads \> ill be materially checked. These

CRUCIFERiE. 189

last should be all off the ground before the winter sets in with seve-
rity, otherwise the outer leaves are apt to become injured, in which
case they, as well as decayed leaves at any period, should never be
given to milch cows, as they impart a disagreeable taste to their pro-
duce. The open-headed sorts, however, may be allowed to remain
on the ground with less danger of being injured, until they shew
symptoms of running to seed, after which period they, together with
all the Brassicse, become very exhausting to the soil, a disadvantage
which, in rather a considerable degree, is said, and seemingly not
without good cause, to attend the Cow Cabbage, and some of the
other large varieties, at all periods of their growth.

II. BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS— Summer Rape, Wild Navew Colsat

OR Colza,

Specific characters — Root tapering, hard, and woody ; root-
leaves lyrate and roughish when young ; those on the stem clasping
or subcordate, oblong, and subpinnatified ; all somewhat fleshy, and
of a dark green colour, with a glaucous bloom ; seeds larger, similar
to those of the Swedish turnip ; biennial. A somewhat doubtful na-
tive, found abundantly in some districts of England, but chiefly on
and near the borders of fields, hence supposed to be tlie oflTspring of
cultivation.

This species is sometimes termed Brassica campestris olifer, fi-om
its being reckoned the best sort of rape for cultivating for oil, and
also to distinguish it from the B. campestris rutabaga, or Swedish
turnip, which is only a variety of this species. The name of Sum-
mer Rape it acquires from its arriving earlier at maturity than the
next sort, as also from being generally supposed less capable of with-
standing severe winters ; being therefore better adapted for a sum-
mer or autumn, than for a spring crop.

III. BRASSICA NAPUS— Common or Winter Rape, Cole-seed, &c.

Specific characters. — Root tapering, hard, and woody ; leaves
all smooth, glaucous, thickish, or fleshy ; those of the root lyrate,
and those of the stem clasping or cordate, notched, and pinnatifid ;
biennial. Found in similar situations with the last species, from which
it is easily distinguished when young, by having smooth leaves,
while those of the other are roughish. Its seeds are also generally
larger than those of the B. campestris ; but this is not to be depended
upon as a distinguishing characteristic, as the size of seeds in this

190 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

as in most other plants are liable to be materially altered from the
soil on which they are grown, or previous culture of the seed stock.
A very superior variety of this species, under the name of Bras-
sica napus major, is much cultivated in Alsace, and is highly de-
serving of attention on account of the largeness of its leaves.

IV. BRASSICA PR/ECOX— Early Rape, Smooth-leaved Summer or
Ankual Rape of the Germans.

Also termed Kohl-reps.

Specific characters. — This species differs from the preceding
in being only of annual duration, consequently running to seed much
sooner, and in being less hardy, or when sown in the end of the sea-
son. Its lower stem-leaves are also more lyrate, and its seed-pods
more erect ; native of the Continent. Said to have been first intro-
duced into this country about the year 1812.

Seeds of this and the next species by Messrs J. G. Booth and Co.
Hamburgh.

V. BRASSICA RAPA — Rough-leaved Summer Annual, or Turnip

Rape.

Specific characters Roots small, hard, and fusiform ; root-
leaves lyrate, vivid green, and without the least appearance of that
glaucous bloom for which the foregoing sorts are so distinguished ;
stalk-leaves slightly glaucous, smooth, or nearly so, lower ones ge-
nerally lobed or cut, upper almost entire. Annual when sown in
the earlier part of the season. Seeds small, and similar to those of
the Common Turnip, of which it seems to be either a variety or the
origin from which the latter has been derived.

Although the rapes be generally included amongst oil plants, yet
their importance in some parts of Britain, as plants sown entirely for
the feeding of domestic animals, entitles most of the sorts to a place
amongst forage and herbage plants ; one or two, however, which
are hitherto less known, and which are supposed to be particularly
distinguished for the oleiferous properties which they possess, will be
noticed in the division denominated " Plants cultivated for their
Oils," which see. The place which rape should occupy in a regular
rotation is the same as that allotted to turnips or potatoes ; but it is
likewise sown and found to answer very well (when the soil is of
superior quality) as a first crop on newly reclaimed or broken up
grass land, to be eaten off in the end of autumn and succeeding win-

CRUCIFERvE. 191

ter by sheep. In some parts of England where the corn crops are
removed from the field at an early period, they are often succeeded
by a crop of rape which is either sown on the stubble and covered
in by a slight harrowing, or after the ground has received one plough-
ing, which method is always preferred when it can be done with
convenience, and provided the soil be not too soft in texture, and too
wet for allowing the crop to be eaten off by sheep during the winter
months. Although this method of sowing rape has often been tried
in Scotland, it has never been found to succeed so well as in Eng-
land, owing to the comparative lateness of the period at which the
previous crop is removed from the ground. The only sorts, how-
ever, the growth of which has hitherto been attempted in both coun-
tries, are B. campestris and B. napus ; and it is therefore not at all
improbable that B. prcecox or B. rapa, (sorts which, although they
yield a smaller supply of produce, yet arrive much sooner at matu-
rity), might be found to succeed corn crops with more advantage in
this climate of Scotland, than the two fii-st mentioned species, par-
ticularly than B. napus. In some districts rape is found a very bene-
ficial crop for sowing in June or beginning of July, on land that has
previously undergone a course of summer fallowing. The crop in
this case may either be eaten off with sheep in the months of Sep-
tember and October, and the ground immediately ploughed for
wheat ; or cut with the scythe and ploughed down as manure.

When rape is sown for the purpose of being eaten off with sheep, both
the broadcast and drill systems are adopted, but when intended to be
cut for feeding cows or other cattle in the house, the drill system is
often preferred. Rape will succeed well on all good turnip soils, and
also on such as are rather too stiff in texture for the latter. When sown
in drills, three to four pounds of seed to the acre will be sufficient ;
and when broadcast eight to ten will be necessary. The commonly
cultivated sorts of rape succeed well by being transplanted ; and al-
though this method is sometimes followed on the stubbles in England,
yet it is attended with too much labour to be a profitable system,
farther than perhaps filling up any vacancies which may occur in the
general crops.

Besides the green leaves of rape for feeding sheep and cattle, they
as well as horses are found to eat the smaller dry twigs or branches
of the plants with avidity after the ripe seed has been thrashed out,
and the thicker portions of the stalks may be employed as litter. This

192 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

practice of disposing of the straw or otFal yields a greater return of
manure, and is therefore deservedly recommended as preferable to
that of burning it, as is generally done by such as grow the seed for
the oil manufactory.

BUNIAS— HILL MUSTARD.

Generic characters — Cotyledons incumbent, linear, spirally
twisted ; silicle (small round pod) nut-like, not opening ; two to four
celled.

BUNIAS ORIENTALIS— Ohtental Bunias or Hill Mustard.

Specific characters Habit of growth upright, producing nume-
rous branches, with yellow flowers ; root, leaves, linear, dark green
and roughish, those of the stems few and small ; pods ovate, two-celled,
somewhat warted ; roots spreading, whitish, thick, and fleshy. Height
about four feet. Perennial ; native of the Levant, from which it was
introduced to Britain about the year 1731.

The field culture of Bunias orientalis has been greatly recommend-
ed by several French agriculturists, but although it is perfectly well
suited to the climate of this country, it does not seem possessed of
merits sufficient to entitle it to much attention ; the principal objec-
tions to it are the small quantity of leaves which it yields, particular-
ly on the flower stalk, which are very hard, and the tardiness of its
growth after being cut. It seems to thrive best in a rich, dry, and
rather light soil.

Amongst other herbage and forage plants of minor importance,
belonging to this division, might be mentioned Isatis tinctoria,
Dyers^ woad, which, however, belongs more properly to that class of
plants cultivated for their dye or colouring matter, (lohich see) ; also
Crambe maritimum — Sea-Cale ; Hesperis matronalis, Common
Rocket or Darnels Violet, several of the Mustard family, &c., which,
although eaten by cattle, are either too limited in their bulk of pro-
duce, or require too nice or careful cultivation to render them worthy
of attention, except when grown for other additional purposes.

COMPOSlTyE. 193

II. Plants belonging to the class Syngenesia of Linnaeus, and to
the natural order Compositce of Jussieu.

CICHORIUM— CHICCORY OR SUCCORY.

Generic characters Flowers of the disk and ray all herma-
phrodite ; involucre surrounded with scales or smaller leaflets ; re-
ceptacle naked or almost so, pappus (crown of the fruit or seed) ses-
sile, scaly, shorter than the pericarp or seedvessel.

I. CICHORIUM INTYBUS— Common or Wild Chiccor?.

Specific characters. — Flowers blue, in pairs, each having very
short, or almost no footstalks, numerous, and placed upon very long
branching stems ; leaves of various shapes and shades of colour, but
generally more or less hairy and runcinate (having their lobes hook-
ed back) ; roots rather thick and fleshy ; height, when in full flower,
from four to eight feet, and often more ; perennial ; grows naturally
in and about the edges of fields.

Although the cultivation of Common Chiccory has been a good
deal recommended as food for live-stock, particularly cattle and
swine, yet it seems not to have hitherto been followed to that
extent to which its superior merits entitle it. It thrives best
on rich soils, and such as are rather light and well drained. It
may be sown alone, either in drills or broadcast, and mixed in small
quantities, amongst grass, clover, and other seeds for pasture lands.
When the drill system is adopted, which in most cases is to be pre-
ferred, the rows may be at from fifteen to twenty inches distant, to
admit of hand and horse hoeing, and the plants should stand at least
six inches distant in the rows ; the sowing may be deferred till the
month of May, as, if this be done at an early period of the season, the
plants are apt to commence running to seed in the autumn months,
whereby they will be materially weakened, and the first crop of the
succeeding season considerably lessened. The operation of thinning
should be attended to when the plants are very young, and they
should be pulled with the hand, in soft weather, in preference to cut-
ting t'aem with a hoe, as the roots are very tenacious of life, and will
push out new buds although cut a good deal below the surface. One
considerable crop of root-leaves may be obtained in the end of au-
tumn the first season, and three, four, or even more, may be obtained
under very favourable circumstances during each of the four or five

194 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

seasons following, particularly if tlie first cutting be completed about
the time of the plants first shewing their flowers, when the average
height will be from three to five feet ; and in any case, the cutting
should not be deferred until the plants arrive at a more advanced
state, as the stalks then become hard and the future vigour of the
plants impaired. The broadcast system should only be attempted
where the soil is previously in a high state of fertility and complete-
ly free from root and annual weeds. The period of duration from
the time of sowing will be from four to six years, if cut regularly be-
fore arriving at full flower, after which they may be ploughed up and
the ground fallowed to get clear of the roots ; if, hoM^ever, the seed be
allowed to ripen, the plants will lose much of their vigour even after
the first crop. When drilled, 4 lb. or 5 lb. will be a sufficient
quantity of seed per acre, but 10 lb. or 12 lb. will be necessary for
sowing broadcast.

There are numerous varieties of Chiccory, none of which seem
possessed of much permanency in their characters when raised from
seed, at least so far as accords with present experience ; the most
distinct, however, is one with long thick roots, distinguished in France
by the name of Chiccoree a cafe, which is there grown for its roots
as a substitute for coffee.

Seeds of the Coffee Chiccory by M. Vilmorin and Co. Paris, and
specimens of the common sort, when coming in flower, height six
feet ; and one in ripe seed, height nine feet, by Mr A. Gorrie, Annat
Gardens.

II. CICHORIUM ENDIVIUM— Common Endive.

Specific characters. — Peduncles or footstalks of the flowers
twin, one short, with three or four flowers, and one long, generally
only one-flowered ; flowers capitate ; annual ; height two to three
feet. Said to be a native of the East Indies ; introduced about the
year 1548. The flowers of the Endive are similar to those of the
Common Chiccory, from vhich it is, however, easily distinguished,
not only by its annual natm-e and other characteristics given above,
but also by its having much more slender branches or stalks, on
which are comparatively few and small stalk leaves.

There are numerous varieties of Endive cultivated as a salad plant
in gardens, distinguished by the names of plain-leaved, curled-leaved,
green broad-leaved, &c. Although eaten by cattle, and with the same
apparent relish as Common Chiccory, yet none of these varieties

COMPOSITE. 195

yield a sufficient quantity of leaves to entitle them to extensive cul-
ture. As most of them, however, stand the weather in the earlier
winter months better than Lettuce, a small quantity might be found
of advantage by the cottager to plant after early potatoes have
been dug, for affording fattening and wholesome food for pigs ; for
this purpose the green curled and broad-leaved plain varieties are
best adapted.

LACTUCA— LETTUCE.

Generic characters. — Flowers of the disk and ray all herma-
phrodite; involucre imbricated, cylindrical ; its scales with a mem-
branous margin ; receptacle naked ; pappus simple, having a short
stalk.

LACTUCA SATIVA— Cultivated Lettuce.

Under Lactuca sativa is generally understood to be included all
the cultivated lettuces, but they are also by some botanists described
under various specific names, as L. sativa, L. palmata, L. crispa,
&c. Some of the varieties have been cultivated, both in this coun-
try and on the Continent, for feeding pigs. The chief advantages to
be derived from the growth of lettuce are its arriving early at ma-
turity, thereby affording a considerable bulk of food (if grown on
fallow land), which may be removed, when sown early in the season,
in time to admit of the soil being farther wrought, if necessary, be-
fore the usual period for sowing winter wheat. Another advantage
is, that it rather serves to enrich than exhaust the soil. When a re-
gular and large supply of lettuce is required, from about midsummer
till the end of autumn, it will require to be sown at intervals of
three weeks or a month from the end of March to the end of June.
The usual practice in field culture is to sow the seeds in drills about
fourteen inches apart, and to thin the young plants out with the
hand to the distance of eight or ten inches in the rows ; they may
also be sown in beds and transplanted by dibbling, which latter
practice is generally preferred when grown on a small scale, as by
cottagers who keep only one or two pigs. When drilled as above,
4 lb. or 5 lb. of seed will be sufiicient for an acre ; and the most
esteemed varieties for that purpose are the White and Green Cos,
and Large Cabbage Lettuces. The soil should be rather rich, and
\vell pulverised before sowing.

p 2

196 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

ACHILLEA— MILFOIL.

Generic characters. — Florets of the disk hermaphrodite, of
the ray female ; involucrum ovate ; imbricated unequal ; receptacle
plain, chaffy ; florets of the ray five to ten, roundish, obcordate*;
pericarps naked.

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM— Common Milfoil or Yakuow.

Specific characters. — Leaves bipinnate, slightly hairy, their seg-
ments linear, toothed, acute ; flower-stalks furrowed ; root stems,
which creep on the ground, striking root in the soil during damp
weather ; flowers generally white, but occasionally pink and some-
times even deep red ; perennial ; grows naturally in dry pastures on
light soils.

The Yarrow is reckoned a grateful food for sheep when mixed with
the common pasture grasses, and is therefore generally sown along
with such other seeds as are reckoned best adapted for permanent
sheep pasture, on such soils as it is found naturally to thrive ; the
quantity of seed should never exceed H lb. or 2 lb. per acre.

Specimen of a variety with brigiit red flowers by Dr Knapp, 9.
Duncan Street,found by him near Queensferry, and which is preserved
on paper in a very superior manner, and so as to retain the trufe
colours of the flowers and foliage in their original perfection.

Another species of the genus Achillea, viz. A. moschata, or Musk
Milfoil, a native of the south of Europe, is said to be a grateful food
for cattle, and on that account cultivated in Switzerland. Farther ex-
perience is, however, required concerning it, to ascertain whether or
not it is deserving of recommendation as such in this country; the
same may be said of several other plants of the family Compositce,
which have also been recommended for similar purposes, viz. seve-
ral species of the genus Hieracium, Rudhechia laciniata, &c. Many,
also, of our common weeds, belonging to the same order, are eaten
with avidity by cattle, sheep, and swine, but none of them seem de-
serving of cultivation for that purpose ; although as weeds, when
necessarily allowed a temporary growth, gathering them as cattle's
food may be the most economical mode of getting them eradicated.
Of these may be mentioned, Leontodon Taraxacum, Dandelion ;
Sonchus oleraceus. Common Annual Sow-thistle ; S. arvensis, Per-
ennial Corn do. ; Apargia autumnalis, Autumnal Dandelion ; Za/>-

ROSACEA. 197

sana communis. Common Nipplewort ; and Cnicus arvensis, Coni-
niou Corn or Horse Thistle.

III. Plants belonging to the class and order 3Ioncecia Polyandria
of Linnteus, and to the natural order Rosacete of Jussieu.

POTERIUM— BURNET.

Generic CHARACTERS. — Male and female organs in distinct flowers,
but on the same plant ; calyx of four leaves ; corolla four-parted ;
stamens in Ihe male or barren flower, about thirty to forty ; female
or fertile flower having two germens ; fruit two-celled, invested with
the calyx.

POTERIUM SANGUISORBA— Common Burnet.

Specific characters Leaves compound ; leaflets serrated or

toothed ; stems somewhat angular, branching ; stamens much longer
than the calyx ; perennial ; height two or three feet ; grows naturally
on chalky pastures in England.

The burnet was formerly sown either along with, or as a substi-
tute for clover amongst grass seeds for hay or pasture, to a very
great extent in some of the chalky districts of England ; but late
writers concur in stating that its cultivation is now rather on the
decline, although still grown to a considerable extent. It was never
grown much in Scotland, nor does it seem deserving of more general
encouragement, except, perhaps, in small quantities, as a mixture on
light sandy or calcareous soils.

IV. Plants belonging to the class and order Pentandria Monogynia
of Linnseus, and natural order Boraginece of Jussieu.

SYMPHYTUM—COMFREY.

Generic characters. — Flowers monopetalous, inferior; cylin-
drical or subcampanulate, with a short tube and a tubular inflated
limb ; orifice with five subulate rays converging into a cone ; stigma
simple ; seeds two or more, naked, gibbous, not pierced at the base.

SYMPHYTUM ASPERRIMUM— Rough on Prickly Comfrey.
Specific characters. — Leaves very rough stalked, heart-shaped;

198 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

broad and tapering to a point, of a bluish-green colour ; stem thickly
set with reversed prickles ; limb of the floAver campanulate ; colour
of the flower red or blue (changeable) ; height six to ten feet ; per-
ennial ; roots branching, thick and fleshy. Native of Siberia. In-
troduced in 1799.

As an agricultural plant, " the Prickly Comfrey was first brought
into notice by D. Grant, a nurseryman at Lewisham, and tried by a
number of cultivators. Cattle of every kind are said to be fond of
it ; and Mr Grant thinks an acre might be made to produce thirty
tons of green fodder in one year. The plant is of easy propagation
by seeds or roots ; it is also of gieat durability, and if once esta-
blished would probably continue to produce crops for many years ;
and in that point of view it would seem to be a valuable plant for
the cottager who keeps a cow." — Loudon's Gardener's Magazine,
1830.

Farther experience tends to prove that cattle become fond of this
plant, if not permitted to grow until the leaves and stalks get too
hard, although they may refuse it at first. Its great quantity of
produce, as stated above, does not seem overrated ; and with re-
gard to its duration, what has been there anticipated is correct. The
best mode of propagating it seems to be by dividing the roots, and
planting them in a good deep soil, in rows two feet apart and at
least fifteen inches between the plants. Seeds seldom ripen in quan-
tity, and seedling plants are long in arriving at maturity.

Others of the genus Symphytum, and particularly of the natural
family Boracjinece, might be equally relished by cattle, but few or
none of them can be compared to the above for bulk of produce.

V. Plants belonging to the class and order Hexandria Monogynia
of Linnaeus, and to the natural order Hemerocallidece of Jussieu.

HEMEROCALLIS— DAY-LILY.

Generic CHARACTERS Seeds producing only one seed-leaf; pe-
rianth (apparently corolla, but properly the calyx) inferior, coloured,
bell-shaped, with a subcylindrical tube ; stamens delicate ; stigma
small, simple, and villous.

UMBELLIFERyE. 1 aQ

HEMEKOCALLIS FUI.V A— Copper-coloured Day-lily.

Specific characters — Leaves light green, keeled, long and
pointed ; apparent petals copper-coloured, three inner obtuse, wavy ;
nerves of the outer branched ; root fibrous ; perennial; height three
to four feet. Native of the Levant ; introduced into Britain about
the year 1596.

This plant was first introduced to the notice of agriculturists in
the Gardener's Magazine, vol. v., by the late Mr J. Ellis, an eminent
English gardener and very worthy man. Cattle are extremely fond
of the foliage, which is produced in abundance at a very early period
of the season; the principal hinderance to its extensive cultivation is its
shyness in producing seed, from which circumstance it can only be
propagated by dividing and transplanting the roots. Another species,
H.Jiava, Yellow Day-lily, has also been recommended ; it is consider-
ably inferior to the other in produce, but of a more creeping habit of
growth, and may therefore be propagated with greater facility.

VL Plants belonging to the class and order FcHtandria Digynia of
Linnaeus, and to the natural order Umbelliferce of Jussieu.

APIUM— PARSLEY.

Generic characters. — Seeds in pairs, unarmed, without wings,
roundish or ovate, with acute ribs ; flowers in umbels, five-petaled,
superior ; petals roundish, with an inflexed point, nearly equal ;
styles much swollen at the base.

APIUM PETROSELINUM— Common Parsley.

Specific characters. — Root leaves compound, terminal leaflets
largest, and together with the rest plain, irregularly toothed, serrated,
or curled (changing in different varieties) ; stem-leaves generally
linear, with minute sheaths ; stems much branched, height three to
four feet ; colour of the flowers light yellow ; roots fusiform, biennial.
Native of Sardinia, from whence it is said to have been first intro-
duced to Britain in the year 1 548.

Parsley is eaten by most of our herbivorous domestic animals, par-
ticularly sheep ; and from being believed to act as a preventive of
the liver-rot in that animal, it has been recommended for sowing in
their pastures. Although its biennial duration does not suit well for

20Q HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

this purpose, it may enter into sueh mixtures in small quantities,
when the soil is of a light and medium description ; and if the pasture
is not kept very bare, it will be found to ripen, and scatter a sufficient
quantity of seed to perpetuate its existence. Of the numerous va-
rieties cultivated, that generally employed for the above purpose is
the Common Plain-leaved.

Others of the same natural family have been recommended, and
seem deserving of attention as cattle's food, particularly a species of
Heracleum, Cow-parsnip, from Siberia, which yields an extraordi-
nary bulk of root-leaves, of which cows are remarkably fond. As
yet, however, little more can be said regarding this plant, which was
presented by Mr James Smith, nursery and seedsman, Ayr ; who also
exhibited it at the Highland and Agricultural Society's Show at that
place in 1835.

VII. Plants belonging to the class and order Tetrandria Monogynia
of Linnaeus, and to the natural order PlantaginecB of Jussieu.

PLANTAGO—PLANTAIN.

Generic characteks. — Flowers monopetalous, inferior, four-
parted, with a reflexed limb, in an ovate or oblong spike or head ;
calyx also four-cleft ; stamens very long, seed vessels two-celled, two
or many seeded.

PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA—RiB-GRAss.

Specific characters — Leaves lanceolate, tapering towards both
ends, spreading, prostrated or lying on the ground ; spikes or heads
dark coloured, short, and ovate ; stems without leaves, angular, and
rising to the height of twelve or eighteen inches ; cells two-seeded ;
perennial. Grows naturally on dry pastures.

The Rib-grass produces its foliage at an early period of the sea-
son when it is eaten by cattle, sheep, and horses, on which account
its mixture with grasses on dry pastures has been much recom-
mended, and practised ; however, it seems deservedly getting into
less repute, from its close spreading leaves occupying too great a
surface, to the partial exclusion of the more profitable grasses, clovers,
&c., and also from live-stock in general seeming rather to manifest
a dislike to its stalks and leaves, as the season becomes more ad-?
vauced.

CARYOPHTLLE^. 201

VIII. Plants belonging to the class and order Decandria Pentagynia
of Linnaeus, and to the natural order Cart/opht/llecB of Jussieu.

SPERGULA— SPURREY.

Generic characters Segments of the calyx five ; petals five,

entire ; seed-vessel ovate, five-valved, one-celled, many-seeded.

SPERGULA ARVENSIS— CojiMON Spuhrey or Yarr.

Specific characters. — Leaves subulate, in whorls; flowers
white ; footstalks becoming reflexed towards the period of seed ri-
pening ; seeds somewhat kidney-shaped, angular, rough, and of a black
colour ; annual ; height six inches to a foot. Grows naturally in corn
fields, on very light dry soils.

Spurrey is much grown in Germany, as winter pasture for sheep
and cattle ; it is sown on the stubble after the corn crops are re~
moved. Mutton, as also the milk and butter of cows, fed on it, are
said to be of very superior quality. There is also a very distinct
variety, termed Spergula arvensis ramosus. Branching Spurrey.
Cultivated in the same country, which is rather earlier than the
common sort, and in bulk of produce compared with it, may be
reckoned as three to two. It does not appear, however, that either
of these deserve much attention from the British agriculturist, and in
inferior light soils there is generally a sufficient quantity of the com-
mon sort naturally, if the tilth is too fine.

IX. Plants belonging to the class and order Icosandria Pentagynia
of Linnaeus, and to the natural order RosacecB of Jussieu.

SPIRiEA— MEADOW-SWEET.

Generic characters. — Petals five, inferior (under tlie seed-ves-
sel), calyx five-cleft, spreading ; seed-vessel opening inwards, one-
celled, two-valved, one to three seeded.

SPIRyEA ULMARIA — Common Meadow-sweet, or Queen of the

Meadow.

Specific characters. — Leaves compound, roughish, downy be-
neath, terminal leaflet largest, and divided into three lobes, side ones
undivided ; flowers white, leaves mostly produced from the root ;
height two to three feet ; perennial. Grows naturally in damp situa-

202 herbagp: and forage plants.

tions, by the sides of ditches, rivers, &c. and may be always consi-
dered as indicative of a superior damp soil.

The culture of this plant has been recommended by several agri-
cultural writers (chiefly French), but it is very apt to be injured by
mildew, and cattle do not seem particularly fond of it ; and, at any
rate, such soils as it will thrive on may be occupied by several other
plants with much greater profit to the cultivator.

X. Plants belonging to the class and order Moncecia Monadelphia
of Linnaeus, and to the natural order Cucurhitacece of Jussieu.

CUCURBITA— GOURD.

Generic characters. — Stamens three, united towards the base of
the filaments ; calyx and corolla in both the male and female flowers
five-parted ; seeds of the fruit with a tumid edge.

CUCURBITA PEPO— PusiPKiN.

Specific characters. — Leaves rough, cordate, indistinctly five-
lobed ; flowers large, yellow, and campanulate ; fruit roundish or ob-
long, smooth ; stems trailing or spreading on the ground, to the
length of ten, twenty, and, under favourable circunistances, have
been known to extend as far as forty or fifty feet from the root ; an-
nual. Supposed to have been first introduced from the Levant in
1570.

The Pumpkin, as well as several others of the genus, is cultivated
in some parts of America, and other warm countries, as food for
cattle and pigs ; they will eat the young leaves and fruit, but not with
much apparent relish, except, perhaps, when for some time accustomed
to them. The fruit, when in a state for using, should not be much
more than half grown, when the average weight of each may be com-
puted at from 10 lb. to 20 lb. But although the plants will grow and
ripen fruit under favourable circumstances, they are scarcely consi-
dered worthy of the cattle-feeder's attention in this country.

SiJeciraens of the fruit of others of the genus presented to the Mu-
seum, are included amongst horticultural productions (which see).

PRANGOS PABULARIA,

From the Himalaya Mountains, where it is said to form a valuable
hay and forage plant, but concerning \vhich little more is as yet
known than the name.

GRASS SEEDS.

203

Specimen of seeds by Messrs Vilmorin, Andrieux, & Co., who re-
ceived them this year from Botanic Garden, Calcutta, 1835. These
seeds were sown in Ausrust but did not vesretate.

ON THE KINDS AND QUANTITIES OF GRASS
SEEDS FOR SOWING DOWN LAND.

In an article by " Mr Lawson" on this subject (in the Quarterly
Journal of Agriculture, vol. iv.) Tables are given of the weights,
and of the kinds and quantities, of Grass Seeds suited to alternate
husbandry, permanent pasture, pleasure grounds, &c. per Scotch acre.
The subject is of considerable importance ; and although much re-
mains yet to be done by a continuation of careful and minute trials
and comparisons, yet since the publication of those Tables, the re-
sults of experiments have warranted some alterations on them, and
which are now introduced in the following improved Tables, in which
economy to the cultivator has been attended to ; and they are ac-
commodated to the imperial acre, now the legal standard of mea-
sure.

In preparing Grass Seeds for sowing in mixture, it has been found
that a reference to weight is more correct in practice than to mea-
sure ; and for the sake of comparison, the former Tables, with some
additions, giving the average weight of a bushel of each kind of seed,
are here inserted.

Weight of the Seed^ of Grasses and other Plants, per imperial bushel.

' Agrostis stolonifera, .

vulgaris,
Aira flexuosa,
Alopecurus geniculatus

pratensis,
Arrhenatherum arenaceruni
Anthoxanthum odoratum,
Avena flavescens,
Briza media,
Cjnosurus cristatus, .
Dactylis glomerata,
Elymus arenarius,
Festuca duriuscula,

elatior,

helerophylla,

loliacea,

ovina, .

. 13 lb.

Festuca tenuifolia,

. 13 lb

. 12

pratensis,

. 124

• H

rubra, .

. 10

(;

sylvatica,

. 10^

• H

Glyceria fluitans,

. 144

m, 7

i'u;<, glauca,

• 74

nam oralis, .

13f

pratensis,

13i

. 104

trivialis,

15A

. 26

Holcus lanatus,

■ \n

Ivolium perenne, the vaiieti

vary from \i

! to 30

. 94

italicum,

164

. 20

Phalaris arundinacea,

. 124

Phleum pratense,

. 15

Poa annua,

. \H

aqiiatica,

13i

28Ub

Trifoliuui pratense,

62 lb.

cow -grass,

procumbens,

63 f

repens,

. 65

5l|

Vicia sepum,

. 65

24|

cracca,

644

svlvatica,

204 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

Clovers and other Plants.

Achillea Millefolium,
Hedysarum Onobrychis,
Lotus major,
Medicago lupulina,
Plantago lanceolata,
Poterium Sanguisorba,
Trifolium minus,

Climate, altitude, and particular circumstances influencing the
locality, produce marked differences on the vegetation of countries.
But the sphere within which plants are cultivated in a single coun-
try such as Britain, is comparatively limited ; and the pasture grasses
have, it is conceived, a wider range of cultivation than the cereal
grains. Where land is under the plough, therefore, and can pro-
duce the cereal grains and other cultivated plants, the natural grasses
will grow with vigour. In elevated moors, and similar situations,
indeed, the case is different, but the tables embrace such situations.

The herbage is influenced by the different kinds of soils, and espe-
cially with relation to their states of dryness or wetness. Soils have,
therefore, as a convenient arrangement, and adapted to practical pur-
poses, been classed under three divisions, — light, medium, and heavy.
The light embrace soils more or less of a sandy and gravelly nature %
the heavy soils embrace clays and heavy loams, and the medium soils
are to be regarded as an intermediate class between these two ex-
tremes ; — a light wet soil with respect to the grasses suited to it,
approaching towards the heavy soils, and a dry heavy soil approach-
ing towards the light soils. — Mr Lawson on Grasses, Quarterly
Journal of Agriculture, vol. iv.

In sowing down grass lands icithout a crop, the benefit in hay or
pasture is sooner acquired, without the soil being in any degree
exhausted by a corn crop. In most cases, however, a greater quan-
tity of seed is necessary, than where the young grass enjoys the pro-
tection and shelter afforded by a cereal crop. These advantages may
in a great measure be gained in sowing down grass lands without a
crop, and with a considerable saving of grass seeds, by sowing along
with the mixture, a bushel of rye or of winter barley per acre, in
autumn sowing, for shelter in winter ; and a bushel of barley per acre
for protecting the young plants from the scorching drought of sunir
nier, when sown in spring ; observing that the barley or rye shalj
jje eaten or cut down while in a green state.

GRASS SEEDS.

205

QUANTITY OF GRASS SEED TER IMPERIAL ACRE.
I. For Alternate Husbatidry.

Lolium perenne . . .
Phleum pratense . . .
Trifoliuin praiense . .
perenne .
repens . . .
Metlicagu lupulina . .

Light and Medium Soil.

Heavy Soils.

I Year's
Hay.

1 Year's
Hay and
1 year's
Pasture.

1 Year's
Hay and

2 years'
Pasture.

1 Year's
Hay.

1 Year's
Hay and

1 year's
Pasture.

1 Year's
Hay and

2 years'
Pasture.

18 ]b.
8
2

181b.
6

181b,

3
3
4
2

18 1b.

1
8

18 lb.
1
6

181b.
1
3
3
4
2

30 1

Although Lolium italicurn, when sown in too great a proportion,
from its strong habit of growth is apt to choke or weaken the clo-
vers, yet by substituting 5 lb. of it for 8 lb. Lolium perenne in the
above table, the produce will be materially improved.

In proportion to the tenacity and retentiveness of very heavy soils,
Phleum pratense should be increased from ^ lb. to 1^ lb. additional,
and in many cases, for one and two years' pasture, Arrhenatherum
avenaceum-, Dactylis glomerata, Poa trivialis, and some others, might
he partly substituted for Lolium perenne, varying the kinds and
quantities according to circumstances.

II. — 1. For Permanent Pasture.

\ Light

Soils.

Medium Soils.

Heavv

Soils.

With a

Without

With a

Without

With a

Without

Alopecurus pratensis, .

crop.

a crop.

crop.

a crop.

crop.

a crop.

1 lb.

Hlb.

I lib.

2 lb.

Avena flavescens, . . .

Dactylis glomerata, .

Festuca duriuscala, . .

heterophylla,

loliacea, . .

pratensis,

•->

rubra, , .

Lolium perenne, . .

Phleum pratense, . .

Poa pratensis, ....

trivialis, . . .

Medicago lupulina, .

Trifolium pratense perei

repens, . . .
And Common Barlev or Rye

29^

about one bushel additiona

384

to such as are sown without

a Crop.

206

HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

The foregoing table is drawn out with a view to the strictest eco-
nomy as regards the original outlay ; yet by introducing 4 lb. Lo-
lium italicum for 5 lb. Loliuni perenne, the bulk of pasture will be
increased, and the quality improved ; and where the value of the
seeds of Lolium italicum does not exceed three or four times those
of Lolium perenne, a more profitable return upon the whole will be
yielded by its introduction.

The following table contains a greater proportion of the more rare
and valuable sorts of seeds, although these will add considerably to
the first expense, yet the improved produce will annually give a
greater return ; and to the mixture in both tables may be introduced
with advantage, on dry and elevated sheep pastures, 2 lb. to 4 lb. of
Festuca ovina ; on dry light lands, | lb. Achillea Millefolium ; on
dry calcareous soils, 6 lb. to 10 lb. Onohrycliis sativus ; in some
cases 1 lb. to 2 lb. of Cichorium Inti/bus ; and 2 lb. Apium Petro-
selinum on lands where sheep are subject to liver-rot ; and in all
cases when a crop of hay is intended to be taken the first year, 2 lb.
Lolium perenne, I lb. Lolium italicuin, and 2 lb. Trifolium pratense
should be added.

II — 2. For Permanent Pasture.

Light

Soils.

Medium Soils.

Heavs

Soils.

With a

Without

With a

Without

With a

Without

Aira casspitosa lutescens, .

crop.

a crop.

crop.

a irop.

crop.

a crop.

.. lb.

1 lb.

Alopecurus pratensis, . .

Arrhenatherum avenaceum,

Arena flavescens, . . ,

Dact3'lis glomerata, . ,

Festuca duriuscula, . .

heterophylla,

elatior, . . .

loliacea, . . .

pratensis, . . .

rubra

Lolium italicum, . . .

perenne, . . .

Phleum pratense, . . .

Poa nemorahs, . • . .

pratensis, . . .

Irivialis, . . .

Medicago lu])ulina, . .

Trifolium pratense perenne,

repens,

Also barlev, or rye, as in

4 :

384

the last table.

GRASS SEEDS. 207

III 1. 7^0?" Permanent Pasture in Ornamental Park^.

Light Soils.

Mediub

Soils, j

Heav ■'

- SorLS.

With a

Without

With a

Without

With a

Without

Alopecurus pratensis,

crop.

a crop.

crop.

a crop.

crop.

a crop.

lib.

lilb.

1 lb.

2 lb.

3 lb.

Anthoxanthum odoratum,

Avena flavescens, . .

Dactylis glomerata,

Festuca duriuscula,

loliacea, . .

pratensis, . .

rubra, . . .

Lolium perenne, . .

. 10

Phleuin pratense, . .

Poa nemoralis, . . .

; 1

trivialis, . .

Trifolium pratense pcrenn

'' ]

repens, . . •
IWith a bushel of Barley

orj 2H

33 i

324

39 i

1 Rje, M'hen sown withou

t a,

crop.

III. — 2. For Permanent Pasture in Ornamental Parks.

Light

Soils.

Medium Soils,

Heavy

Soils.

With a

Without

With a

Without

With a

Without

Aira cnespitosa lutescens,

crop.

a crop.

crop.

a crop.

crop.

a crop.

0 lb.

Ulb.

2 lb.

Ub.

2 lb.

Alopecurus pratensis, .

Anthoxanthum odoratum,

Avena flavescens, . .

Festuca duriuscula, .

beterophylla,

loliacea, . .

pratensis, .

rubra, . .

Lolium italicum.

perenne, . .

Phleum pratense,

Poa nemoralis, . .

trivialis, . . ,

„

Lotus corniculatus, .

Oi^

major, . . .

Trifolium pratense perenne.

repens, . . .
Batlev or rje, 1 bushel, as

34i

37i

34 i

in Table IIL 1.

The remarks attached to Tables II. 1. and II. 2. are applicable to
the ivfo far permayient pasture in ornamental parlis, \\\i\\ the excep-
tion of the Cichorium Intybus and Onobrychis sativtis, the foliage of
which are rather unsightly in such grounds.

208

HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

IV. — For Lawns, Boioling-greeiis, <^c. kept constantly under the

scythe.

Avena flavescens, . . .
Cynosurus cristatus, . .
Festuca pratensis, . . .
tenuifolia, . . .
Lolium perenne (fine leaved )

var.), j

Phleum pratense, . . .
Poa nenioralis, ....
Trifoliuni repens, . . .

Add one bushel Barley or
Rye, when sown without
a crop.

Light Soils. , Medium Soils. |

Heavy Soils.

With a
crop.

vVithout
a crop. 1

With a
crop.

Without
a crop.

With a
crop.

Without
a crop.

1 lb.
(>
3
2

2
4

Ulb.'

4
3

2i
4'

Oilb.
6
4
2

3
4

1 lb.
6
6
3

10
5

.. lb.
6
5
2

1
4
4

.. lb.
6
6
3

4
5

29 i

33i

35 i

Where the ground is shaded by trees, the above Table will be
materially improved by increasing tlie quantity of Poa nemoralis 2 lb.
or 3 lb. additional, and on very light dry soils Festuca tenuifolia 2 lb.
and Avena Jlavescens 1 lb.

In walks, bowling-greens, &c., which are wished to be kept as
dry as possible (particularly in the end of the season), Trifolium
repens should be sparingly if at all introduced ; for although its
presence may be desirable for facilitating the operations of mowing,
yet its foliage is found to retain, or considerably to retard, the eva-
poration of dew and other moisture.

V. For Grounds mttch Shaded with Trees.

Light

Soils.

Mediuj

Soils.

Heavy

Soils.

With a

Without

With a

Without

Witha

Without

Agrostis vulgaris, . . .

Crop.

a Crop.

Crop

a Crop.

Crop.

a Crop.

1 lb.

•. lb.

1 lb.

2 1b.

.. lb.

..lb.

Anthoxanthura odoratuni,

Dactvlis glomerata.

Festuca elatior, . . .

sylvatica, . .

I.olium perenne, . .

Poa nemoralis, . . •

trivialis, . • .

Trifolium repens, . .

Barley or Rye when sowr
without a crop, 1 bushe

i. ^

GRASS SEEDS.

209

When the trees form too dense a shade to admit of corn crops
under them, a greater proportion of Poa nemoralis, Festuca sylva-
tica, and Festuca elatior, may be introduced, and the total quantities
will require to be increased from 6 to 10 lb. from the statements
given in the previous table ; and in any case may be added when con-
venient. Lotus major, Vicia sepiwn, V. sylvatica, and V. Cracca,
regulating the kinds and quantities, according to soil and degree of
shade.

VI. For Landin preparation for Irrigation.

Agrostis stolonifera, . .
Alopecurus pratensis,
Festuca loliacea, . . .
pratensis, , . .
Gljceria fluitans, . . .
Lolium perenne, . . .

Poa trivialis,

Phleum pratense, . . .

Light

Soils.

Medium Soils.

HBAV-i

Soils.

With a
Crop.

Without
a Crop.

With a
Crop.

Without
a Crop.

With a
Crop.

Without
a Crop.

2 lb.
1
3
2
]
10
2
1

3 lb.
2

4
2

10
3

2 lb.
2
4
2
2
10
2

3 lb.
3
5
2
3
10
3
2

2 lb.
2
4
2
3
10
3
2

3 lb.
3
5
2
3
10
4
3

Barley or Rye 1 bush, when
sown without a crop.

26^

25i

By introducing 3 lb. of Lolium italicum into the above mixture,
5 lb. of L. perenne will be sufficient.

VII. For Heathy and Moory Lands, which have been pared and
burned, or otherwise improved, with a view to their producing
better pasturage.

Mixed hay seeds, ....
Lolium italicum, ....
Trifolium repens, ....

Rye (when sown without a
crop) one bushel.

With a
crop.

Without'
a crop.

/ With a
crop.

Without
a crop.

241b.
5

301b.
6

181b.

> OR, { 3

211b
4
6

36 ! 26

These will rarely afford any thing more than a very cheap mix-
ture of seeds, and the above are adapted for such lands. When lands
of this description are of a damp nature, the following may be intro-
duced as part of the Iiay seeds : — Phleum pratense, 1 to 3 lb., Poa tri-
vialis, 2 to 3 lb., Holcus lanatus 1 to 2 lb , and Agrostis stolonifera,

210

HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

1 to 2 lb. When they are of high altitude, as 500 feet and upwards
above the level of the sea, and especially if the soil is dry, and in-
tended to be depastured with sheep, the following may be introduced
as being naturally adapted for mountain pastures : — Festuca ovina,

2 lb. ; F. duriuscula, 2 lb, ; Aira flexuosa, 1 lb.; Poa glauca, 1 lb. ;
and Trifolium pratense perenne, 2 lb.

VIII. For improved deep Mossy ground, intended to lie in Grass.

With a

Without .
a crop.

With a

Without

Agrostis stolonifera, . . .

crop.

a crop.

lib.

21b.

Alopecurus pratensis, ;
Festuca duriuscula, . .

2
2

Lolium perenne, . . .
italicum, . .

\ ^"' <;

6
3

Phleum pratense, . .
Poa trivialis, ....

2
2

24
2|

2
2

2^
2^

Trifolium repens, . .
Lotus major, ....

Rye (when sown without a
crop) one bushel.

23^

27 f

^4^

271

IX. For Marshy grounds, and such as are occasionally overjlmved
by fresh water.

Agrostis stolonifera,
Festuca loliacea, .
Glyceria aquatica,

fkiitaus, .
Phalaris arundinacea,
Phleum pratense, .
Poa trivialis, . .
Lotus major, . .

Alluvial

Peaty

soik.

soils.

21b.

41b.

For sowing down lands occasionally subject to be overflown, and
on which the water may not be liable to become stagnant, (particu-
larly in the winter and spring months,) it will be found advantageous
to add to the quantities above stated a mixture of Lolium perenne
and L. italicum, to the extent of from 3 lb. to 6 lb.

GRASS SEEDS. 21 1

X. For Warrens or Light Sandy Links.

Lolium perenne, 12 lb.

Festuca rubra, 4

Agrostis vulgaris, 2

Alopecurus agrestis, 1

Cjnosurus cristatus, 2

Poa pratensis, 2

Poterium sanguisorba, 2

Onobrychis sativa, 3

Achillea millefolium, 0^

Trifolium repens, 3

Medicago lupulina, 3

34^
Rye or Barley one bushel.

XI. For Drifting Sands, which may he fixed and have a Sward pro

diirpd. i/.nnn thfim.

duced upon them.

By sowing F/ymus arenarius 6 lb. and Ammophilla arundinacea
4 lb., which should be mixed with clay and straw ropes cut in small
pieces and dibbled into the sand. After the sands have become con-
solidated, the mixture recommended for warrens or light sandy links
may then be sown.

XII. For dry gravelly situations, which resist a sward from all or-
dinary means

Agrostis vulgaris, 6 lb.

Festuca rubra, 3

Poa pratensis, 6

The number of these tables for sowing down lands to grass, might
have been extended so as to suit a considerably greater variety of
such circumstances as frequently present themselves in practice ;
but as they embrace what may be termed the most distinct classes
of soil, and the different purposes for which lands are generally
sown down with grasses, they have been deemed sufficient, parti-
cularly as judgment and discrimination must in many cases be exer-
cised both regarding the kinds and quantities of seeds to be sown.
Thus it may be expedient, in particular cases, to withdraw, either

212 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

wholly or partly, certain grasses, and to substitute others ; and this
is more especially to be kept in view where lands have a tendency
naturally to produce any particular grass, which although desirable
to a certain extent may, when too predominant, be but secondary
with reference to the special object desired. And it is also very
material to keep in view the altitude, exposure, and any other pecu-
liarities which may present themselves in the constitution of the
lands ; as whether the soil or subsoil be naturally moist or dry, and
whether these same be of a calcareous, ferruginous, or other nature
at all likely to affect the growth of certain species or varieties, of the
grasses, clovers, and other plants, which it may be desirable to grow
on such.

{ 213 )

PLANTS CULTIVATED CHIEFLY FOR THEIR

ROOTS.

I. PLANTS HAVING TUBEROUS ROOTS.

* Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Monogynia of Linnaeus,

and to the natural order Solanece of Jussieu.

SOLAN UM_POTATO.

To give the generic and specific characteristics of such a well-
known plant as the Solanum tuberosum — Common Potato, would
be considered useless and uncalled for in this place, and is therefore
dispensed with.

The vast importance of the Potato in the agriculture of this coun-
try, the liability to disease in some varieties, from which others are
in a great measure exempted, the adaptation of some varieties to par-
ticular soils, with the difference in quality and produce, induced the
continuation of farther attention to the acquisition of superior varie-
ties, since the result of former experiments, as contained in the Tables
by Mr Lawson, which appeared in the ninth volume of the Prize
Essays and Transactions of the Highland Society of Scotland.
These, combined with farther observations, are now expressed in
Tables considerably extended and improved in classification. To
these Tables are added notices of specimens received in the Mu-
seum, from different cultivators, with the judicious accompanying
remarks of the donors, forming upon the whole, it is presumed, a
list_from which the cultivator may easily select suitable varieties,
and reject such as to him may appear either unadapted to his soil,
or which for other reasons may seem unworthy of culture.

Remarks Explanatory of the folloivhig Tables.

\st COLUMN. — No. Those marked thus * are good, and likely, un-
der certain circumstances, to be deserving of cultivation ; thus **,
sorts which either receive or are deserving of extensive cultivation ;
thus *** sorts of first-rate quality and deserving of cultivation under
the greatest variety of circumstances.

2rf, — Name. In this column the varieties in the first four classes
and their divisions are inserted progressively, according to their time
of ripening.

2d, — The statements in this and the following columns are all de-
rived from specimens grown in the nursery at Meadowbank (with a
few exceptions, which are noticed in course ;) soil black loam of me-
dium texture, and of a medium degree of fertility.

014! TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

8th,— Colour, and other peculiarities of the skin. The results in
this column must, in some instances, be rather vague, particularly in
the case of the vainous coloured varieties, from the circumstance that
red, blackish, or other coloured sorts often become interspersed with
white blotches, by being (as is supposed) cultivated too long without
change of seed, also from the effects of disease or other causes. As a
proof of which, in the first report of Messrs Dickson and TurnbuU's
Agricultural Museum at Perth, a remarkable instance is given of a
white variety of the Perthshire red potato, being obtained by Miss
Bishop, New Scone, from a red potato with a white eye, which she

ClassI, — Earliest Garden Sorts adapted for forcing

+ Jioundish-shaped Whitish Tubers. ^

Name.

Height

of
1 Stem.

Fox's Early Delight,

™ Early Globe,

Williamson's Favour-
ite,

Dwarf Early Frame,

Common ditto,

Foxly, ....

Ross's Early, . .

Feet.
1

n
1

Habit of Growth.

Upright.
Slender, reclining

do.
Slightly reclined.

do.
Spreading.

do.

Foliage.

Flower.

ft Oblong, or Kidney-shaped Whitish Tubers.
1 : Slender, reclining.)

London Dwarf Kid-
ney,

Fox's John Bull, or
I Early Kidney,

do.

Dark green, rough, and

crowded.
Light green, long, and

drooping.
Light green.

Light green,close,rough«

and wrinkled.
Medium, smooth, and

light green.
Light green.

Light green, dense, and
rougli.

Loose, long, light green,
recurved at edges.
do.

None,
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.

do.
do.

Class II.— Earliest Garden Potatoes not so well adapted fa

t Roundish-shaped Whitish Tubers

•••10 [Early Seedling, . .

• 11 London Early Round

•• 12 Musgrove's Snow-
I White, ....

• 13 London Particular,
14 Ash-leaved Early,

••• 15

•• 16

• 17

•18

Hopetoun Early,
Invermay Early,

Manly,

Slender, straggling.

Rather upright and
compact,
do.

do.
Upright and loose.

Stems strong,upright.
Spreading.

do.

1 1 Oblong or Kidney-shaped Whitish Tubers

Magnificent Kidney,
New Elm-leaved do,

•* 2i

•\--\-Y Coloured Tubers.

*• 20, Dryden Early do.

Kay's Early Ameri-
can,

Rather upright, and

compact.
Do. do. do.

Pretty upright.
Slender, spreading.

Light, green, smooth,

and shining.
Dark green, very rough

and wrinkled- like.
Roughish.

Light green, roughish.
Long, smooth, shining

and drooping.
Roughish & wrinkled.
Small, and recurved at

the edges.
Rather small.

Small, light green, and

rather rough.
Broad and rough.

Roughish, dark green.

Light green, smoothish,
and slightly sliining.

None.

do.

do.
do.

do.

do.
do.
do.

do.

POTATOES.

215

carefully cut out and planted by itself — the result of which is, that
the produce has for several years retained the same colour as the
original eye without the slightest appearance of change.

11//;, Grains Trot/ of starch in I lb. Tr 01/ of clean tubers. Those

marked * are presented by Andrew Howden, Esq. Lawhead, and
have been grown in the nursery only one year ; their produce of
starch per pound is extracted from his interesting Essay on the com-
. parative value of different varieties of the potato, published in the
Transactions ot the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
vol. xi.

071 account of their dwarf habit of growth.

No.

Shape of Tubers.

Colour, and other peculi-
arities, of the skin.

Slightly hollow at the

ends.
Round, few eyed.

Slightly elongated.

Small, round.

Medium sized, round.

Irregularly round, and

small.
Round, medium sized.

Flat, thickest near the
point, eye^prominent.

Long, of nearly uniform
thickness.

Slightly rough, nett-
ed-like.
do.

Smooth.

do.

Rough ish.

Very smooth.

Smooth.

Smooth,
do.

Fold
of In-
craase.

13
8
6
5
7
6

15
13

General Remarks.

Mealy, superior flavour,

healthy.
Mealy, good flav., healthy.

Do.

do.

Waxy, inferior flavour, ra-
ther unhealthy.
Mealy, good flav., healthy.

Waxy, inferior flavour, un-
healthy.

Mealy, good flavour, very
unhealthy.

Waxy at small end, indiff"er-
ent flav., pretty healthy.

Pretty mealy, good flavour,
and healthv.

Starch in
1 lb. of
Tubers

Grs. Troy.
(jlO

575

678
418
393
393
591

350
543

forcing as the preceding, on account of their taller habit of growth.

10 Round, few eyed.

Large, round, with
small deep eyes.

Round, 6r hollow at the
point.

Round,or slightly elon-
gated.

Roundish.

Large, round, with few
eyes.

Round.

Round, pretty large.

18 Small, not very oblong,

19 Smallest towards the
stalk.

20 Large, with few and
prominent eyes.

Slightly oblong, flat-
tish.

Very white, smooth.

Roughish.

Remarkably white,
rough, and netted.
Roughish.

do.
Dull, white, rough,

netted-like.
Very white, smooth,
White and smooth.

White and smooth,
do.

Slightly rough.

Light red, roughish,

10
9

9
13

10
12

Mealy, superior flav. very

healthy.
Mealy, good flavour, lather

liable to curl.
Medium, good flavour, very

healthy.
Do. do. do.

Do. medium flavour, do.
Mealy, good flavour, do.

Do. do. do.

Do. do. not very healthy.

Mealy, good flav. apt to curl.
Medium, medium flavour,

pretty healthy.
Do. " do. do.

Mealv, medium flav., very
healthv.

615

584

592

575

547
592

610
450

613

403
506

590

216

TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

+ Rou7idish-shaped Whitish Tubers.

Class III — Second Early

• 26

• 97

•••29

• 30
•31

•• 32

•••33

••34

• 35
36
37

••38

•39
.0

•••41

• 42

• 44

• 45

• 46
•• 47

48
'• 49

• 50

• 51

Early Champion,

Dwarf Amer. Early,
Dutch Early, . .

Early Wellington,

Early Cluster, . .
Seek no Farther,

Prince of Wales
Early, ....
Tall American Early,

Early Prolific, . .
Lawhead Early

White, ....
New Early Windsor

Seedling, . . .
Shaw's Early, . .

Height

of
Stem.

Habit of Growtli.

Slender, spreading.

do.
Compact, bushy.

Strong, upright.

Strong, and pretty up

right.
Slender, spreading.
Rather do. do.

do.

Rather strong, up-
right.

-f- -|- Oblong or Kidney-shaped Whitish Tubers.
Upright, compact.

Rather upright, and
compact.

Pretty upright,
ight,
pact.

Very upright, com-

Matchless Kidney,

Ross's Pigmy do.

Musgrove's Giant do

Cape of Good Hope

White Sutherland
do

H
U
If

Spreading.

Rather upright.

do.

Very upright, com-
pact.

■f- -f + Roundislushaped Coloured Tubers.

Painted Ladj', Early.

Purple-skinned, do.

Taylor's Forty-fold.
Lawhead Early Red.

Upright, compact.

Dwarf and bushy.

Slender spreading.
do.

Foliage.

Dark green, short, and

wrinkled-like.
Light green, roughish.
Darkish green, rough.

Slightly recurved.

Light green, large,close
Light green, largest,

rough.
Lightish green, dense,

and rough.
Loose & lightish green,

Large, lightish green.
Light, green, and loose

Long and loose.

Roughisl) and large.

Short, and dark green.

Dark green.

Rough, and light green.

do.

Dark green, short, and
reflexed.

Short, small, and rough

Small and rough.

Light green.
Dark green.

Light purp.

tipped grn.
None.
Various, —

white, light

purple, and

reddish .
None.

do.
do.

do.

Whitish.

None,
do.

do.

Seldom flow-
ers.

None.

Light purp.

White.

Seldom flow-
ers.
White.

None.

Seldom flow-
ers.
do.
do.

Class IV. — Early Field Potatoes, the leaves and stems of which, (under

taken up, and the tubers of

-f- Roundish-shaped Whitish Tubers
Dickson's Early,

Aberdeen Favourite,

or Possie's, . .
Late Prolific, . .

Paterson's White,

Gamekeeper's Round

White, . . .
Quebec Profit, . .

Old flat White, .

Leather-coat, . .

Walls of Great Bri-
tain, . . • . .

-a

Rather upright.

Stout and bushy.

Loose and straggling.

Rather upright.

Spreading.

Upright, compact.

Strong, and slightly
spreading,
do.

Stiff and upright.

Very light green.

Large and close.

Thinner, scattered- like.

Darkish green.

Large, rough, and light
green,
do.

Large, lightish green.

do.

Reflexed and compact.

Light purple.

White.

Very light

purple.

do.

Whitish.

Very light

purple.
Whit^h.

do.

POTATOES.

217

Garden Potatoes.

30
31

34
35
36
37
38

41
42

Shape of Tubers.

Colour, and other Pecu-
liarities of the Skin.

Round, e3'es few, small,

and deep.
Slightly flattened.
Small, with large eyes,

often pointed.

Round.

do.
do.

Large, slightly oblong,

and flat.
Flattened.

Very small and round.
Rather large.

Round.

Large, irregular, round.

Eyes few & prominent,

Small, long, and crook-
ed, and few eyed.
Large, long, and thick.

Large, crooked, and
slightly flattened.

Curved, flat, and small-
est towards the stalk.

Irregularly round.

Small and round.

Oval, much flattened.
Very round.

Very rough, netted-

like.
White and rough.
White and smooth.

Fold
of In-
crease.

Yellowish white, and

very rough.
Rough, apt to crack.
White, rough, and

slightly netted.
White and smooth.

Very white & rough.

Roughish and netted.
Very rough & netted.

White & smoothish.

Dullwhite.veryrough

White and smooth.

Roughish.

White and roughish.

do.
Rough and netted.

White and reddish.

Purplish.

Rough & dull reddish.
Dark red,& roughish.

Feet.
12

8
14

14
14

9
10

G ene ral Rema rk.

Mealy, medium flavour,

pretty healthy.
Mealy, good flavour, do.
Rather waxy, inditt'erent

flavour, very healthy.

Mealy, good flavour, very

healthy.
Do. rather unhealthy.
Mealy, good flav. healthy.

Rather mealy, good flavour,

verj' healthy.
Mealy, good flavour, do.

Do. do. pretty healthy.
Do. do. do.

Do. do.

do.

20
15

Rather waxy, medium flav.
pretty healthy.

Mealy, superior flav,, me.

dium healthy.
Do. do. do.

Mealy, good flavour, very

subject to curl.
Do, superior flavour, do.

Do. good flavour, healthy.

Rather waxy, medium fla-
vour, healthy.

Medium, medium flavour,
very subject to curl.

Mealy, super, flav., healthy.

Mealy, good flavour, do.

ytarch in I
1 lb. of
Tubers.

459

594
487

492

486
540

520

577

498
519

484

562

603
457
585
592
532

484

570

502
490

ordinary/ circumstances) are decayed by the time when they are usually
which are then fit for use.

Rather waxy, indiff't. flav. a 587

healthy and free grower.
Medium mealy, good flav. 762

very healthy.
Mealy, good flav. subject to 495

curl.
Mealy, goodish flav. very 560

subject to curl.
Mealy, good flavour, pretty 608

healthy.
Waxy, indifferent flavour, 487

healthy.
Mealy, very superior flav. 830

healthy.
Mealy, superior flav., do. 790

684

Flattened, with pretty
deep eyes.

Dull white.

Flattened and oval.

Rather smooth, and
white.

Small and round.

Very white.

Rather hollowed at the

Medium white, and

ends.

smooth.

Slightly flattened.

Dull white, rough,
and netted-like.

Rather large, oblong,
slightly flattened.

Roughish.

Slightly oblong, much
flattened.

Very white, smooth.

do.

Yellowish white, and
remarkably rough.

Broadish, slightly flat-
tened, near the point.

Pretty smooth.

do, very healthy.
R

218

TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

52
53
54

• 55

•56

•58

•59

••61

• C-3

• 63

•^64

••65
66

•67
68

•69

••70

•• 72

•73

"74
'• 75

• 76
•77

•78
79

• 80

Yellow Round,

Lark,

Peruvian, . . .

Dodd's Seedling, .

Late Chimipion, .

Roasting, . . .

Late White, . .

White Breadfruit,

Fife White, . . .

Saunderson's Dun-
liar,

Late White American
Aberdeen White,

Fill Basket, . . .

Height

of
Stem.

Feet.
2^

2^
U
2

2i
2|

Habit of Growth.

Foliage.

Rather upright and

compact.
Spreading,

Rather upright and

compact.
Slender, spreading.

Rather upright and

compact.
Slightly spreading.

Stems upright.

do.
Stems spreading.

do.

Stems pretty upright.
Strong, upright, and

compact.
Loose and straggling.

+ -f Oblong or Kidney-shaped JVhitish Tubers.
Albany Kidney,

Rafford do. . . .

Early Field do.
Variable Shaped do.
Imperial do. . .
Bevisford do. . .
Barbadoes do. . .

2J Strong, and rather
upright.

Straggling,

Weak and spreading.

Strong, upright, and

rather close.
Pretty upright.

Rather upright.

Very light green.

Large, loose, and light

t;reen.
Smooth, and slightly

shining.
Light green.

Rough.

Slightly rcflexed.

Light, green, and loose.

Do. close and roughish.

Round, lightish, green,

and reflexcd.
Dense, and very light

green.
Lightish green.
Light green, large, and

rough.
Lightish green.

Large, crowded, and
reflexed.

Smoothish, light green,

Flower.

L^pright & compact. Dark, green, &reflexed.

Loose and drooping.
Rather small.
Loose, and light green,
do.

•!•-}•+ Roundish-shaped distinctly various coloured Tubers.
2

Fife Blues, . .
Red Parroquet, .

Common or Edin-
burgh Dons,
Blue Dons, . .

Irish Apple, . .
Plough-boy, . . .

Onion Potato, . .

Farmer 'sBlack Seed-
ling,

Shetland Blacks, .

2
2.i

Spreading.

Rather straggling.

Strong spreading,
do.

do.

Loose, and
straggling.

rather

U^pright.

L^pright, strong, and
compact,
do.

Compact, rough, light
green, and slightly
reflexed.

Darkish green.

Lightish green.
Rather darkish green.

Dark green, rough, and

crowded.
Rough, lightish green.

Small and crowded.

Light green, large, and
rough,
do.

Purplish.
Light purple.

do.

Whitish.

Very light

purple.
Whitish.

Reddish
purple.
Purple.

Whitish.

Purplish.
Whitish.

do.

Whitish.

None,

Whitish.

Light
pie.
Whitish.

pur-

Light
pie.
do.

pur-

Liglit pur-
ple, white.

Whitish.

do.
do.

Reddislipur-
pie.

Light pur-
ple.

Purple.

Very light

purple.

do.

rOTATOES.

219

No.

Shape of Tubers.

Colour and other Pecu-
liarities of the Skill.

Fold
of In-
crease.

General Remarks.

Starch in
1 lb of
Tubers.

Grs. Troy.

Often smallest towards

Yellowish, and very

Rather waxy, indifferent

503

the stalk, eyes deep.

smooth.

flavour, very healthy.

Do. do. more flattened.

do.

Rather mealy, indifferent
flavour, very healthy.

687

Round, rather small.

Dull white, roughj
and liable to crack.

Medium, indifferent flavour,
rather unhealthy.

(556

Slightly oblong, with
deep eyes.

White and smooth.

Medium, good flavour,
healthy.

573

Roundish, rather large.

Dull and white.

Do. do. rather subject
to curl.

745

Slightly oblong, with
many eyes.

Roughisli.

Waxy, bad flavour, pretty
healthy.

480

Slightly oblong and
flattened.

do.

Mealy, good flavour, do.

513

Round, or slightly ob-
long and flattened.

do.

Mealy, superior flavour, do.

592

do.

Waxy, medium flavour, do.

405

Round.

Do. apt to crack.

Mealy, very sup. flav. do.

674

A little oblong, flatten-
ed, with many eyes.

Smooth skinned.

Mealy, good flavour, do.

581

Slightly elongated, and
ilattened.

do.

Medium, goodish flav. do.

540

Round.

Sb'ghtly rough.

Mealy, do. do.

660

Large, slightly curved.
flat & broadest near
the point.

White, and roughish-

Do. superior flavour, very
healthy.

498

Straight, and about
equal in breadth,
throughout small.

Smooth.

Do. do. rather subject to
curl.

633

Small towards the
stalk, and flattened.

Very rough skinned.

Medium flavour, good, very
healthy.

442

Variable, nearly round
and long.

Very white, smooth.

Do. do. medium healthy.

480

Straight, and slightly
flattened.

Roughish.

Ratlier mealy, medium fla-
vour, pretty healthy.

408

Straight, and much
flattened.

do.

Mealy, superior flavour, do.

368

Do. do. rather small.

Sometimes slightly
tinged with rednear
the point.

Rather waxy, goodish, do.

672

Large, and roundish.

Darkish blue, with
white blotches near
the stalk.

Mealy, good flavour, pretty
healthy.

529

Large, and much hol-
lowed at the stalk.

Irregularly blotched
with white and red-
dish purple.

do. do. do.

483

Round, hollow at stalk.

White, reddish pur-
ple about the eyes.

do. do. do.

576

do.

Dark bluish purple,
with small whitish
blotches.

Mealy, very good flavour.

547

Much hallowed at both
ends.

Bright light red about
the eyes.

Do. do. pretty healthy.

458

do.

Whitish, slightly in-
terspersed with red-
dish purple about
the eyes.

Mealy, good flavour, do.

536

Round, or very slightly

Purplish red, whitish

Very mealy, good flavour.

456

oblong.
Roundish.

towards the stalk.

rather subject to curl.

Dark purple, with

Waxy, bad, very subject to
curl.

849

whitish eyes.

do.

Bright purple, with
whitisn eyes.

Mealy, very fine flavour, do.

819

220

TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

«7

••91
92

••93
94
So

' m

•••97

"■ 98

*«* 99

100

101

10-2
103

Lady Mary, . .
American Blacks,

Calico, ....

Farmer, ....

Marbled, . . .

Saunderson's Red
Rose, . . .

Height

of
Stem

Habit of Growth.

+ -f--|--f- Roundish-shaped
Black Seedling,

Flamingo, or Red

Early, ....
Shetland Red, . .
Irish Seedling,

Cork Red, . . .

Early Pale Red, .

Kilspindie Bloom,

Dudgeon's Early Red,

Dunlop's Red, . .

Dudgeon's Black,

Perthshire Red, True
or Oblong Flat va-
riety, ....

Do. Small-eyed va-
riety, ....

Do. Large- eyed \^a-
riety, . .' . .

Butf,

Biscuit, ....

Poor Man's Profit,
Red Bread Fruit,

2^
2^

2i
2i
-I
2i

Spreading.

Strong, and upright.

Rather upright.

do.
do.
Upright, compact.

One-coloured Tubers.
Upright, compact.

do.

do.
Spreading.

do.

Upright, compact.

Prettystrong, and up-
right.
Spreading.

Stems upright, but

slender-like.
Slightly spreading.

do.

Prett}' upright.

Straggling.

Spreading.

Rather upright,
do.

Foliage,

Lightish green.

Darkish green, and
slightly hoary.

Lightish green.

Small and compact,
do.

Short, wrinkled, re-
flexed, and hoary.

Small, and dark green.

do.

do.
Compact, rough, reflex-

ed, and light green.
Darkish green.

Short, and reflexed.

Light green, and slight-
ly hoary.
Dark green.

Dark green, roughish,

and reflexed.
Long, light green, and

roughish.
Rather lightish green.

do.

Rough, and light green.

Roughish, large, and

light green.
Pretty compact.
Lightish green.

+ + + + + Oblong or Kidney-shaped Coloured Tubers.

• 104 Long Red Kidney,

•• lOG Douglas's Irish Kid-

I nev,

•106, Miller's Thumb, .

107 Captain Eraser's

I seedling, . . .

Rather upright and Dark green, short, and

compact. I rough.

Spreailing. iLight green, long and

I rough.
Upright, strong, and jLiglit green, large and

compact. rough.

Pretty upright.

Rather large and loose.

Purplish,
do.

Pale purple.

Purplish and
white.

do.

Light red-
dish purple.

Almost white

Purplish.

White.
Purple.

Flowers sel-
dom.
Light purple

Whitish.

Flowers sel-
dom.
Light purple.

Whitish.

Purple.

do.

Whitish.

do.

Light purple
do. & white.

Purplish.

Light purple

Very light
purple.

Light red-
dish purp.

POTATOES.

S21

No.

89
90

100

101

102
103

104
105
106

107

Shape of Tubers.

Often slightly oblong.
Irregularly round.

Round, or slightly flat-
tened.

Hollowed at both ends,
with large deep eyes.

Round.

Flattened or hollow to-
wards the stalk.

Round.

do.

do.
do.

Flattened, slightly ob-
^ long, and pointed.
Small, round, or slight-
ly oblong.
Oval and flattened.

Slightly oblong, flat-
tened.
Round.

Slightly oblong.

do. medium sized,
and flattened.

Small, round, slightly
flattened, small eyes.

Large, oblong, with
large eyes.

Large and round.

Rather small, round.

Round.

Slightly oblong, and
flattened.

Equal in thickness,
long, and bent.

Long and thickest to-
wards the point.

Curved, and thickest
towards the point,
rather small.

Rather straight, and
equal in thickness.

Colour, and other Pecu-
liarities of the Skin.

Reddish, small white
and purplish streaks.

Dark bluish purple,
with a few small
white streaks.

Rough, light brown-
ish red, with small
portions of white
near the stalk.

Red, and white about
the hollowed point,
rough.

Marbled ; purplish,
red and white,
smooth.

Light brownish red,
darkish towards
the point, blotch-
ed with white.

Smooth, dark red-
dish purple.
Reddish purple.

do.
do.

Roughish, and red-
dish brown.
Rough, and pale red.

Dark bluish purple.

Rough, and deep red-
dish purple.
Dark red.

Dark reddish purple.

Pretty smooth, red.

do.

Rough, rather netted

like, bright red.
Roughish, and light

brownish red.
Smooth, and light

brownish.
Dark reddish purple.
Dull red, roughish

towards the point.

Dark, red, and rough.
Dark bluish purple.
Reddish.

Whitish, with a few
reddish streaks
aliout the point.

Fold
of In-
crease.

10
13

11
10

14
16

General Remarks.

Mealy, superior flav., very

subject to curl.
Medium, good flavour, do.

Mealy, medium flavour
healthy.

Mealy, very good flav., very
healthy.

Rather waxy, indiftercnt
flavour, very subject to
curl.

Mealy, good flav., healthy.

Rather mealy, goodish flav.,
very subject to curl.

Mealy, very good flavour,
do.

Waxy, indifferent flav., do.

Mealy, good flavour, do.

Meal}', good flav., healthy.

Very mealy, superior flav.

rather unhealthy.
Do. do. healthy.

Medium, medium flavour,

healthy.
Mealy, good flavour, a little

suljject to curl.
Mealy, very good flavour,

do.
Mealy, good flav., healthy

Do.

do.

Rather waxy, medium flav.

very healthy.
Mealy, superior flavour, do.

Mealy, good flavour, do.

Mealy, superior flav. rather

subject to curl.
Mealy, good flavour, very

healthy.

Medium, medium flavour,

very healthy.
Meal}, good flav., healthy.

Do. superior flavour, me-
dium healthy.

Do. superior flavour, do.

Starch in I
1 lb. of
Tubers. |

Grs. Troy.
565

546
4L0

596

423

• 706

480

057

439
048

534

759

481

524

530

708
093
466
474
477
702

594
560
549

474

222

TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

103

Red Nosed Kidney,

Height

of
Stern.

Feet.

' 109 Bedfordshire do. .

110 Falconer''s do. . .

111 Blue Horn do. . .

" 112 Lord Lauderdale's
I do.

Habit of Growth.

Spreading.

Rather upright,
do.

Upright & compact.
Pretty upright.

Foliage.

Light green & smooth-
ish.

Lightish green, rough.
Do. and small.

Short, rough, and light
green.

Light green, roughish.

Seldom flow-
ers.

Light purp.
White.

do.
Purplish.

Class V. — Late Field Potatoes, the foliage of which in oi'dinari/ seasons does

be kept for some time before being
f Whitish or Various Coloured Tubers.

113 St Helena Potato,

114 Pink-eyed Irisl:
Round, ....

Lancash. Pink-eyed,

115
IIG

117

•"•118

119

120

"121

*122

•123

124

« 125

126
* 127

Tartar,

2h I Rather upright and
bushy.

Strong, and upright,
do.
do.

2i
23

White- eyed Blue or
Black, ....

-f- -f- One-coloured Tubers.

Stafi-ald Hall,
SaAvyer's Red,
Late Jersey, .
Entire Black,
Scotch black,

Esslebach,

Orchards, . .

London Blues,

Welch Field,

Robertson's
Kidney,

C4iant

""128 Pink-eyed Dairy-
I maid, ....
129 Irish Lumpers,

KOCups,

•• 131 Connaught Cups, .
•• 132 j Daly's 'bonder, •

"• 133 'Brown's Fancy, .

2-3

3
3

2|
2

2.^

23
4

Pretty upright.

Pretty upright, and

bushy.
Rather straggling.

Upright & compact.

Strong, upright, and
compact,
do.

Pretty upright and

compact.
Bushy.

do.

Rather upright and

compact.
Strong and bushy.

Lightish green.

Large, smooth, and ra-
ther narrow,
do.

Large, and light green,

Small, thin, rough, and
thin.

Large, & vivid green.
Rough, lightish green.

Rough, large, and dark

gi'een.
Short, dark green, and

hoary-like.
do.

Dark green, roughish.
Darkish green.
Do. and slightly hoary.
Short and rough.
Lightish greMi.

Light red-
dish purp.

Purple,

Very light

purple.

do.

Dark purp.

Light purp.

do.

Whitish.

Very light
purple.

Whitish.

Light purp.

Very light

purple.
Purplish.

White.

Class VI. — Late, large, prolific sorts more

Rather bushy.

Pretty upright, close.

do.

do.
Strong, do.

Rather bushy.

Lightish green, and

roughish.
Darkish green.

do.

Large, and smoothish.
Large, and dark green.

Lightish green, and
roughish.

Light purple.

do.

Purple.
Very light

purple.
Light purple.

POTATOES.

!^23

J 08

109
110

111
112

Shape of Tubers.

Long, often slightly
curved.

Long, thick, & straight.
Much elongated.

Very small next the
stalk, and slightly
curved.

Very long, and straight
with many eyes.

Colour and other Pecu-
liarities of the Skin.

Whitish, with a red-
dish point, and
about the eyes.

Reddish.

Whitish, light red to-
Avards the point.

Very dark bluish pur-
ple.

Bright red.

Fold
of In-
crease.

General Remarks.

Mealy, good flavour, and
healthy.

Medium, good flavour, do.
Mealy, good flavour, rather

unhealthy.
Medium, medium flavour,

healthy.

Medium, good flav. healthy.

483
432

500 !

48(;

not decay until injured by frost, and the tubers of which generally require to
fit for using to the greatest advantage.

113

114
115
lit)

117

118
119
120
121

122

123

i24
25
26
97

Irregularly roundish.

Roundish,
do.
do.

Small, and irregularly
oblong.

Rather flattened, round,
or a little oblong.

Slightly oblong, flatten-
ed, and pointed-like.

Slightly oblong and flat,
tened.

Round. ^

Round, and much hol-
lowed at the stalk.

Oblong and flattened,
often slightly curved.

Roundish, and slightly
flattened.

Round.

Whitish, often slight-
ly tinged with red,
and pretty smooth.

Whitish, with pink
eyes,
do.

Whitish, with irregu-
lar, reddish purple
streaks.

Dark bluish purple,
with whitish eyes.

Irregularly round

Thickish,
shaped.

Dull red, approach-
ing to purple,
do.

Rdugh, and dark red.

Dull, dark purple,

roughish.
Shining, dull leaden

colour very rough

and netted.
Roughish, and dull

red.
Dull red.

Dark bluish purple,

and rough.
Dull, pink, and
smoothish.
kidney- Dull, reddish purple,
I rough.

mrticidarly adapted for feeding cattle.

128 Large, roundish, and Whitish, and pink or

deep-eyed
Large, slightly oblong,

and much flattened.
Large, oblong, often

irregularly shaped.
Largo, slightly oblong. ^„.. ,c„
132 1 Do. with large deep Whitish

eyes.
Slightly oblong and

flattened.

purplish
Whitish.

Dull pink.

Dull reddish pink,
""litisl

do.

18 Rather mealy, good flavour, 684

very healthy.

15 Do. do. do. 650

14 Rather waxy, indiff"erent 661

flavour, do.
13 Do. do. rather subject to 603

curl.

12 Do. do. healthy. 523

Very mealy, very superior 813

flavour, very healthy.
17 Rather waxy, indifl'erent • 903

do.
16 Do. do. do. * 903

15 Medium, medium flavour, 429
do.

16 Do. do. do. 522

14 Do. good flavour, healthy. 589

13 Do. medium flavour, very 456

healthy.
16 Mealy, good flavour, do. • 687

15 Rather waxy, indifferent 706
very healthy.

16 Rather waxy, medium fla- 457
vour, do.

26 Rather waxy, indifferent 506

flavour, very healthy.

23 Waxy, bad flavour, do. 661

20 Mealy, good flavour, do. • (JJir

19 Mealy, good flavour, do. 630

21 Medium, medium flavour, 560

do.

18 Do. do. do. 498

224

TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

No.

Name.

•134
•• 135
•136
•137
138

Common Yam,
Red do. . ,
Ox-Noble, .
Wild Potato, .
Emperor,

Height

of
Stem.

• 139;

•140

• 141

•142

••143

•144
•145
"14G

Red Pine-Apple Po-
tato, ....
Long White do. do.
Short do. do. do.

German Long,

Fairy Potato, , .

Little Nut, . . .
Chesnut, . . .
Everlasting. . ,

2^
2J

Habit of Gfowth.

Strong, and rath«r

spreading.
Upright, a:nd bushy.

Rather spreading.

I Compact, aud bushy.
Strong, and bushy.

Foliage.

Large and light green.

Large, smoothish, and

dark green.
Roughish.

Very large, smooth,

and light green.
Darkish green.

Flower.

Whitish.
Light purple.
Whitish. 4

do.
Purple.

Class VII. — Late unprolijic

Bushy.

do.
do.

Rather upright.

Weak, and pretty
upright,
do.
Bushy.
Pretty upright,bushy.

Darkish green.

Lightish green,
do.

do.

Very close.

do.
Darkish green,
do.

Purple.

Purplish.

do. ;

Almost i

white; I

Purple. '

Light purple

do.
Purplish, I

Farther particulars concerning some of the varieties of Potato in
the foregoing Table ; Donors' names, ^c.

* Sorts iji the preceding Tables.

15. HoPETOUN Early — Originally received from Mr J. Spring,
wood-forester to the Earl of Hopetoun, and is perhaps the most su-
perior variety in the class to which it belongs.

16. Invermay Early This is also a very superior variety, ori-
ginally introduced and presented to the Museum by Mr Alexander
Muirhead, gardener to Alex. H. Murray Belshes, Esq. of Invermay,
Perthshire.

New Elm-leaved Kidney. — Specimens by Messrs Gordon,
Thomson, and Basket, seedsmen, Fenchurch Street, London, by
whom it was first introduced.

32. New Early Windsor Seedling Presented by Mr Sieve-

wright, 1 3 Abercrombie Place, who had it from Windsor, under the
name of " A New Seedling Early Potato, of excellent quality, being
dry, mealy, of an agreeable flavour, and very prolific."

49. Old Flat White, or Old Perthshire White This va-
riety was formerly much esteemed, and cultivated almost exclusively
in some districts of Perth and Forfar shires ; but although it is ge-

POTATOES.

iJ;'5

Shape of Tubers.

I'di
135
136
137
138

Large, and oblong,
do.

Slightly oblong and
flattened.

Slightly oblong, and ta-
pering to the point.

Large, and roundish.

Colour and other Pecu-
liarities of the Skin.

Dull pink.

Bright reddish.

Whitish.

Very light pinkish.

Rough, and reddish
purple.

Fold
of In-
crease.

Gcnerf.l Remarks.

Waxy, indifferent flavour,

very healthy.
Do. do- do.

Rather waxy, do. do.

Waxy, bad flavour, do.

Rather mealy, good flavour,
' but subject to curl.

Starch in
1 lb. of
Tubers.

Grs. Troy.
393

440

442

492

457

curious Garden Sorts.

139 Small, oblong, with nu-

merous deep eves.

140 do.

141 Small, roundish, with

many deep eyes.

142 Very long, with many

eyes.

143 Very small and long.

144 Small and roundish.

145 do.

146 [Small, rather oblong.

Smooth, & deep red. 10 Waxy, medium flavour, 474

Smooth and white,
do.

Smooth, and reddish.

Smooth, and whitish.

Whitish.

Purple, reddish eyes.

healthv.
!Do. do.
I Do. do.

do.
do.

|D„.
Do.

do. do.
do. rather delicate.

Dull, reddish pink. | 8

Rather mealy, goodish flav.

rather delicate.
Do. do. do.
Waxy, medium flav. do.

367
510

486

396

580
595
480

nerally allowed to be superior to the Perthshire Reds, its culture has
been almost entirely superseded by them, so much so, that the Old
White is scarcely to be met m ith. Specimens by Mr A. Gorrie,
Annat Gardens.

50. Leather Coat or Russet Potato. — This is also an es-
teemed variety, which was formerly grown pretty extensively, and is
still in cultivation in some of the middle districts of Scotland, but
considered as being less prolific than the last. Specimens by Mr John
Low, Halliburton House, Cupar-Angus, Forfarshire.

70. Bevisford Kidney. — Specimens by Mr David Reid, nursery-
man, Easter Road, Edinburgh, who has grown this variety for many
years with much success.

74. Common or Edinburgh Don. — As a field potato this variety
is more extensively cultivated in Mid-Lothian, and adjacent districts,
than any other. When cooked, its tubers are much whiter fieslied than
those of the Perthshire Red, and some others of the more famed
field sorts ; they are also mealy, and of an agreeable flavour, but, when
grown to a large size, often hollow', or hard and v. ax}^ in the centre.
Specimens by Mr Robert Dale, Libberton West Mains.

76, 91. Irish Apple, and Cork Red Are much esteemed in

226 TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

some parts of Ireland. Specimens of the latter by T. White, Esq.
Gaj^eld Square.

93. KiLSPiNDiE Bloom. — So named from having been originally
raised from seed by the late Rev. A. Dow, minister in the parish of
Kilspindie, Carse of Gowrie. A much and deservedly esteemed
sort, reckoned, however, less prolific than the Perthshire Reds, ex-
cept when grown on moorish or peaty soils, for which it seems ad-
mirably adapted. Specimens by Mr A. Gorrie.

97, 98, 99- Perthshire Red, True or Oblong Flat variety,
Small-eyed Round variety, and Large Deep-eyed variety. —
The oblong flat variety was formerly distinguished by the names of
Shanual or Red Coventry, from having been first sent to Perthshire,
in 180.5, by the late Dr Coventry, to IMr Gorrie, then at Meiklour
House. The origin of the Small-eyed Round variety is not known ;
it is about equal to the first in quality, but rather deficient in pro-
duce. The Large Deep-eyed variety, which, although rather defi-
cient in quality, is the strongest grower, and most productive of
either, may probably have been introduced from Fife, as it seems
the same with a specimen in the Museum, presented by Mrs Donald-
son, Cupar-Fife, under the name of Fife Red, weight 2^ lb. In
Perthshire these three are no'w cultivated promiscuously, under the
names of Common, Scotch, or Perthshire Reds, the latter of which has
been applied since they became so much esteemed in the London mar-
kets. Specimens of each of these varieties by Mr A. Gorrie. One
tuber of the Large Deep-eyed sort, under the name of Perthshire
Red, by Mr Bell, Winterfield Mains, Dunbar, weighing 3| lb. By
J. H. Colt, Esq. of Gartsherrie, two of the same variety, weighing
2 lb. 3 oz., and 2 lb. 1^ oz., grown on a peaty soil. And several
specimens of the same variety from General Durham, Largo, com-
municated by ]\Ir Wm. Horn, land-steward at that place, under the
name of Scotch Reds ; produce of the crop from which they were
selected, 80 bolls per acre.

100. Buff. — By Mr William Henderson, Whim, Peeblesshire,
average specimens of this variety, grown on newly improved peat ;
produce 22 bolls to one planted. Also, specimens of the Common
and Blue Dons (7-i and 75), grown on the same soil, which, although
inferior in produce to the Buff, were nevertheless good crops.

112. Lord Lauderdale's Kidney. — By Andrew Howden, Esq.
Lawhead. A remarkably long straight sort, with numerous and
regularly placed eyes.

POTATOES. 227

113. St Helena Potato. — Specimens by Mr Morison, Bellfield,
near Dalkeith, who having, in 1833, procured two tubers of this va-
riety, planted them whole, and the produce amounted to sixty of
medium, besides a number of a smaller size ; these were again planted
the following year, and yielded an abundant increase. Mr Morison
considers this a superior variety, and deserving of general cultiva-
tion.

118. Staffold Hall. — Specimens of this valuable variety pre-
sented to the Museum at various periods, by Richard Lowthian Ross,
Esq. of Staffold Hall, Cumberland, who obtained the Highland
Society's medal in 1827, for its introduction. Mr Ross has grown this
sort successively on a deep rich soil, approaching to clay, for a long
period, and has never found it to present the least symptom of curl or
disease of any kind, either in its foliage or tubers, and its produce per
imperial acre he has found in several instances to exceed 30 tons. Mr
Lowthian Ross farther states, that the Staffold Hall potato does not
attain its greatest perfection for using until about the end of Novem-
ber, or until it has been pitted for a month or two, and that it re-
mains good until the earlier sorts are ready in the following season ;
and that also, from its possessing great solidity, in cooking, it is better
adapted for steaming than boiling. Also, specimens of tubers by
Andrew Howden, Esq. Lawhead, East Lothian, crop 1834, averaging
from 3^ to 4 lb. imperial each, under the names of Wellington or
Provost ; and besides its use as a table potato, he recommends its
culture for feeding cattle, from the great return which it yields, and
which, by referring to his important " Essay on the comparative
value of different varieties of the potato," published in the Transac-
tions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, vol. xi.,
will be found in this respect surpassed by few in his collection,
amounting in all to one hundred and thirty varieties. Also, speci-
mens by Robert Downie, Esq. of Appin, grown in Argyllshire, where
this variety is found to succeed remarkably well, and to keep till
June.

It is worthy of remark, that from the experiments forming the
subject of Mr Lawson's paper on the Principal Varieties of the Po-
tato cultivated in this country (^Highland Society's Transactions,
vol. ix.), the Staffold Hall, or Late Wellington, as it is sometimes
termed, was found superior in specific gravity and quantity of starch
contained in a given weight of tubers, to any of the other varieties
there enumerated, amounting to seventy- three.

T 2

i2j28 TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

121. Entire BLACK.^Tliis variety is easily distinguished from
all others, by its flesh presenting, on being cut, a dark purple or
blackish marbled-like appearance (from which it derives its name.)
By Mark Sprot, Esq. of Garnkirk, tubers weighing about 12 oz.,
being an average specimen of a crop grown on a peaty soil. Although
possessing rather a disagreeable appearance when cooked, Mr Sprot
finds this sort very good as a table potato, when kept over the win-
ter, before any of the early sorts are fit for using. Also, a tuber
grown in Peeblesshire, weight 18 oz., by Mr Grieve, merchant, South
Bridge Street, Edinburgh.

1 22. Scotch or Old Black The dark colour from which this

sort derives it name, is confined to its stems, and the skins of its
tubers. It has been long in partial cultivation, and is, like the last,
chiefly valuable from being in season for using between the periods
of planting and taking up the new crop.

128. Pink-eyed Dairy-maid — Six tubers of this variety, crop
1834, weight of the largest 68 oz., by Andrew Howden, Esq. Law-
head, who introduced it from Ireland in 1833. Mr H. considers
this a very coarse and indifferent sort for the table, but, from the
astonishing produce which he finds it to yield, likely to become very
useful for feeding cattle.

129. Lumper, or Irish Lumper By Mr Howden ; half a

bushel of this sort, in weight averaging from 30 to 50 ounces each
tuber, crop 1834, like the last. Mr H. considers this as only valuable
for cattle.

130. Cup. — By Charles Guthrie, Esq. of Lay Bank, Dundee, and
also by Mr Howden, Lawhead, several specimens, these last averaging
from 30 to 44 ounce in weight, crop 1 836. Of all those in Mr How-
den's collection, formerly referred to at No. 1 18, he recommends the
Staffold Hall, as there noticed, the Lumpers (129), and this, as being
what he considers the three sorts deserving most attention for grow-
ing as cattle's food, and of these three the Lumpers seem entitled to
the preference for weight of produce ; but the other two are far supe-
rior in quality ; the Cup, like the Staffbld-Hail, being a superior kind
of potato for eating (when not grown to too great a size). From its
tubers, however, being often of rather an irrp!]^ular or monstrous-like
habit of growth, they are more difllicult to wash or clean than the
other two, which, as well as the Pink-oyed Dairy-maid, No. 128,
are almost always of a regular shape. lu recommending these
three, it must however be observed, that Mr Howden does not ex-

•^ ' POTATOES. g2d

elude many of the others from that place which they may deserving-
ly hold in the estimation of cultivators, and which when grown in
different soils from tliai in which his experiments were conducted, (a
good rather free soil), and, under different circumstances, may be
found equal, if not superior, to any of these ; and more especially the
Pink-eyed Dairy-maid, with regard to which, although it seems
possessed of uncommon merits, yet from the short period elapsed
since its introduction, he considers a more extensive experience ne-
cessary before venturing to give it a decided character.

133. Brown's Fancy. — By Thomas White, Esq. Gayfield Square,
introduced by him in February 1833 from Ireland, and by Mr Wil-
liam Stavert, Greenhead, average specimens of a crop grown on a
strong wheat soil, of medium quality. The produce was prodigious,
being fully double that of Dons and London Blues, grown under
similar circumstances ; seed originally brought from Ireland. They
are excellent keepers, and well adapted for feeding horses and cattle,
but rather inferior for the table.

134 and 137- Common Yam, and Wild Potato. — These two
are distinguished from all the others, on being cut, by iiaving a ring
similar to the colour of their skin, a little within, and about parallel to
the same. The Common Yam is extensively grown in some parts of
Scotland, particularly in the middle counties for cattle. Specimens
by Mr Airth, Forfarshire.

135. Red or American Yam. — By J. H. Colt, Esq. of Gartsherrie,
ten tubers, weighing from 32 to 38^ ounces, grown on a peaty soil.
And by Mark Sprot, Esq. of Garnkirk, several specimens averaging
about 34^ ounces, also grown on peat, a kind of soil for which this
variety seems particularly well suited. By George Baker, Esq. of
Elemese Hall, Durham, half a bushel averaging each from 20 to 36 oz.
Mr B. finds this a very excellent cattle potato, and its cultivation is
rapidly increasing in that neighbourhood. Also by Mr Walter Ogil-
vie, GifFord, East Lothian, one tuber of a branching or compound
shape ; weight 34 oz.

136. Ox-Noble — Several specimens of this sort from General
Durham, Largo, communicated by Mr William Horn, produce of the
crop from which they were selected, 80 bolls per acre. Also by Cap-
tain James Hay, from a stock cultivated at Belton, by William Turn-
bull, Esq. for thirty-six years, without change of seed, and Mr Turn-
bull has never found it to present the slightest appearance of curl or
other disease.

230 TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

138. Emperor, or Apple of the Earth — This variety, which
is much prized in some districts, has, in the course of its cultivation
(for the last few years) in the nursery at Meadowbank become almost
entirely destroyed by curl.

139. Red Pine-Apple Potato. — This, and the next two va-
rieties, 140 and 141, are remarkable for their numerous, large, deep,
and regularly placed eyes, which give them a somewhat curious
appearance after being cooked, and their skins carefully taken off.
Specimens of Red and White-long varieties, by the Rev. J. M. Ro-
bertson, Livingston Manse ; and a red variety, shorter tlian, and appa-
rently distinct from, the above, by Charles Guthrie, Esq. Tay Bank,
Dundee.

Asparagus Potato. — Tubers smaller than those of any other sort
in the collection, except the following, of an oblong somewhat crook-
ed kidney-shape, about the size of, and in shape not unlike, asparagus
tops, hence its name. Specimens by Dr Nicol, Inverness Academy.

143. Fairy Potato. — In size and shape similar to the last, but of a
very light pink or reddish colour, and of good quality. Specimens
by Mrs Crichton of Dabton.

146. Everlasting Potato. — Is a late unproductive sort, so named
from its tubers possessing a delicate waxy flavour, like that of young
potatoes, to preserve which in its original deliciicy the ground is co-
vered over with straw or litter when the stems are killed down
in the beginning of winter, so that the tubers may not be injured
by frost ; they are afterwards taken up as wanted for use. Spe-
cimen by Mr John Kinment, Murie, Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire.

Several of the other late waxy varieties might no doubt be found
to answer as substitutes for young potatoes equally well with the Ever-
lasting. And when young potatoes are required in winter, they may be
had of any variety, by retarding the growth of tubers of the previous
year, by burying them at such a depth as to prevent their vegetating
until the beginning of autumn, or until the season be so far advanced
that they may, after being planted, have time to arrive at the requir-
ed stage of advancement before winter ; they are then to be covered
with litter, and otherwise treated as the Everlasting Potato.

** Sorts not included in the preceding Tables.

By Mr William Turner, Gardener, Denham Green.
Two very distinct oblong-shaped varieties, raised from the same

POTATOES. 231

apple or plum of a common Don in 1832; and five potatoes, un-
named, the produce of the shaw or plant from whence they were
taken, weighed 22 lb. 2 ounces.

By Captain Loch, Darnhall, Melrose.
Five tubers, unnamed ; weight of the largest 26 ounces, and of the
whole &\ lb.

By Alex. Clapperton, Esq. of Spy law.
One potato, unnamed ; weight 2;^ lbs.

By Mr Waugh, of Messrs Waugh and Innes, Booksellers,
2 Hunter Square, Edinburgh.

A long blackish-coloured kidney-shaped potato, from Van Die-
men's Land.

By Admiral Sir Philip Durham, Bart. Fordel, communicated by
Mr P. Hume, Land-steward there.
Specimens of several kinds grown on a field, the produce of which
was 90 bolls per acre.

By the Rev. J. M. Robertson, Livingston Manse.
Specimens of a red potato, originally from Aberdeenshire, and of a
variety introduced by him from the north of Ireland two years ago ;
they were all grown on a field which had been in leafor the previous
six years, without manure of any kind ; average weight 2^ lb.
By Sir Alex. Maitland Gibson, Bart.
Early garden potatoes, cultivated at Cliftou Hall, and generally in
the same part of the garden for sixty years, without change of seed,
and which are still healthy, without appearance of curl or other
disease.

By Sir James Miles Riddel, Bart. Strontian, Argyleshire, communicated
by Mr J. Carmichael.

Specimens of Second Early, an excellent eating and very prolific
variety. Black Kidney, medium prolific, and good to eat, but does
not keep long. Argyleshire Red, prolific, mealy, and keeps till July,
and a Pink-eyed potato equal to the last.

By the late Thos. Sivwright, Esq. of Meggetland.

Specimens of a medium early potato raised from tubers brought
from Bristol, and which were a year and a half out of the ground
from the period when they were taken up to that in which they were
planted.

And in December, young potatoes grown in a cellar from tubers of
the preceding year, which had their stems pinched off" always as they

232 TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

began to shoot, in tlie beginning of winter, were covered with a little
moist earth and kept free from frost ; a system by which a supply
of young potatoes can be obtained at any period required.
By Jame.s Stewart, Esq. Wdlhall, Lanarkshire.

Eight potatoes under the name o^ Early Don, planted 18th June,
(the first planting having failed), and taken up on the 15th and 16th
of October 1835 ; produce 80 bolls per acre.

By Mr Georye Hay, Newington, Edinburgh.

Specimens of a round whitish potato with pink eyes, of excellent
quality, imported from America.

By Mr John Low, Halliburton House, Cupar Angus.

Specimens of Lancashire kidney potatoes, a very early and supe-
rior variety.

By G. L. Graham, Esq. 33 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh.

Pink-eyed kidney, crop 1835, from New York, North America;
they were grown in the Otsega district, considerably inland, on me-
dium dry lightish soil, planted in June, and taken up in November ;
they are of good quality, and the average price in New York is about
equivalent to one shilling and tenpence sterling per bushel. Also by
Mr G. a letter, in which he states that when he was in Italy in 1817-
18-19, the introduction of the potato was obstinately resisted by the
agricultural inhabitants ; and at present both in that country and in
France they are very deficient in good varieties, as well as in their
modes of cooking.

By Mr James Moyes, Rait, Carse of Gowrie.

Specimens of a new medium early round whitish potato, under the
name of Moyes^ Early Prolific, and which was raised from seed by
him in 1834 ; it is of superior quality, and seems a very healthy and
free grower.

By diaries Guthrie, Esq. Tay Bank, Dundee.

Specimens of a long White Kidney Potato from Paris, in season
in the months of February and March, of excellent quality, but ra-
ther an indifferent bearer.

By Robert Johnston, Esq. Edinburgh, and by Dr Neill, CanonmiUs.

Specimens of a medium early, very mealy, white-fleshed kidney
potato, of first-rate quality, received about two years ago from Egypt
by the Right Hon. Sir Robert Liston, Millburn Tower.

POTATOES. 233

CONVOLVULUS— BINDWEED.

Generic characters. — Flowers monopetalous, widely bell-shaped,
arising from under the two-celled two-seeded capsule or seed-vessel ;
stigma two-cleft; stems slender, creeping, or trailing on the ground,
or twining round other plants for support.

CONVOLVULUS BATATUS— Spanish or Sweet-potato.

Specific characters. — Leaves cordate, irregularly angular lobed,
and smoothish ; flowers in bundles, on upright foot-stalks ; stems
long, round, and creeping on the ground, putting out bundles of
thick tubers or roots at the joints, of an oblong shape, and tapering
to both ends ; perennial. A native of both Indies, and said to have
been first introduced into Britain about the year 1597.

The sweet potato is cultivated extensively in all tropical climates.
In Europe its culture in the open air is confined to the southern
countries, as Spain, South of France, and Italy ; but in Britain it
cannot be grown without the aid of artificial heat.

Specimens of the following varieties by M. Vilmorin and Co.,
Paris : —

1. Large White Sweet-potato, Patate blanche, Fr Weight

of tubers from six to fourteen ounces,

2. Red-skinned Sweet-potato, Patate rouge, Fr Weight of

tubers from three to ten ounces.

3. Yellow-skinned Sweet-potato, Patate jaune, Fr Weight

of tubers from three to eight ounces.

* * Belonging to the class and order Syngenesia Frustranea of Lin-

naeus, and to the natural order Composites of Jussieu.

HELIANTHUS— SUNFLOWER.

Generic characters. — Involucrum imbricated, spreading hori-
zontally ; receptacle flat and chaffy ; crown of the fruit with two
leaf-like appendages.

• HELIANTHUS TUBEROSUS— Tuberous-rooted Sukflower, or

Jerusalem Artichoke.

Specific characters — Leaves rough ; stem six to ten feet in
height ; root tuberous ; perennial ; native of Brazil ; introduced in

234 TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

1617. Seldom or never produces its flowers (which are yellow) in
this country', except the tubers be carefully removed when they be-
gin to form.

1. Common Jerusalem Artichoke. — Before the introduction of
the potato into this country this variety was held in much esteem,
as it is even yet in some parts of the Continent. Fowls, and par-
ticularly pheasants, are remarkably fond of the tubers, as are also
swine, and cattle, hares, rabbits, &c. These are produced in con-
siderable quantities, and as they are not liable to be injured by slight
frosts, their limited cultivation, instead of potatoes for feeding these
kinds of live stock, has been recommended. They might also be
planted in woods and waste places, on good lightish soil, not too
much shaded, as winter food for game ; the tubers, as is well known,
are also eaten cooked in various ways.

2. Yellow Jerusalem Artichoke, Topinamhonr jaune,Yv. —
The tubers of this variety are of a yelloM'ish colour, and generally
smaller and more irregularly shaped than the common sort ; they
are also said to be superior in quality, and of a more agreeable taste
when cooked.

Specimens by M. Vilmorin and Co., Paris.

III. Belonging to the class and order Decandria Pentagynia of
Linnaeus, and to the natural order Oxalidece of Jussieu.

OXALIS— WOOD-SORREL.

Generic characters. — Segments of the calyx five, distinct or
united at the base ; petals five ; five exterior stamens shorter than
the five interior ; seed-vessels oblong or cylindrical.

I. OXALIS CRENATA — Crenate-tlowered or Tuberous-rooted
Wood-sorrel.

Specific characters. — Stems succulent, branching, prostrate, or
trailing on the ground, upright towards the point of the shoots ;
leaves slightly hairy, trifoliate ; leaflets inversely heart-shaped ; petals
bright yellow, and crenate or notched on the edges ; roots tuberous.

First introduced in 1 829 by the late Mr David Douglas, bota-

WOOD-SORREL. 235

nical collector to the London Horticultural Society, from Peru,
where it is cultivated for its tubers, which are used in the same way
as potatoes, and also for its tender juicy stalks and foliage, which
are used as sallad. In this country it seems to thrive best when
planted two or three feet apart on dry light medium fertile soils, in
warm situations. Its tubers do not begin to form until towards the
end of autumn ; they are of a yellowish colour when cooked, very
mealy, and in taste somewhat like the common potato, with a very
slight addition of an agreeable acid.

Specimens by Mr M. Smith, gardener, Ayton House, Berwickshire,
average weight about two ounces ; and specimens grown in the Nur-
sery at Meadowbank, average weight of tubers at each plant half
a pound.

11. OXALIS TETRAPHYLLA— Four-leaved AVood-sorkei..

Specific characters Stemless ; flowers light purple, one or

four together on an upright foot-stalk, about half a foot in height ;
leaflets inversely heart-shaped, four on each leaf; roots thick and
fusiform, with many spreading filaments from their crown, to which
are attached small scaly bulbs, producing new plants the following
season ; native of Mexico ; quite hardy.

Specimens by Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Garden. Both the bulbs and
fleshy fusiform roots are eaten when cooked, the leaves are also used
in sallad as those of the last.

" Plants of this genus contain a valuable vegetable acid in their
stems and leaves, which is sold under the name of The Essential
Salt of Lemons, but is seldom to be had genuine," (Loudon's Ency-
clopcedia of Plants), for which Oxalis crenata, from the great bulk
of its juicy leaves and stems, might be profitably grown. The acid
is obtained by expressing the juice, which is then put through a fine
cloth to free it from dregs, and when properly evaporated and set
in a cool place, a crystalline acid salt is formed.

IV. Belonging to the class and order Hexandria Monogynia of
Linnaeus, and to the natural order AmaryllidecB of Jussieu.

ALSTRCEMERIA— BARON C. ALSTRCEMER'S LILY.
Generic characters. — Flower (perianth or coloured calyx) M'ith

236 TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS.

the orifice naktd, composed of six segments, the two lower of wliich
are somewhat tubular at the base ; seed-vessels round or oval, three
or six angular, three-valved or pulpy within, not opening.

ALSTRCEMERIA OVATA — EAiABLE-nooTED Atstrcemer's Lily.
Specific characters. — Stems slender, tall, and twining on other
plants for support ; leaves ovate ; flowers of a reddish colour, inter-
spersed with green and yellow ; tubers oval, not furnished with eyes
or buds ; perennial ; introduced in 1824 from Chili, where its tubers
are cooked and used as food by the inhabitants. Weight of tubers
from three to six ounces.

V. Belonging to the class and order Diadclphia Oetondria of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Legunmiosce of Jussieu.

LATHYRUS— VETCHLING.

Generic characters. — See Plants cultivated for Herbage and
Forage, page 178.

LATHYRUS TUBEROSUS— Tuberous or Eatable Rooted Pea or
Vetchling.

Specific characters Flowers many together on a common

foot-stalk, of a bright red colour ; tendrils two-leaved ; leaflets ovate ;
roots spreading, with numerous irregularly shaped blackish coloured
tubers attached, which are generally from one to three ounces in
weight. Native of Holland, introduced in 1596.

These tubers are sold in the Dutch markets, and when cooked
are highly esteemed, being in taste somewhat resembling roasted
sweet chestnuts.

Seeds by M. C. A. Fischer, Gottingen ; and tubers by Mr James
Smith, Hopetoun Gardens.

VI. Belonging to the class and order Triandria Monogyniao^ Lin-
neeus, and to the natural order Cyperacece of Jussieu.

CYPERUS— RUSH.

' Generic characters. — Flowers glumaceous as in the grasses ;

TURNIPS. 237

leaves with an entire sheath ; spikelets imbricated in two rows ; style
deciduous ; no bristles under the ovarium.

CYPERUS ESCULENTUS— Rush-nut, or Eatable-rooted Sedge.
Souchet comestible. — Fr.

Specific characters. — Spikelets elongated, pointed, rather dis-
tant ; involucrum three to five leaved ; rays of the umbel about se-
ven ; terminal shorter than the leaves of the involucrum ; roots tu-
berous, about the size of peas. Native of the south of Europe,
where it is cultivated for its tubers, which are eaten either raw or
boiled ; in the former state they somewhat resemble filberts in taste,
but are rather more sweet and heating. They are easily grown on
rich light soils, which should be kept rather moist.

Specimen of tubers by Vilmorin and Co. Paris.

II. PLANTS HAVING THICK-FLESHY FUSIFORM
ROOTS.*

I. Belonging to the class Tetradynamia of Linnaeus, and to the na-
tural order Crueiferce of Jussieu.

BRASSICA— TURNIPS, &c.

Generic characters. — See Plants cultivated for Forage and
Herbage, page 184.

I. BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS RUTABAGA— Rutabaga or Swedish

Turnip.

In its specific characters the Rutabaga, or Swedish Turnip, differs
from those of the Summer Rape (page 189), of which it is only a
variety, in having larger fleshy swollen globular or subrotund roots,
while those of the Rape are small, fusiform, and hard.

The Swedish Turnip is hardier than any of the common sorts (va-
rieties of i?. rapa), and in addition to its being more esteemed as
food for horses throughout the turnip season, is better adapted for
spring feeding generally. It, however, requires a somewhat stronger
and superior class of soils, together with a greater allowance of raa-

* The term subrotund-rooted plants is perhaps more descriptive of most of the
commonly cultivated turnips, but in consideration of the plants from which they
have all originated being fusiform, a shape to which some of those cultivated
also approximates, that term, with the epithet thick-fleshy, as appended above,
is still applied.

238 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

nure, but may, upon the whole, be considered equally if not more de-
serving of attention than the others, notwithstanding which its cul-
tivation has hitherto been comparatively little attended to in some
districts of Scotland. Swedish Turnips are generally sown from
about the middle to the end of May, and 2 to 2^ lb. of seed per im-
perial acre, is, under ordinary circumstances, considered sufficient.
They possess an advantage over the others in being easily trans-
planted, so that blanks in the rows either of the Swedes or other
sorts (when they occur), are by that means easily filled up.
The varieties are as follow : —

1. Red or Purple-top Yellow Swede. — Upper part of the
root of a dull reddish colour ; under yellowish. This is held in great
esteem by the generality of cultivators. Of it there are several sub-
varieties, which have been obtained by a repeated judicious selec-
tion of the roots from which the seed-stock has been saved, of these
the next two may be mentioned.

2. Ballantyne's New Improved Purple-top So named from

being originally brought into notice by Mr Ballantyne, nursery and
seedsman, Dalkeith. This is an improved stock of the last, and is
more remarkable for its smallness of neck, uniform deep purple co-
lour, and symmetry of shape and equality, than for the size of its
roots.

3. Cox's New Imperial. — This variety may be considered inter-
mediate in colour between the purple and green-top sorts ; its roots
often acquire a large size, but are rather irregular, and of a some-
what coarse-like quality. Such sub-varieties are frequently of short
duration, being liable to degenerate when the careful selection of the
roots to be grown for seed is not attended to, and they often only re-
tain the name for such time as their seed-stocks are grown by the
parties with whom they originated, and it occasionally happens that
stocks procured in different parts by the same means, and known
under different names, may yet be the same in other respects.

4. Green-top Swede. — Upper part of root dull green ; under
yellow.

This variety is of longer standing than the Purple-top (No. 1.),
since the introduction of which less attention has been bestowed by

TURNIPS. 239

cultivators (in Scotland at least) towards procuring improved stocks
of the Green-top Swede, which has on that account fallen somewhat in
the estimation of growers. But when the same care is taken in se-
lecting the roots grown for seed, the Green-top may be considered as
being equal in merit to the Purple.

5. White Swede. — Roots irregularly shaped, being often divided
or branched ; white under the surface of the ground, and greenish
above.

The White Swede may be considered as the most inferior and
unimproved variety ; it is at present scarcely in cultivation, and when
it appears amongst others, is considered as the effects of degeneracy,
or as arising from a bad stock of seed. With the White Swede, the
following generally admitted distinct species may, from its apparent
unimportance be compared.*

6. Brassica Oleracea Rapa, Brassica Napo-Brassica, Tur-
nip-rooted Cabbage. — Continental writers seem generally to
agree in recommending the cultivation of the Turnip-rooted Cab-
bage, from its roots, in addition to their being naturally hardy,
growing under, or almost under, the surface of the ground, whereby
they are enabled to resist the severest winters ; but it does not seem
to deserve the attention of British agriculturists, as the Swedish
Turnip, which is evidently much superior, is sufficiently hardy to
withstand the generality of the most rigorous winters to which this
country is subjected ; and as on those parts of the Continent where
the other is generally cultivated, the Swedish Turnip has not yet, or
is only recently fairly introduced, it is very probable that, when the
superior merits of the latter become more fully known and appre-
ciated, the culture of the Turnip-rooted Cabbage may by it be en-
tirely superseded.

Several varieties of Turnip-rooted Cabbage which were grown in
the Nursery at Meadowbank, from seeds procured from various parts
of the Continent, differed little from the W^hite, or what is generally
termed Very Bad Swedish Turnip, except in their leaves, which very
much resembled those of some common varieties of Kale.

* A variety of Swede which was introduced a few years since to England from
Sweden by Mr Hillyard, to which he has given the name of Thorpland Swede,
is said to be superior to any of the above, but as neither seeds nor roots have as
yet been obtained for the museum, an opportunity has not been afforded of com-
paring this sort with the others.

240 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

II. BRASSICA RAPA— var. Common Turnip.

The Common Turnip bears the same relation to the Annual 'I'ur-
nip Rape (page 190), that the Swedish Turnip does to the Summer
Rape (page 189)-

The varieties of the Common Turnip are a great deal more nume-
rous than those of the Swedish, compared with which they are also in
general of much liner symmetry, as well as of a larger size, differences
which may be partly accounted for from the Common Turnip having
been longer in, and received a more extended cultivation. One cir-
cumstance, however, peculiar to the Swedes, is, that the larger the
size to which they grow, a given weight of roots is found to contain
a greater portion of nutritious matter, while the Common Turnips,
on the contrary, after attaining to beyond a certain size, lose a pro-
portionate quantity of that most valuable part of their composition
(see Hortus Gramineus Woburne?ms) ; which circumstances tend
to shew the necessity for, and the advantages to be derived from,
devoting more attention to the procuring of large and well-formed
varieties of Swedes, and also to the procuring of hybridal varieties
between the Swedes and Common Turnip, which may be found to
combine the size and symmetry of the best varieties of the latter,
with the above-mentioned valuable properties peculiar to the Swedes.
Common Turnips are divided into two important classes, viz. the
White and the Yellow rooted. The former, comprehending those
which are most tender, and arrive soonest at maturity, and which are
best fitted for using during the earlier part of the season ; and the
latter, with very trifling exceptions, such as, from their hardiness, and
period of arriving at perfection, are intermediate between the White
sorts and the Swedes. The period of sowing Common Turnip
should be regulated according to the length of time that the variety
to be grown requires to arrive at maturity ; for when allowed to re-
main on the ground in what may be termed growing weather, or
before winter sets in, after they attain to full size, they become soft,
spongj^, and inferior in quality ; a general rule, however, is to com-
mence sowing the Yellow sorts about a fortnight after the Swedes,
or about the beginning of June, and to follow Mith the White
sorts from the 'middle till towards the end of that month. The
same quantity of seed will suffice as in the case of the Swedes
(2 to 2^ lb. per imperial acre), under ordinary circumstances, but
some cultivators recommend sowing about ^ lb. more, to provide
against the attacks of the turnip-fly; and other casualties, to which

TURNIPS. SJ'l

they are more liable than the others, while at the same time the ad-
vantage of filling up the blanks by transplanting, is in the case of
Common Turnips scarcely practicable.

* Yelloio Turnips, varieties o/'Brassica rapa, ichich are more par-
ticularly suited for Field culture. Those marked thus * are also
grmvn as Garden Turnips for the table.

7. Dale's Turnip, or Dale's Hybrid Turnmp. — From the cir-
cumstance of this variety being a mule or hybrid between the
Green-top Swede and White Globe, procured by repeated impreg-
nation, it may be presumed that it might with equal propriety have
been included amongst the varieties of Brassica campestris rutabaga,
or Swedish Turnip. It, however, bears a much greater affinity to
those of B. rapa, inasmuch as its leaves are also rough, and of a
vivid green (not glaucous) colour, and in its roots being somewhat
similar in form and texture. It has received the name of Dale's
Hybrid, from being first raised and brought into notice by Mr
Robert Dale, an intelligent farmer at Libberton West Mains, near
Edinburgh, who having, in 1822 or 1823, received a few ounces of
seed of a new hybridal variety of turnip from the late James Shirreff,
Esq. of Bastleridge, Berwickshire, sowed the same, the produce
he found very much to resemble the Swedish in shape, and from
which, by repeated selection and impregnation, he at length obtained
this esteemed variety, the distinguishing characteristics of which are
— foliage strong and luxuriant ; roots of a large size, oblong shape,
and of a lightish yellow colour, with light green top, having also a
small neck and tap-root. The shape of the root, however, although
generally oblong, is rather apt to vary, being sometimes almost globu-
lar, but its more material characteristics of large size and luxuriance of
growth are uniformly the same. Compared with any other of the
common yellow field sorts, it is found to arrive sooner at maturity,
and consequently may be sown at a later period of the season ; while
at the same time it is equally hardy, or at least has been found suffi-
ciently so to withstand the severest winters which have occurred
since its introduction. (For farther information concerning this
variety, see a paper by Mr C. Lavvson, in the Quarterly Journal of
Agriculture, vol. ii.)

8. New Purple-top Hybrid Turnip In its general appear-

242 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

ance this >'ariet.y seems nearer in relation to the Swede than Dale's
Hybrid ; like it, however, it has the rough vivid green root foliage
by which the varieties of B. rapa are so easily distinguished.
Judging from specimens of roots sent to the Museum by Andrew
Longmore, Esq. Ratter, and which were raised by him from seed
grown by Grant Duff, Esq. of Eden, Banff, this seems likely to be-
come a very useful turnip for using in the spring months. Most of
these roots were of a slightly oblong shape, of a greenish-purple co-
lour on the top, and light yellow or almost white on the under sur-
face. They were all remarkably firm in texture, and rather late in
beginning to shoot,

y Large Laurencekirk Yellow Tankard.* — So named from
having been originally selected and brought into the notice of culti-
vators by Mr Kobert Scott, Laurencekirk. At first sight this may
be mistaken for Dale's Hybrid, like which it grows a good deal out
of the ground, but is distinguished by its more oblong and more
uniformly shaped roots. It is a valuable acquisition, being also, like
that variety, early in arriving at maturity, but generally considered
rather less hardy, and like it also yields a bulky crop.

10. Long Cambridgeshire Yellow Tankard. — This variety,
which is scarcely known in Scotland, is grown to a pretty consider-
able extent in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, where it is also sometimes
known by the name of Pudding Swede, which name it seems to have
acquired more on account of its hardness of texture than from any
other resemblance which it bears to any of the true Swedish turnips.
Its roots are much longer in shape than those of any other yellow field
turnip, of a lightish yellow colour with green top, and in general
grow more than half under ground.

II. PuRPLE-TOP Yellow Tankard — Root bright yellow with
a purple top, of a somewhat irregular long w tankard shape. This
variety was formerly grown in some districts chiefly in England,
but is now nearly out of cultivation ; nor does it seem entitled to any
particular share of attention, being altogether a coarse-like inferior

* Tankard is a name applied to such common field turnips as are of an oblong
shape, and the roots of which in general grow a good deal above the surface of
the ground. Such oblong varieties, however, as approach nearest to a round or
globular form are sometimes termed Decanter, or Decanter-shaped turnips.

TURNIPS. 243

sort, and not capable of yielding near such a bulky crop as either of
the three last.

12. Common or Old Red, or Purple-top Yellow Bullock,

Pdrple-top Aberdeen Leaves comparatively short, spreading, of

a dark colour, and collected into a small neck at their base ; root glo-
bular or somewhat flattened, of a reddish purple colour above, and
deep yellow under the surface of the ground, of medium size ; tap-
root very small. This is an old and very deservingly esteemed va-
riety, and of those commonly cultivated is considered by some to
come nearest the Swedes in hardiness and solidity of texture.

13. Berwickshire Border Imperial Purple-top Yellow —
This, which may be considered as a superior or improved variety of
the last, was first introduced by Mr R. Hogg, Nursery and Seedsman,
Dunse, Berwickshire ; its principal distinguishing characters are, roots
somewhat large, flesh and under part of the skin deep yellow, and
top of a bright red or purple colour, firmer in texture and hardier
than the last.

14. Skirving's Improved Purple-top Yellow. — This is also an
improved variety of the old purple-top yellow bullock, and grown to
a considerable extent in some of the north-west districts of England.
It acquires its name from having been first brought into notice by Mr
Wm. Skirving, nursery and seedsman, Liverpool.

15. Yellow Aberdeen Bullock, or Green-top Yellow Bul-
lock.— In the size and shape of its roots this old and deservedly es-
teemed sort resembles the Purple-top Yellow Bullock (No. 12), but
differs in the colour of its top, which is bright green.

16. Old Scotch Yellow In size and quality is about equal to

the last variety, but its roots are considerably more flattened, and
grow deeper, or seem more buried in the ground, and have, from
that circumstance, a smaller proportion of green-coloured top, which
is also of a lighter shade.

17. Hood's New Large Yellow is a very superior large globular-
shaped hardy turnip, remarkably perfect in symmetry, and has rather
a lightish-green top. Introduced by Charles Hood, Esq., an eminent

u 2

244 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

farmer at Inverbrora, Sutherlandshire, a gentleman who has devoted
much attention to the cultivation and improvement of field turnips
generally.

18. Gordon's Yellow, is a name under which a very superior
variety is known in some of the north-eastern districts of Scotland,
and which was originally introduced by Mr Gordon, an eminent cul-
tivator in Aberdeenshire. It is of a rather oblong shape, deep green
colour on the top, generally very slightly tinged with red, and ap-
pears about equal in merit to the last.

19. * Altringham Yellow. — Compared with the generality of
yellow field turnips, this is rather under the medium size, the root
however, is of a fine globular shape, and possessed of considerable
solidity, with a light greenish top, very small neck, and tap-root.

20. Jones' Yellow. — This variety originated in the neighbour-
hood of Stirling, where it is still cultivated to some extent ; it bears a
considerable resemblance to the last, but grows to a larger size, and
the yellow colour both of the skin and flesh is deeper.

21. * Yellow Globe. — Roots of medium size ; globular, and al-
ways nearly under the surface of the ground ; top greenish, leaves
rather small and spreading. This is a superior turnip both for field
and garden culture.

22. * Yellow Stone. — This variety differs from the last in grow-
ing more out of the ground, and having a greener top ; in other re-
spects they are pretty similar. As a garden turnip, this is one of the
most esteemed sorts.

* * Yelloio sorts more particularly suited for garden culture.

23. Yellow Malta, or Maltese Golden Turnip. — Roots
very small, slightly flattened above, and concave or much hollowed
on the under side towards the tap-root, which, as well as the neck, is
remarkably small, skin very smooth, and of a bright orange-yellow
colour ; leaves also very small. For summer and autumn crops this
is the most esteemed of all the yellows, but is rather tender and in-
capable of withstanding frost.

TURNIPS. 245

24. Yellow Preston, or Liverpool Yellow This is also an

early sort, and bears a considerable resemblance to the last, but grows
to a larger size, has stronger foliage, and is less hollowed towards the
tap-root.

25. Yellow Dutch Roots small and globular, of a pale yellow

colour throughout, or very slightly tinged with green on the top, par-
ticularly when much exposed to the sun and weather. This is a
much esteemed early sort, being of excellent flavour, and very well
adapted for using in summer and autumn.

26. Large Long Garden Yellow. — Roots about one- fourth part
above ground, which is of a greenish colour, while that below the sur-
face is of a deep yellow. This is a hardy and rather superior sort,
hitherto little known in this country, but grown pretty extensively on
the Continent.

27. Small Long Yellow, LeNavet de Meaux Jaune, Fr — Leaves
very small and spreading ; root generally entirely under ground,
small, and of an oblong or carrot shape, terminating abruptly at the
point ; colour light yellow.

At present this variety is little known in Britain. About a century
ago, however, either it or the white (No. 45) was more in esteem ;
they are both of excellent flavour and grown to a considerable extent
in some parts of the Continent, particularly in France and Holland,
from whence they used to be imported for the London market, their
under ground habit of growth protects them in a great measure from
frost, and they succeed best on sandy soils.

*** White Varieties adapted to Field Culture.

28. Lawton Hybrid This variety, which was raised by James

Wright, Esq. of Lawton, Strathmore, may be considered as bearing
the same relation to the Swede as Dale's Hybrid (No. 7). Its leaves
are darkish green, rather small and sraoothish ; roots roundish, or
somewhat heart-shaped, being often tapered on the under side ; white
below, and green above the surface of the ground. They are possessed
of more solidity and firmness of texture than most of the white sorts.
From its being first brought into notice so lately as 1834, a more ex-

246 FUSIFORM.ROOTED PLANTS.

tensive cultivation is yet necessary before any thing definite can be
said of its merits.

fxi

29. Lewisham Green-top Ox-heart. — This is an excellent
variety, grown in some of the southern districts of England and in
Scotland, has acquired this name from having been first introduced
by Messrs Willmott and Co., Seedsmen, Lewisham ; in colour and
shape it very much resembles the Lawton Hybrid, but is somewhat
softer in texture, and has larger and lighter green coloured leaves.

29. Green Globe, or Green-top White Globe. — Roots of a
fine globular shape, with a small neck, and tap-root ; very white un-
der, and green above the surface of the ground ; of medium size,
hardy, and firm in texture, but scarcely so much so as the Green Round
(No. 36), than which it arrives at maturity rather earlier. A very fine
sub-variety of this is known in some parts under the name of Hun-
garian Green-top Globe ; it is larger and softer than the common
sort ; also of a fine regular shape, and was first introduced by Adam
Ferguson, Esq. of Woodhill, who received its seeds from Hungary.

31. White Globe, Common White Globe Roots globular ;

skin smooth and perfectly white ; neck and tap-root small. Although
the above description embraces the principal characters of the White
Globe Turnip, yet there is a considerable variety in those to which
this name is applied, arising from the degree of care and attention be-
stowed by growers in selecting their seed roots ; and the shape is often
not a little affected by the kind and state of the soil in which they are
grown. Thus Globes of any kind, and particularly the variety here
mentioned, when grown on a very superior rich soil, may be said to
be forced beyond their natural size, and thereby acquire somewhat of
a monstrous or overgrown appearance, losing in a great measure
their natural symmetry of shape.

32. Pomeranian Globe This variety was introduced some years

since fi-om Pomerania, and may be considered as the most perfect
globe turnip in shape, as well as the most regular or uniform grower.
Its skin is of a smooth white and somewhat shining or transparent-
like appearance ; leaves smoothish, of a dark green colour, with
whitish nerves.

In the Perthshire Agricultural Report for October 1 834, the Pome-

TURNIPS. 247

ranian globe is mentioned as being less affected by mildew than most
others, a disease which was very prevalent in some districts that season.
A rather smaller variety, but in other respects resembling the Pomera-
nian, is known in some places under the name of Crystal Globk.

33. Stone Globe. — This is considered as being the hardiest of
all the entire White Globe Turnips. It grows naturally deeper in the
soil than the others, and has stronger darker green foliage.

34. Red Globe. — Roots medium sized, globular shaped, and firm
in texture. This is an old, and in some districts pretty extensively
cultivated variety. It is medium early, and generally allowed to be
particularly well suited for light soils, and exposed elevated situa-
tions.

35. Autumn Stubble, or Six Weeks Turnip. — Roots much
above ground ; rather large, of an irregulai- globular shape, or in form
somewhat between the White Globe (No. 31) and White Norfolk
(No. 37), and rather soft. This sort arrives sooner at maturity than
any of the others, the Tankard Turnips (Nos. 39, 40, 41) excepted,
and from its natural softness of texture should always be sown late,
and used before the severe frosts set in. As descriptive of its ear-
liness, it has received the above names, it being suited for sowing in
early situations in autumn after the corn crop has been removed, and
is also valuable for making up blanks in turnip fields, where the first
sowing may have partially failed.

36. Green Norfolk*, Green Round or Common GreenTop
White — The Norfolk Turnips are all of a peculiar flattish shape,
rather hollowed towards their neck, as also on their under side, and
when grown to a large size they become more or less of an irregular
round or somewhat cornered shape.

The Green Top variety possesses these characters in a less de-

* Norfolk being the county into which the culture of Field Turnips was first
introduced, the original and consequently unimproved sorts, when grown in other
places, were known by the name of Norfolk Turnips. This name is still retained
and applied to a class of turnips which, as far as regards symmetry of shape, are
to be considered inferior, and apparently only slightly improved from the first
cultivated varieties. The name has no reference to the sorts at present culti-
vated iu Norfolk, which are at least equal to those in any other district of Bri-
tain.

248 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

gree than the next ; and is generally of a pretty regular round shape,
flattened, but not much hollowed on the upper and under surface ;
the former of which is of a green colour and the latter white. It is
also hardier than the next two.

37. White Norfolk or White Round This is the largest rooted

variety of Norfolk, and at the same time softest and most irregular
in shape. It is generally hollowed towards the neck, and being so,
it is apt to be injured by retaining moisture, which renders it unfit for
using except in the beginning of the winter season.

38. Red Norfolk. — In size this sort is inferior to the last, but
rather firmer in texture, and more regular in shape. It should also
be used in the early part of the season, and is at once distinguished
from all the other round flattened varieties by its bright reddish top,
and from the Red Globe (No. 34) by its flat shape.

39. Green Tankard Roots more than half above ground ; ob-
long or tankard shaped ; of a greenish colour, except on the under
surface which is white.

The Tankards, like the Norfolks, are unsuitable for winter feed-
ing, not so much on account of their softness as from their standing
mostly above ground, and being thereby much exposed to frost. They
are also generally earlier in arriving at maturity than the others.

40. White Tankard Roots longer, and in general larger, also

softer in texture than those of the Green Tankard ; often bent or
crooked ; leaves large and luxuriant ; the earliest maturing of any,
but will not stand the frost.

41. Red Tankard. — In size, shape, and texture, this variety may
be considered as occuping an intermediate place between the Green
and White Tankard. It is of a bright red colour on the upper sur-
face, and white on the under.

**** White Sorts more particularly suited for Garden Culture.

42. White Dutch. — This is the most esteemed sort for early
crops. It is juicy and of excellent cpiality when young, but soft,
spongy, and inferior when full grown, at which period it becomes of

TURNIPS. 249

an irregular round and much flattened shape. Its cuhure in the
field has been recommended when late sowing is necessary, but in
such a case the Autumn or Six weeks (No. 35), and the Tankards
(Nos. 39, 40, and 41), are decidedly preferable.

43. Red Dutch or Early Garden Red The roots of this are

very similar in shape to those of the last variety, but differ in colour,
being bright red above ground, and also in having smaller and darker
coloured foliage. This is a very excellent varietj', but little known
in this country.

44. White Garden or Early Stone Turnip. — This is a com-
mon and well known Garden Turnip, of a rounder shape, firmer
texture, with stronger foliage than the White Dutch ; it is not,
however, so well adapted for early spring sowing, being more apt
to run to seed, and has acquired the name of Early from the cir-
cumstance of its arriving soon at maturity when sown at a later
period of the season. A carefuU}^ selected and improved variety
of this is known in some parts of England by the name of Mouse-
tail Turnip.

45. Small Long White, Le Navet de Meaux blanc, Fr This

variety differs from the Small Long Yellow, which see (No. 27), in
little except in colour.

46. Small very Long, or Maltese Long White, Le Navet de
Clair Fontain,Vv — This differs from the preceding in being generally
partly above ground, which part is of a greenish colour ; also much
longer and tapering more gradually towards the point.

***** Sorts not included in any of the preceding divisions.

47. Round Black Turnip — Leaves small, few and smoothish j
roots almost or altogether under ground, of an irregular roundish
shape, often divided or terminating in thick branches at its lower ex-
tremity ; skins very rough and of a black colour ; flesh white.

This and the next three sorts have a hottish somewhat radish-like
taste, for which they are esteemed and cultivated in some parts of
the Continent.

250 FUSIFORM- ROOTED PLANTS.

48. Round Brown Turnmp — This differs from the last in little
except in colour, which is dull brown or earthy like.

49. Long Black Turnip This differs from the Round Black

(No. 47) in little except the form of its root, which is of a long
carrot shape, and also mostly under ground.

50. Long Brown Turnip. — This variety hears the same relation
to the Round Brown, as the last does to the Round Black Turnip.

51. Small Berlin or Teltau Turnip. — This is remarkable as
being the smallest of all the Turnips. It is of an oblong or carrot
shape, about three inches in length, and at the thickest part seldom
above an inch in diameter ; of a dull transparent-like white, or very
light lead colour, and is possessed of a peculiar slightly hot taste.

Specimens of Turnips, ivith Notices regarding their Culture, S,c.
presented to the Museum.

Crop 1834.
By Mr William Henderson, Whim, Peeblesshire.
One root, weight 8 lb., variety No. 1.
Do. do. do. 7| lb. do. No. 4.
Do. do. do. Si lb. do. No. 12.
Do. do. do. 9i lb. do. No. 15.
These specimens were grown on newly improved soil, composed
almost entirely of peat to the depth of ten feet, and which formerly
produced nothing but such weeds as are peculiar to peaty marshes,
being occasionally overflooded in wet weather. The above turnips
were sown on the 26th of May, being manured with a compost of
earth and dung.

By the Hon. Captain Maitland. Communicated by Mr Jamieson, Lauder.
Three specimens, weight of largest 8^ lb. variety No. 1 .

Four do. do. 10^ lb. do. No. 7-

Two do. do. 9 lb. do. No. 35.

Do. do. do. 9 lb. 2 oz. do. No. 36.

By Mr Dudgeon, Falkland.
Two specimens, weight of largest 9^ lb. variety No. 2.

TURNIPS. 251

These were both of the most perfect symmetry, and the produce
of seed grown by Mr Dudgeon.

By Mr Morris, Overseer, Invermay, Perthshire.
One specimen, weight 9 lb. variety No. 1.

Nine do. average weight 8f lb. do. No. 4.
One do. weight 11^ lb. do. No. 7.

Do. do. do. lOi lb. do. No. 32.

These were all selected more for their fineness of shape than large
size.

By Andrew Howden, Esq. Lawhead, East Lothian.
Six specimens, weight of largest 10|- lb. variety No. 1.
Do. do. do. 10 lb. do. No. 15.

By Mr Cockburn, Land-steward, Hopetoun House.

Four specimens, weight of largest lOf lb. variety No. 4.

Manured with twenty-five tons farm-yard dung per acre.

By Mr P. Hume, Land-steward, Fordel, Fifeshire.

Two specimens, weight of largest 11 lb., variety No. 7-

Do. do. do. lOilb. do. No. 31.

By Mr J. Kirk, Preston Mains.
Two specimens, weight of largest 10^ lb., variety No. 1.
Do. do do. 12 lb. do. No. 7-

These were grown on a light gravelly soil, property of Sir J. B.
Hepburn of Smeaton, Bart.

By Mr M'JVaughton, Gardener, Edmonstone.
Four specimens, weight of largest 23|^ lb., variety No. 4.
Do. of smallest 15| lb.
These sprung up spontaneously in spring, on a piece of garden
ground which was trenched during the preceding winter, and which
was trenched five years before that period, after being cropped with
the above variety (No. 4,) of Swedish Turnips, so that the seed had
Iain in the ground, from the period when first sown, about six years.
By Mr R. Hogg, Nursery and Seedsman, Dunse.
Several specimens, average weight 12 lb. of variety. No. 13. (Ber-
wickshire Border Imperial Purple Top Yellow), with the following
particulars : — " This turnip possesses all the qualities of the Swedish,
with the advantage of being a much freer grower. It succeeds well
on every variety of turnip soil, produces a larger crop than the White
Globe, is a fine feeder, and stands the winter better than any of the
Common Yellows. It is in full perfection for using in February, and

252 FUS1F0R3I-R00TED PLANTS.

continues for as long a period as the Swedes ; and should the latter
fail, the Border Imperial being sown as late as the month of June,
will yield a crop equal if not superior to what might have been ex-
pected from the Swedes had they succeeded. This variety has been
grown by me (since I first raised it) for ten years with great ad-
vantage. RoBT. Hogg."
By Matthew Buht, Esq. Dunglass.
Three specimens, average weight IO5 lb, variety No. 1.
Do. do. do. 10 lb. 6 oz. do. No. 2.
By the Editor of the Scotsman.
One root, weight 24 lb. 10 oz., variety No. 31.
The above was the largest specimen in the Museum, of crop 1834,
and was grown on the farm of Mr Robb, Gorgie Mains.

By Charles Hood, Esq. Invergordon, Inverness-shire.
Six specimens, average weight, \Q^ lb., variety No. 7.

Three

do.

9flb.

do.

No. 15.

Do.

do.

lOi lb.

do.

No. 17.

Do.

do.

8ilb.

do.

No. 22.

Do.

do.

lOflb.

do.

No. 28.

By Mr J. Smeal, Millhurn Tower.

Two specimens, weight of largest 9^ lb., variety No. 1 .

Do. do. do. 9| fb. do. No. 4.

Grown on a clay loam with a gravelly subsoil, and manured with

twenty-seven tons farm-yard dung per acre ; produce of clean roots,

forty -four tons ; and

Two specimens, weight of largest 8^ lb., variety No. 1.
Do. do. do. 8^ lb. do. No. 4.

Grown on a liglit sandy soil, manured with twenty-seven tons farm-
yard dung and tree leaves, in the proportion of three to one ; pro-
duce per acre forty tons.

Also grown on the same kind of soil with the same kind of manure.
Two specimens, weight of largest 12^ lb , variety No. 7.
Do. do. do. 10| lb. do. No. 12.

Do. do. do. II lb. do. No. 15.

By Mr James Meiklejohn, Tranent Mains.

Eight specimens, average weight 8| lb., varieties Nos. 1 and 4.

Grown on improved peaty soil ; cropped with oats the preceding

year, which were sown in drills, and hoed to get quit of annual

weeds j stubble cross-ploughed in November 1 833 ; and ploughed

TURNIPS. !?53

again in March 1834, and previous to sowing, which was on the 26tli
and 27th of May, the whole was subjected to a course of Finlay-
son's Harrow, to destroy weeds, by which means the soil was bet-
ter able to retain its moisture than if ploughed ; farm manure ap-
plied (to the extent of ten tons per acre) in the drills, which were
made 27^ inches apart, and the plants were afterwards thinned out
to the distance of twelve inches in the row.

By Mr John Proudfoot, PinJcie Hill, Inveresk.
Six specimens, average weight 9^ lb. variety No. 1.
Grown on a strong clay soil.

By Mr Alexander Temple, Gadener, Falkland Palace.
Two specimens, weight of largest 3 lb., variety No. 23.
By Mr Robertson, Gardener, Kinfauns Castle, Perthshire.
Two specimens, weight of largest 2^ lb., variety No. 47-
Do. do. do. 2 lb. do. No. 48.

Crop 1835.
ByJas. Stewart, Esq. Woodhall, Lanarkshire.
Four specimens, weight of the largest 12 lb., variety No. 1, grown
in the orchard at Woodhall, on a strong soil which was under grass
until the previous season, when it was broke up, limed, and cropped
with oats, and next season manured with stable dung for the turnip
crop. The trees in the orchard before the grass was broken up bore
a stinted-like appearance, but are now considerably improved, their
foliage having acquired a deeper and more healthy green colour.
By Mr Samuel Girdwood, Kerry-lamont, Isle of Bute.
Two specimens, weight of largest 14 lb., variety No. 1.
do. 17|lb. do. No. 7.

do. 1511b. do. No. 12.

do. 15 lb. do. No. 15.

do. I6i lb. do. No. 28.

do. 18^ lb. do. No. 31.

The above specimens, by Mr Girdwood, were selected from
amongst a number of others exhibited at an Agricultural Society's
Show at Rothesay, Isle of Bute, and were all grown on that island.
By the Rev. J. M. Robertson, Livingston Manse.
Three specimens, aggregate weight 29^ lb., variety No. 1
Two do. do. do. 2\\ lb. do. No. 7.

Grown on a light loam}^ soil of medium quality.

Do.

do.

Do.

do.

Do.

do.

Do.

do.

Do.

do.

254 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTkS.

By Messrs Wm. Davidson and Co. Seedsmen, Aberdeen.
Two specimens, aggregate weight 19| lb., variety No. 15.

By James Johnston, Esq. of Straiton, communicated by Mr Robert Belly
Champfleurie.
Four specimens, weight of the largest 14 lb. variety No. 7.
Do. do. do. 23 lb. do. No. 31.

By Mr J. Smeal, Millburn Tower.
Two specimens, weight of the largest 9 lb., variety No. 1.
Two do. do. do. 11 lb. do. No. 3.

Three do. do. do. 10^ lb. do. No. 12.

Do. do. do. do. 10^ lb. do. No. 15.

All grown in the same field, on what is generally termed a me-
dium good black loam, which had 25 tons of manure (farm -yard
dung, and about one-fourth of decomposed tree leaves) applied per
acre in the drills before sowing.

By Mr James Stenhouse Jun. Colterwell, Ormiston.
One specimen of variety No. 7, weight 12^ lb., and circumference
30 inches, grown on a light gravelly soil.

By Messrs W. and J. Noble, Seedsmen, Fleet Street, London.

One specimen, weight 11;^ lb., variety No. 12.

Do. do. do. lO^lb. do. No. 39.

Do. do. do. 1211b. do. No. 40.

Do. do. do. 10 lb. do. No. 41.

By Andrew Longmore, Esq. Ratter, Banff.

Six specimens, average weight 8f lb., variety No. 8.

For farther particulars, see page 241-2.

By the Right Hon. Tlie Earl of Lauderdale, communicated by
Mr Thomas Fair, Woodhead, Lauder.

Four specimens, average weight 8| lb., variety No. 1.

Five do. do. do. 9 lb. do. No. 7.

Four do. do. do. 9f lb. do. No. 31.

The above were grown on land of a high elevation, which until the
year 1833 was a peat marsh, producing nothing but weeds. It was
twice cropped with oats (in 1 833 and 1 834), and in 1 835 had sixteen
single horse cart-loads of lime applied to the acre. The Swedish tur-
nips (No. 1) were sown on the 23d of May, with 1\ quarters of bone-
dust per acre, and the produce of clean roots was about 28 tons 2
cwt. The Dale's Hybrid and White Globes were sown on the 1 8th
and 20th of June, and manured with eighteen single-horse carts of

TURNIPS. 255

t'arin-yard dung. Produce of the former 25 tons, and of the latter 27
tons 3 cwt. per acre.

Btj Charles Hood, Esq. Invergordon, Ross-shire.

Three specimens, average weight 9 lb., variety No. 1.

Four do. do 10| lb. do. No. 7.

Two do. do. 9 lb. do. No. 15.

Do. do. do. lOflb. do. No. 17-

These were all selected on account of their fineness of shape, and
from their possessing the true characteristics peculiar to the varieties
known under their respective names.

By Mr J. Smart, Kingside, Peeblesshire.
Two specimens weighing 13 lb. and 14^ lb., variety No. 7-

By George Baker, Esq. Elemese Hall, Durham.
Six specimens of variety No. 31, average weight 4 lb., which were
sown on stubble in August, after the corn crop was removed.

By Mr Jamieson, Lauder.
One specimen, weight
Do. do. do.
Do. do. do.
Do. do. do.

Do. do do.

These were all raised from seed grown the same season (1835)
were sown on the 15th of August, and pulled in the first week of
December.

By Mr Black, Land-steward to His Grace the Dukeof Buccleugh, Dalkeith.
The following specimens, grown in the Agricultural Garden
there : —

1 lb..

vari

ety

No.

2ilb.

do.

No.

If lb.

do.

No.

15.

lilb.

do.

No.

21.

34 lb.

do.

No.

35.

ne root.

weight

81b.

oz.

variety

No.

Do.

do.

7 1b.

oz.

do.

No.

Do.

do.

8 1b.

oz.

do.

No.

Do.

do.

8 1b.

do.

No.

Do.

do.

.5 1b.

oz,

do.

No.

Do.

do.

4 1b.

oz.

do.

No.

Do.

do.

10 1b.

oz.

do.

No.

Do.

do.

9 lb.

oz.

do.

No.

15.

Do.

do.

9 1b.

oz.

do.

No.

16.

Do.

do.

8 lb.

oz.

do.

No.

20.

Do.

do.

3 1b.

oz.

do.

No.

23.

Do.

do.

5 lb.

oz.

do.

No.

24.

256 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

One root, weight 5 lb. 12 oz. variety No. 26.

Do. do. 3 lb. 2 oz. do. No. 27.

Do. do. 10 lb. do. No. 28.

Do. do. 10 1b. 2 oz. do. No. 29.

Do, do. 9 lb. 12 oz. do. No. 30.

Do. do. 11 lb. 3 oz. do. No. 31.

Do. do. 10 lb. 6 oz. do. No. 32.

Do. do. 5 lb. 2 oz. do. No. 42.

Do. do. 5 lb. do. No. 43.

Do. do. 3 lb. do. No. 45.

Do. do. .3 1b. 8 oz. do. No. 46.

Do, do. 2 1b. 12 oz. do. No. 47.

Do. do. 2 lb. 10 oz. do. No. 48.

Do. do. 3 lb. 6 oz. do. No. 49-

Do. do. 3 lb. 12 oz. do. No. 50.

Do. do. 2^ oz. do. No. 51.

These turnips, from the Agricultural Garden, Dalkeith, being all
grown on a medium light, rich, black loam, sown at the same time, and
having all received the same sort of management, the above serves
in some measure to shew the relative weight or size that the sorts
there enumerated bear to one another.

Seeds of Turnips presented to the Museum.

By Mr Ballantyne, Nursery and Seedsman, Dalkeith.
Variety No. 2.

By Messrs Beck, Henderson, &^ Co., Seedsmen, London.
Variety No. 3.

By Mr Robert Scott, Laurencekirk.
Variety No. 9-

By Mr Wm. Skirving, Nursery and Seednman, Liverpool.
Variety No. 14.

By Charles Hood, Esq. Inverbrora, Sutherland.
Variety No. 1 7. Raised on his farm of Invergordon, Ross-shire.
By Messrs Drummond and Sons, Nursery and Seedsmen, Stirling-
Variety No. 14.

By Mesxrx Wilhnott S^ Co., Seedsmen, Lewisham.
Variety No. 29-

BEET. 957

By M. Vilmorin S)- Co., Nursery and Seedsmen, Paries.

Nos. 26, 27, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51.

By Dr L. Edmonston, Shetland.

Seeds of a particular turnip, which were sown at Meadowbank
Nursery, and turned out to be the same as, or at least to resemble,
No. 51.

By Mr John Gow, Fettercairn.

The following account of an experiment conducted by him to as-
certain the comparative values of Dale's Hybrid Turnip (Var. No. 7.),
and Lawton Hybrid (Var. No. 28) : — " The field in which he grew
Dale's Hybrid and I^awton Hybrid Turnips, contained about twelve
Scotch acres, composed of a deep black sharp soil, on a gravelly
subsoil, which was deep ploughed in autumn 1 834, after a crop of
oats ; twice ploughed in spring 1 835, and afterwards cleared of
weeds previous to its being drilled up for sowing on the 4th of June.
The manure, consisting of 20 tons per acre of well decomposed farm-
yard dung, was applied in the drills 28 inches apart, and these sown
alternately with the above sorts of turnip.

The Dale's Hybrid turned out the most regular in size ; the largest
were about 28 inches in circumference, and the average weight per
drill, of 4 1 2 yards long, on the 4th of January when they were pulled,
was 255 stones imperial, equal to 4590 stones, or nearly 29 tons per
Scotch acre.

The Lawton Hybrids were more irregular in size, the largest
being about 32 inches in girth ; and, on being taken up on the 9th
of January, weighed on an average 305 stones per drill, or 34 tons
and 50 stones per acre.

In France other varieties known by the following names are culti-
vated : — Le Navet de Sahlons ; Le Navet Rose du Palatinat ; Le
Gros long d' Alsace, together with several varieties of the Swedish
Turnip, seeds of which have not as yet been received.

II. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Digynia of Linnaeus,
and to the natural order Chenopode(S of Jussieu.

BETA— BEET.

Generic chauacters. — Calyx when green, soft, and flesh}', but

258 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

when ripe of a hard or somewhat woody-like texture, into which the
kidney-like shaped seeds are deeply imbedded.

BETA VULGARIS— Common Beet.

Specific characters. — Stems branching ; flowers greenish, with-
out or with very short footstalks; leaves all smooth, lower ones ovate;
root fleshy ; biennial ; native of the south of Europe, introduced to
Britain in 1548.

The varieties of Beta vulgaris may be divided into two important
classes, viz. : B. vulgaris campestris. Field Beet, and B. vulgaris
hortensis, Garden Beet. In the former are included all those of
greatest importance to the agriculturist, and in tlie latter, such as are
chiefly confined to garden culture, and some of which are well known
as valuable esculent vegetables.

In this country the varieties of Beta vulgaris campestris have
hitherto received a rather limited share of cultivation ; not so, how-
ever, in some counties of England, where their qualities are more
justly appreciated. One reason why they may not have hitherto
received a greater share of attention is from an opinion being preva-
lent, that however well Field Beet may succeed in England, the cli-
mate of Scotland is, to a certain degree, unsuited for their growth.
Judging, however, from specimens of the growth of this country, with
the accompanying remarks, which have been presented to the Museum
at various times, and from different districts, there seems every rea-
son to conclude that a more general knowledge of its merits, and per-
haps the removal of a little prejudice on the part of cultivators, is
only necessary to insure its more extended cultivation. Both roots
and leaves are particularly valuable, as food for live-stock and for
milch cows in particular, as they are found to impart a rich and agree-
able flavour to their produce. In France the cultivation of Mangel
Wurzel has long been carried on to a great extent for the manu-
facture of sugar, and both on the Continent and in Britain it has
been used in the distillery.

Mangel Wurzel succeeds best on rather strong rich soils, but will
thrive well on such as have a considerable portion of decayed peat in
their composition, as also on strong clays, provided they can be got
sufficiently pulverised to insure a fair braird, the ground being in all
cases previously deep ploughed. From five to seven pounds of seed
are sufficient for sowing an imperial acre, in rows about two feet apart.

Besides the use of the garden sorts for pickles, &c. as is well known

BEET. 259

in this country, in France some of them are used as a substitute for
coffee after having been cut into slices and sufficiently dried.

* Beta vulgaris campestris, Field Beet or Mangel Wurzel.

1. Common or Marbled Field Beet, or Mangel Wurzel. —
Leaves reddish or i-eddish green ; roots thickly fusiform or spindle-
shaped, of a dullish red colour on the outer surface, and marbled, or
of a mixed white and reddish colour of various shades in the inte-
rior. This variety is the most esteemed, and generally cultivated for
feeding cattle, from its being a free grower, and also from its produ-
cing a much greater weight of roots per acre than any other. The
marbled, or mixed-like colour of its flesh, seems particularly liable to
vary, being in some specimens of a nearly uniform red colour, while
in others the red is scarcely and often not at all perceptible. These
variations in colour are, however, of no importance in regard to the
quality of the roots.

2. Red Skinned Mangel Wurzel with White Flesh —
Leaves somewhat lighter in colour than those of the last ; roots also
thicker in proportion to their length or more approaching to what is
generally termed a turnip shape ; skin of a bright-lightish red colour
and flesh very white. This variety is to be particularly distinguish-
ed by cultivators, from the whiter or almost white-fleshed specimens
of the last, and is easily recognised by its more globular and also
smaller root. It is cultivated in some parts of Germany, but not be-
ing superior to the last for any purpose whatever, while at the same
time it is considerably inferior in bulk of produce, it is at present
scarcely known in Britain.

3. Yellow or Golden Mangel Wurzel. — Leaves green with
yellowish or orange-coloured ribs ; root pretty regularly and thickly
fusiform, with a deep yellowish coloured skin, and light yellow, or
almost whitish coloured flesh. Compared with (No. 1) the roots of
this variety are in general much smaller, but they are considered
finer in texture, to contain more saccharine matter, and, therefore,
more esteemed for feeding horses, as well as (on the Continent, par-
ticularly in Germany) for the manufacture of sugar, and also in the
distillery.

260 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

4. White Mangel VVurzel. — Leaves green with very light green
coloured ribs ; skin and flesh of the thickly fusiform roots ; white.
This variety is like the last, chiefly esteemed on the Continent (but
more particularly in France) for the manufacture of sugar and for
the distillery.

5. TuRNiP-RooTED Mangel Wurzel. — Roots globular or heart-
shaped, being generally slightly tapered towards the bottom, with
reddish coloured skin and slightly marbled red and white, or entire
white flesh. This variety, compared with the others, is of recent in-
troduction, and, from the shape of its roots, admirably adapted for
shallow soils, in addition to which it is also said to be particularly
suited for such as are of a light sandy or siliceous nature^

** Beta vulgaris hortensis — Garden Beet.

6. Common or Large Red Garden Beet. — Leaves reddish ;
roots generally entireh'^ under ground, pretty long, of a regularly ta-
pered or fusiform shape, and of a uniform red colour throughout.

7. Small Deep Red Beet, Superb Deep Blood Red Beet, &c.
— Leaves rather small and spreading, of a very deep red colour ;
roots growing more above ground, smaller and more bluntly tapered
than those of the last; and both in skin and flesh of a much deeper
blood red colour.

8. New Black or Mulberry Beet. — This seems a subvariety of
the last, from which it differs chiefly in being of a much darker or
almost blackish mulberry colour; it is as yet but little known, being
only recently introduced.

9. New Short-rooted Deep Blood-red Beet. — Like No. 7,
this sort also grows a good deal above ground, and differs from it
chiefly in having much shorter or more turnip-shaped roots.

10. Basanno Beet. — Leaves reddish-green, with red coloured
ribs ; roots globular or slightly depressed, with a smootli bright red
coloured skin, and pure white flesh. This variety was first introdu-
ced by Sir John M. Naismyth, Bart, of Posso.

BEET. 261

11. Neapolitan Turnip-rooted Beet — This variety differs from
the last chiefly in having reddish or marbled-like flesh.

In addition to the varieties above particularised, several others of
minor importance, the seeds of which were received from France,
were exhibited in the museum. Of these may be mentioned Yellow
Small Long, and Turnip-rooted Beets, White Turnip-rooted Beet,
&c.

Specimens and accompanying remarks presented to the Museum,
Names of the Donors, 8^c.

Crop 1834.
By Andrew Howden, Esq. Lawhead.
Six roots of mangel wurzel, variety No. 1 , grown on rather light
rich soil ; weight of the largest 1 1 lb. 12 oz., average weight 10 lb.
4 oz.

By Mr J. Kirk, Preston Mains.
Two roots, aggregate weight 20 lb. 6 oz., variety No. 1.

By Admiral Sir Philip Durham, Bart. Fordel, communicate by
Mr P. Hume, Lundsteward there.
Six roots, average weight 12 lb. 8 oz, variety No. 1.
Two do., weight of largest 6 1b. 5 oz. do. No. 5.

By General Durham, Largo, communicated by Mr Horn, Land-steward

at that place.

Two roots, weight of the largest 15 lb. 2 oz., variety No. 1.

Produce per imperial acre, as stated by Mr Horn, about 38 tons.

By Matthew Buist, Esq. Dunglass.

Six roots, average weight 10 lb. 12 oz., variety No. 1.

By Mr M'Nanghton, Gardener, Edmonston.

One root, weight 14 lb., variety No. 1.

By the Rev. J. M. Robertson, Livingston Manse.

Six roots, average weight 9 lb. 12 oz., variety No. I.

These last were grown on a piece of ground cropped with mangel

wurzel the preceding season. Soil rather tenacious, trenched to the

depth of two spades, and an average allowance of farm-yard dung

placed between the spadings. Sown about the latter end of March,

in I'ows two feet apart, and afterwards thinned out to the distance of

ten inches in the row. The plants afforded a good supply of green

food, being bladed three times. Mr R. finds that the roots of mangel

wurzel are as hardy and easily preserved as those of common turnips.

262 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

Last year he had them in perfection in the beginning of May, and
considers that, on a deep dry soil, they surpass every other root that
can be cultivated for feeding cattle.

By D. Low, Esq. of Laws, Professor of Agriculture in the
Edinburgh University.
One root, weight 12 lb., 3 oz. variety No. 1.
Do. do. do. 8 lb. 6 oz. do. No. 2.

Do. do. do. 10 lb. 12 oz. do. No. 3.
Do. do. do. 8 lb. do. No. 4.

By Mr J. Smeal, Millbwn Tower.
Six roots, average weight, 9 lb. 13 oz. variety No. 1.
Grown on a light sandy soil, manured with twenty-seven tons
(per acre) of farm-yard dung, mixed with about one-third of tree
leaves ; weight of roots per acre about thirty-six Ions.
By Messrs Ronalds and Son, Nursery and Seedsmen, Brentford, London.
One root, weight 161b. 10 oz., variety No. 1.
Do. do. do. 13 lb. 3 oz. do. No. 3.
Do. do. do. 12 1b. 4 oz. do. No. 4.
By Messrs Jacob Wrench and Sons, Seedsmen, London.
One root, weight 16 lb. variety No. 1.

Do. do. do. 13 1b. 3 oz. do. No, 3.
Do. do. do. 12 1b. 13 oz. do. No. 4.
By Mr Robertson, Kinfauns Gardens, Perthshire.
Three roots, average weight 3 lb. 3 oz., variety No. 7.

By Mr Alex. Temple, Falkland.
Two roots, average weight 4 lb. 6 oz., variety No. 6.
Do. do. do. 3 lb. 4 oz. do. No. 7-

Mr Temple recommends the following method of cultivation for
the red and dark rooted garden varieties of beet : — " They succeed
best in a deep sandy loam, which should be well manured for the
preceding crop (cauliflower, celery, or other green crop), afterwards
trenched in autumn to the depth of about eighteen inches, and in the
beginning of April the whole is to be smoothed over with a rake, but by
no means dug, and the seed sown in drills two inches deep, and four-
teen inches apart. The plants are afterwards to be thinned out to about
eight inches in the rows, and kept free from weeds till November,
when the roots are to be taken up with great care (observing not to
break or wound them with the spade, else the red coloured juice will
escape), their leaves are then to be taken off, except a few of the
smaller ones in the centre, and the roots stored amongst dry sand in

BEET. 263

a cellar for use. Mr T. asserts, that although duug applied at the
time of sowing may cause the roots to grow larger, yet they are
always coarser in quality ; therefore, when the fineness of quality is to
be kept in view, manure should never be directly applied, either
to beet, carrots, or turnips."

By Mr James Barnet, Superintendent of the Ejcperimcntal Garden,

Inverleith Row.

Two roots, average weight 2 lb. l.S oz., variety No. 8.

By Mr Caldwell, Gardener, Holylee.

Two roots, weight of the largest 5 lb. 3 oz., variety No, 6.

By Mr John Finlayson, Kincardine.

One root, weight 7 lb. 6 oz., variety No. 6.

Grown by Mr James Chrystal, gardener to Mr Walker.

By P. Youny, Esq. London.
Spirits made from mangel wurzel, and a specimen of packing paper,
made from the refuse or pulp of the same, with the following copy of
a letter from Mr R. Dickson, now residing at Kidbrooke, Blackheath,
but formerly at Bangholra near Edinburgh, on their culture : —

Kidbrooke, Blackheath,
Dear Sir, Uth November 1831.

In reply to your letter of the 12th inst., requesting my opinion,
as an agriculturist, of the beneficial effects of a large growth of
Mangel Wurzel, cultivated in the United Kingdom, I beg to state,
from my practical knowledge of the soil in Eneland and Scotland
adapted for the production of that valuable root, a very large quan-
tity could be raised, provided sufficient encouragement were given.

The soil best adapted for this purpose is the rich alluvial loam
upon a dry subsoil.

This root has been cultivated to a limited extent in some of the
counties round London, and also in some of the central ones, but
owing-to the low price that it has produced within the last two years
from the large cow-keepers in London, they being the only con-
sumers, a remunerating return has not been got for it. Those agri-
culturists who have cultivated this root in a proper manner, for the
purpose of feeding their own stock, must have been amply repaid.

I have found from experience, that the cultivation of this root is
not so liable to the risk of a failure by adverse seasons as Swedish
Turnijis ; and I consider it a more valuable root in the feeding of
all kinds of stock, if properly applied.

Were the agriculturists of the United Kingdom more generally in

264 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

possession of the knowledge of the value of this root, 1 have no hesi-
tation in stating, that they would find it for their interest to produce
1 000 tons for one that is now raised, as it has been proved to me by
practical experience to be a good preparation for all white crops. I
have had a return, upon an average of five years, of from thirty-two
to forty bushels of wheat of the finest quality, per acre, after mangel
wurzel ; and I am quite confident, were encouragement given in Ire-
land, where the soil is so congenial to its growth, that it would be a
source of great value to that country, as the same cultivation that
is used for potatoes will suit it, and which the agriculturists there
are so well acquainted with ; I must also state, that the extension of
the growth of this root in that country will be the means of bringing
a great quantity of waste land into cultivation.

If you have any thing in view that would promote a great con-
sumption of this root at a remunerating price (say 10s. per ton), I
have no doubt in a few years you might procure any quantity. I
remain, dear Sir, yours truly,

(Signed) R. Dickson.

Cuop 1835.
By the Rev. J. M. Robertson, Livingston Man.se.
Three roots, average weight 8 lb., variety No. 1.
By Mr Alex. Temple, Falkland Palace.
Three roots, average weight 2 lb. 14 oz , variety No. 7-
Do. do. do. do. 3 lb. do. No. 8.

By Captain Watson, Drylaw.
Two specimens, aggregate weight 17 lb. 4 oz., varietj"^ No. 1.
By Mr J. Smeal, Millburn Tower.
Three roots, aggregate weight 15 lb., variety No. 6.
By Mr Geo. Charlwood, Seedsman, London .
Two specimens, aggregate weight 24 lb., 6 oz. variety No. 1.
Do. do. do. do. 16 lb. do. No. 5.

By Messrs Beck Henderson ^ Co., Seedsmen, London.
One specimen, weight 8 lb., 3 oz. variety No. 5.
By Messrs Jacob Wrench and Sons, Seedsmen, London.
Two roots, weight of the largest 16 lb. 3 oz., variety No. 2.
One do. weight 1 1 lb. do. No. 3.

Do. do. do. 10 lb. 6 oz. do. No. 4.

CARROTS. 265

By Messrs W. and J. Noble, Seedsmen, Fleet Street. London.
One root, weight 1 7 lb. 8 oz., variety No. 1 .
Do. do. do. 15 lb. 12 oz. do. do.
Do. do. do. 1 5 lb. 9 oz. do. No. 2.
Do. do. do. 8 lb. do. No. 4.

III. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Digynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Umhelliferm of Jussieu.

DAUCUS— CARROT.

Generic characters. — Flowers in an umbel (a roundish, flatten-
ed compound branched-like head, from which the name of the natu-
ral order is derived) ; flowers, of five obcordate unequal petals, supe-
rior, or above the seeds which are two together, with four rows of flat
prickles, intermediate ribs, and unbeaked ; calyx obsolete.

DAUCUS CAROTA— Wild Carrot.

Specific characters. — Flowers white, Avith a solitary red or pur-
plish coloured barren one in the centre of each umbel ; bristles of the
seed slender, and as the same becomes ripe the umbel acquires a con-
tracted and concave form ; leaves tripinnate ; leaflets pinnatifid ; seg-
ment lines lanceolate and acute ; stems rough and furrowed ; root
hard and fusiform, biennial, grows naturally on dry waste places.

The true Dauciis Carota is a common poisonous plant of no im-
portance, except as being the origin from which all the cultivated varie-
ties of carrot are derived, and which in appearance differ from the ori-
ginal in little except having thick fleshy fusiform roots. As an agricul-
tural plant, it is only advisable to cultivate the carrot on light, dry,
rather rich soils, and on such as are a little peaty, which should be pre-
viously subjected to a very deep ploughing ; and the purpose to which
its roots may be most beneficially applied, is the feeding of horses,
although they may also be given as food to other kinds of live-stock,
as milch-cows, &c. Its roots, like those of Mangel Wurzel, contain a
large portion of saccharine matter, and have also been used in the
manufacture of sugar, and in the distillery, but chiefly so in France,
Germany, and some other parts of the Continent, where the field
culture of the carrot has been hitherto nmch more extensively prac-
tised than in Britain. Carrot seed is peculiarly liable to variation

266 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

in quality, and therefore the quantity required to sow an acre, re-
quires to be increased or diminished accordingly. When the seed
is of a medium quality, however, about 8 lb. will be sufficient for
sowing an acre, in drills fourteen inches apart, which is the system
generally recommended ; and as the seeds require a rather long period
to vegetate, some cultivators recommend steeping it in water for from
one to four or five days previous to sowing, by which means a quicker
braird is insured, and the natural annual weeds of the soil have not
time to overgrow the carrots before the latter arrive at a sufficiently
advanced stage to admit of hoeing or weeding. The period of sow-
ing carrots is generally from the middle to the end of April ; some,
however, defer sowing until the first or second week of May, alleging
that by so doing they are not so apt to be attacked by the carrot
worm, which often proves ruinous to whole crops.

The cultivated varieties of Daucus Carota are generally dis-
tinguished by the name D. Carota hortensis, or Garden Carrots ; but
they may be again divided into two classes, as follows : —

* Varieties q/' Daucus Carota hortensis, which, in addition to being
cultivated for the Table, are also suitable for Field culture, and
for feeding Live Stock.

1. Orange, Large Orange, Large Field or Cattle Carrot

Roots entirely, or almost entirely, under ground, long, thick at the
upper end, and regularly tapered to the point ; of a somewhat orange
or light reddish-vermilion colour, with a rather large heart.

This variety is well adapted for feeding cattle, but from being
rather coarse is not so well suited for the table as the next two sorts.

2. Long Red, or Long Surrey Carrot Roots, compared

with those of the last, much longer in proportion to their thickness ;
of a deep red colour ; and having a comparatively smaller heart.

3. Altringham Carrot. — This sort is easily distinguished from
the two last by its roots growing more above ground, also by their
having more convex or rounded heads, tapering rather more irre-
gularly, and terminating more abruptly at the point ; in colour most
resembling No. 1, but having a smaller heart.

This variety is more difficult to procure genuine than any of the
others, from its being remarkably liable to sport, even although the

CARROTS. 267

roots grown for seed be selected with the utmost care. It is an excel-
lent sort for field culture as well as for the esculent vegetable market.

4. Large White Green-top Carrot. — Roots thick in propor-
tion to their length ; of a large size ; white under ground, but of a
green colour on the top, which rises considerably above the surface
of the soil.

This variety is only recently introduced from France, where it
was first brought into notice by M. Vilmorin, and is now pretty ex-
tensively cultivated. One great advantage which it possesses is, that,
from the comparative shortness of its roots, and their above-ground
habit of growth, it is well adapted for shallow soils, which have not
depth of soil sufiicient to grow the longer rooted varieties.

.5. White or Common White Carrot Roots growing entire-
ly under ground ; smaller in size, and of a longer-tapered shape than
those of the last, and having also a joroportionately thicker heart. This
is, on the whole, an inferior sort, and not deserving of cultivation.

6. Red, Deep Red, or Purple-coloured Carrot Roots long

and under an average size ; of a deep reddish-purple colour, with
a large yellow heart.

This variety is sometimes cultivated in France on wet or marshy
soils, for which it is reckoned better fitted than any of the others.

** Varieties of D. Carota hortensis exclvisively suited for Garden

Culture.

7. Early Horn or Dutch Carrot. — Roots less than in any of
the former, with a very small heart ; thick, short, and terminated
abruptly ; growing partly above the ground, and having a hollow
crown, with very small neck and small foliage.

This is the earliest, and a very much esteemed garden carrot, of
which there are several subvarieties in cultivation in Germany and
Holland, difiering in nothing except in their colour, that being of
various shades between yellow and a deep red vermilion, which last
is the colour of that most esteemed and exclusively cultivated in this
country.

8. Short Orange — In size and shape of its roots, as well as in
the period of its arriving at maturity, this variety may be considered

268 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

intermediate between the last and No. 1 ; but although a superior
sort, it is as yet less known than either amongst growers.

Specimens, with relative Notes, S;c. presented to the Mttseum.
Crop 1834.
By Mr Alexander Temple, Falkland.
Two roots, aggregate weight 4 lb. 13oz., variety No. 1.
Do. do. 5 lb. do. No. 3.

Btj Mr William Henderson, Whim.
Two roots, aggregate weight 2| lb., variety No. 3.
These were grown on newly improved land ; soil composed of
peat to the depth of ten feet, and, until lately, was not worth three
farthings per acre, being generally flooded with water in the wet
seasons, and produced nothing but sedges and other weeds peculiar
to such situations. Seed sown on the 26th of April, roots pulled on
the 3d November. Manure, a compost of earth and dung applied
at the time of sowing.

By Mr Thomas Stewart, Gardener, Largo House, Fifeshire.
Several roots, average weight 17^ oz., variety No. 6.
Grown on a medium loam with a south exposure, and manured
Avith eighteen tons of well fermented farm-yard dung to the acre ;
seed sown on the 8th of April. The field from which these were
taken, was partly sown with Nos. 1, 2, and 5, and the weight of pro-
duce per imperial acre amounted to about twenty tons.
By Mr James Finlayson, Kincardine.
One root, weight 5 lb. variety No. 1.
Grown by Mr James Chrystal, gardener to Mr Walker, Kincardine.
By Mr R. Hogg, Nursery and Seedsman, Dunse.
Six roots, aggregate weight 20 lb. weight of the heaviest 3 lb. 6 oz.,
variety No. 3.
By Mr Caldwell, Gardener, Holy lee.
Three roots, weight of q^e largest, 2| lb., variety No. 3.

Crop 1835.
By Thomas Smith, Esq. Pinfillin, Thornhill.
Several roots, weight of the largest 3 lb. 3 oz. variety No. 4.
Mr Smith considers this a most productive variety, and admirably
adapted for growing as cattle's food.

By Mr George Charlewood, from Covent Garden 3Iarket.
Two roots, length of longest 20 inch, weight 3 lb. variety No. 2.
j)o. do. 22 inch. do. 3 lb, 6 oz. do. No. 3.

PARSNIPS. 2()9

PASTINACA— PARSNIP.

Generic characters. — Flowers in umbels, pentapetalous, su-
perior, uniform, and perfect ; petals involute, broadly lanceolate,
equal ; flower, receptacle broad, thin, and wavy, concealing the mi-
nute obsolete calyx ; seeds two, nearly round, with a slight notch at
the summit, almost flat, with three dorsal and two marginal ribs,
border narrow, thin, smooth, and entire.

PASTINACA SATIVA— Common or Wild Parskip.

Specific characters. — Leaves pinnate or compound, downj' be-
neath, and generally shining ; leaflets broadly ovate, cut and serrated,
terminal one three-lobed ; colour of the flower yellow ; root hard
and fusiform ; biennial. Grows naturally on light dry chalky soils
in England.

The cultivated varieties of Parsnip difter from the common or
wild sort, in the same manner that the cultivated carrots do from
the wild one, viz. by having thick fleshy roots, instead of these being
small and hard. The cultivation of the parsnip in the fields for the
purpose of feeding cattle, has hitherto been most successfully practised
in the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, also some parts of France, and
the South of England. The produce has been said to be greater than
that of the carrot, and that the plants are also more hardy or less liable
to disease, but in Scotland any experiments hitherto made (which
have indeed been few) do not appear to have been attended with any
marked success, more than what might have been expected from
carrots under similar circumstances. The parsnip will however suc-
ceed on a somewhat stronger soil than the carrot, and the mode of
cultivation which it requires is much the same as that practised for
the latter (page 265), but as its seeds are longer and heavier, from
2 lb. to 3 lb. more may be allowed to the acre. The only cultivated
varieties of parsnip are the following : —

1. Common Long-kooted Parsnip — Roots fusiform, thick, fleshy,
and very long, with a somewhat rounded or convex top ; entirely
white.

2. Long Jersey Parsnip. — This, which is an improved variety
of the last, differs from it in being larger and thicker towards the
top, which is concave ; and is the variety cultivated in Jersey, and
more recently in some parts of France and England.

«70 FUSIFORM-ROOTED PLANTS.

3. Turnip-rooted Parsnip. — This is a small and unimportant
variety, only suited for garden culture, and at once distinguished
from the others by its short and somewhat turnip-shaped roots.

Specimens presented to the Museum, S^c.

By the late Rev. Wm. Stark, Dirleton.
Several roots, average weight If lb., variety No. 1.
Grown in a medium fertile light soil.

By Mr James Barnet, Experimental Garden, Inverleith Row.

Several specimens, average weight 1 lb., variety No. I .

Do. do. 10 oz. do. No. 3.

By Mr Bernard Saunders, St Heliers, Jersey.

Seeds of variety No. 2.

By Mr Alexander Temple, Gardener, Falkland Palace.

Six specimens, average weight 1 lb. 6 oz., variety No. 1.

By Mr J. Snieal, MUlburn Tower.
Six specimens, weight of the largest 2 lb., variety No. 2.
Grown on good garden soil.

By Thomas Abernethy, Esq. Willow G>'Ove.

Two roots, weight 2 lb. 3 oz., variety No. 1.

Connected by being grown close together.

By Mr Wm. Turner, Gardener to the Earl of Caithness, Denham Green.

Three roots, weight of largest I lb. 3 oz., variety No. 1.

The following statements by Mr Speirs of Calcreuch, the results
of experiments conducted by him, shew the relative weight of differ-
ent plants comprehended in this division of the report : —

Tons.

Pink-eyed Kidney Potatoes, 120 bolls of 3 cwt. per acre, or 18

Red Top Swedish Turnip, exclusive of leaves and top roots, 38

Common Mangel Wurzel, ...... 28

Large Field Carrot, ....... 9

The above were all grown in one field and on the same kind of
soil, which was furrow-drained at the distance of twenty feet from
each other ; the previous crop was Hopetoun Oats, of which the
produce per acre was 1 3^ bolls. The manure for the potatoes was
stable-dung, and that applied to the others was night soil.

( 271 )

PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR USES IN
THE ARTS, MANUFACTURES, AND FOR VA-
RIOUS ECONOMICAL PURPOSES.

In this division is comprehended and described, in addition to
such plants as are actually the subjects of the most extensive culti-
vation for the above purposes, such are likely to be found suitable for
field culture in the climate of Britain ; together with short notices of
such as are exclusively the products of, and imported from, tropical
or warm climates. And for the greater facility of reference, these
are arranged under the following subdivisions : —

I. Plants yielding Fibre, as Flax, Hemp, &c.
II. Plants yielding Oil, as Rape, Poppy, &c.

III. Plants yielding Colouring Matter or Dye, as Madder,

Woad, &c.

IV. Plants used in the Arts and Manufactures, not in-

cluded in either of the preceding subdivisions, as
Clothier's Teasel, &c.
V. Plants cultivated for various Economical Purposes,
as Caraway, Mustard, &c.

I. PLANTS YIELDING FIBRE.

I. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Pentagynia of
Linngeus, to the natural order Cairyophyllece of Jussieu, and to that
of Linece of Decandolle.

LINUM— FLAX.

Generic characters. — Flowers five-petaled inferior or under the
ten-celled capsule or seed-vessel ; segments of the calyx five, entire.

I. LINUM USITATISSIMUM— Common Flax.

SPECiric characters. — Segments of the calyx ovate, acute, three-
ribbed ; petals crenate or slightly notched ; leaves lanceolate, alter-
nate ; stems generally solitary, divided into numerous branches near
the top ; annual. A reputed native of Britain, but generally sup-
posed to be the oifspring of cultivation.

272 PLANTS YIELDING FIBRE.

1. Common Flax. — Of this species there are several varieties dis-
tinguished by slightly different but permanent characteristics, while
there are others distinguished by the names of the countries from
which they are imported, as Riga Flax, Russian, Dutch, &c.; and al-
though these may have at first an apparent difference in appearance
when growing, and in the quality of their produce, yet they become
completely assimilated, by being cultivated for a few years under the
same circumstances, and are then known under the above name.

Specimen of seeds by Professor Fischer, St Petersburg, of the
Flax generally grown in Russia ; also seeds of the next three va-
rieties. By Mr A. Gorrie, specimens of Common Flax in various
stages of preparation. And by Mr George Stoddard, flax-merchant,
Leith, average specimens of different sorts of prepared fibre, distin-
guished by the following names : — Dutch, Friesland, Irish, Arch-
angel, Riga, Prussian, French, and St Petersburg Flax.

2. L. USITATISSIMUM ALTISSIMUM TaLLEST VARIETY OF CoMMON

Flax. — Specimens of this variety grown in the Nursery at Meadow-
bank during last season, possessed a marked superiority over all the
others in length, and also in the comparative slenderness of its stalks.

3. L. USITATISSIMUM CAPSULA OVATA OvAL-HEADED VARIETY

OF Common Flax. — This sort is distinguished by its short and some-
what rigid habit of growth, and above all, by the oval pointed-like
shape of its capsules.

4. L. USITATISSIMUM FLORE-ALBO WhITE-FLOWERED VARIETY

OF Common Flax. — This variety is distinguished by its white flow-
ers from those of the three preceding, which are blue ; its habit of
growth is similar to that of the common sort. No. 1, and its fibre is
said to be finer and whiter.

Flax is almost the only plant at present cultivated in Britain for
its fibre, nor has it for some time been grown to near the same extent
as formerly, although owing to the high price of flax and the low price
of grain, its culture has in some districts been rather on the increase
during the last season or two. The soils best adapted for flax are
those of a light nature, and such as contain a considerable portion
of decayed vegetable matter in their composition ; and in all cases,
the land previous to sowing, which may be done from the middle of
March to near the end of April, should be as free as possible from

FLAX. 273

root and annual weeds, and in a high state of pulverisation. It has
been recommended (and in some instances practised with success) to
sow grass seeds with the flax crop, pulling the latter when in flower,
the ground being rolled immediately afterwards to prevent the
young grass suffering from drought. By this practice the soil is
not so much exhausted as by a ripe crop of any kind, particularly
corn, and the grass plants have more time to acquire strength in
autumn.

Flax seed imported from Riga is generally preferred to that of
home growth ; quantity per acre 2 to 2^ bushels when grown
principally for its fibre, which, when the crop is too thin, becomes
rather coarse and inferior. The usual method of preparing flax
is to cause it to undergo a species of rapid decomposition by
steeping in water and afterwards bleaching on grass or stubble, in
order to facilitate the operation of separating the fibre from the
woody part of the stem ; but late experiments tend to prove that
such treatment materially affects the strength and durability of the
fibre ; and that by the aid of recently invented machinery, the work
can be done in a more satisfactory and economical manner without
the flax undergoing any previous preparation, except binding in
sheaves, drying, and stacking in the manner of corn. For much va-
luable information on this subject, see Loudon's Encyclopaedia of
Agriculture.

I. LINUM PERENNE—Perennial Flax.

Specific characters. — Segment of the calyx smooth, about five
nerved, obovate, obtuse ; leaves lanceolate, alternate ; stems nume-
rous, branching and spreading towards their extremities ; flowers large
and of a blue colour ; root perennial. Grows naturally in the south
of England on light chalky soils.

The culture of this species has been often tried and recommended,
but was never carried to a great extent. It yields a strong and
rather coarse fibre, which is difficult to separate from the woody part
of the stem. Two seasons are required from the period of sowing
before a crop can be obtained, but under favourable circumstances,
the plants will last for a great length of time ; its culture, however,
does not seem advisable, except on light inferior chalky soils, such as
it naturally grows upon.

Several other, and indeed all the species of the genus Linum, yield
fibre in greater or less quantities ; but none of them seem nearly

274

PLANTS YIELDING FIBRE.

equal in value for that purpose to those previously mentioned. Seeds
of the following, some of vi'hich are very interesting as ornamental
flowers, were presented by Messrs Havelaar and Taylor, Rotterdam.

LlNUM GRANDIFLORUM,

Great-flowered Flax,

Height.

2 feet

; annual.

... STRICTUM,

XAnBONENSE,

Upright Flax,
Narbonne Flax, . . .

do.

FASCICULATUM,

Bundled-flowered Flax,

do.

HIRSUTUM,
ALPINUM,

Hairy Flax, . . . .
Alpine Flax, . . . .

perennial
do.

SUFFRUTICOSUM,

Spanish Flax, . . . .

do.

TI. Belonging to the class and order Dicecia Pentandria of Linnoeus,
and to the natural order Urticece of Jussieu.

CANABIS— HEMP.

Generic characters. — Male flowers with a five-parted calyx ;
that of the female five-leaved, enveloping the nut-like seed, which is
two-valved, and opening at the sides.

CANNABIS SATIVUS— CojiMON Hemp.

Specific characters. — Stem upright ; in height from five to
eio'ht feet ; strong and branching ; leaves lobed, often quinquifid ;
annual ; generally supposed to be a native of the East Indies, but
when first introduced to this country is uncertain.

From being a native of a warm climate, the Hemp is too tender to
become naturalised in Scotland. It is, however, capable of being
cultivated in most districts, and has been so to a considerable extent
in the southern parts of Britain, as in SuflTolk and Lincolnshire. The
soils best adapted for the growth of Hemp are those of a rich damp
alluvial nature. The usual method of sowing is broadcast, and the
quantity of seed required per acre is from two to three bushels. The
fibre, as in the case of flax, being finer when sown thick. The operation
of sowing should never be gone into before the season be so far advan-
ced as to prevent any chance of the young plants being injured by
jfrost, or about the end of April. When the crop is intended entirely
for fibre, the plants are all pulled promiscuously when in flower, but

HOP. 27s

when tlie seed is considered as an object of importance, those which
produce only male flowers are pulled when their leaves begin to as-
sume a yellowish hue, and the others are allowed to stand till the seed
be ripened. The plants are afterwards tied in bundles, watered,
bleached, &c. as in the case of flax. For farther particulars, see Lou-
don's Encyclopcedia of Agriculture.

HUMULUS— HOP.

Generic characters Flowers of the male plants, each a single

five-leaved perianth ; anthers with two pores at the extremity ; fer-
tile flowers in a catkin, the scales of which are large, persistent, con-
cave, entire, and single flowered ; styles two ; seed one.

HUMULUS LUPULUS— Common Hop.

Specific characters. — Stems herbaceous, twining on poles or
other plants for support, to the height of from ten to twenty feet ;
leaves generally pretty distinctly five-lobed, rough or hispid ; peren-
nial ; native of England, where it grows in hedges, thickets, and waste
places.

Although the Hop is never cultivated for its fibre alone, yet as
such may be obtained from it in considerable quantities, it is certain-
ly entitled to a place in this division. The fibre of the Hop is so dif-
ficult to separate from tlie woody part, that the stems require to be
soaked in water all winter until the latter be so far decomposed as to
admit of that operation. In Sweden, where hitherto its manufac-
ture to any extent has almost exclusively been confined, it is made
into a white, strong, and durable cloth.

in. Belonging to the class and order Moncecia Tetrandria of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Urticece of Jussieu.

URTICEiE— NETTLE.

Generic characters — Male flowers each a four-leav&d single
perianth, containing the cup-shaped rudiments of a germen ; fertile
flowers, each a single two-leaved perianth ; seed-vessels containing
each a single shining seed.

276 PLANTS YIELDING FIBRE.

URTICA DIOICA— Common or Great Stinging Nettle.

Specific chakactees. — Male and female flowers mostly on distinct
plants, (and therefore this species belongs more properly to the class
Dicecia of Linnaeus, but is retained in Moncecia by botanists along
with the rest of Urtica, from the natural affinity between them in
other respects, and which are chiefly Monoecious) ; leaves ovate, acu-
minate, serrated, and heart-shaped at the base, having their surface
thickly studded with small stinging hair-like bristles ; roots creeping ;
perennial. Grows naturally in all countries of Europe, and most parts
of Asia.

The common Nettle has been long known as affording a large pro-
portion of fibre, which has not only been made into ropes and cord-
age, but also into sewing thread and beautiful white linen-like cloth
of very superior quality ; it does not, however, appear that its culti-
vation for that purpose has ever been fairly attempted. The fibre is
easily separated from other parts of the stalk without their undergo-
ing the processes of watering and bleaching, although by such the
labour necessary for that purpose is considerably lessened. Like
those of many other common plants, the superior merits of this ge-
nerally accounted troublesome weed have hitherto been much over-
looked.

IL URTICA CANNABINA— Hemp Nettle.
Specific characters. — Leaves smoothish, opposite ; lower ones
in three deeply pinnatifid segments ; upper ones simple ; flower clus-
ters, cylindrical, in pairs ; stems about three feet in height. Native
of Siberia; introduced in 1749.

IIL URTICA CANADENSIS— Canadian Nettle,

Specific characters. — Leaves alternate, ovate, somewhat hairy ;
flower clusters, compound, spreading, shorter than the leaves ; lower
ones male ; upper female ; stems two to three feet in height ; peren-
nial. Native of North America; introduced in 1646.

In the countries of which they are natives, the inhabitants make
cordage and cloth from the fibre of the Hemp and Canadian Nettles ;
but it is questionable how far their cultivation should be recommend-
ed in this country until the result of farther experience is known.

Specimen of seeds of both these species by M. C. A. Fischer,
Gottengen.

Most others of this genus yield strong tough fibre, and some of the
taller gro\ving sorts might be found superior to any of the above.

FLAX LILY. 977

IV. Belonging to the class and order Hexandria Monogynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Asphodelece of Jussieu.

PHORMIUM— FLAX LILY.

Generic characters Segments of the perianth six, three inner

longest and most flexible ; stamens ascending ; seed-vessel oblong,
three-cornered ; seeds compressed, monocotyledonous,

PHORMIUM TENAX^New Zealand Flax.

Specific characters Flowers of a light greenish colour, on a

strong branching stalk, but are seldom produced in this country ;
leaves long, tapering, pointed, and equitant, or diverging alternately
to two sides, and overlapping each other towards their base ; ever-
green ; perennial. Introduced from New Zealand in 1788.

The leaves of this plant, which in this country grow to the length
of three or four feet, aiford the fibre imported to a considerable ex-
tent from the South Sea Islands under the name of New Zealand
Flax, and which, from its strength and durability, is eminently fitted
for making ropes and cordage. The plants withstand the rigour of
winter in this country without the slightest protection, and hence
their more extensive culture has been recommended ; but the results
of late experiments made in the south of Ireland tend to shew, that
although the plants grow very well, yet their produce is inferior to
that imported from the South Seas, and that its cultivation in any
part of Britain is not likely to prove a profitable speculation.

V. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Digynia of Linnaeus,
and to the natural order AsclepiadecB of Jussieu.

ASCLEPIAS— SWALLOW-WORT.

Generic characters. — Calyx five-cleft, small and persistent ;
flowers monopetalous, flat or reflexed, with a five-leaved crown, ha-
ving a process on the inside ; pollen-masses fixed by a fine-end, stigma
depressed and blunt.

ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA — Syrian or Virginian Swallow-wort, Virgi-
nian Silk, &c.
Specific characters. — Stems herbaceous, upright, and unbranch-

278 PLANTS YIELDING FIBRE.

ed, from four to six feet in length ; leaves opposite, oval, thick, and
downy on the under side ; flowers in nodding umbels, which proceed
from the joints or junctions of the leaves and stem, of a dull reddish
or purple colour ; pods long and nearly upright when ripe, having a
rough leathery -like skin, which opens at one side when the thin mem-
branous edged seeds are seen to be thickly covered, and enveloped
in a large quantity of white down, resembling cotton ; roots creeping ;
perennial; native of North America. Introduced in 1629.

In addition to the cottony or downy substance contained in the
pods of the Syria Swallow- worts, and which is very useful for stuffing
pillows, cushions, &c., as well as for making into thread and cloth, its
stalks yield a large supplj^ of fibre of superior quality, the use of
which in the manufacture of thread, ropes, fishing-nets, and cloth, is
well known and appreciated by the inhabitants of some parts of
North America, and its culture in Europe has been much recom-
mended ; but with the exception of some experiments in France, the
results of which have been very satisfactory, it has not yet been
grown to an}'^ extent from which a satisfactory conclusion can be de-
duced regarding its merits.

The Syria Swallow-wort is found to accommodate itself to a
great variety of soils, but thrives best on those of a rather moist na-
ture, of medium texture, and which possess a medium degree of
fertility. It may be propagated by transplanting the roots, or sow-
ing its seeds in rows about two feet apart, to admit of keeping the
ground sufficiently clear for the first two years ; the third season
after sowing it arrives at full maturity, and the interstices will then
become completely filled up, from the creeping nature of its roots.
The time which a crop will remain in vigour is uncertain, but it may
be depended on for a considerable number of years. The flowers
are highly fragrant, particularly in the evenings and mornings, and
gathered in the latter while the dew is upon them, the Americans,
make a sugar from them ; and in spring the young shoots form an
excellent substitute for asparagus.

Specimen of seed of this and the next by M. Vilmorin & Co.,
Paris.

COTTON. 279

VI. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Digynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order ApoeynecB of Jussieu.

APOCYNUM—DOG'S-BANE.

Generic characters. — Flowers bell-shaped, containing the em-
bryo seed-vessel ; nectaries alternate with the stamens ; style, none ;
stygma broad.

APOCYNUM CANNABINUM—Canadian Hemp, or Hemp Dog's-Bane.

Specific characters. — Stems herbaceous, not branched, upright,
about four or five feet in height ; leaves oblong, opposite, downy
beneath ; flowers whitish-green, in lateral cymes, which are longer
than the leaves ; roots creeping ; perennial. Native of North America,
introduced in 1699-

The native Indians of North America use fibre prepared from the
stalks of this plant, for making twine, bags, fishing-nets, and linen-
like cloth for their own use ; but in Europe it has been hitherto entirely
confined to botanical collections. From the results of experiments
conducted at Paris by Professor Thouin, it appears that the fibre of
this, as well as that obtained from the stalks of the last (Asclepias
Syriaca), is considerably stronger than common Hemp.

VII. Belonging to the class and order Monodelphia Polyandria of
Linnaeus, and to the natural order Malvacece of Jussieu.

GOSSYPIUM— COTTON.

Generic characters — Calyx double, outer trifid ; seed capsule
five-celled, seeds enwrapped in a woolly-like substance, which forms
the cotton of commerce.

The whole of this interesting and useful genus are natives of tro-
pical climates, consequently tender, and not entitled to a place
amongst the agricultural plants of Britain. In some of the southern
districts of Europe, the herbaceous or common annual cotton, is cul-
tivated pretty extensively ; but in the East and West Indies the va-
rieties and species are pretty numerous, some of which are perennial
herbaceous plants, and some shrubs on small trees.

Specimen of a ripe capsule, with seed and cotton, by Mrs Dou-

280 PLANTS YIELDING FIBRE.

glass, Shrub Place, Leith Walk, grown at Mobile, North America ;
and by M. Vilmorin and Co., Paris, seeds of a collection of species,
amongst which that cultivated in the East Indies for its nankeen-co-
loured cotton, is particularly interesting, as it is only of recent intro-
duction into Britain.

ALTH^A— MARSH-MALLOW.

Generic characters. — Calyx double, outer six to nine parted ;
seed-capsules numerous, one -seeded.

ALTH^A CANNABINA — Hemp Marsh-Mallow,

Specific characters Stem rising to about six feet in height, and

branching ; leaves downy or hoary beneath, lower ones palmate,
upper three-parted ; lobes narrow, and coarsely toothed ; roots long,
thick, branching, and mucilaginous ; perennial. Native of Austria,
introduced to Britain in 1 595.

By submitting the stalks of this plant to a process similar to that
employed in the preparation of hemp, it has been found, in France,
and other countries of the Continent, to yield a coarse but very
strong fibre, which is extremely well suited for making cordage, and
coarse cloth for bags, for ship sails, &c. Others of the same genus
have also been found to produce fibre of considerable strength, as
the A. narbonensis (Narbonne Marsh-Mallow), A. officinalis (Com-
mon Marsh-Mallow), A, rosea (the Hollyhock), &c. ; but farther ex-
perience is yet requisite, both in the preparation and application of
the fibre which they yield, before it be ascertained whether or not
they may be cultivated advantageously for that article alone.

LAVATERA— TREE MALLOW.

Generic characters. — Calyx double, outer trifid ; capsules
many, one-seeded.

LAVATERA AllBOREA— Common Tree Mallow.

Specific characters. — Stems upright, strong, and branching ;
leaves seven-angled, plaited, downy ; foot-stalks of the flowers small,
axillary one flowered, clustered, and much shorter than the foot-
stalks of the leaves ; generally termed a biennial, but when not in-

SIDA. 281

jured by very severe frosts, or broken down by wind, will last for
several years. Grows naturally on sea rocks or cliffs, as on the
Bass Rock in the Frith of Forth.

The results of experiments conducted in France by M. Cavanilles,
tend to shew that the Tree Mallow is capable of producing a very
strong fibre, which may be employed for making ropes, &c. and his
statements have been confirmed by farther experiments conducted
at Toulon. It seems, therefore, not improbable that its cultivation on
the sea-coast, where the soil will produce little else, might be attended
with profitable results in this country, particularly as it is very hardy,
and grows naturally in such situations.

SIDA.

Generic characters. — Calyx simple, angular ; style many-part-
ed ; capsules several, one to three seeded.

SIDA ABUTILON — Abutilon or Broad-leaved Sida.

Specific characters. — Stems simple, or generally so, from three
to five feet in height ; leaves broadly cordate, pointed, toothed, and
slightly downy ; stalks of the flowers rather shorter than those of the
leaves ; flowers small, and of a pale yellow colour ; annual. Native
of the West Indies and China, first introduced to Britain in 1 596.

Although a considerable time has elapsed since the Abutilon was
first introduced to Britain, it has hitherto only been known in Bo-
tanical collections, and considered as a stove annual of little use or
beauty. In the East Indies and China it is cultivated for the fibre
of its stalks, and of late has been introduced pretty extensively into
the field-culture of Italy and the south of France.

Belonging to the class and order Diadelphia Decandria of Linnaeus,
and to the natural order LeguminoscB of Jussieu.

SPARTIUM— SPANISH BROOM.

Generic characters Calyx lengthened at the base ; stamens

ten, monodelphous ; stigma longitudinal, villous above ; shrubby.

282 PLANTS YIELDING FIBRE.

SPARTIUM JUNCEUM — Common Spanish Broom.

Specific characters — Branches opposite; young twigs cylin-
drical, green, soft, and rush-like, producing numerous yellow flowei-s
towards their points ; leaves simple and lanceolate ; grows to the
height of ten or twelve feet. Native of Spain, introduced in 1 548.
-: The Spanish Broom is grown in some parts of Spain and the
south of France, for its fibre, which is made into cloth of great
strength and durability, as also into cordage, &c. It is cultivated in
rows three to four feet apart, and small holes being made at the dis-
tance of about two feet in the row, three or four seeds are dropped
in, and covered to the depth of about an inch. When the plants
have stood two, or sometimes three seasons, they are afterwards an-
nually cut over, within an inch or two of the ground, in the end of
autumn, or early in spring, and will produce yearly (for a consider-
able period), a crop of slender twigs, from four to five feet in length,
which when cut, are beaten with mallets, steeped in water, and the
fibre afterwards separated in the same manner as that of flax. The
flowers of Spanish Broom appear in succession during a considerable
period, and produce a rich repast for bees.

Others of the broom tribe also yield fibre, and the Cytisus scopa-
rium (Common Broom, page 1 83), is cultivated for that purpose in
the same parts as the last ; as also the C. multiflorum (White Por-
tugal Broom), and C. monospermum (One-seeded Broom) ; but none
of these submit to be cut with the same patience as the Spanish
Broom, and their fibre is produced in smaller quantities.

There are many more plants capable of yielding fibre, but which are
seldom cultivated for that purpose alone, and are therefore more justly
referred to other divisions ; of these may be mentioned Ammophila
arundinacea (Sea-side Reed Grass, see page 132), several species of
Tilia (Lime Tree), which are more especially grown for their tim-
ber, and a considerable number more than is included in this section,
belonging to the natural order Malvaceae ; but although the fibre
which they yield be of good quality, yet its quantity is too small to
compensate for their cultivation.

RAPE. 283

ir. PLANTS YIELDING OIL.

Oliferous Plants are cultivated either for their Fixed or Volatile
Oils, the former of which are obtained from the seeds by expres-
sion, and the latter from the stems, leaves, flowers, or seeds, by dis-
tillation.

* Plants from the seeds of which Oils are obtained by bruising or
expression, termed Fixed Oils.

The plants which yield the Fixed Oils form the most important
class, and of those belonging to it, the natural order Cruciferce con-
tains such as form the subjects of most extensive cultivation : —

I. Belonging to the class Tetradynamia of Linnaeus, and to the
natural order Cruciferce of Jussieu.

I. BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS OLIFER— Sobimer Rape, Wild Navew
CoLSAT, or Colza-
Specific CHARACTERS. — See page 189-

This and the Winter Rape, B. napus (page 189), are the only
sorts cultivated to any considerable extent in Britain for the manu-
facture of oil, and growers generally agree that the former of these
is to be preferred, from its yielding a greater proportion of seed ;
that being, according to experiments by M. Gaujue, to the produce
of Winter Rape as 955 is to 700 (^Horticultural Transactions,
vol. 23). The seeds of B. prcccox and B. rapa (page 190), are
also occasionally used in the manufacture of oil ; but these are not
equal in their bulk of produce to the Summer and Winter sorts
above mentioned. The following, which have been hitherto but
little known in Britain, seem, however, more deserving of particular
notice.

BRASSICA ELONGA— Hungarian Rape.

Specific characters. — Leaves all stalked, radical ones sinuate
or waved-like, pinnatifid, hispid, upper ones smooth and toothed ;
stems smooth, three to four feet in height ; biennial. Native of Hun-
gary.

The cultivation of this rape has been chiefly confined to its native

284 PLANTS YIELDING OIL.

country. Compared with the summer and winter sorts, it produces
a smaller bulk of leaves, consequently is less adapted for feeding
cattle, but is said to jield a much larger quantity of seeds, for which
it is exclusively cultivated.

Seeds of this, and of another species unnamed, but which is also
cultivated for its oleaginous seeds, by M. C. A. Fischer, Gottin-
gen.

The rape, when grown for its ripe seeds, has a much more ex-
hausting effect on the soil than when eaten off or removed in a green
state, and should therefore be considered as, and to occupy the place
of, a white or corn crop. The common sorts may be sown from the
end of May to the middle, or, in early situations, the end of August
(the B. campestris may be sown latest), which should always be done
in rows, and the after culture is the same as when intended for a
green crop until the following season, in which it is cut when fully
ripe, or about the month of June ; and afterwards (being allowed to
lie until its natural moisture is evaporated), generally thrashed out in
the field, the facility with which its seeds are dispersed rendering the
carting it to the barn unadvisable. The average produce in clean seed
may, under favourable circumstances, be computed at from forty to
fifty bushels per acre. In some parts of the Continent, where an oil-mill
is considered as a necessary appendage to the farm, the seed is con-
veyed thither and bruised immediately after being thrashed, but in
England it is generally dried by being spread thinly on a granary
floor, and kept till required. The refuse, after the oil has been ex-
tracted, affords the valuable manure known by the name of Rape
Cake or Rape Dust.

By the Heirs of the late J. Smith, No. 1. Blair Street, Purveyors
of Oil to his Majesty. — Specimen of Oil of Rape, or as it is com-
monly termed Sweet or Green Oil, and which is chiefly employed for
oiling machinery, and also by druggists, &c. It is seldom or never
used for burning, as it gives out rather a dull light, and more smoke
than some others. And by Messrs A. and J. Park, 5. Hunter Square.
— Specimens of Rape Cake, and also of the same in a ground state, or
Rape Dust, which forms excellent manure for clover and grass lands,
turnips, &c. applied broad-cast, either along with the seed or as a top-
dressing for grass lands, in the quantity of from ten to fourteen cwt.
per acre, or in drills along with turnip seed, in the proportion of from
four to six cwt. per acre. The application of Rape Dust as a man-

MUSTARD. ^85

ure, is attended with the most beneficial results on rather stiff or
heavy soils ; it readily attracts moisture, and becomes decomposed.

SINAPIS— MUSTARD.

Generic characters — The genus Sinapis differs from the last
chiefly in the calyx being spread instead of closed ; the style being
acute instead of obtuse ; and in the valves of the pod or silique
being nerved.

SINAPIS NIGRA— Black, Buown, or Red Mustard.

Specific characters — Pods smooth, about four-cornered, almost
without foot-stalks ; lower leaves lyrate-shaped, rough and light
green, upper ones long-pointed, entire and smooth ; seeds of a dark
brown or blackish colour; annual ; grows naturally in corn-fields.

This and the next two species are more generally cultivated for
their seeds, which are ground, and so form what is known by the
name of the Flower of Mustard, than for the manufacture of oil ; but
as they are also occasionally employed for the latter purpose in com-
mon with those of the rape, they are here introduced. For farther
particulars see Plants cultivated for various Economical purposes.

Mustard may be sown any time from the beginning of March to
the end of May, but the best season is about the beginning of April ;
and the quantity of seed required for broad-cast sowing, which is
the only system practised, is from one-third to one-half peck to the
acre. The usual time of reaping is about the end of July or be-
ginning of August, and from thirty to forty bushels per acre may be
considered an average crop. It is found to succeed best on a rather
rich loamy soil, which should, previously to sowing, be reduced to
a fine tilth, as the seeds, if buried to the depth of about three inches,
will lie in a dormant state and retain their powers of vegetation for
ages ; from which circumstance, together with the liability of the
seed to become shaken out in the harvesting of the crop, such lands
as are once employed for the growing of mustard cannot be fairly
cleaned of it for a considerable length of time, and only by judicious
fallowing or fallow-croping, with repeated hoeing and weeding.

SINAPIS ALBA— White MusTArvO.
Specific characters. — Pods hispid, spreading, with a long broad

286 PLANTS YIELDING OIL.

flattened beak ; leaves all lyrate-shaped, rough, and of a vivid green
colour ; seed yellowish-white ; annual ; grows in corn-fields, but
rare in Scotland in a truly wild state.

This requires a longer period to ripen than the last species, and
is therefore generally sown a week or a fortnight earlier. It requires
a similar soil, and the quantity of seed required per acre is the
same as that of the last. Its seeds are also frequently employed
both in the manufacture of Oil and that of Flour of Mustard.

SINAPIS ARVENSIS— Corn Mustard or Charlock.

Specific characters — Pods about three times as long as their
slender two-edged beaks, swollen-like ; the seed smooth and many-
angled ; leaves sublyrate and rough ; stems also rough ; annual ;
common in corn-fields.

The Charlock is never cultivated for its seeds, but as it is often
very abundant in corn-fields, these are generally separated in pre-
paring the corn for market and sold for crushing, along with those of
the Rape, and others.

RAPHANUS— RADISH.

Generic characters — Pods transversely many-celled, or di-
vided into several joints, by which this genus is easily distinguished
from the last.

RAPHANUS SATIVUS— Common Radish.

Specific characters. — Seed-vessels uneven, tapering to the
point, generally two-celled, about as long as their stalks ; leaves
lyrate or subly rate-shaped and rough ; flowers whitish or tinged
with purple ; root fusiform ; annual. Native of China ; introduced
in 1548.

There are several varieties of R. sativus ; but that which is more
particularly adapted for the making of oil is distinguished by the
name of R. sativus Olifer or Oil-Radish. Its stems are dwarf
(from one-half to two feet in height), very much branched, spread-
ing, and producing more seed-pods than the other. It is grown
rather extensively in China for its oil, from whence it has been in-
troduced and cultivated in some parts of the Continent, but it does
not appear with any particular success, although a good deal has been

RADISH. 287

said and written in its favour. It seems best suited for the southern
countries, where it may be sown in September and reaped in May,
but in the north of France and in Britain it is too tender to with-
stand the winter, and therefore requires to be sown in spring; on
account of which circumstance it is not likely ever to supersede the
Rape in these places, compared with which its oil, although rather
superior in quality, is more difficult to extract.

RAPHANUS RAPHANISTRUM— Wild Radish or Jointed Podded

Charlock.

Specific characters — Lower leaves lyrate, upper ones stalked,
and, together with the stems, interspersed but not thickly with
rigid bristles or hairs, and of a glaucous-like green colour ; pods
smooth, one-celled, jointed, and three to eight seeded ; flowers light
yellow ; annual. Common in corn-fields.

Being a common and troublesome weed, this species is never cul-
tivated for its seeds, but these are disposed of and used in the same
manner as those of Common Charlock, page 286.

CAMELINA— GOLD OF PLEASURE.

Generic characters — Silicle or pod obovate or subglobose, with
an elliptical dissepiment or internal partition, and many-seeded cells ;
seeds ovate, not margined ; cotyledons flat, incumbent, contrary to
the dissepiment ; style filiform.

CAMELINA SATIVA or MYAGRUM SATIVUM— Gold of
Pleasure.

Specific characters. — Pods wedge or pear shaped, scarcely half
so long as their footstalks, with two large and two smaller ribs ;
leaves lanceolate nearly entire ; flowers yellow. Native of Britain,
but not common in a truly wild state, being generally introduced
along with flax or by other artificial means.

The Gold of Pleasure produces a finer oil for burning than the
Rape or Mustard, having a brighter flame, less smoke, and scarcely
any smell. It succeeds better than any of the other cruciferous oil
plants on light, shallow, dry soils, and arrives so soon at maturity
that in the south of Europe it produces two crops in a season. In
several of the more northerly districts of the Continent, as the north

288 PLANTS YIELDING OIL.

of France, Germany, and Holland, although it will not produce two
crops in the season, it is found very useful for sowing in June or
beginning of July when other crops may have failed ; and when
sown in the early part of the season, it may be removed in time to
be succeeded by turnips, grass seeds, &c. Besides the use of its seeds
for oil, the stems yield a coarse fibre for making sacks, sail-cloth,
&c., and being small, hard, and durable, are used for thatching, tem-
porary erections, and also for making coarse packing paper.

A superior variety has lately been introduced into France under
the name of Le Cameline Majeur, and which differs from the
common in being of stronger growth, producing more seed-pods,
which contain a greater number of larger and more oily seeds.

The field culture of Camelina sativa has not hitherto been at-
tempted in Britain, but there is no doubt of its succeeding perfectly
well in the climate were such reckoned expedient. One circum-
stance deserving of attention is, that it is never found to be at all
injured by insects, particularly the cabbage plant louse, '^ Aphis bras-
sica, which occasionally proves very hurtful to the Rape and other
plants of the order Cruciferce when they are coming in to flower.

HESPERIS— ROCKET.

Generic characters. — Pod cylindrical, or slightly four-cor-
nered, two-celled, opening lengthwise; seeds ovate or oblong ; cotyle-
dons flat, incumbent, contrary to the dissepiment or internal parti-
tion ; stamens two, erect, connivent ; calyx having two small bag-
like appendages at the base.

HESPERIS MATRONALIS-CoMMON Rocket or Dame's Violet.

Specific characters. — Footstalks of the flower as long as the
calyx ; petals obovate, of a whitish pink or purple-like colour ; pod
long, erect, smooth, and very slightly swollen at the seeds ; leaves
ovate, lanceolate, and slightly rough or hairy ; roots thick and
branching ; biennial. A doubtful native.

The Dame's Violet is cultivated in some parts of France for its
oil, which resembles that of the Camelina sativa. It requires a
rather rich soil, and may be sown in May or June, and will pro-
duce a full crop of seed in July or August of the season following,

FLAX. 2^9

after which it should be ploughed up ; for although many of the
plants do not perish after flowering (therefore not truly biennial), yet
they are so much weakened as to be unfit for producing any thing
like a full crop in the next season.

Others of the natural order Cruciferce have been grown for their
oleaginous seeds, such as Eruca sativa (Cabbage Rocket), Lepidum
sativum (Garden Cress), &c. ; but although crushing for oil be a very
profitable and convenient method for disposing of a superabundant
stock of these seeds, yet the produce which is obtained per acre is
so small, compared with that of Rape, that they are not deserving
of culture, for their use in the manufacture of oil only.

II. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Pentagynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order LinecB.

LINUM USITATISSIMUM— COMMON FLAX or LINT.

Generic and Specific characters see page 271.

When the Common Flax is cultivated for its seeds, it requires to
be sown thinner, and to remain longer on the ground than when
grown exclusively for its fibre ; the crop not being pulled until the
seed-capsules begin to acquire a brown or ripe-like colour, and these
are then detached, by the points of the stalks being drawn through
what is generally termed, a rippling comb ; the capsules are then
spread in a dry airy place, and occasionally turned, until completely
dry, when the seeds are thrashed out and cleaned for the manufac-
turer.

By the Heirs of the late Mr J. Smith, No. 1. Blair Street, speci-
mens of the oil of lintseed, which is used by painters, &c. And by
Messrs A. and J. Park, No. 5. Hunter Square, specimens of oil-cake
and oil-dust, which are formed of the refuse of lintseed after the oil
has been expressed, and are extensively used for feeding cattle, par-
ticularly young calves.

290 PLANTS YIELDING OIL.

III. Belonging to the class and order Dicecia Pentandria of Linnasus^
and to the natural order Urticexe of Jussieu.

CANNABIS SATIVUS— COMMON HEMP.

Generic and Specific characters see page 274.

An oil is obtained from the seeds of the Hemp, which, like that from
the Flax, is used by painters, and also in some parts of the Continent,
particularly Russia, in cookery.

For farther particulars concerning this and the last, see plants cul-
tivated for their fibre.

IV. Belonging to the class and order Polyandria Monogynia of Lin-
neeus, and to the natural order Papaveracece of Jussieu.

PAPAVER—POPPY.

Generic characters — Calyx two-leaved ; corolla four-petalled ;
capsules one-celled, but partly subdivided by the longitudinal seed
receptacles ; seeds numerous, very small, and when ripe escaping by
holes under the stigma, which is flat, radiate, permanent.

I. PAPAVKR SOMNIFERUM— Cultivated Garden Poppy or Maw.

Specific characters. — Stems, leaves, calyces, and capsules, all
smooth ; leaves glaucous, clasping the stem, and cut or gashed ; an-
nual ; height of the stems about three or four feet, (irows naturally
in England, and various parts of the Continent.

The varieties of P. somniferum are very numerous, but that which
is most esteemed for its oil is known by the name of, —

II. PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM OLIFER— Oil or Grey Poppy.
Le Pavot CEillette grise. — Fr.

Which is distinguished by the dull reddish or grey-like colour of
its flowers, the great size and oblong shape of its capsules, and by
the large quantity of brownish coloured seeds which these contain.
This variety is chiefly cultivated in Italy, the south of France, Ger-
many, and Flanders.

POPPV. 291

III. PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM ALBUM vei. CANDIDUM—
White Pofpy.

Le Pavot Blanc. — Fr.

Although this vai'iety be more esteemed for the production of
opium, yet it is also occasionally grown exclusively for its oil. It
differs from all the other varieties in having white flowers, very large
globular-shaped capsules or heads, and white seeds.

Several other of the varieties are occasionally employed for the
same purposes, and, indeed, any of the single-flowered sorts may be
grown for their seeds, but those with double and seniidoub'e flowers
should always be excluded, as they produce less seed.

The soils best suited for the growth of the Poppy are such as are
of medium texture, and in the highest state of fertilization. As the
seeds are small, and consequently easily buried, the land should, pre-
vious to sowing, which should be done in March or April, be well
pulverized by harrowing and rolling ; the seed is then to be sown in
drills, about an inch in depth, and about twenty inches or two feet
distant one from the other, the young plants are afterwards thinned
out to from six to ten inches distance in the rows, and the whole
crop kept free from weeds by hoeing, &c. The period of reaping is
about the month of August, when the earliest and generally the
largest capsules begin to open ; the plants are then cut or pulled,
and tied in small bundles, taking care not to allow the heads to re-
cline until they be carried to some place or other allotted for the re-
ception of the seed, which is then shaken out, and the sheaves again
set upon their end, to admit of the remaining capsules becoming-
ripe. In Germany and Flanders, a mode of obtaining the first crop
is to spread sheets along by the side of the row, into which the seeds
are shaken by bending over the tops of the plants ; these are then
pulled, tied in bundles, and removed, when the sheets are drawn for-
ward to the next row, &c.

The oil of the Poppy is of an agreeable flavour, and on the Con-
tinent chiefly applied to domestic uses, for which it is reckoned
nearly equal to that of the Olive. Its consumption in this country
is comparatively trifling, being chiefly used for the finer sorts of oil-
painting and by druggists.

z. 2

292 PLANTS YIELDING OIL.

V. Belonging to the class and order Syngenesia Frustranea o Lin-
nipiis, and to the natural order Composita; of Jussieu,

HELIANTHUS— SUN-FLOWER.

Gkneric characters see page 233.

I. HELIANTHUS ANNUUS— Common Sun-flowek.

Specific characters. — Leaves all cordate, rough, and three-
nerved ; flowers yellow ; heads large and nodding ; peduncles and
stalks thick, the latter from four to six feet in height ; branched ;
annual. Native of South America ; introduced in 1 569-

IL HELIANTHUS INDICUS—Dwarf Sun-flower.

This species, which was first introduced from Egypt in 1785,
differs from the last principally in being of a much dwarfer habit of
growth, less branched ; its flowers are generally of a lighter yellow
colour, and it is smaller in all its parts.

The seeds of both the above species of sun-flower yield an oil little
inferior to that of the Olive for domestic purposes, and which is also
well adapted for burning. In Portugal the seeds are made into bread,
and also into a kind of meal, and in America they are roasted, and
used as a substitute for coflfee ; but the purpose for which they seem
best adapted is the feeding of domestic fowls, pheasants, and other
game. The greatest objection to their culture is, that they require
very superior soil, and are a most impoverizing crop, particularly the
taller growing sort, H. annuus, from which circumstance the dwarf
species, H. indicus, has been preferred by some cultivators in France,
who assert, that as its dwarf habit of growth admits of a greater
number of plants being grown on a given space, it is not so much
inferior to the other in quantity of produce as from its appearance one
would be led to suppose. In addition to the uses above enumerated,
some French authors assert that the leaves, either in a green or dried
state, form excellent food for cows, and that they are greedily eaten
by them ; the stems also form good fuel, and yield a considerable
quantity of potash.

SPURGE. 293

VI. Belonging to the class and order Dodecandria Trigynia of Lin-
nteus, and to the natural order Euphorbiacece of Jussieu.

EUPHORBIA—SPURGE.

Genekic characters. — Involucre one-leaved, bladder-like, or
ventricose, and regular ; flowers naked, aggregate, female floret sur-
rounded by many monandrous male ones.

EUPHORBIA LATHYRUS— Caper Spurge.

Specific CHARACTERS — Umbles quadrifid, dichotomous ; leaves
opposite, lanceolate, entire ; stem four or five feet in height ; annual
or biennial. Native of England.

From the results of experiments made by M. Schubler, the seeds
of the Caper Spurge yield about thirty per cent of their actual
weight of oil (being a larger proportion of oil than those of any of
the commonly cultivated oliferous plants), which he found to pro-
duce a very bright flame in burning, and likely to prove as useful as
that of rape for machinery, &c. Judging, however, from the quali-
ties of the castor-oil plant, and others belonging to the same natural
order, it is not likely to be at all suitable for food, but may be found
available in medicine. At all events, as it is quite hardy, and pro-
duces an abundance of seed, it seems well deserving of being made
the subject of farther experiment.

The E. Lathyrus receives the name of Caper Spurge from its seeds,
resembling those of the true Caper.

There are several other herbaceous plants cultivated for their fixed
oils, but as the principal of these are too tender for the climate of
Britain, the following short notices are considered sufficient.

SESAMUM ORIENTALE— Oily Grain.

S. orientale was cultivated for its oil, which was used as that of
Olives by the Romans, and is so still in the southern countries of
Europe, as also in China and the East Indies. It is too tender for
the climate of Britain, and can only be grown with the aid of artifi-
cial heat.

294 PLANTS YIELDING OIL.

RICINUS COMMUNIS— Palma-Cheisti or Castor-oil Plant.

The use of the oil obtained from this plant is well known in me-
dicine. There are two varieties, or, as they are sometimes termed,
distinct species, viz. the tall and the dwarf, both of which assume the
character of shrubs or small trees in tropical countries, but in this
can only be accounted tender from their being always destroyed by
the first frosts, before which, however, if sown in a warm early situa-
tion, they occasionallj' ripen seeds, and the tall variety often attains
to the height of eight or ten feet. In Europe, however, the cultiva-
tion of either is not considered expedient, except in latitudes south
of Paris.

By Henry Marshall, Esq. deputy inspector-general of army hos-
pitals, seeds of the small variety of R. communis, grown in the Mau-
ritius ; and by Dr Knapp, 9 Duncan Street, seeds of the tall growing
sort.

ARACHAS HYPOG.EA— A.MERICAN Earth-Nut.

This is a dwarf growing plant, with small solitary yellow flowers,
followed by oblong two-seeded pods, which, as they attain to full
size, acquire a drooping habit of growth, till at last, when fully ripe,
they are entirely buried in the soil ; and are about an inch in
length, with a thickish light brown cracked skin, the two seeds con-
tained in each are about the size and shape of small field beans, and
have an agreeable nut-like flavour. The oil which is obtained from
these is much esteemed as food, being considered as good as that of
the Olive. The A. hypogcea is chiefly cultivated in the warmer parts
of America, and the south of Europe, particularly Spain. It is now
also introduced and cultivated in the East Indies.

Fixed oils are obtained from the seeds of numerous species of trees,
which, with the exception of the Juglans regia (Common Walnut) ;
Amygdalus communis (Almond) ; Corylus avellana (Common Hazel);
Fagus sylvatica (Common Beech), and a few others of minor import-
ance, can only be grown in tropical climates or the warmer parts of
the temperate zones. Of these may be mentioned, Cocas nucifera
(Cocoa-nut tree) ; Areca catechu (Areca or Betal-nut or Cabbage
tree) ; Phcenix dactylifera (Date Palm) ; and numerous others of
the Palm tribe ; also Hameltonia olifera (Oil Nut) ; Bertholatia
excelsa (Brazil Nut); and the Olea Europcea (Olive tree) ; which last
is cultivated to a very great extent in Spain, Italy, and other places
in the south of Europe, and from its fruit the olive oil so extensively

AMERICAN EARTH-NUT. 295

used in some countries for food, but in this chiefly for burning and
in medicine, is procured.

Of the hardy trees producing oleaginous seeds, the Walnut is pe-
culiarly distinguished for the fine quality of the oil which it yields,
and which is preferred even to that of the Olive for domestic pur-
poses ; but in Britain it can only be grown advantageously in the
southern districts, for although it generally ripens its seeds in the
northern counties, yet they seldom attain to that state of full matu-
rity which would warrant the supposition of their yielding oil equal
in quality to that of such as are grown in warmer latitudes. The
same remarks are applicable in the case of the Almond. And with
regard to the Beech and the Hazel, the former is to be considered as
being more particularly cultivated for its timber, and the latter for
its timber and as a dessert fruit.

Specimens of the produce of Oliferous Trees presented to the
Museum : —

By the Heirs of the late Mr J. Smith, No. 1. Blair Sti-eet.
Olive Oil, and also that of the Cocoa-nut, which is chiefly used
for burning, and loses its fluidity when the temperature falls below
about 65° of Fahrenheit's thermometer.

By Sir P. Murray Threipland, Bart, of Fingask, Perthshire.
Remarkably large and well ripened walnuts grown at Fingask
in 1 834 ; also nuts of that variety of Hazel denominated C, avellana
grandis or cob-nut, of an unusually large size.

By Miss Gilchrist of Ospisdale, Sutherlandshire.
Sweet almonds, perfectly ripe and grown in the open air at that
place in 1834 ; also fruit of the C. avellana grandis (Cob-nut), and
of the Avellana rubra or red filbert.

By James Robertson, Esq. of Torvie.
Cocoa-nut in the husk, and several Cashew Nuts.

By Mr T. W. Watson, Dunse.
Two Areca Nuts from the East Indies.

By Mr George Charlewood, Covent Garden, London.
Cashew Nuts, Brazil Nuts, Cob Nuts, Red Filberts, White ditto,
and fruit of the Date Palm.

^96 TLANTS YIELDING OIL.

* * Plants from ivhich Oils are obtained by distillation, and which
are termed Volatile Oils.

The plants included in this division are distinguished by their
possessing a fragrant smell, with a peculiar pungency and warmness
of taste, the existence of which is supposed to depend on the pre-
sence of their essential oils. They are seldom the objects of ver}'
extensive culture ; and the following are a few of the most useful
which are suited to the climate of this country.

Belonging to the class and order D'ldynamia Gymnosperma of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Labiatee of Jussieu.

MENTHA— MINT.

Generic ciiakactkrs — Flower somewhat tubular, divided into
four segments, the broadest of which is notched in the centre ; sta-
mens erect and separated.

MENTHA PIPERITA—Peppermint.

Specific characters. — Leaves opposite, ovate, oblong, acute,
serrated, stalked, and smoothish ; calyx smooth at the base ; flowers
light purple, in crowded whorls, forming a blunt terminal spike,
which is rather interrupted at the base ; roots creeping ; perennial ;
native of England.

Besides the essential oil of peppermint, it also yields a spirit and
a simple water. It is much used in medicine, and by confectioners.
It grows best on a rather rich light moist soil, and cultivators re-
commend renewing the plantations every three or four years, other-
wise the oil becomes perceptibly impaired in flavour. Like others
of the genus, when grown for its essential oil, the plants should be
cut when in flower, and carefully prevented from getting rain during
the time they are drying, else the produce becomes not only inferior
in quality, but the quantity is materially lessened.

MENTHA VIRIDIS— Speahmini.

Specific characters. — Leaves opposite, lanceolate, almost with-
out foot-stalks, and wedge-shaped at their base, minutely serrated
smootliish ; teeth of the calyx slightly hairy ; flowers light purple,
in whoils, which form a cylindrical-like spike, interrupted towards

LA. VENDER. 297

the base ; roots creeping ; perennial ; grows naturally in marshy
places.

The essential oil, and other preparations from the spearmint, are
more confined to medicinal purposes than those of the peppermint.
Its green leaves and tops are used for flavouring in cookery ; and
an infusion of the leaves serves considerably to retard the coagu-
lation of milk.

Although the peppermint and spearmint are the two species
chiefly grown for their essential oils, yet similar productions may
be obtained from others of the genus, particularly M.pulegium, Pen-
nyroyal ; M. odorata, Bergaraot Mint ; M. crispa, Curled-leaved
Mint, &c.

LAVANDULA— LAVENDER.

Generic characters. — Calyx ovate, somewhat toothed, supported
by a bractea ; corolla inverted in position from that of most others
of the LabiaLc ; stamens contained within the tube.

LAVANDULA SPICA— Common Lavendei?.
Specific characters. — Leaves linear-lanceolate, without foot-
stalks, and rolled back at their edges ; flowers blue, placed in leafless
slightly-interrupted spikes ; shrub ; grows to the height of from four
■to six feet. Native of the South of Europe ; introduced about the
year 1.568.

The oil of lavender is obtained in the proportion of 1 oz. to 60 ot
dried flowers ; but this plant is more esteemed for the distilled wa-
ters which bears its name, and which, together with the oil, is ob-
tained in greatest proportion from the dried flower-spikes which have
been gathered in very dry weather, and just before the flowers are
fully expanded.

The Lavender will grow very well on a great variety of soils, but
thrives best on such as are rather rich, light, and dry. It forms very
ornamental dwarf-hedges, where shelter more than strength is re-
quired ; and if proper attention be paid to the season and manner of
clipping them, this seems the most economical mode of growing
the flowers, and these are also easier collected than when the bushes
are allowed to grow at random.

Many other plants belonging to the natural order Labiatce might
be particularized and included amongst such as yield essential oils,

298 PLANTS YIELDING COLOURING MATTER.

but as these ai-e only cultivated to a comparatively limited extent,
the mere enumeration of the better known sorts may be sufficient ;
they are as follows : — Rosmarintis officinalis, Rosemary ; Thymus
vulgaris, Common Thyme, and others of the same genus ; Origanum
vulgaris. Common Marjoram ; Marrubium vulgare, Common Hore-
hound ; Melissa officinalis, Common Balm ; Hyssopus officinalis.
Common Hysop, &c.

Several of the natural family UmbellifercB also yield volatile oils,
and some produce both these and fixed oils ; but their cultivation
for oil alone is generally a secondary object, and most of them be-
long more properly to the division entitled Plants cultivated for va-
rious Economical Purposes, which see. These are principally Car-
rum Carui, Common Caraway ; Coriatidrum sativum, Coriander ;
Cumifium cyminum. Cumin ; Ligusticum levisticum, Lovage ; Pim-
jiinella anisum, Anise ; Anethum fa-niculum, Fennel ; and A. grave-
olens. Dill.

Of plants yielding essential oil, and which are not included in
either of the natural orders Lahiatce or Umhelliferce, may be men-
tioned the Rose family, particularly Hosa centifolia, hundred-leaved
Rose, i2. damascena. Damask Rose, which are most reputed for yield-
ing the atar or essential oil of roses, it is obtained from their dried
petals, an ounce of atar being only procured from about 100 oz.ofthese.
From the Solidago odora, sweet-smelling Golden Red, is also ob-
tained a very fragrant volatile oil. Also the whole of the Fir tribe,
from most of which may be extracted the essential oil of turpentine,
and which are noticed more particularly as Plants cultivated for their
Timber.

III. PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR COLOURING
MATTER OR DYE.

Although the hardy plants, or such as grow freely in the climate
of Britain, from which colouring matter may be obtained, are very
numerous ; yet those actually cultivated in this country are not
only few, but the extent of their cultivation is very limited, arising
no doubt from the facility with which vegetable dyes can be imported
from countries still more favourable for their production. There-
fore, in the following enumeration of dye plants, such only are de-
scribed as are most likely to be grown with advantage in this cli-
mate.

WOAD. 299

* Herbaceous Plants from which Dyes are obtained.

I. Belonging to the class Tetradynamia of Linnaeus, and to the natural
order Cruciferce of Jussieu.

ISATIS— WOAD.

Generic characters — Pud elliptical, flat, one-seeded, one-celled,
with somewhat boat-shaped, adhesive valves; seeds ovate, oblong ;
cotyledons flat, incumbent, apparently in the same direction as the
almost obliterated dissepiment or internal partition of the pod should
be.

ISATIS TINCTORIA—Dyers' Woad or Glastum."

Specific characters. — Root-leaves ovate-lanceolate, notched,
about a foot in length, and pretty long footstalks, those of the stem
clasping, almost entire, about three inches long and ^ inch broad; stems
upright and much branched, about three feet in height ; calyx and the
small petals of a bright yellow colour ; seed-vessels near half an inch
long and two inches wide, attaclied by slender footstalks hanging
down, chesnut coloured or dark-brown and shining when ripe ; root
thick, branching, and fibrous ; biennial ; native of Britain, but by no
means common in a truly wild state.

The blue dye produced by the woad is obtained from the root
leaves, and as its quality as well as quantity depends much on the
size to which those are grown, it is only advisable to cultivate this
plant on very rich soils, of medium texture, and to manure the same
well before sowing the seeds, which is done either in rows or broad-
cast, the former system is preferable, in the beginning of August. In
the season following four or five crops of leaves may be obtained, the
last of which, however, are inferior to the first, and therefore always
kept separate. The plants afterwards are to be ploughed up. except
intended for seed, as they will run to flower the season following. An
acre of good land will, in favourable seasons, produce from a ton to
a ton and a half of leaves. Some people eat down the young leaves
of the first season's growth with sheep, but this practice is supposed

" " This plant was formerly called glastum, from the Celtic .9/as, blue, whence
Glastonbury derived its name. The ancient Britons coloured themselves with
the blue preparation obtained from this plant, whence they received their appel-
lation, Britho being the Celtic word for, to paint. The Picts were so called by the
Romans for the same reason." — Loudon^ s Encyclopedia of Plants.

300 PLANTS YIELDING COLOURING MATTER.

to weaken the plants and to lessen the produce of the next ; and when
the seed is to be saved three cuttings only are generally taken. The
common practice of procuring the dye of the woad is to reduce the
leaves immediately after being cut bj' bruizing to a smooth paste,
which is laid in heaps pressed close and smooth, taking care to fill
any cracks which may appear in the blackish crust which forms on
the surface. After lying for fifteen days the heaps are opened, the
crust reduced to a powder and mixed through the mass, which is
then formed into balls and dried in the sun. Good balls are dis-
tinguished by their being weighty, of a pretty agreeable smell, and
when rubbed of a violet colour within. Before being used by the
dyer, these balls undergo a farther preparation by being reduced to a
gross powder, which is thrown in heaps to the depth of three or four
feet, moistened with water and allowed to ferment. When it throws
out a thick fetid fume, it is then turned regularly and moistened
every day for a fortnight, after which it is stirred less frequently and
ultimately thrown in a heap till used. When used it first imparts to
wool a green colour which changes to a blue by being dried in the
air.

Woad was formerly cultivated to a pretty considerable extent in
Scotland, but the cheapness and consequent general use of indigo,
has almost entirely superseded it.

II. Belonging to the class and order Dodecandria Trigynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Resedacecu of Jussieu.

RESEDA— RESEDA OR MIGNONETTE.

Gkneric chauacters. — Involucrura many-leaved, spreading ;
hermaphrodite flowers without petals, and surrounded by several
fringed petaloid barren or male flowers.

RESEDA LUTEOLA— Dyer's Weed, Weld, Wold, or Upright
Wild Mignonette.

Specific characters. — Stems three to five feet in height, up-
right, generally producing several branches near the top, which arc
also upright ; leaves lanceolate, entire, with a tooth on each side at
the base ; calyx quadrifid ; flowers in long, terminal, greenish-yellow

MADDER. 301

coloured spikes ; biennial. Grows naturally on dry waste places, and
more especially amongst the rubbish of quarries and coal pits.

The Dyers' Weed was formerly extensively, and is still partially,
cultivated in some parts of Britain for the yellow colouring matter
which it yields. Contrary to the woad, this plant yields the best dye
when not grown to a very large size. It should, therefore, be sown
pretty thick on dry light soils, and the usual practice is to sow the
seeds in spring along with a corn crop, the plants not running to seed
until the following season. These are pulled when in flower, or be-
fore the seed is fully ripe, and used either in a green or dry state, no
farther preparation being necessary but boiling all parts of the plants
in a linen bag amongst the water in which the wool, silk, or other
stuff to be dyed is afterwards dipped, taking care to keep the same
always under the surface of the water. The yellow of the dyers'
weed is of little permanency, unless fixed by some mordant, for which
four ounces of alum and one to two ounces of tartar to one pound of
wool is generally previously employed ; and the common practice is
to allow four to six lb. of the dried plant to each lb. of wool or cloth
to be died.

III. Belonging to the class and order Tetrandria Monogynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order HubiacecB of Jussieu.

RUBIA— MADDER.

Generic characters. — Flowers monopetalous, bell-shaped, supe-
rior ; berries two together ; stamens generally four, but sometimes
five, and when such is the case, the monopetalous flower is five-cleft ;
calyx very small, euperior.

RUBIA TINCTORIA—DvERs' Madder.

Specific characters — Stems three to four feet in length, trail-
ing or climbing ; leaves six together, in whorls, smooth above with
rough edges and rough keel or mid-rib on the under side ; flowers
minute and of a yellowish-green colour ; root thick, branching, three
to four feet in length, and striking deep into the ground ; perennial.
Native of the south of Europe.

The roots of the Madder yield the well known red or scarlet dye,
distinguished by the same name, and extensively used by calico prin-

202 PLANTS YIELDING COLOURING MATTER.

ters and dyers generally. About the end of the 17th century, the
sum paid by the British to the Dutch was upwards of L.60,000 an-
nually, being at that time worth about L.6 per cwt. The price be-
came so much increased afterwards that several spirited individuals
attempted its culture in England, amongst whom may be mentioned
Mr Miller, who published a pamphlet and also a paper in his Garden-
er's Dictionai'y on its culture. The results of these experiments tend
to prove that the climate of Britain, particularly England, is emi-
nently fitted for the growth of this plant, and that it can be raised
equal, if not superior, to the best roots which are annually imported
from Holland ; but as in times of peace these can be imported from
thence, and others of the continental countries, at a cheaper rate than
it can be grown by the British farmer, its cultivation in this country
has been almost if not entirely abandoned.

Madder may be propagated by seeds, but the usual practice is by
dividing the small roots which grow near the surface, and planting
the same in rows two and a half or three feet apart on rich deep soil
of medium texture, the interstices during the first season being each
occupied by a row of cabbages, kidney beans, &c. The whole is
carefully kept free from weeds, and the young plants covered over
with three or four inches of earth in the beginning of November ;
sometimes the crop is taken at the end of the second season, but more
frequently the third season after planting, the roots, after being
lifted, are carried direct to the kiln or house heated by stoves for
drying them, and they are afterwards ground for use. The finest
Madder, however, \vhich is obtained from the Levant is said to owe
its peculiar excellence to the roots being dried in the sun.

In the neighbourhood of some of the extensive dyeing establish-
ments about Glasgow, of late, considerable advantages have been de-
rived from using the refuse of the Madder roots for top-dressing
grass lands. Madder imparts a red colour to the milk and bones of
such animals as feed on its shoots.

GALIUM— BED-STRAW.

Generic characters Flowers monopetalous, flat, superior;

seeds two together, globose ; calyx very small, superior.

DYERS' WOODROOF. 303

GALIUM VERUM — Common Yellow-flowered Bedstraw, or
Cheese Rennet.

Specific characters — Stems smooth, slender, and reclining;
leaves eight together, in whorls, linear, smooth, and dark green ;
flowers bright yellow, in long loose terminal spikes ; roots long and
spreading. Grows abundantly in dry light pastures.

The flowering tops of this well-known plant, boiled in alum, dye
a bright yellow colour, and its roots yield a red fully equal to that
of madder, as a vsubstitute for which its cultivation was attempted in
England, at the recommendation of the Committee of Council for
Trade, and found to yield about 1 2^ cwt. of dried roots per acre.
G. verum obtains the name of Cheese Rennet from being used for
curdling milk ; and the bruised plant is sometimes put in milk in-
tended for cheese, to give it a flavour and colour.

The roots of others of the same genus, particularly G. mollugo^
Great Hedge Bed-straw ; G. sylvaticum, Wood Bed-straw ; and G.
boreale, Cross-leaved Bed-straw, possess the same qualities as those
of G. verum, but in a less degree. And the whole genus, like the
madder, are said to possess the peculiarity of colouring the bones
and milk of animals feeding on them.

ASPERULA— WOODROOF.

Generic characters Flowers monopetalous, funnel-shaped ;

seeds two, globose, not crowned by the obsolete four-toothed calyx.

ASPERULA TINCTORIA— Dyer's Woodroof.

Specific characters Stems reclining, about one foot in length ;

leaves three-nerved, linear, the lower whorls six-leaved, the middle ge-
nerally four, and the upper leaves opposite ; colour of the smooth trifid
flowers whitish ; perennial. Native of the South of Europe ; intro-
duced in 1766.

The roots of this plant are used in some parts, particularly Dal-
matia, instead of madder, for dyeing wool and cloth of a reddish
colour : but in bulk the crop obtained from it is inferior to that of
the madder.

304 PLANTS YIELDING COLOURING MATTER.

IV. Belonging to the class Syngenesia of Linnaeus, and to the natural
order Cowi/Jo^eVrt? of Jussieu.

CARTHAMUS— SAFFLOWER.

Generic characters — Florets of the disk and ray all herma-
phrodite ; receptacle chatfy or bristly ; involucrum ovate, scales of
the same ovate, leafy at the end, and overlapping one another ; crown
of the seed chaffy, hairy, or smooth.

CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS— Dyers' Safflower or Bastard
Saffrox.

Specific characters. — Stems about three to four feet high,
branching towards the top, quite smooth, and when full grown hard
or wood}^ ; leaves ovate, slightly spiney ; flowers dark orange, or
of a vermilion colour ; seed ovate, about two-tenths of an inch in
length by one in breadth, whitish or very light brown, and smooth
on the top ; annual. Native of Egypt ; introduced to Britain in
1551.

The colouring matter of Safflower is obtained exclusively froni
the flowers of the plants, which are collected when fully expanded,
and dried on a kiln, under pressure, to form them into small round
cakes, in which state they are sold in the shops. The C. tbictorius is
extensively cultivated at present in the Levant, and several coun-
tries of Europe, particularly France, Spain, and Germany ; in the
latter of which the first gathering of flowers is obtained in the be-
ginning of September, and others, for six or eight weeks following,
as the flowers expand. It flowers about the same time in this coun-
try, and seems suflSciently well suited to the climate. It grows best
on rich soils of medium texture, and should be sown about the be-
ginning of April in rows two feet apart, the plants afterwards being
thinned out to the distance of six inches in the row.

Although the colour of the petals be of a deep orange, they are
used for dyeing various shades of red, the yellow matter being easily
separated from the other. The flowers of the Carthamus ai-e em-
ployed in Spain and other countries for colouring dishes and confec-
tionaries ; and from the seed a fixed oil is obtained somewhat similai-
to that of the sunflower (p. 292), for which purpose alone it does not
however seem deserving of cultivation, at least in this climate.

Many other plants belonging to the class Syngenesia of Linnaeus

SAFFRON. 305

are capable of producing dyes, particularly those having yellow flow-
ers, the colour of most of which is easily extiacted and indelibly
imparted to other substances. The following are a few of such a.s
have proved the objects of most successful experiment.

Scolymus Hispanicus, Spanish Golden Thistle, yields a saffron-
like colour, and is often employed for adulterating the true colour of
that name. Serratula tinctoria, Dyers' Saw-wort, whole plant yields
a yellow colour, as does that of Hieracium umhellatum, Narrow-leaved
Hawkweed, Bidens tripartita, Trifid Bidens and Antheinis tincto-
ria, Ox-eye, or Dyers' Chamomile. From the florets of Coreopsis
verticiilata and C. tinctoria, both natives of North America, the inha-
bitants extract a reddish dye ; and the leaves of Senecio Jacobcea
Common Ragwort, have been employed in this country for dyeing
wools and cloth green.

V. Belonging to the class and order Triandria Monogynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order IridecB of Jussieu.

CROCUS.

Generic characters. — Sheath membranous, two-valved ; flow-
ers monopetalous, six-parted ; perianth (corolla or coloured calyx)
funnel shaped, regular, the outer three segments largest ; tube very
long, arising immediately from the crown of the bulb ; stigma deeply
trifid ; roots bulbose.

CROCUS SATIVUS— Saffron Crocus.

Specific characters Stigma very long, reflexed ; segments

broad towards and notched at the point ; flower large, and of a deep
purple or violet colour, appearing in the months of September and
October ; naturalized in some parts of England, but supposed to
have been first introduced in the time of Edward III.

The only part of C. sativus which yields the colouring matter,
known by the name o^ saffron, is the trifid stigma and that part of the
style above the orifice of the long funnel or tube. It was first cultivated
at Saffron Walden, in Essex, which place derives its name from this
circumstance, and where, in the beginning of the seventeenth cen-
tury, as well as in Cambridge, Suffolk, and Herefordshire, it was
grown very extensively, but at present its cultivation, except as an
ornamental flower, is not practised in Britain, the present supplies

A a

306 PLANTS YIELDING COLOURING MATTER.

being received from the south of France and other parts of the Con-
tinent. The bulbs ai-e planted in June, on rather rich soil of medium
texture, in rows six inches apart across the ridges, and three inches*
bulb from bulb ; and the first crop of flowers are gathered in the
months of September and October following as they expand, when the
stigma, together with those parts of the stj'le yielding the dye are
picked out and dried on a kiln between layers of paper or linen cloth,
under a slight pressure, wherebj'^ the mass is formed into loose cakes.
The average produce per acre of dried saiFron is computed by Miller
in his Gardener's Dictionary at about five pounds for the first sea-
son, and twenty-four pounds the next two, of which the greatest quan-
tity is generally produced in the last or third year, after which the
roots are taken up and the plantations renewed.

From the small quantity of saffron obtained from an acre of good
ground, together with the great labour and attention requisite in cul-
tivating and collecting it, and consequent high price at which it sells,
a strong inducement is held out to the growers and dealers to adul-
terate it with other articles similar in colour and form, for which
purpose the petals of the Bastard Saffron (^Carthamus tinctorius,
p. 304), and those of the Spanish Golden 'W\\?,\XQ{Scolymus Hispa7ucus)
are used. The presence of these is, however, easily detected, by a
previous knowledge of their form and size, to make them attain which
when dried it is only necessary to immerse them in warm water ; the
petals of these two are also much lighter in colour, but this circum-
stance alone is not a sufficient test for detecting their presence, since
their colour is easily altered by the application of some other dye.

Others of the genus Crocus very much resemble the autumn or saf-
fron, but it does not appear that they are also capable of yielding dye
of equal quality, or at least if they really possess such merits they
have hitherto been overlooked. Of the most common of these, C.
vermis, Large Purple-flowered Spring Crocus, and C versicolor.
Party-coloured Spring Crocus, bear the greatest affinity to C. sativus,
but the difference in the period of flowering is alone suflRcient to dis-
tinguish them.

Other hardy herbaceous plants which may be used by dyers, but
are considered of less importance than these previously described, are
as follows : — Stachys sylvaticus, Wood Hedge Nettle ; Polygonum
persicaria, Spotted Asmart or Bistort, Lysimachia tmlgaris, Common
Loosestrife ; Scahiosa succisa, Devils'-Bit ; Xanthium strumarimn.
Small Burdock ; Aprimoiiin etipatoria. Common Agrimony ; and

BUCKTHORN. 307

Anthyllus vulneraria. Kidney Vetch, (page 168), from the stems and
leaves of all of which a yellow colour may be extracted, as also from
the flowers of Hypericum perfoliatvm, Perfoliated St John's Wort,
the roots of Thalictrum Jlavum, Meadow Rue, and Urtica dioica.
Common Nettle, (page 276). A very bright yellow colour was also ex-
tracted from the flower or anthers of the potato by that eminent pa-
tron of Agriculture, the late Sir John Sinclair, Bart, which was found
eminently suited for the dyeing of shawls and woollen cloth. Besides
the Madder and others of the same natural order formerly mention-
ed, from the roots of which red colours are obtained, these may also
be derived from the roots of the following. Rumex acetosa, Sorrel ;
Comarum palustre. Marsh Cinquefoil ; Tormentilla erecta, Upright
Tormentil ; Beta vulgaris hortensis, Red-rooted Garden Beet (page
260) ; and a red or purplish colour is also obtained from the tops of
Origanum vulgare, Common Marjorum, and from the ripe berries of
Phytolaca decandria, Virginian or American Poke-weed. Woollen
stuffs are dyed green by a decoction prepared from the leaves and
stems of Cheropkyllum sylvestre, Cow-weed, the panicles of Phrag-
mitis communis, Common Reed (page 147), and those of Bromus
secalinus, Rye-like Seeded Brome-grass, (page 141). A fine blue
may be obtained from the flowers of Delphinium consolida, Common
Branching Larkspur, and those of Campanula rotundifolia, Harebell,
or Common Round-leaved Bell-flower ; also from the berries of Sam-
Imcus Ebulus or Dwarf Elder, and a very dark or almost black colour
from the stems and leaves of Lycopus Europceus, Water Horehound.

** Shrubs and. Trees from which Dyes are obtained.

VI. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria, Monogynia of
Linnaeus, and to the natural order Rhamni of Jussieu.

RHAMNUS— BUCKTHORN.

Generic characters Calyx bell-shaped, four or five cleft ;

corolla four or five petalled, minute, inferior, inserted into the calyx ;
stigma one to five cleft ; seeds one to four, enclosed in a soft pulp
or berry ; shrubs or dwarf trees.

RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS— Common Buckthorn.

Specific characters — Stems erect ; leaves ovate ; spines termi-
nal ; flowers greenish-coloured ; male and female on different plants ;

Aa 2

SOS PLANTS YIELDING COLOURING MATTER.

berries four-seeded, grows to the height of from fifteen to twenty feet.
Native of England.

It is the fruit of this plant which is sold under the name of French
Berries. The juice of these, when in an unripe state, has the colour
of saffron ; when ripe the same mixed with alum forms the sap-green
of the painter, and when in a verj' ripe state they afford a purple
colour. The bark also is used for dyeing a beautiful yellow.

In England the R. catharticus is sometimes used for making
hedges, but is, from its open and irregular habit of growth, not so
well suited for that purpose as the common hawthorn. It grows
freely in any common soil, and may be propagated by cuttings, lay-
ers, or seeds, which should be sown in August, immediately when the
ripe berrici are gathered, otherwise if deferred till spring they will
not vegetate until the following season.

II.RHAMNUS FRANGULA— Alber BucKXHORsr,

Specific characters. — Branches unarmed ; leaves about two
inches in length and one in breadth, entire and smooth ; flowers
whitish, one-styled and hermaphrodite ; berries globular, two-seeded,
and black when ripe. Grows naturally very abundant in woods and
thickets in some parts of Britain.

The berries of this species are often substituted for those of the
last, but are easil}' detected by the difference in the number of seeds
which they contain. In a green state they dye wool green and yel-
low ; when ripe, bluish-grey, blue and green ; the bark also dyes yel-
low, and with preparations of iron, black.

The propagation and culture of this, as also of most others of the
genus, is the same as in the case of the last, viz. by layers, cuttings,
or seeds sown when the berries are ripe ; and the plants afterwards
kept in the nursery until sufficiently strong for being planted out.

The two species (i?. catharticus and R. frangula) being natives
of Britain, are most likely to succeed well under cultivation in this
country, and, as dye plants, they are the most important in the genus,
several others of which are also quite hardy and employed in the
same manner, viz. R. saxatilis, Rock Buckthorn, the berries of which
are used to dye morocco leather yellow, and which, in common with
those of R. Clusii, Narrow-leaved Buckthorn, are sold under the
name Avignon Berries ; these, however, are more frequently obtained
from the R. infectoria, or Yellow-berried Buckthorn. The wood of
R. erylhroxylon in a ground state is the bright red colour known to

SUMACH. 309

dyers under the name of Red-wood. It is a native of Siberia, and
grows freely in this climate.

VII. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Trigynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Terebinthacece of Jussieu.

RHUS— SUMACH.

Generic chakacteks Calyx five-parted, and, together with the

five petalled flower, inferior, or under the one-seeded berry ; shrubs
or dwarf trees.

RHUS CORIARIA— Common Sumach.

Specific characters. — Leaves composed of seven or eight pair
of ovate, obtuse, serrated, leaflets, terminated by an odd one, rough
or scabrous above, and villose or downy beneath ; flowers whitish-
green, in large compound, terminal spikes or clusters. Native of the
south of Europe ; grows to the height of ten or fifteen feet.

The sumach of the dyers is the young shoots of the R. coriaria,
reduced to a coarse powder by a mill. When used alone it imparts
to wool and cloth a fawn-colour inclining to green ; and particu-
larly to cotton stuffs, previously impregnated with acetate of alumina
as a mordant, it imparts a very durable yellow. In Spain and Por-
tugal sumach is extensively grown, much in the same manner as
willows for the basket-makers are done in this country, the young
shoots being cut down yearly, and bruised or ground for use. Being
a native of a comparatively much warmer climate, it is questionable
with what success the cultivation of JR. coriaria might be attended to
in Britain. It is however, quite hardy, and at least deserving of more
trial than it has hitherto received.

Several other species of the genus are employed for dyeing, par-
ticularly i?. glabra, the berries of which dye red ; and the same,
boiled along with the young wood, afford a black ink-like colour.
This plant overruns lands laid down to grass in a few years, in some
parts of America, as the common whin does in this country. Several
are highly poisonous, and indeed this dangerous quality in some
measure seems to belong to most of them. They all contain a large
portion of tannin, and some are therefore used for tanning leather
instead of oak-bark.

310 PLANTS YIELDING COLOURING MATTER.

VIII. Belonging to the class and order Moncecia Polyandria of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order AmentacecB of Jussieu.

QUERCUS— OAK.

Generic characters. — Barren or male flowers in loose catkins ;
perianth single, slightly five-cleft ; stamens from five to ten in each ;
involucrum of the fertile or female flowers, cup-shaped and scaly, pe-
rianth single, incorporated with the germen, six-lobed ; germen three-
celled, two of which are abortive ; style one ; stigmas three ; nut or
acorn one-celled, one-seeded, surrounded at the base by the enlarged
cup-shaped scaly involucrum.

I. QUERCUS TINCTORIA— Dyers' QuEaciTHON, or American Oak.

Specific characters. — Leaves oblong-obovate, widely-waved, or
not flat, and downy beneath, with deep somewhat bristle-pointed
toothed lobes ; involucrum flattened beneath ; acorn globose. Grows
to the height of seventy or eighty feet.

The inner bark of this tree, which is one of the tallest growing
American oaks, forms the dye known by the same name, and which
affords a yellowish colour ; and the only preparatory operations
it undergoes previous to using, after being separated from the wood
and outer bark, is drying and grinding. Although there are speci-
mens of Quercitron growing in collections in this country, as yet
no fair attempts have been made to cultivate the same for either its
bark or wood.

II. QUERCUS INFECTORIA—Dyers' Oajc.

Specific characters. — Leaves waved, oblong, regularly but not
deeply toothed or notched, smooth on both sides. Native of the
Levant, and some other parts of the south of Europe, where it attains
the height of from forty to fifty feet.

The Quercus infectoria is said to have been introduced to Britain
in 1822, but it is doubtful whether there are yet any growing plants in
this country. Its inner bark is said to produce a brighter yellow colour
than that of the last species, for which its culture has been much re-
commended, it being supposed sufficiently hardy for this climate.

III. GENISTA TINCTORIA— Dyeks' Broom or Greenweed.
Generic and Specific characters see page 183.

CUDBEAR. 311

From the flowers of this dwarf shrub a bright yellow colour is ob-
tained, which, for dyeing green with woad, is said to be preferred by
dyers to all other yellows.

Besides the preceding described hardy shrubs and trees, the dyes
of which form articles of commerce, there are several others of more
common occurrence, from the bark leaves and other parts of which
colouring matter of good quality has been extracted in considerable
quantities ; the most common of which are as follows : — Prunus do-
mestica, Common Plum; Pyrus Malus, Apple-tree; Carpinus betulus,
Common Hornbeam ; Juglans regia, Common Walnut ; and Berberis
vulgaris, Common Barberry ; from the bark of all of which a yellow
colour may be obtained ; as well as from the young twigs, bark, and
leaves of the following : — Betiila alba, Common Birch ; Myrica Gale,
Scotch MjTtle or Sweet Gale ; Salix pentandria. Sweet Willow
(one of the few willows found to thrive well on marsh peaty soils) ;
and others of the same genus. The bark o^ Fraxinus excelsior. Com-
mon Ash, as also the fruit of Vaccinium Myrtillus, Blaeberry, and
that of Empetrum nigrum, yield a blue colour ; and from the bark
of the Quercus Robur, Common Oak, a black dye may be obtained.

* * * Cryptogamic Plants, or Plants icith inconspicuous powers,
from which Dyes are obtained.

IX. Belonging to the class and order Cryptogamia Lichenes of
Linnaeus.

LECANORA.

Generic characters. — Plants crustaceous, spreading, adhering
closely to whatever they grow upon, plane and uniform ; apothe-
cia or fructification shield-like, thick, and pressing on the crust,
with a plain convex coloured disk, and tliickish border, some-
what free from the crust, of which it is formed, and of the same
colour.

LECANORA TARTAREA— Cudbear.

Specific characters. — Crust covered with greyish-white tartar-
like gnmules ; fructification scattered ; disk a little wrinkled, and of
a fleeh colour, margin inflexed and becoming slightly waved. Found

312 PLANTS YIELDING COLOURING MATTER.

at all seasons growing naturally on rocks, and to about the height of
two inches.

The Cudbear is so called from the colouring properties which it
possesses having been first discovered by a gentleman of the name of
Mr Cuthbert. It is employed for dyeing a purplish colour, and to a
very considerable extent, in some of the establishments of Glasgow.
The greatest supply is imported from Norway, but a large quantity
was formerly procured from some districts of the Highlands, where
the inhabitants made a livelihood by stripping the plants from off
the stones by means of iron hooks. Those specimens having the
most fructification are reckoned the best.

Several other Lichens are also used in dyeing, but not to near the
same extent as the Cudbear, at least in this country. The principal
are Lecanora jtcrcllus, whicli also affords a purple colour, and in the
south of Europe is used in lieu of the L. tartarica ; from L. cande-
laria the Swedes obtain a colour which they employ for staining
candles used in their religious ceremonies ; Rocella tinctoria, Orchal
or Archel, wiiich grows naturally on rocks in the Cape Verd and Ca-
nary Islands, and from which the rich purple, but rather fugitive
colour, which bears its name is dei-ived ; Lepraria chlorina, Parmelia
saxatilis, Sticta pulmonacea, Soloriua crocea, Gyrophora pustulata,
G. deiista, Usnea plicatu, Alectoria jubatu, and others, yield dyes
of various kinds.

Several of the LycopodinecB, another order of Gryptogamic plants,
are employed instead of alum in some parts for fixing dyes, particu-
larly Lycopodiinn sehujo, which is used for that purpose in Skye, and
other of the Western Isles ; L. complanatum and L. clavatum are
likewise found to produce the same effect.

Judging from the great variety and beauty of some colours given
out by plants of the order Alg^ or Sea-weed, several of these might
be found to yield valuable dyes ; but hitherto it does not seem that
any extensive successful experiments have been made with them.

Of plants yielding dyes, peculiar to the tropical and warmer cli-
mates, and whicli are imported from thence to this country, the fol-
lowing ai*e the principal : — Indigofera tinctoria., J. argentea, I. Anil,
&c. from the first two of which is chiefly procured the East Indian
Indigo, and from the last the West Indian Indigo, of commerce ;
HfEtnatoxylon campechianum, Log-wood ; CfBsalpina sappan, Sappan
Red-wood ; C. crista, C. brasiliensis, C, echinafa, from all of which

TEASEL. 313

the Red Brazil Wood, which is extensively imported to Britain from
the West Indies, is obtained ; Madura tinctoria, Fustic ; Diospyros
ebinaster, Ebony ; Pterocarpus santilimis, Red Saunder's Wood ;
Bixa orellana, the seeds of which form the Arnotta of the shops,
and Curcuma longa, the roots of which yield the fine yellow colour
known by the name of Turmeric.

Presented to the Museum by Messrs John Grey and Son, Denny,
near Stirling, specimens of the principal vegetable dyes used in this
country, in a prepared state ; also specimens of the woods from which
many of these are derived.

IV. VARIOUS PLANTS USED IN THE ARTS AND MA-
NUFACTURES, NOT INCLUDED IN THE THREE
LAST DIVISIONS.

I. Belonging to the class and order Tetrandria Monogynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order DipsacecB of Jussieu.

DIPSACUS— TEASEL.

Generic characters. — Flowers monopetalous, tubular, four-cleft,
and, together with the proper calyx, superior, or placed on the sum-
mit of the single seed, which is terminated by an entire cross-shaped
crown ; common calyx, or involucrum, many-leaved ; receptacle
conical, with long rigid entire paleae or chaff.

II. DIPSACUS FULLONUM— Clothier's Teasel.

Specific characters — Leaves without footstalks, entire, with
small scattered spines on their margins and surfaces, those of the
stem opposite joined together at the base ; stems upright branching,
angled or furrowed, and prickly ; heads cylindrical ; chaff prominent,
rigid, with recurved spiney points ; perennial. Native of England.

The Clothier's Teasel is cultivated to a considerable extent in the
woollen cloth manufacturing districts of England for its use in rais-
ing the nap upon these stuffs, which it does by means of the rigid
hooked awns or chaff of the heads, these being fixed round the cir-
cumference of a large broad wheel, which is made to revolve and

314 PLANTS USED IN THE ARTS AND MANUFACTURES.

the cloth held against them. It grows best on superior rich soils of
medium or rather strong texture, which should be reduced to a fine
tilth previous to sowing. This operation is generally performed in
March, and the usual method was formerly broad-cast, at the rate of
about a peck of seed to the acre ; but the drill system is now pretty
generally adopted, by which, in addition to other advantages, a
saving of about a fourth part of the seed is attained. The after cul-
ture consists of thinning out the plants to about a foot distance, and
keeping them free from weeds until the month of August in the fol-
lowing year, when the heads are cut, tied in bundles, and sold to the
manufacturers. It is a frequent custom to sow other crops, as cara-
way or coriander, along with the teasel, but this practice cannot be
recommended.

II. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Digynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Chenopodece of Jussieu.

SALSOLA— SALTWORT or SODA PLANT.

Generic characters. — Flowers five-petaled, inferior ; capsules
closed, imbedded in the fleshy calyx. Seed with a spiral embryo.

SALSOLA KALI — Common or Frickly Saltwort.

Specific characters. — Stems spreading, hairy ; leaves somewhat
rugged, narrow, and terminating in a sharp bristled point. Calyx
solitary, with coloured membranous edges ; flowers minute and flesh-
coloured ; annual. Grows naturally on light sandy soils on the sea
coasts.

This is the principal native plant from which the alkaline salts,
barilla, soda, potash, and kelp are obtained ; it was formerly col-
lected in considerable quantities on the west coast of Britain, and
burned for soda for the manufacture of glass, &c.

Many more of the sea-side plants possess the same principles as
the above ; but those most esteemed and cultivated in Spain and
other countries of the South of Em-ope, of which they are natives,
are the Salsola Soda, long fleshy-leaved Saltwort, and S. sativa,
cultivated Saltwort ; from these two, which are grown on light sandy
soils on the coasts of the Mediterranean, and on those of Spain in
particular, is obtained the Spanish barilla, and all the best soda used

PLANTAIN. 315

in Europe. It does not appear that the growth of these has hitherto
beai fairly tried in Britain ; and even the S. kali, which grows freely
from seed, notwithstanding it at one time formed a pretty consider-
able branch of trade, was never made the subject of careful cultivation.

III. Belonging to the class and order Tetrandria Monogynia of
Linnaeus, and to the natural order Plantaginecc of Jussieu.

PLANTAGO— PLANTAIN.

Generic characters. — See page 200.

PLANTAGO PSYLLIUM—Flea-wort.

Specific characters. — Stem branched, spreading ; leaves some-
what toothed, recurved ; heads leafless ; annual. Native of Spain.

A good deal of attention has of late been bestowed on the culti-
vation of Flea-wort in France, from the circumstance of its yielding
a gelatinous viscid substance, which is used by paper stainers, and
found much superior to the extract obtained from lintseed, which
was formerly and is yet still made use of by them ; that of the flea-
wort being much easier dried.

IV. Belonging to the class and order Triandria Monogynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Cyperacece of Jussieu.

SCIRPUS— CLUB-RUSH.

Generic characters. — Flowers glumaceous, as in the grasses ;
spikelets imbricated in all directions, many-flowered, none of the
scales empty ; bristly under the ovarium ; style deciduous and not
jointed at the base.

SCIRPUS LACUSTRIS— 'J'all-club or Bull-rush.

Specific characters. — Culm or stalk about six feet in height,
round, and filled with soft Avhite pith in the centre, about half an
inch in diameter at the base, where it is generally furnished with two
shea<ths, the interior one ending in a leafTlike point ; cyme or panicle

816 PLANTS USED IN THE ARTS AND MANUFACTURES.

terminal, decompound with a two to four leaved involucrum ; spike-
lets ovate and smooth ; perennial. Grows naturally on alluvial soils,
which are occasionally covered with fresh water, as by the side of
lakes, rivers, &c.

The Bull-rush is much used by coopers for putting between the
staves of barrels, &c., also by chair -makers for making chair bottoms,
and for various other purposes, for which it might be profitably
grown in marshes, where the soil is not very peaty, and of rather
superior quality ; particularly on the banks of rivers which are flooded
by fresh-water tides.

Many others of the natural order Cyperacece are employed for va-
rious economical purposes, such as forming seats, ropes, mats, fancy
basket-work, thatching houses, &c. ; for which purposes, although
they may be beneficially employed when found growing in sufficient
quantities, yet they are not at all likely to be cultivated advanta-
geously under any circumstances for such alone.

V. Belonging to the class Cryptogamia and order Equisetacecc.

EQUISETUM— HORSE-TAIL.

Generic characters. — Stems and branches without leaves and
regularly articulated, each articulation arising from a tubular sheath ;
reproductive organs in terminal spikes or heads, composed of peltate
several sided scales, producing on their under surface from four to
seven elongated involucres containing the seed.

EQUISETUM HYEMALE— Large Branchless Horse-tail or
Dutch Rush.

Specific characters. — Stems simple, erect, rough; sheaths whitish,
but black at the base and summits ; teeth small and deciduous ; roots
creeping ; perennial. Grows naturally in moist thick shady woods,
but by no means abundant in Scotland.

The dried stems of this plant are used extensively for polishing
wood, metal, &c. ; and from being generally imported from Hol-
land have received the name of Dutch Rushes. As the E. hyemale
grows naturally in such places as few other plants will exist in, it
might be cultivated with advantage under trees, on rather light moist

CARAWAY. 31 T

but superior soils ; it can only be propagated by dividing and trans-
planting its roots.

V. PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR VARIOUS ECONOMICAL
PURPOSES.

I. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Digynia of Linnaeus,
and to the natural order UmbellifercE of Jussieu.

CARUM— CARAWAY.

Generic characters. — Calyx acute, minute or obsolete ; flowers
in umbels, five-petaled, superior, irregular ; petals inversely heart-
shaped ; flower receptacle angular, thin, wavy, and permanent ; styles
tumid at the base, subsequently elongated, and widely spreading ;
seeds two, elliptic, oblong, with equidistant ribs ; interstices convex.

CARUM CARUI— CoMJiON Caraway.

Specific characters — Stem about two, or two and a half feet
in height, with numerous spreading branches ; leaves finely cut,
having ventricose sheaths, and of a deep green colour ; flowers white ;
common calyx or involucrum awanting ; roots somewhat fusiform ;
biennial. Grows naturally in some parts of England.

The cultivation of Caraway for its seed, which is always in consi-
derable demand, has in Britain hitherto been almost exclusively
confined to the southern districts of England, and is so closely assi-
milated with that of the next plant (Coriander), that the culture of
both will be noticed at the same time.

The seeds of Caraway are used to a considerable extent in con-
fectionery, also for flavouring cheese, spirits, &c. and in the distillery.
The leaves, to a limited extent, are used in salads, or as a pot-herb
like parsley, and the roots are by some preferred to those of the
parsnip.

By Mr Samuel Girdwood, Isle of Bute, sample of a crop of cara-
way seed grown with satisfactory profitable results, on the home farm
of the Marquis of Bute, in summer 1835, and equal in quality to me-
dium samples of the London market, grown in the south of England.

318 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR ECONOMICAL PURPOSES.

CORIANDRINUM— CORIANDER.

Generic characters. — Calyx broad, unequal ; flowers in nmbels,
petals radiate ; floral receptacle awanting ; fruit a single or double
globe.

CORIANDRINUM SATIVUM— Common or Cultivated Coriander.

Specific characters. — Stem leaves much more cut than those of
the root, and all possessed of rather a strong disagreeable smell ;
stems pretty upright, much branched, but acquiring a drooping
habit, as the globular seeds ripen ; annual. Naturalised in some
parts of England, but supposed to have been originally introduced
from the south of Europe.

The demand for and application of coriander seeds is much the
same as regards those of the caraway, and in the south of England
they are generally cultivated together, 18 lb. of caraway mixed with
1 5 lb. of coriander being usually allowed to the acre, and these are
sown in March or early in April on rather strong rich land, and
such as is newly broken up from pasture is preferred. The coriander
being an annual, yields its crop the first season, and is generally ready
to cut in the beginning of July ; it is then left on the field to dry,
and the seed afterwards beaten out on cloths, the facility with which
these are detached not admitting of carting home to the barn. In
April following, the caraway will require a hoeing to destroy weeds,
and another in June. The crop will be ready in July, and requires
the same treatment as the coriander.

Although few trials on an extensive scale have been made of the
culture of coriander and caraway in Scotland, yet there is no doubt
but that such could be done as well as in England. The harvesting
might be a week or a fortnight later, but even at that period (end of
July or beginning of August) the weather is generally drier than
at any other period of the season, and consequently most favourable
for getting the crop properly secured. A seemingly preferable mode
of cultivation would be to sow them both in drills alternately, by
M'hich means the caraway would be more easily hoed and cleaned
after the removal of the coriander.

CUMINUM— CUMIN.

Generic characters — Flowers in umbels ; involucres five-leav-

CUMIN. 319

ed ; seed ovate, with seven ribs, and bearded in the interstices, two
together.

I. CUMINUM CYMINUM—CoMMON Cumin.

Specific characters. — Lower leaves broad, upper minutely di-
vided ; flowers white ; seeds adhesive ; annual. Native of Egypt ; in-
troduced in 1594.

From the Cumin being a native of such a warm climate as that of
Egypt, it was formerly supposed that in Europe its culture was only
practicable in the most southern countries. It is now, however, grown
in Germany, Holland, and other parts still farther north ; and in these
countries its seeds are at present the principal carminatives used, as
those of the caraway and coriander are in Britain ; also in the distil-
lery, and for imparting a favourite flavour to spirits. In this country
cumin ripens its seeds in gardens about the middle of August, and
there seems no doubt that if these were more in demand they might
be grown to any extent in early districts.

Besides the caraway, coriander, and cumin, many more umbellifer-
ous plants produce carminative seeds, but are not the objects of cul-
tivation to much extent for these alone. The following are a few of
the more common : Apium Petroselimim, Parsley (page 1 99) ; A.
graveoletis, Celery ; Anethum graveolens. Common Dill, and A. Fceni-
culum, Fennel ; Legusticum levisticum, Lovage ; Pastinaca sativa.
Parsnip ; Angelica archangelica, Common Angelica ; Myrrhis odo-
ratus. Myrrh, &c. ; in collecting the seeds of which great care is re-
quisite to reject those of other plants belonging to the same natural
order {Umhelliferci) which are violent poisons, and bear a consider-
able resemblance to the preceding. Of these the most dangerous are
Conium maculatum, Common Hemlock ; Fhellandrum aquaticum.
Water Hemlock ; and Anthusa Cynopmm, Fools' Parsley.

II. Belonging to the class Tetradynamin of Linnfeus, and to the
natural order Cruciferce of Jussieu.

SINAPIS NIGRA— RED, BROWN, or BLACK MUSTARD ;
AND S. ALBA— WHITE MUSTARD.

Generic and Specific characters. — See Plants Yieldinij Oil-
page 285,

320 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR ECONOMICAL PURPOSES.

Although the Mustards are included and described amongst t!ie
Oliferous Plants, their seeds being occasionally crushed for oil in
common with those of the rape, &c., yet the purpose for which
they are chiefly used is for making the Flour of Mustard, which, in
the case of the first species, is done by removing the outer skin, and
afterwards reducing the remainder of the seeds to powder, both of
which operations are performed by means of machinery. The manu-
facture of mustard was first understood and extensively practised in
the county of Durham, and the ^S'. nigra was used in preference to the
white sort, it being more pungent, and of much finer quality ; but as
it is impossible to remove the skins entirely, the flour made from
the red or black seeded sort retains a darkness of colour which that
made from the S. alba (White- seeded Mustard) wants ; and as much
less labour is required in the manufacture of the latter, it is now em-
ployed to the greatest extent, either alone, or more generally in mix-
ture with the former, particularly in Britain. In France, however,
and other parts of the Continent, where the art of removing the skins
is not properly known, the black or red mustard seed is still chiefly
used, and the flour made from it has a very dark or greyish colour.

Sample in the Museum of mustard flour, made from the seed of
Sinapis nigra, by Mr Webster, mustard-manufacturer, Durham.

COCHLEARIA— HORSE-RADISH or SCURVY-GRASS.

Generic characters. — Petals four, entire ; stamens without
teeth ; pod sessile, ovate, globose, or oblong, with ventricose valves
opening lengthwise; seeds numerous, compressed, and not edged;
cotyledons flat, accumbent, parallel, with the broad oval membranous
internal partition.

COCHLEAPvlA ARMORACIA— Horse-radish.

Specific characters — Root-leaves oblong and notched, those of
the stem long, lanceolate, toothed or cut; flowers white ; pods short,
thick, and tapering to both ends; roots whitish, thick, fleshy, long,
and branching.

The Horse Radish is a well known plant, the roots of which are
commonly used as a condiment to roast beef, but of late years it has
been cultivated in fields to a pretty considerable extent in some parts
of England ; for an extract obtained from its roots, and which is
beneficiallj' employed for preserving mustard made ready for the

HOP. 321

table and exported to the East and West Indies in that state. To
grow the roots to the greatest perfection requires a rich, damp, and
deep soil ; small pieces of the root will vegetate, but it is as well that
each set be provided with a crown or bud ; these should be planted
pretty deep, and the crop is ready for taking up the second or third
season after planting.

III. Belonging to the class and order Dicecia Pentandria of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Urticece of Jussieu.

HUMULUS LUPULUS-HOP.

Generic and Specific characters, see page 275.

Although the Hop be previously noticed as a plant yielding fibre,
it is never cultivated for that purpose alone, but {\\\ Britain at least)
almost exclusively for the bitter principle contained in the flowers and
catkins of the female plants, which are employed in the brewing of
ale, small beer, and porter, to impart to these an aromatic bitter
taste, and prevent them from becoming sour. There are several cul-
tivated varieties of hop distinguished by the names of Flemish,
Goldings, &c. Of these the Flemish comes nearest the wild sort,
and is consequently inferior in quality to the others, but is much
more hardy and less liable to be injured by unfavourable har-
vest weather than the others. Its limited cultivation, by all exten-
sive growers, is, therefore, recommended, and, from possessing these
properties, it seems the sort most likely to be successfully cultivated
in Scotland, the climate of which is generally considered unsuited for
the hop, its growth in Britain being at present confined to the south-
ern counties of England.

Such clay soils and strong deep loams as have a free porous subsoil
and a south or westerly exposure, being well sheltered by plantations
from the north and easterly winds, (but at the same time not so much
as to prevent the free circulation of air), are best adapted for hop
plantations, previously to forming which, the ground should be
cleared of weeds by fallowing or otherwise, well manured, trenched,
and pulverized. The planting is performed either in March or April
when cuttings are used, or in October and November when ground
plants or slips from those of an old plantation are employed. In either
case small pits are made in rows from six to eight feet distant, every
way into each of which from a half bushel to a bushel of farm-yard

B b

322 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR ECONOMICAL PURPOSES.

manure is put, and the earth placed over the same in the form of
small hillocks, and on each of these hillocks from four to six plants
or cuttings are planted by means of dibbles ; and, as it is the third
year after planting until the hop comes into full bearing, other crops
of a light and unimpoverizing nature, such as onions, turnips, &c. are
generally gro^yn between the rows, taking care, however, not to allow
either them or weeds to injm-e the hop plants. In May, a pole from six
to nine inches in diameter, and from fifteen to twenty feet in height,
is placed on each hill for the support of the plants ; and in harvesting
the crop in September, when the seeds assume a somewhat ripened-
like colour, the stems are cut over at the ground, and, together with
the poles, laid on wooden frames to admit of the catkins being easily
gathered. These are then carried immediately to kilns, dried, and
packed in bags for sale. The average length of time which a hop plan-
tation may be considered to remain in a good bearing condition, on
rich deep soil, is about twenty years, but in some instances they are
allowed to remain thirty years before being broken up, and the land
cleared of their roots for corn crops. No crop is more precarious or
liable to suffer from mildew, blight, attacks of insects, weather, &c.

Several other plants have been recommended and used as substi-
tutes for the hop in brewing : of these the most easily obtained are the
following : Twigs of Buxus sempervirens, Common Boxwood, which
are extensively used in France ; Menyanthm trifoliata, Marsh Tre-
foil or Buekbean, one ounce of the dried leaves of which is said to
be equivalent to half a pound of hops ; leaves of Glechoma hedera-
cea, Ground Ivy ; roots of several of the Gentians, as Gentiana
acaulis, G.lutea^G. purpurea, G. rubra, Sac. In some of the northern
countries of Europe, and formerly occasionally in Britain, tops or
twigs of Erica vulgaris, Common Heath ; Cytissiis scoparium. Com-
mon Broom, &c.

IV. Belonging to the class and order Diadelphia Decandria of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order LeguminoscB of Jussieu.

ASTRAGALUS— MILK-VETCH.

Generic characters, — See page 168.

ASTRAGALUS BOETICUS— Triangular-podded Milk-vetch.

Specific characters. — Stems upright and branching; leaflets
oblong, blunt, each with a notch and a small withered-like prickle
at the points ; spikes few-flowered, scarcely so long as the leaves ;

MILK- VETCH. 323

pods triangular and curved, with hooked points ; annual. Native of
tlie south of Europe.

The Astragalus boeticus is cultivated in Hungary, Germany, and
other parts of the Continent, from whence it has been introduced
into Britain for its seeds, which are roasted, ground, and used either
alone as a substitute for, or mixed with coffee ; in the former state
it is by some preferred to, and in the latter is considered to improve
the flavour of, that wholesome beverage. It is of the easiest culture,
and may be sown in April in drills, twelve or fifteen inches apart,
on rather light sandy soil, and reaped in August following.

Although plants employed, or likely to be so, as substitutes for
coffee or tea, cannot be expected to form any important part of
field culture in this country, yet it is not deemed out of place here
to mention a few of the hardy plants which have been tried and used
for these purposes with most success. Continuing, therefoi*e, with
such as may be used for coffee, and without giving any generic or
specific descriptions, these are as follows : — Cichorium Intyhus,
Common Chiccory (see page 194), the roots of which, as also of
Leontodon Taraxacum, Common Dandelion, and Beta vulgaris hor-
tensis, Garden Beet, are used, after being cut in small pieces, roasted,
and ground ; as are also the seeds of Galium Aparine, Fetter or
Cleavers ; Iris Pseud-Acortis, Common Yellow Iris ; Wheat, and Rye.

The true Tea plants, Thea viridis, Green Tea, and T. boheuy
Black Tea, have been found capable of withstanding the winter in
Britain, with a little protection when young, particularly T. viridis,
but how far the culture of either, from seed procured in the most
northern or colder parts of their native countries, China and Japan,
would be attended with advantage in Britain, yet remains to be as-
certained. As substitutes for Tea, the leaves of the following more
hard}' plants have been used : — Eetula Lenta, Sweet American Birch,
or ^Mountain Mahogany ; Ledum palustre, Marsh Labrador Tea Plant;
Rihes nigrum, Black Currant, and others of the genus ; Salvia offi-
cinalis, Common Sage ; Agrimonia Llupatoria, Common Agrimony,
Veronica officinalis. Officinal Speedwell ; Litliospermum officinale.
Officinal Gromwell, or New Zealand Tea ; Solidago odora, Sweet-
smelling Golden Rod ; S. virgaurea, Common Dwarf Golden Rod ;
Prunus spinosa, Common Sloe-Tree, &c. ; the leaves of the last of
which, together with those of Fraxinus excelsior, Common Ash Tree,
and Cratcegus Oxycanthu, Common Hawthorn, are more exclusively
used for adulterating the genuine teas than as proper substitutes for them.

B b2

fJ24 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR ECONOMICAL PURPOSES.

V. Belonging to the class and order Pentandria Monogynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Solanecp,

NICOTIANA— TOBACCO.

Generic characters — Flower inferior, monopetalous, funnel or
bell-shaped ; stigma emarginate ; seeds numerous, in a two- celled
capsule.

I. NICOTIANA TAB ACUM— Virginian Tobacco.

Specific characters. — Leaves without footstalks, oblong, and
tapering slowly to the point, large, averaging about two feet in length
by from nine to twelve inches at the greatest breadth ; stems up-
right, about six feet in height ; flowers pink-coloured ; tube much
longer than the calyx, slightly inflated within the mouth ; segment
acuminate, and slightly recurved ; annual. Native of North America.

This species is cultivated to a greater extent than any other in
North America, but as it is considerably later in ripening its seeds,
and also more tender than the next, it is not so well suited to the
climate of Britain.

II. NICOTIANA RUSTICA— Common Green Tobacco.

Specific characters. — Leaves stalked, ovate, or somewhat ap-
proaching to a heart-shape, about nine to twelve inches long by five
to eight inches in breadth ; stems upright, from four to five feet in
height ; flowers of a dull yellowish green-colour ; tube cylindrical,
scarcely longer than the calyx ; segments short, blunt, and recurved ;
annual. Native of America.

This is the species chiefly cultivated in the northern countries of
Europe. In Scotland it ripens seed in ordinary seasons about the
middle of August, at which period the former, unless assisted at one
period of its growth or other by artificial heat, is generally only
coming into flower. The seeds of N. rustica will lie in the ground
for a number of seasons retaining their vegetative powers, so that
where a crop has been once grown, the seedling plants will spring
up spontaneously for a series of years thereafter.

Many more of the annual species of Nicotiana are cultivated
for the manufacture of tobacco, but those above described are
the hardiest, and best adapted for the climate of Britain. It does
not seem, however, that their culture (which is at present prohibited
except to a limited extent) will ever become an object of great im-

LIQUORICE. 325

portaiice in this country ; for although any quantity of leaves might
easily be produced, they are found deficient in those narcotic and
pungent qualities on which their chief value depends, to such as are
the growth of more dry and warm climates.

Tobacco succeeds best on rich rather light loamy soils, and may
be cultivated (sown in the end of April) in the same manner as tur-
nips ; but a preferable mode in such climates as that of Britain, and
which is practised in Germany, &c. is to sow the seeds in March, on
a moderate hot-bed, and protecting the young plants from frosts at
night, until about the second week of May, when they may be
planted out in drills. For much valuable information on collecting,
drying, and manufacturing the leaves of tobacco, see Loudon's Encyc.
of Agriculture., and his Encyc. of Plants.

Among the Economical Plants may be included some of the more
extensively cultivated plants used in Medicine, as follows.

VI. Belonging to the class and order Diadelphia Decandria of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Leguminosce of Jussieu.

LIQUORTIA— LIQOURICE.

Generic characters. — Calyx tubular, equally five-parted ; stand-
ard or upper petal of the flower erect, reflexed at the edges ; wings
spreading ; keel bifid ; pod oblong smooth.

LIQUORTIA OFFICINALIS— Common Liquorice.

Specific characters. — Leaves compound, without stipules or
appendages at their base ; leaflets from eleven to fifteen on each leaf,
ovate, retuse, clammy beneath ; pods three or four-seeded ; roots
thick, long, and running deep into the ground ; perennial. Native
of the south of Europe.

Besides the uses of liquorice roots in medicine, they are also
employed in brewing, and are grown in some parts of England
pretty extensively for these purposes. Liquorice requires a rich
deep dry sandy soil, which, previous to forming a new planta-
tion, should be trenched to the depth of about three feet, and a li-
beral allowance of manure, regularly mixed with the earth in trench-
ing. The plants, which are procured by slipping them from those in
old plantations, are, either in February or March, dibbled in rows
three feet apart, and from eighteen inches to two feet in the row.

S26 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR ECONOMICAL PURPOSES.

The plants require three summers growth before being fit for use,
when the roots are obtained by retrenching the whole, and are then
stored in sand for their preservation until required. As the plants
are small during the first summer of their growth, a crop of onions
is often taken in the interstices of the rovis.

VII. Belonging to the class and order Enneandria Trigynia of Lin-
naeus, and to the natural order Polygonece of Jussieu.

RHEUM— RHUBARB.

GENERIC CHARACTERS. — Cofolla six-cleft, persistent ; seed or small
nut, one for each flower, three-cornered. Rheum being the oidy
genus in the above class and order.

RHEUM PALMATUM— Palmate-leaved Rhubarb.

This species is easily distinguished by its deeply divided or pal-
mate leaves, and is generally considered as that from which the dried
roots used in medicine are chiefly obtained. Those of other species,
however, particularly R. tatarieum, Tartarian, R. compactum, Thick-
leaved, R. nndulatum. Buck or Waved-leaved, and R. rhaponticum.
Common Rhubarb, are also used, they all succeed best in a very rich
soil of medium texture, and require to grow three or four years until
the roots become large enough for use ; these are then taken up, cut
in pretty large pieces, and dried either by the sun or in kilns made
for that purpose, after which they are ready for use. Rhubarb from
Turkey and neighbouring countries is generally preferred to that of
British growth, but is said to owe its superiority entirely to the
manner of drjdng it.

The leaf-stalks of all the above varieties are used in spring, and
the earlier part of summer, for making tarts.

Of other medicinal plants may be mentioned the Papaver somni-
ferumjlore cdho. Large White-flowered Poppy (page 291), it being
the variety most esteemed for the production of opium, which is ob-
tained by scratching the heads in the evening, and the white milky-
like juice that escapes becomes dried into a dark brownish-like
paste, which is carefully collected in the mornings, and afterwards
being freed from impurity, is ready for use. An excellent opium
is also procured from the different varieties of garden lettuce.

( 327 )

PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

The number of forest trees capable of being cultivated in Britain
is so great, that a complete enumeration of them, accompanied with
even the most succinct descriptions, would far exceed the limits to
which an Agricultural Report like the present must necessarily be
confined, and a mere list of names without descriptive characters
would not only be in a great measure useless, but also at variance
with the plan adopted in the preceding pages. It has, therefore,
been judged expedient to treat of a limited number, reserving the rest
until the publication of future and Supplementary Reports, which,
should circumstances permit, it is intended to give at such periods as
may seem most advisable. The trees of the Pine or Fir tribe are
those which of late years have most engaged the notice of cultivators,
and as the interest which they have excited is undiminished, our at-
tention has naturally been more particularly directed to them. The
success which has attended the cultivation of the larch, and the per-
fection to which not only the natural forests, but also the numerous and
extensive plantations of the Scotch Fir have attained in this country,
lead us to expect favourable results from the extended culture of the
Coniferce, which we have therefore selected for description, and of
which a more complete collection has been exhibited in the Museum
than of any other tribe.

I. Belonging to the class and order Moncecia Monodelphia of Lin.
nseus, and to the natural order Coniferce of Jussieu.

PINUS— PINE-TREE.

Generic characters. — Male flowers in roundish or oblong cylin-
drical catkins ; anthers two-celled ; female, stigmas bifid or trifid ;
scales in an imbricated cone, having each two styles, and a bractea
or sheath-like appendage at their base ; pericarpa two, attached to
the inside of each scale, more or less winged, generally about half
surrounding the seed ; cotyledons from four to twelve ; leaves two
or more together, in bundles, without a bud in their centre.*

* It is generally asserted that all the species of the genus Pinus are natives of
the northern hemisphere ; seeds of various species have been received in this
country from the Brazils, Cape of Good Hope, &c. but these are considered to
have been introduced to such places hy settlers from Europe.

328 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

* Leaves generally in pairs.

I. PINUS SYLVESTRIS— Wild Pine or Scotch Fiu.

Specific characters — Leaves short (about from one and a half
to two inches in length), rigid, straight, or slightly waved, and twisted,
slightly concave on the interior, and convex on the exterior surface,
raarginated or serrulated on the edges, of alight green colour, bound
together towards their base by a short thin membranous lacerated
vagina or sheath ; male catkins many together, short, and ovate>
generally of a faint j'ellowish colour ; cones pedunculated or stalked>
seldom more than two or three together, round the termination
of the young shoots generally of a purplish colour, and pendent
when young, afterwards greenish, and laterally of a dusky brown
colour, and more upright, small, about as long or rather longer
than the leaves, regularly conical and pointed, ripening the se-
cond year ; scales thick, and terminating in a somewhat irregular
four-sided often recurved projecting point ; seeds small and dark co-
loured ; cotyledons five to seven. Grows naturally in Scotland, and
in most of the northern countries of Europe.*

P. sylvestris is the only native Pino, but of it there are several
reputed varieties, some of which differ so much as to be reckoned
distinct species. Four of these, natives of this country, were first no-
ticed and described by that talented botanist the late George Don of
Forfar, in the Caledonian Horticultural Society's Memoirs, vol. I.
from which the following descriptions are derived : —

1. Common Wild Pine. — Branches forming a pyramidal head ;
leaves marginated, of a dark or dull green colour, and but little glau-
cous underneath ; cones considerably elongated, and tapering to the
point ; bark of the trunk very rugged.

This variety seems to be but short-lived, becoming soon stuuted
in its appearance, and is altogether a very inferior tree to either
of the next two.

2. Horizontal-branched Wild Pine. — Branches of a horizon-
tally spreading habit, generally bent downwards near their junc-
tion, with the trunk or main stern ; leaves broader than in the last,

"No variety of/*, sylvestris has yet been discovered in North America, not-
withstanding that its reputed degeneracy in this country has been stated as aris-
ing entirely from seeds of an inferior variety having been imported from Canada.

PINE. 329

and serrulated, not margined, also of a lighter and more beautiful
glaucous colour ; cones generally thicker, not so much pointed, and
smoother than those of No. 1 ; bark of the trunk also smoother or
less rugged. This, Mr Don considered, might from its marked dis-
similarity be admitted a distinct species from the last, and he there-
fore distinguished it by the name of Pinus horizontalis. It is rare
in artificial plantations of the present day, being in proportion to the
common sort No. 1, at most as one to ten or twelve.

3. Hooked-conedWii.d Pink. — Leaves of a still lighter colour
than those of the last, insomuch that they appear of a truly light
glaucous hue, approaching to a silver tint, also serrulated, not mar-
gined as those of No. 1, with which the tree agrees in having a
pyramidal head, but differs from either of the preceding in its cones
having the points of their scales elongated and hooked, so as to give
them the appearance of being beset with blunt prickles bent back-
wards. This variety is more common than the last, and is also a
good tree.

4. Short Twisted-leaved Wild Pine — Differs from the others
in its leaves, which are much shorter, and somewhat curled, or rather
twisted. This seems to be a scarce variety, Mr Don having only
discovered three or four trees ; he considered it to be nearly allied
to P. Banksiana of Lambert, and therefore of little importance as a
forest tree.

It was the opinion of Mr Don, that the natural pine forests which
formerly abounded in Scotland, and the trees of which arrived at
a large size, had been chiefly composed of the Aariety or species
to which he had given the name of P. horizontalis, and that the sup-
posed decline in the quality of the timber of P. sylvestris in this
country, may be accounted for from the great predominancy in arti-
ficial plantations of var. No. 1, arising from its seeds being pro-
duced in greater quantities, and easier come at by seed gatherers ;
and as the timber of P. horizontalis is still found possessed of all the
qualities ever ascribed to the Scotch fir, an opinion which seems to be
corroborated by the fact, that in such natural forests as yet remain in
various parts of Scotland, as those in the counties of Perth, Aber-
deen, and Inverness, which are remarkable for the superior quality
of their timber, P. horizontalis is the most prevalent sort. Hence

330 TREES CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

the advantages of procuring plants raised from seeds collected in na-
tural forests.*

Young plants, the produce of seeds, collected from native trees,
when grown alongside those from seeds collected in the low country
plantations, differ very perceptibly, in being of more vigorous growth,
and having longer more waved or twisted leaves.

Haganoe Pine, Pin de Haganoey Fr. — This variety receives
its name from being introduced from the forest of Haganoe in Ger-
many, the old trees in which are remarkably tall, straight, free from
branches, except near the summit, with remarkably smooth reddish-
coloured bark ; the leaves of the young plants are fully longer than
those of any of the preceding, much waved or twisted, of a light
green slightly glaucous colour, and minutely serrulated ; the young
terminal buds are of a peculiar reddish colour, and generally more or
less covered with whitish resin. The young plants are, besides their
difference in shade of colour, readily distinguished by their stronger
and more rapid growth.

Riga Pine, Pin de Riga, Fr — From the superior quality of
the timber of P. sylvestris imported from Riga, under the name of
Red Pine, to distinguish it from that of Abies communis, or White
Deal, it has been considered advisable to procure seeds from the
natural forests in the neighbourhood of that place, and to plants the
produce of such seeds, the above name is applied. They may at least
be considered as possessed of equal merits with such as are derived
from the best native forest in the Highlands of Scotland.

A great deal has of late been written for and against a rather pre-
valent opinion, that the difference in quality apparent in different
specimens of timber of the P. sylvestris, is altogether dependent on
soil, climate, slowness of growth, &c. That timber grown on a light,
sandy, dry, or hazelly soil, is in general more resinous and redder in
colour than such as is grown on soils of an opposite quality, seems

* As a proof of plants raised from such seed retaining the superior qualities
of the original trees, maybe mentioned a plantation, recently cut down, which
stood on the north side of the Perth and Dundee road, nearly ten miles from the
former, the seed of which was, seventy or eighty years since, received from
the forest of Mar, and the timber, although grown on a poor damp tenacious
clay, besides attaining to a great size, was found equal in quaUty to that for
v'hich the above natural forest is esteemed.

riNE. 331

not at all disputable, but that such is invariably the case is not in
accordance with universal experience ; for Scotch fir-timber, of the
best quality, has been grown in strong clay, very damp, and occa-
sionally moist grounds, as in the case of the plantation referred to
at the bottom of the last page. It must be evident to any minute
observer, that there are several distinct varieties of P. sylvestris,
both in natural and artificial plantations, distinguished by the ex-
ternal appearance of their habit of growth, bark, leaves, and fruit ;
and although it does not follow that the internal depend, or are conse-
quent upon, external differences, yet it may be safely inferred, that
whenever a marked external distinction occurs, a difference in the
quality of the timber of the tree is by no means an unlikely accom-
paniment, and that such, in some instances, is actually the case, ap-
pears to be a fact admitting of little or no doubt ; therefore, to the
grower, the importance of selecting such varieties as produce the
greatest bulk and best quality of timber, under the greatest variety
of circumstances, is a matter of the utmost importance.

Besides the value of the P, sylvestris as a timber tree, from it as
well as from others of the genus, a liquid resin is obtained by making
incisions with a sharp knife, or other edged instrument, a little deeper
than the bark, from which the resin flows into reservoii's made for
its reception. This operation is performed from the end of May to
about the middle of September, as it is only in warm weather that
the juice flows freely. From this resinous juice are obtained by va-
rious modes of preparation. Yellow Resin, Essential Oil of Turpen-
tine, Common Resin, and Black Resin or Colophony. Also by burn-
ing the roots, trunks, or branches in a close furnace, nearly somewhat
in the same manner as is practised in burning charcoal, the juice is
made to flow out into a cavity made below to receive it, and without
farther preparation, except freeing it fi-om pieces of burned wood
and other impurities, foi'ms Tar, the uses of which are well known.
Pitch is made by melting coarse hard resin, with a portion of tar,
generally one-half, but the quantity is increased or lessened accord-
ing to the consistency of the tar. Lamp Black is obtained by burn-
ing the impurities left in the precipitation of tar and pitch, and col-
lecting the particles carried off* and deposited by the smoke in the
shape of soot. The Laplanders and other native inhabitants of the
North of Europe, as well as of the North of Asia, prepare a kind of
bread from the inner bark of the less resinous wild pines, on which

332 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

either alone or mixed with rye-meal they often live during the great
part of winter, and sometimes during the M-hole year.

The seeds of P. sylvestris, as well as those of most others of the per-
sistent, scaly fruited Coniferae, are extracted by exposing the cones
either to the heat of the sun, or drying them on kilns or by other ar-
tificial means, and afterwards thrashing or beating out the seeds, which
are then sown in beds, and covered with from a quarter to half an
inch of well pulverised soil. They are generally planted out for good
at two or three years of age, and are all the better of being pre-
viously, at least once transplanted in the nursery. A very efficient,
though rather slovenly-like, method is to sow on heathy moors, where
the trees are intended to remain, from six to eight quarts per acre of
the clean seeds in January or February, the succeeding rain? and
moisture being sufficient to establish the seeds in the soil, and the
same may be depastured the following summer with cattle, provided
they are not allowed to eat it too bare.

Presented to the Museum by James Farquharson, Esq. of In-
vercauld, a specimen of very fine red wooded native Scotch fir,
cut from a tree 200 years old, and grown on a gravelly soil, with
a mixture of clay, and a specimen of a white wooded variety taken
from a tree about 70 years of age, and grown on the same soil. By
Mr James Slight, of Messrs Slight and Co. Engineers, Panmure Place,
and Curator of the Highland Society's Models, specimen of Red
Baltic or Riga Deal, timber of P. sylvestris, variety No. G. By Mr
George Hutton, Salene, Fife, branch of P. sylvestris having twenty-
five full grown cones in one cluster. By Charles Guthrie, Esq. Tay
Bank, Dundee, cones of P. sylvestris, with very prominent rounded
recurved scales on the under side, and almost perfectly flattened on
their upper or more exposed side, a peculiarity not unfrequently in
the rougher fruited varieties of this species. By Mr George Stephens
seeds of P. sylvestris from native trees of Sweden. By M. Vilmorin
and Co. seeds of the Haganoe pine, from the forest of that name in
Germany. By Mr A. Gorrie, cones and branches of three very dis-
tinct varieties of Wild Pine. And cones of a variety from the Gulf
of Bothnia, communicated to him by J. C, Loudon, Esq. ; these
cones are considerably smaller and rather smoother than those com-
monly met with in this country, but certainly belong to the same
species.

PINE. 33JJ

II. PINUS FISCHERII— FiscHEn's Pine.

This is a new species, or very distinct variety of P. sylvestris,
named by Messrs J. Booth and Sons, Flotbeck, Hamburgh, from
whom the specimen in the Museum was received. Compared with
the common varieties of wild pine, it seems of a stronger and much
more luxuriant habit of growth, with longer leaves, which are also
more frequently in threes, and the terminal buds are generally covered
with white resin. It is presumed that P. Fischerii is a native of the
North of Europe, but no farther information having been received
from the Messrs Booth, along with the plants sent, which were
grafted on stocks of P. sylvestris, no additional description of
Fischer's pine can as yet be given.

III. PINUS PUMILIO— Dwarf Pine.

Specific characters. — Habit of growth dwarf and bushy, ten to
fifteen feet in height ; leaves numerous, short (from an inch to an
inch and a half long), rigid, slightly waved, and twisted ; the inner
surface flat, or but slightly concave, exterior convex, minutely ser-
rated on their margins, and bound together at their base by a short
dry rigid dark brownish sheath ; male catkins ovate oblong, many
together at the base of the young shoots ; female, or cones, without
footstalks, always erect ; single or many (often to the number of ten
or twenty) collected in a bunch, of a reddish or purplish-brown co-
lour when young, green afterwards, and finally of a dull brown colour,
except the points of the scales, which are greyish, and in other re-
spects a good deal resembling those of P. sylvestris, except in being
smaller and generally more ovate or bluntly pointed ; seeds also
rather smaller, but otherwise very similar to those of the last men-
tioned.

This pine is also known by the name of Pinus montana. Mountain
Pine, and Pinus Mugho, Mugho Pine, but the latter is more gene-
rally applied to the next species (^Pinus uncinata). P. pumilio
grows naturally above the altitude at which P. sylvestris is found,
on mountains in several parts of the Continent, and forms dense
bushes, having scaly barked branches proceeding from very short
trunks, or immediately from the junction of the roots, which spread
horizontally to a considerable distance on, or scarcely under the sur-
face of the ground. P. pumilio is of little use for its timber, but in
parks and pleasure grounds it often attains to much more than the
height which it acquires on its native mountains, forming a com-

334 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

pact plant of rather handsome appearance, and seems particularly
well suited for planting so as to blend or unite plantations of P.
sylvcstris or others, with plants of dwarfer growth as shrubs, or even
grass lawns, &c. In Hungary an ethereal oil, termed Krumholz, is
obtained from its branches by distillation ; also a resin which spon-
taneously exudes from the branches, and is obtained from the green
cones by expression, termed Hungarian Balsam, which, in Ger-
many and neighbouring countries, is much extolled for its efficacy in
the cure of wounds, &c.

IV. PINUS UNCINATA— Hooked Fruited Pine of the
Pykene'es.

Specific characters. — Branches forming a roundish head ; leaves
longer, less rigid, and darker coloured than those of any of the va-
rieties of P. st/lvestris, previously noticed ; cones also rougher or
more rugged, having the points of their scales recurved or hooked
backward, particularly before ripening ; timber highly resinous, and
of great duration. Grows naturally on the Pyrenees at higher alti-
tudes than P. sylvestris.

P.uncinata is the P. sanguinca of LaPeyrouse,whicli has also been
confounded with P. jnimilio and P. Muglio ; that to which the latter
name is applied is probably the same, but its height, as given in bo-
tanical catalogues, is considerably under that to which P. uncinata
attains, except when growing on the higher limits of phenogamous
vegetation.

The most satisfactory account hitherto published of the nature
and habits of this pine, is by Captain S. E. Cook, F. G. S., &c. of
Newton, Northumberland, in his travels through Spain, from which
the above description, and following extracts are derived : —

" The upper zone of the western Pyrenees is formed entirely of
the P. uncinata, which is a species hitherto almost unknown, or un-
attended to, and which is certainly one of the most valuable trees in
the European flora. The port and bearing, as well as colour, are quite
different from those of any other species. The form, where the tree is
fairly developed, is round and massy, frequently resembling that of
some of the deciduous trees, the long arms sweeping the ground. The
growth, as far as I could judge, appeared to be about the same, or of
rather greater rapidity than that of the Scotch pine. The wood is
highly resinous, so much so that it serves for torches, and is reputed
in the Pyrenees to be of very great duration. A peculiar quality
which, if it succeefls in other respects, will make it valuable in some
parts of England, is that of resisting the wind. In the most elevated

PINE. 335

and inclement regions, where I have observed the tree in every form
and situation, I never saw an instance where the wind appeared to
affect it, nor where it shewed a weather side. At the upper limits
of its habitat, where it is compelled to yield to the law of nature, and
lower its ' diminished head,' the same rule is observed ; and instead
of the stunted and starveling appearance of the rest of the tribe in
similar situations, it assumes the shape of a furze bush, presenting
an impenetrable and bristling front of dark specula on every side,
the stem or branches being quite undiscoverable. This is the species
to which the name of Pyrenaica ought to have been given ; it being,
as far as observations have yet been made, peculiar to that chain.
It may be expected to form a valuable addition to our forest trees ;
and it is singular that it should have hitherto been nearly unnoticed."
" The republic of Andorre occupies a wild and alpine valley op-
posite to that of the Arriege, the waters falling to the side of Cata-
lonia, and joining those of the Segre. The lofty range which bound
this valley are clothed with P. uncinata, and, alone in the Pyrenees,
it resembles those of Switzerland, the lower part being covered with
walnuts, and other deciduous trees, and the upper part with con-
tinuous masses of dark pine of this species."

V. PINUS PYRENAICA— Pine of the Pyrenees.

Concerning this species, which was first noticed and named by M.
La Peyrouse, still less is known than of the last. The following is
also quoted from Captain Cook's work : —

" This pine was first described by M. La Peyrouse as the same
with P. Laricio, but in the supplement to his Flora of the Pyrenees,
as P. pyrenaica. It grows at the southern foot of these mountains,
and is first met with below the Pena de Ventimilla, a magnificent
gorge, about three leagues lower down than Venasque, in Aragon,
and extends to the neighbourhood of Campo, where it forms exten-
sive forests, covering the district between the Chinca and the Essera,
which form the glaciers of Mont Perdu and the Maladetta. This
habitat is a temperate and dry region, at a moderate elevation above
the plains of Lower Aragon. The foliage is of a light grass-green
colour, quite unlike any other European sorts ; the cones are of a
li"-ht reddish-green ; and the seed is inclosed in a thin shell. The
wood is not bad, but is of much inferior value to the other kinds
which grow above it.

From Captain Cook, communicated by John M'Pherson Grant,

'33(j PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

Esq. younger of Ballindalloch, seeds of P. pyrenaica. These resem-
ble the seeds of P. pinaster in having a hard shell on one side (that
next the scale), being of a dark grey colour, and the other shining
black, but are considerably larger in size ; cotyledons eight to ten.

A pine, cones and seeds of which were received from France
(summer 1835), under the name of Pinns Brutia, is, as far as re-
gards the latter, so similar to those of P. pyrenaica, that they seem
to belong to the same species. The cones are about 2^ inches long,
egg-shapped, smooth, and of a bright shining colour, except the
centres of the thin flattened pointed scales, which are grey, and with-
out the least vestige of hardened prickly points, as in those of P.
pinaster.

VL PINUS LARICIO— CoRsicAN Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree tall, often 150 feet in height in its
native country, and straight, of a regular conical form ; branches
comparatively short, and in regular whorls round the main trunk ;
leaves much longer (four to five inches), and darker coloured than
those of P. sylvestris, flat or very slightly concave on the upper or in-
terior surface, convex on the outer, and rough on the margins, much
waved and twisted ; sheath of the leaves about three-fourths of an
inch in length, membranous, and generally torn- like ; male catkins
several together at the termination of the branches, cylindrical, ob-
tuse, spreading, and about an inch in length, with long bracteae
at their base ; cones generally solitary, without footstalks, scarcely
half so long as the leaves, of a lighter colour, slightly curved,
smaller, and terminating more bluntly than those of P. sylvestris ;
outer extremities of the scales rounded, prominently two-ribbed or
angled transversely, and tipped with a hard blunt point ; seeds of a
greyish colour, and irregularly oblong, ovate shape, fully twice as
large as those of P. sylvestris ; cotyledons six to eight.

The P. Laricio grows naturally on the summit of the highest
mountains of Corsica, and is also found in several parts of the south
of Europe. Its timber is superior to that of the Wild Pine, being
more weighty and resinous, but unless the sap-wood is completely
removed, it is found to be rather unsuitable for withstanding mois-
ture : it also grows much quicker, and arrives sooner at maturity than
the P. sylvestris. In the Appendix to Neill's Horticultural Tour
througli France and the Netherlands, a fine specimen of this pine is
noticed as being in 1821 growing in the Janiin tlu Roi at Paris,

PINE. 387

which was planted in 1784, and at that period measured fifty-six feet
in height, being considerably larger and a much handsomer tree than
the Wild or Scotch Pine ; P. sylvestris growing along side of it, and
under similar circumstances. More recent experience tends to prove
that the P, laricio is equally well suited for the climate of Scotland
as the P. si/lvestris, and that it is found to retain its valuable proper-
ties when grown in this country.

By M. Vilmorin, Paris (who has the credit of first direct-
ing general attention to this valuable pine), specimens of cones,
seeds, and wood, the last from trees sown on his estate at Barris in
May 1823, and cut last winter 1834-35, being twelve years of age ;
the specimen sent is the shoot of 1829, with part of that of 1828,
1830, and being, when cut, five years old, it measures three feet in
length, and nine and a half inches in circumference, at the thickest
end ; bark thin, pretty entire, and of a very light brownish colour.

In France, and others of the southern countries of Europe, there
are several native pines, supposed to be only varieties of P. laricio,
known by the following names : — P. altissima, P. caraminica,
P. Calabria, and P. romana. The first of these is so like P. laricio,
that if at all different, it can only be considered as a very indistinct
variety. The next {P. caranmiica), although not hitherto separated
with confidence by botanists, nevertheless differs materially from
P. laricio in points which are of the utmost consequence to the ar-
boriculturist. It seldom grows to much above half the height of the
latter, has a more round bushy head, straight or nearly straight
leaves, slender branches, reddish-coloured bark, reddish buds, which
are generally wholly or partly covered \\\i\\ white resin, and the
scales of the cones (which are larger) are tipped with a harder and
more entire horny point than those of the P. laricio, and the wood,
although smaller in size, is more firm, compact, and resinous. P.
calabria and P. romana, particularly the former, seem nearer allied
to the P. caraminica than to P. laricio, but as yet, although plants
and seeds have been introduced into this country, no satisfactory
botanical descriptions of them have been received.

By Messrs Hugh Ronalds and Son, nursery and seedsmen, Brent-
ford, plants of P. altissima.

By M. \'ilmorin, cones of P. caraminica, and wood of P. calabria,
from his estate of Barris, and grown under similar circumstances as

c c

J388 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

that of P. laricio above mentioned. Length of the shoot (growth
1829) two feet three inches ; girth of the same at base ten inches ;
bark thicker, more rough or cracked, and rather darker in colour than
that of P. laricio.

By Mr A. Gorrie, plants of P. caraminica, the produce of seeds
received through J. C, Loudon, Esq. from Mr Hartweg of Carlsruhe,
under tlie name of P. resinosa, grown on native trees in the forest
of Hartwald, in Leimerslachle.

VII. PINUS AUSTRIACA— Ulack Pi>fEof AusTniA.
Schtvarzfoh re — Ger.

Tlie following description of this Pine is communicated by Sir J.
M. Naismyth of Posso, Bart, from the German of Professor Hoss's
Popular Account of the Trees and Shrubs of Austria.

Specific characters. — Leaves in pairs, two to five inches long,
straight, rarely very slightly twisted, exterior surface semicylindri-
cal, dark green, shining, with serrulate margins, interior surface fawn
colour, almost flat, faintly marked witii longitudinal lines, and sur-
rounded at their base by a short sheath, w hich is of a light ash-grey
colour, inclining to red when young, latterly becoming darker, and
finally almost black ; points hard, and of a brownish scorched-like co-
lour ; buds large centre one, before beginning to expand, ten to four-
teen linos in length, egg-shaped and pointed ; scales dark brown, atte-
nuated at the margin, furnished with long white fringes, and acumi-
nate, the exterior or lower ones separating from the bud, and recurved,
the interior collapsed, and connected by a spontaneous exudation
of white resin ; flowers in the end of May ; male catkins shortly pe-
duncled, oblong, cylindrical, round, or bluntlj' pointed, becoming
conical after arriving at maturity, placed many together in veiticil-
lated bundles round the bottom of the new shoots ; the female flowers
(catkins or young cones), two, three, or occasionally more together,
with pretty long peduncles from the extremities of the young
branches, round, oblong, erect, and dark red, becoming in July
about six lines long and four lines in breadth, elliptical, and assum-
ing a reddish-brown colour ; cone two years in arriving at maturity,
ripe in October, of a conical shape, rounded at the base, two to three
inches long, horizontal, or nearly so, of a light yellowish-brown co-
lour, passing into a deeper brown, and polished or shining-like ;
seeds very like those of P. laricio ; cotyledons also six to eight ;

PINE. 339

stem or trunk cylindrical ; bark very thick, of a blackish ash-green,

marked with reddish -brown spots, scales deeply and longitudinally

cleft, the fissures of a uniform reddish brick colour lighter than in

the Silver Fir ; the branches stand in regular and remote whorls,

aspiring next the tree, afterwards horizontal, and laterally drooping.

In age the top becomes flat and spreading to a great extent, the bark

of the young shoots is of a lightish yellow colour, regularly and

deeply marked by the insertions of the leaves, furrowed and shining.

Grows naturally in Austria, for the most part below the Breirna

Forest (Wenerwald) ; in the Banate, upon the Demoglet, by Wehadia,

near to Hercules Baths ; in the vicinity of the Snow Mountains of

Austria. It grows at higher altitudes than the Abies Picea (Veiss-

fohre, Ger.) It naturally prefers a dry calcareous sand to a deep

soil, but succeeds well in any loose shallow soil, when not too wet, and

is mostly found in sandy or gravelly situations. The wood of the

P. austriaca, which at the edge is a whitish-yellow, and towards

the heart a rusty yellow, is very resinous, tough, and strong. It is

much valued as a timber when kept dry, and even surpasses the

Larch itself in resisting the injurious effects of water, or alternate

moisture or dryness. It is much used by carpenters, joiners, and

coopers. As firevvood, it emits an intense and lasting heat, with an

extraordinary powerful flame, but emits a considerable quantity of

smoke, which renders it desirable in the manufacture of Lamp Black.

It is preferred to the Beech for making charcoal, and the stumps or

roots afford wood for torches. And amongst all the native Pines of

Austria, the P. austriaca yields the greatest quantity of turpentine.*

VIII. PINUS PALLASIANA— Pallas or Tartarian Pink.

Specific characters.— Habit of growth tall, and much more
spreading than P. sylvestris ; trunk upright, covered with brown
rough scaly bark, and producing long horizontal or declinate
branches ; branchlets thick, and of a light brown colour ; leaves nu-
merous, about five inches long, rigid and straight, subcylindrical on
the exterior surface, flattened or slightly channelled on the interior,
serrulate on the edges, and sharpened at the points ; sheaths short,
membraneous, torn-like at the margins, and of a light brown colour ;

* Mr Lawson, from seeing some specimens of P. austriaca on the Continent,
together with Professor Hoss's account of it, was induced to import a consider-
able quantity of its seeds, which were sown last year on light sandy soil, the seed-
ling plants, at the end of the first season, were fully twice as large as those of P.
sylvestris, and had remarkably large deep penetrating roots.

c c 2

340 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

male catkins sessile, about an inch in length, cylindrical, and some-
what acuminated ; female catkins, or young cones, also sessile, ge-
nerally two or three together on the points of the young shoots,
and, as well as the male catkins, surrounded with numerous shaggy
scales at their base, generally of a reddish-purple colour at first,
changing afterwards to brown, dull green, and laterally (when full
grown) to a dusky brown colour, at which period the cone is in size
and shape not unlike that of the Pinaster, being four to six inches in
length, about an inch and a half in diameter at the base, and gene-
rally slightly curved towards the- points, exterior extremity of the
scales thick, prominent, rounded, somewhat recurved, and tipped
each with a short hard sharpened point ; seeds similar to those of
P. austriaca, but a shade darker in colour. Grows naturally in the
central regions of the Crimea, forming large forests on the western
declivity of the chain of lofty mountains which extend along the
coast of the Black Sea.

This valuable Pine is named in compliment to Professor Pallas,
who first introduced it to this country : he sent seeds of it to Mr Lee
about nineteen or twenty years ago. The best trees of this species
in Britain are growing at Boyton and White Knights, the former, at
twelve years of age, were about thirty feet high, although the soil
was scarcely two inches thick, on a bed of solid chalk : these trees
yearly produce large quantities of cones, but do not perfect seeds.
The timber is compact reddish-brown in the centre, and white to-
wards the circumference, very resinous, of excellent quality, but so
knotty as to render it unfit for large planks. Aylmer Bourke Lam-
bert, Esq. F. R. S. &c. in his valuable work on the Coniferce, men-
tions this Pine as being " the one best adapted for thin chalky soils
and maritime situations, and might be successfully employed for
covering our barren sea downs, which at present produce nothing."

P. taurica is a name applied to a Pine also from the south-east
of Europe, and generally supposed to be the same with the last.
Cones under this name, which were procured from M. Vilmorin,
'differ from those of the true P. PMasiana, in being much smaller,
thicker towards the base in proportion to the length, and straight or
not curved towards the point. In this last particular being more
■allied to a variety having straight cones noticed by Mr Lambert,
than which, however, those of P. taurica are also shorter and
thicker, and its cotyledons are generally eight.

Another Pine, native of the same parts, distinguished by the name

PINE. 341

P. nigrescens, of which young plants have only as yet been obtained,
seems nearly allied to the last.

XI. PINUS PINASTER— Pinaster or Cluster Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree tall ; branches in remote regular
M'horls, large, and spreading horizontally ; bark on the trunk and
old branches of a dark brown colour, very thick, and deeply fissured,
that of the young branches reddish-brown and shining ; leaves four
to six inches long, straight or slightly twisted, with sharp hard
brownish points, subcylindrical on the exterior, flattened, with a
longitudinal furrow on the interior surface, and very indistinctly ser-
rated on the margins ; sheath from three-fourths of an inch to one
inch in length, dusky coloured ; male catkins elliptic, oblong, and
stalked, generally of a pale yellow colour, tinged with red ; cones in
verticillated clusters on the young shoots, purple at first, afterwards
changing to green of various shades, and when at full raatnritj' brown,
smooth, and shining, five to seven inches in length, one and a half to
two inches in diameter at the thickest, straight or slightly curved ;
points of the scales prominent, hard and prickly ; seeds oblong, a
little flattened, and furnished with a long narrow wing ; cotyledons
seven to nine. Grows naturally on the sea coasts in the south of
Europe.

The Pinaster is supposed to have been first introduced to Britain
in 1596, and the original trees, which were planted in the garden of
Bishop Compton at Fulham, still exist. It is a strong vigorous
grower, and very ornamental, particularly before arriving at a great
age. From its being naturally adapted for growing on maritime
situations, and extensively cultivated on such in some parts of France,
as on the large tracts of light sandy soil along the sea-coast near Bor-
deaux, it is often known in that country by the name of P. maritima,
which name is, however, more strictly applied to a very distinct species
(No. 13). Although, therefore, the Maritime Pine of France be no-
thing else than P. Pinaster, yet there can be little doubt but from the
long repeated cultivation which it has received in such situations, it
has acquired habits which fit it better for the soil, and withstanding
the influence of the sea breeze, than such as are grown more inland,
on account of which it may be allowed to rank as a variety at least ;
and hence the evident superiority which seeds or young plants pro-
cured from these places possess over those of more inland growth for
sowing in the more immediate vicinity of the sea.

342 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

Variegated Pinaster. — This is a highly ornamental variety,
having some of its leaves white, some white and green-striped, and
some completely green. It is as yet rather rare, and likely to con-
tinue comparatively so, as it cannot be propagated by seed.

Specimens by Sir Patrick Murray Threipland, Bart. Fingask, of a
branch and cluster of cones, P. Pinaster, grown at Fingask Castle,
Perthshire.

By Sir John M. Naismyth, Bart, of Posso, branch and cones, grown
at Lawhill, Fifeshire, the property of Charles Halket Craigie, Esq.

By Mr John Lawson, forester to her Grace the Duchess-Countess
of Sutherland, Dunrobin Castle, Sutherlandshire, cones and branch
of Pinaster, which at that place grows luxuriantly near the sea in a
cold and most exposed situation.

By Mr Robert Fairbairn, Freeman Cottage, cones from trees grow-
ing at Muirhouse on poor siliceous sandy soil lately reclaimed from
the sea.

By Mr J. Machray, a sketch of a Pinaster tree grown at Errol
House, Perthshire, and which was blown down in 1 823, full height
sixty-four feet, diameter three feet from the ground, three feet four
inches ; soil deep strong clay.

By John James Burnett, Gadgirth, Esq. Ayr, specimens of the wood
of Pinaster, from a tree between seventy and eighty years of age, and
eight feet in circumference, grown on clay soil, with a nortliern ex-
posure, and of another tree of smaller dimensions grown alongside of
the former, which last specimen is more resinous, and of a deeper red
colour than the first ; also bark and cones of the same, the former
measuring fully six inches in thickness, and showing very distinctly
the annual layers. The wood of P. Pinaster has been used by Mr
Burnett for general agricultural purposes, and is found to be very
durable, but rather difficult to work from its hardness, and the large
quantity of resin which it contains- There are several other trees
growing at the same place, and all in perfect vigour at about eighty
years of age ; the largest measures nine feet in circumference.

It is a general opinion that the v.ood of the Pinaster is light, soft,
spongy, and of short duration, but the above mentioned specimens by
Mr Burnett shew that those characters only apply to the outer,
white, or sap wood, and that as regards the red wood the very
reverse is the case. There is no doubt, however, but that great va-
riations in the quality of the timber may arise from differences in
the soil and climate where the same is grown.

PINE. 3453

X. PINUS LEMONIANA— Sir Charles Lemon's Pine.*
This is a new species, or rather a very distinct and permanent va-
riety, of p. Pinaster, lately discovered in the plantation of Sir Charles
Lemon, Bart., in Cornwall, and described by him in the London
Horticultural Society's Transactions, from which the following is ex-
tracted : —

" In foliage similar to the pinaster, but differing in the general
habit of the tree ; the form and position of the cone. In the com-
mon Pinaster, the cones, of which there are generally three or four,
are situated behind the shoots of the whorl, and in the mature state
point backwards. In this obscure species the cone is single and it uni-
versally occupies the place of the leading shoot, the side shoots being
behind it. The necessary consequence of this practice is, that the
tree can have no regular leader, but each year one of the side shoots
strengthens and continues the growth for the ensuing season ; the year
following the same process is repeated in another direction, giving
the stem of the tree a zig-zag appearance which is never entirely
lost." — " The general appearance of the tree is a short bushy Pinas-
ter, the stem of which is zig-zag, and the branches closer and twiggy."
Sir Charles has found hundreds of specimens with the characteristics
permanent ; they remain the same when raised from seed, and the
Secretary of the London Horticultural Society out of compliment to
him has given it the name of P. Lemomana.

XL PINUS PINEA— Stone Pine.
Specific characters, — Tree large, branches horizontal, and as-
piring towards their point ; forming a roundish dense massy head,
bark when old rough and deeply fissured, leaves five to seven inches
long, thick, nearly straight, subcylindrical on the outer and flat-
tened on the inner surface, smooth on the margin, and of a dark
green colour ; male catkins numerous but not crowded, surrounding
the young shoots towards their base, cylindrical, bluntly pointed,
and about half an inch in length ; young cones with short footstalks,
erect, one, two, or throe together, also on the new shoots, globu-
lar, brownish-green coloured, afterwards becoming light green, and
when ripe, which is four years from its first formation, of an ovate
shape, from four to five inches in length, and two and a half to three
inches in thickness ; points of the thick scales not prominent, round-

* Plants or specimens of P. Lemoniana have not yet been received for the
Museum, but the description is here inserted in consideration of its being related
to the Pinaster, and a native of Britain.

314 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

ed and flattened, generally four or five sided or angled ; seeds or riuts
large, one-half to three-fourths of an inch in length, obovate, and fur-
nished with short nearlj^ obsolete wings ; shell very hard, and when
newly removed from the cone covered with a dark brownish-purple
bloom ; cotyledons nine to eleven. Grows naturally in the south of
Europe and North of Africa.

The Stone Pine seldom attains to a great size in Scotland, but
on account of its dense dark green massy foliage forms a very orna-
mental round-headed tree in pleasure grounds. Its timber is white
and resinous, but although used for boards and other purposes is
not considered of first-rate quality. The kernels are eatable, possess
an agreeable taste resembling that of sweet almonds, and from these
a pleasant oil is obtained by expression. A variety known in Portu-
gal by the name of Pinhao molar, differs from the common in its nuts
having soft shells.

By Mr G. Charlwood, London, specimens of cones grown in the
south of Europe, which present a considerable difference in the pro-
minency of their scales ; these in some being almost flat, in others
much more prominent and distinctly marked at the angles.

By Mr James M'Pherson, architect, 50. Cumberland Street, a cone
grown in Ireland. And by Mr Robert Arthur, Wall Tower, North
Berwick, a cone grown at Beil, East Lothian.

XII. PINUS HALEPENSIS— Aleppo Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree under the medium size, (twenty-five
to thirty feet in height) ; branches numerous, slender, spreading wide-
ly and somewhat pendent ; leaves two to three inches long, small,
smooth, straight, and of a lively green colour ; male catkins about a
third of an inch in length, without footstalks, generally curved and
slightly acuminated ; cones stalked, almost always solitary and pend-
ent, about two inches long, of an oblong ovate shape, smooth, shining,
and reddish-brown coloured when ripe ; points of the scales flattened
and unarmed ; seed about one-fifth of an inch in length, and dull grey
coloured ; cotyledons about seven. Grows naturally in the south-east
of Europe and adjacent parts of Asia.

Although the Aleppo Pine be quite unsuited for growing merely
for its timber, yet as an ornamental tree it ranks amongst the best of
the genus, forming by the habit of its growth, fineness, and light green
colour of its Ibliage a beautiful contrast with some of the more lofty
and robust growing species.

PINE. 34)5

XIII. PINUS MARITIMA— Maritime Pine.

Specific characters — Tree resembling the last species in size
and habit of growth ; leaves also like those of the last, but more
crowded towards the points of the branches, and furnished with much
shorter sheaths (about one-sixth of an inch in length) ; cones larger
and more tapered towards their point than those of P. halepensis,
and the wings of the seeds are shorter and considerably broader.
Grows naturally on the northern shores of the Mediterranean.

Although rather of dwarf growth, the Maritime Pine is reckoned
one of the most useful trees in Greece ; being esteemed for its tim-
ber, also its resin, which, in addition to other uses, is employed for pre-
venting wine becoming sour, and a few cones put into a barrel have
the same effect. Its bark is also used for tanning, and the wood, which
is very resinous, is made use of as a substitute for candles and torches.
The tr je P. maritima is at present very rare in Britain, and is often
confounded with the Pinaster or Maritime Pine of France (No. IX.)
to which, however, it docs not bear the smallest resemblance.

XIV. PINUS BANKSIANA— Sir .Joseph Banks' Pine or Scrub Pine

OF America.

Specific characters. — Habit of growth irregular, straggling, and
rather under medium size, being, in its native country, seldom above
forty feet high ; branches very flexible ; bark dull brown, becoming
cracked when old; leaves remarkably short, one to one and a half inches
in length, crooked, twisted, and of a vivid green colour ; terminal buds
covered with white resin, which also exudes pretty freely from the
old bark, has a pleasant fragrant smell, and sweetish taste ; sheaths
of the leaves long, light coloured, and falling off after the first season ;
male catkins about half an inch in length ; cylindrical, and in crowd-
ed verticillate bundles at the base of the young shoots ; cones almost
sessile and in pairs, on the shoots of the previous season ; when full
grown, rather longer than those of P. sylvestris, always much curved
towards the point, and remaining on the tree for many years after
ripening, when they assume a grey colour from which the Canadian
name of this species (Grey Pine) seems to be derived ; seeds smaller
than those of either P. sylvestris or P. pumilio, but similar in colour.
Grows naturally on sandy and rocky soils in North America, often to
the total exclusion of all others, and is found as far northward as lat.
64.°

The wood of Pinus Banksianu (P. rupestris of Michaux) is light

346 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

resinous, and from the straightness and flexibility of its fibres much
prized by the North American Indians for making boat timbers.
In this country the tree is often reckoned tender, and therefore kept
in greenhouses, whereby such plants may, to a considerable extent,
have lost their natural hardiness.

Specimens of cones and branches in flower by Mr Main, Land-
steward, Dalhousie Castle, from a tree about sixteen feet in height,
growing on a good deep rather light soil, at that place, the produce of
seed sent from North America about fifteen or sixteen years since, by
the Earl of Dalhousie, and which is at present, perhaps, the finest
tree of the species in Scotland. It is rather of a bushy -like habit of
growth, having several tops, and the terminal shoots of last season
(1835) measure from eighteen inches to two feet in length.

XV. PINUS INOPS— New Jersey Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree of medium size (forty to fifty feet
in height) ; branches somewhat pendent, irregular in size, not di-
verging from the stem in whorls, as in most of the genus ; and
forming in the general outline, a top more like some of the loose
irregular-headed hardwood trees, than that uniformity in shape so
peculiar to most of the Coniferse ; small branches, smooth and pli-
ant ; bark of the young or annual ones violet-coloured, afterwards
changing to dull brown ; bark of the trunk rugged and very dark co-
loured, often almost entirely covered over with a whitish resin which
exudes from its fissures ; leaves one and a half to three inches long ;
subcylindrical on the exterior, and slightly furrowed on the interior
surface ; dark green, rigid, and furnished with short sheaths ; male
catkins few together (about three-fourths of an inch in length) ; lax,
cylindrical, of a dull yellowish-brown colour ; cones, when fully
grown, about two inches long, of an oblong, conical, or nearly cylin-
drical shape, dull brown colour, and armed with long recurved
prickles, having short footstalks, solitary, in pairs, or three (seldom
more) together ; seeds rather larger than those of P. sylvestris., very
rough, and of a dark grey colour ; cotyledons six to eight. Grows
naturally in the inland districts of North America, chiefly south of
latitude 45°, and always on the poorest dry gravelly sandy soils.

By Messrs Robert Brown and James Macnab, specimens of the
wood and cones of P. inops, brought by them from the Alleghany
Mountains, 1834.

PINE. 347

XVI. PINUS PUNGENS— Prickly Coned or Table Mountain Pine.
Specific characters. — Tree forty to fifty feet in height ; branches
stiff ; bark thick and smooth, becoming cracked and scaly when old ;
buds resinous ; leaves thickly set, about two inches in length, straight,
rigid, and slightly serrated at the margins ; sheaths short, tender, and
light coloui'ed ; cones about three inches long and two inches in their
greatest diameter, of a regular form, and liglit yellowish-brown
colour, without footstalks ; three or four together, and armed with
hard incurved spines, wliich are about two lines in length, sharp-
pointed, thick towards the base, and nearly similar in colour to the
rest of the cone ; seeds rather larger than those of P. inops, also rough
and blackish coloured ; cotyledons six to eight. Grows naturally on
the Alleghany Mountains in North America.

This is one of the most circumscribed in its habitats of the American
Pines, its presence, according to M. Michaux, (see his North Ame-
rican Sylva) being confined to the Alleghany Mountains in North Ca-
rolina. From one of the highest points of which, where it \a found
in greatest abundance, it derives the luime of Table Mountain Pine ;
its timber is of no particular use, but its turpentine is preferred by
the inhabitants of these mountains for dressing wounds.

Specimens of the timber of P. pungens from the Alleghany Moun-
tains, by Messrs Brown and M'Nab, 1>!34, and cones by Mr G.
Charlwood, seedsman, London.

XVII. PINUS RESINOSA— Pitch Pine.

Specific characters Tree above the medium size, being from

70 to 80 feet high in its native country; leaves four to five inches
in length, crowded towards the point of the branches, strong and
nearly straight, flattened on the interior surface, subcylindrical on
the exterior, approaching to a keel-shape towards the points, which
are slightly scabrous ; sheaths resembling those of P. sylvestris, but
much longer ; male catkins with footstalks about one-third of their
own length, or fully more than one-fourth of an inch, rather lax, of
a dull yellow colour tinged with purple, many crowded together at
the base of the young shoots ; young cones bluntly ovate, and of a
deep purple colour, changing to brown when full grown, to which
state they attain in one year, and are much about the same size as
those of P. sylvestris, but more blunt ; seeds also about the same
size as those of the Wild Pine, but more oblong, and a shade darker

348 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

in colour. Grows naturally in North America between lat. 40° and

50°. Introduced to Britain in 1756.

This is the P. rubra, Red Pine, of Michaux, so named from the

bark of the trunk, which is much redder than in any other of the

native pines of Canada or the United States. Its timber is very re-
sinous, heavy, strong, durable, when deprived of the sap-wood, and
well fitted for planks, being very free from knots. It is used by the
Americans in ship-building, especially for the decks, and also occa-
sionally for masts of the largest size. It is a very handsome and vi-
gorous growing tree when young, and succeeds best on sandy soils,
which may be either dry or damp, provided the moisture is not stag-
nated.

XVIII. PINUS MASSONIANA—Masson's OH Indian Pine.

Specific chakacters — Leaves five to six inches in length, very
narrow and slender, slightly channelled on the interior surface, and
rough on the margins ; sheaths rather short, membranous, and deli-
cate ; stipules or scales at the base of the leaves, of a light reddish-
bi'own colour, very narrow and pilose ; male catkins about three
quarters of an inch in length, stalked, cylindrical, lower anthers re-
mote. Native of China and the East Indies.

Very little is yet known concerning this pine. Mr Lambert has
named it in honour of Mr Francis Masson, of whom he derived spe-
cimens, brought from the Cape of Good Hope, where it was raised
from seed originally procured in China. On comparing a plant re-
ceived from M. Cel, nurseryman, Paris, under the name of Pinus
nepalensis, with Mr Lambert's figure and description of P. Masso-
niana there seems little doubt but they are the same. In habit of
growth and general appearance it resembles P. longifolia, but diifers
in having only two leaves in each sheath, whereas the latter has
three. The plant, however, above referred to, has not attained suffi-
cient size to shew whether its leaves will become so pendulous as
those of the long-leaved East Indian Pine.

Species belonging to this division, plants or specimens of which
have not yet been recived for the Museum.

PiNUS Arabica — Arabian Pine.
Genivensis — Geneva Pine.
Sinensis — Chinese Pine.

PINE. 349

* * Pines having their leaves generally hi threes.

XIX. PINUS VARIABILIS— Variable Two and Three Leaved, or
Yellow Pine.*

Specific characters Tree tall 60 to 70 feet in height; head

of a regular conical form, like the habit of the Spi'uce Firs hence this
species is sometimes designated Spruce Pine ; leaves three to four
inches in length, fine, flexible, two or three together, concave on the
inner surface when in pairs, but with a prominent rib when in threes,
somewhat keel-shaped or triangular on the under, and rough parti-
cularly towards the point ; cone from one to two inches in length, or
nearly three times its greatest thickness, rounded at the base, and ta-
pering gradually to the point, of a light brown colour, armed with
small spines, and short footstalk ; seeds, which arrive at maturity the
first year, short, of rather an irregular form, rough, and dark coloured ;
cotyledons five to seven. Grows naturally very abundant in North
America, between latitude .38° and 45°, on the poorest, light, sandy,
arid soils, and is seldom met with at more than 100 and 150 miles
from the sea coast.

This species is termed P. mitis by M. Michaux, who says that its
timber is in great demand in North America, particularly in the
northern and middle States, Virginia, and the upper parts of the Ca-
rolinas, for building log-houses ; and in dock-yards of New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, &c. immense quantities are used, for the
decks, masts, yards, beams, and cabins of vessels, and is considered
next in durability to the timber of P. aitstralis. It is also largely
exported to Britain and the West Indies. In the former it is desig-
nated New York Pine, and in the latter Yellow Pine ; in both of
which it is sold at a lower price than the timber of P. australis, but
higher than that of the white pine {P. Strobus). From its growing
chiefly in the vicinity of the sea, it is now becoming more rare in
North America, and it seems probable that ere long the exportation
of its timber will form but a very inconsiderable branch of American
trade.

* This species might perhaps have been with the same propriety included in
the last division, the number of its leaves in a great measure depending upon its
luxuriance of growth; thus, when growing very vigorous, the leaves are most
frequently in threes, and in pairs, on the other hand, when the plants are stunted
in growth. The same variations, from similar circumstances, also occur in several
of the two-leaved Pines, as P. sylvestris, P. pinaster, &c. but to a much less
.extent.

350 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

XX. PINUS AUSTRALIS— Long-leaved American Vivt..

Specific characters. — Trees tall and straight, attaining in their
native country to the height of 60 or 70 feet, with trunks of an almost
uniform diameter of 15 or 18 inches for two-thirds of their height ;
terminal buds, very long, white, fringed, and not resinous ; leaves
generally about a foot in length, and collected in bunches at the
extremity of the branches, of a bright green colour, spreading, but not
pendulous, narrow, seraicylindrical on the exterior surface, and tri-
angular on the interior, or having the middle longitudinal rib very
prominent, as in most of the three-leaved pines, margins serrated ;
sheaths fully an inch in length, delicate, and lacerated at their extre-
mity ; male catkins many together, about two inches long, cylindri-
cal and spreading, of a purplish or violet colour, sheding a large
quantity of yellow pollen ; cones straight or slightly curved, seven
to eight inches long, by about two in diameter near the base, and
regularl}^ tapered to a blunt point ; points of the scales slightly ele-
vated and tipped with small curved or nearly obsolete spines ; seeds
ovate, about three lines in length, kernal contained in a thin white
shell, and of an agreeable taste. Grows naturally towards the east-
ern coast of North America between latitude 30° and 40°.

To this species Mr Lambert has given the name of P. palustris,
but that of Michaux is here adopted in preference to the other, as
the latter author, who had the advantage of personally observing this
pine in its native habitats, asserts that, although it occasionally ap-
proaches near to the margins of swampy grounds, yet it is always
found to arrive at greatest perfection where the soil is dry and sandy.
It yields the best timber of all the American pines, the portion of
sap-wood being very small. It is fine-grained, susceptible of a high
polish, and from the great quantity of regularly distributed resin
which it contains, is known in tliis country by the name of the
Resinous Pine of Georgia, or Georgian Pitch Pine. In naval ar-
chitecture the reddish coloured specimens of this timber (a quality
depending much on the effects of soil) are preferred to all others of
the fir tribe for the purpose of forming such parts of vessels as are
continually exposed to moisture as keels, side-planks, and pins by
which they are attached to the ribs. In this country it sells gene-
rally at 25 or 30 per cent, higher than any other pine imported from
the United States ; and it is also the most valuable of American pines
for yielding turpentine, resin, tar, &c.

P. nustralis might be grown with advantage in the southern coun-

PINE. 361

tries of Europe, but the climate of Britain is so totally unfit for its
proper development, that it is with difficulty preserved in winter
without protection, even when it has attained to a considerable size.

By John Robison, Esq. 9 Athol Crescent, a specimen of the
wood of p. ausfralis, or resinous pine of Georgia.

Also a specimen by Robert Brown, Esq. factor to his Grace the
Duke of Hamilton, imported from America for the purpose of floor-
ing Hamilton Palace.

XXI. PINUS T^DA — Frankincence or Loblolly Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree tall, from 80 to 90, and often more
than 1 00 feet in height, with a large loose spreading head ; bark grey-
ish, rough, and cracked when old ; young branches slender, and some-
what pendulous; leaves light green, fine, long, and straight, elevated
on the interior surface, and rough on the margins ; sheaths fully an
inch in length, spreading and rugged at the point ; male catkins
crowded together at the base of the young shoots, about an inch in
length, sessile, cylindrical, and spreading, of a yellow colour approach-
ing to a reddish-brown towards the point ; cone almost sessile, ge-
nerally more or less pendent, falling off when ripe, about four inches
in length by one and a half thick near the base, straight or slightly
curved and blunt at the points ; external surface of the scales promi-
nent, and tipped with hard, short, sharp incurved spines; seeds oval,
one-sixth of an inch in length, and blackish. Grows abundantly in
North America on sandy barren soils near the sea coast, sides of
rivers, swamps, &c. between the 35th and 43d degrees of north lati-
tude. Mr Lambert notices a variety of this species, under the name
of P. ffeda alopecuroides, having much smaller cones, and bearing
more resemblance in size and shape to those of P. resinosa ; differ-
ing from these, however, in being armed with short, sharp incurved
points.

Although the P. tceda, according to Michaux, attains next in size
to the P. Strobus, yet its timber is of comparatively little value, and
seldom exported. From its being of rapid growth, the space between
two of its concentric circles is often more than that occupied by
twelve or fifteen of these in P. australis ; it also contains a large por-
tion of white or sap-wood, and is therefore onlj'^ applied to secondary
uses. It affords turpentine in great abundance, and has been recom-
mended in preference to P. Pinaster for planting on the sea shores
of Europe ; and Mr Lambert is of opinion, " that it might be profit-

352 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

ably planted on some of our heaths, if it were only for the tar, pitch,
and turpentine, which it yields."

Specimens of cones by Mr G. Charlewood, London.

XXli. PINUS EIGIDA— Pitch, Black, or Three leaved Virginian

Pine.

Specific characters. — Treeverymuch branched; young branches
strong and vigorous-like, terminated by resinous buds ; buds of the old
tree thick, blackish, and deeply furrowed ; leaves varying in length
from three to six inches, rigid, very rough on the margins, and fur-
nished with short sheaths ; male catkins about three quarters of an
inch in length, straight, dense, cylindrical, and having several short
blunt leaves or scales at their base ; cones single or in clusters, from
2^ to 3 inches long, regularly formed, and of a light brown colour
when ripe ; scales prominent, and tipped with short, hard, recurved,
sharp-pointed spines ; seeds rather larger, more oblong, and darker
in colour than those of P. sylvestris. Native of North America,
where it grows most abundant in the districts of Virginia, Maryland,
and Pennsylvania, in the east, and has also been found in California
on the west of that Continent.

M. Michaux found P. rigida as far north as Lake Champlain, on
light sandy soils, where, however, it assumes a very stunted form,
being only 12 or 15 feet in height ; but in the lower part of New
Jersey it is frequently found to attain the height of 70 or 80 feet,
in large swamps, which are constantly covered with water ; and it is
also found to grow freely in salt marshes, or places overflown by the
tides, where any other species is not found to exist. The great num-
ber of its branches renders the timber of the Pitch Pine very knotty,
its application is therefore limited. On mountainous and dry gravelly
soils, the wood is compact with, however, a very large portion of
sap-wood, heavy, and very resinous, and hence receives the above
name. When grown in swamps and wet soils, on the contrary, its
wood is white, soft, spongy, and distinguished by the name of Sap
Pine, &c. That of the best quality is employed for flooring, and build-
ing houses, making ship-pumps ; both Pitch and Sap Pine is used
very extensively as fuel by the bakers and brickmakers of New York,
Philadelphia, and Baltimore. A considerable portion is also consumed
in manufacturing tar.

By Messrs R. Brown, and J. M'Nab, specimens of the wood and
cone^ of P. riffida from the Alleghany Mountains, the summits of which
6

PINE. 353

tliey found entirely covered by scraggy trees of this species, with
dwarf scrub oaks as underwood. — (^See Quarterly Journal of Agri-
culture, vol. V. p. 604.)

XXIII. PINUS SEROTINA-PoND Pine or Foxtail Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree under the medium size (35 to 40
feet in height) ; branches remote ; leaves five or six inches long, tine,
nearly straight, subcylindrical on the exterior, and triangular on the
interior surface, with scabrous margins ; sheatlis short, rugged or la-
cerated at their upper extremity ; male catkins erect and crowded
together, with short footstalks ; cones arriving at maturity the second
year, egg-shaped or nearly globular, about two inches in length by
one and a half in breadth, at their thickest part ; external surface of
the scales rounded, and terminating by very small, weak, sharp-point-
ed prickles ; seeds rather less than those of P. sylvestris, and blackish
coloured. Grows naturally in the southern states of North America,
in swamps and marshy maritime situations.

The Pond Pine is, from the small size to which it attains, and the
inferiority of its timber, undeserving of cultivation, except as serving
to complete collections, and affording by its long delicate-like foliage
a desirable diversity in pleasure grounds. It is rather tender for this
climate, and requires a slight protection in winter, particularly when
young.

XXIV. PINUS SABINIANA— Sabine's, oh Great Pricklv.

CONED Pine.

This highly interesting species was discovered by the late Mr
David Douglas, Botanical Collector to the London Horticultural So-
ciety, and named by him in honour of his friend and patron James
Sabine, Esq. late secretary of that society. The following is a
copy of an extract from Mr Douglas's own description of this
Pine : — " Pinus Sabiniana attains to but a small s'ze as compared
with those species of the genus which inhabit the northern and
western part of North America. The trees are of a tapering form,
straight, and of regular growth, fort}' to one hundred and twenty feet
in height, two to twelve feet in circumference, clothed with branches
to the ground when standing far apart or solitary. Some few reach
one hundred and forty feet in length, but those are not of great cir-
cumference. The largest and most handsome trees inhabit the aque-
ous vegetable deposits on the western flank of the Cordilleras of New

D d

S54 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

Albion at a great elevation above the level of the sea, sixteen hun-
dred feet below the verge of perpetual snow, in the parallel of 40''
north. On the less elevated raonntains near the coast, where the
temperature is higher but more uniform, in the parallel of 31° north,
in decomposed granite, schist, or gravelly soils, the trees are smaller
and few, inhabiting the summits of the mountains only. The wood
is white, soft, even-grained, and perhaps not very durable. The leaves
are in threes, very rarely in fours, eleven to fourteen inches long,
sharp, round, and smooth on the outside, angular on the inside, ser-
rated, more widely and conspicuously so towards the point, erect, but
flaccid, and drooping during winter. Sheath one and a half inch long,
light brown, chaffy, and torn at the top. Stipule lanceolate, rigid.
Male and female flowers erect. Flowers in February and March. Cones
ovate, recurved, pressing on the shoots for support, three to nine in
number surrounding the same stem, remaining on the tree for a series
of years, nine to eleven inches long, sixteen to eighteen inches round ;
some, however, are longer. Scales spathulate, two and a quarter inches
long, having a very strong, sharp, incurved point, which near the
base exceeds the length of the scale ; with abundance of pellucid resin.
Seed somewhat oblong, tapering to the base, flattish on the inside, an
inch long, and nearly half an inch broad. Shell thick, hard, brown.
Wing short, half the length of the seed, stiff, nearly encompassing the
seed. Kernal pleasant. Cotyledons from seven to twelve in number.
The first year the cone measures from six to eight inches round, and
is of a more rounded form than when perfect in November of the
following year. The colour of the young cone is bright green."

Mr Lambert, in the latest edition of his description of the genus
Pinus, has given a beautiful figure of the cone of P. Sabiniana,
brought to this country by Mr Douglas, and at present in the col-
lection of the London Horticultural Society.

In Museum, young plants of P. Sabiniana, procured from Messrs
Young, Nurserymen, Slough. Those seem hardy and perfectly
suited to the climate of Britain.

XXV. PINUS PONDEROSA—Heavy Wooded Pine.

From not possessing the advantage of deriving information from
any previous description of this species, and having only young trees
in the Museum to refer to, an opportunity has not been afforded of
giving any details regarding its flowers, cones, &c. It is hoped, how-
ever, the following will be sufficient to enable those less acquainted

PINE. 355

with the general appearance of this seemingly valuable and highly-
interesting tree to distinguish it from others of the three-leaved pines.
In its habit of growth P. ponderosa seems to surpass all others of the
genus for strength and luxuriance, the branches are few, regularly
verticillated, horizontal, and seem inclined to assume a pendulous or
drooping habit as the tree becomes older ; central or top-shoot often
more than an inch in diameter, and of proportionable length ; buds
large and free from resin ; leaves thickly set, nine inches to a foot or
fourteen inches in length, thick, rigid, and nearly straight, rounded
on the exterior, and having a longitudinal prominent rib, together
with minute channels on the interior side ; smooth, with very indis-
tinctly serrated margins ; sheaths short, of a dull blackish colour, and
lacerated or torn at their extremities ; timber said to be so ponderous
as almost to sink in water. Introduced by Mr Douglas from the
west coast of North America in 1828.

Such of the above remarks as cannot be supposed to apply to small
plants in pots, are derived from a specimen, perhaps the finest in
Scotland, growing in the Caledonian Horticultural Society's Gai'-
dens, Inverleith Row. Judging from its rapid growth and hardiness,
this seems to be one of the most valuable species which has yet
been introduced, particularly should the wood, when grown in this
country, be found to possess the valuable qualities which have been
ascribed to it.

XXIV. PINUS LONGIFOLIA, or Long-leaved East Indian Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree tall (often upwards of one hundred
feet) ; branches few, short, and remotely verticillate ; leaves of a vivid
green colour, deposited in approximate spiral rows round the young
wood or extremities of the branches, nine to eighteen inches in
length, very narrow and slender, generally pendulous, somewhat tri-
angular, serrated on the margins, and imperfectly scabrous through-
out ; sheaths under an inch in length, delicate and lacerated at their
margins ; male catkins crowded round the base of the young shoots,
aspiring cylindrical, and about an inch in length ; young cones glo-
bose, stalked, and erect ; ripe cones generally not half the length of
the leaves, of an oblong ovate shape, and dark brown colour ; outer
surface of the scales very prominent, irregularly four-sided, and re-
curved ; seed ovate, about one-third of an inch in length by one-
fourth in breadth, light coloured, with a broad wing nearly three times
its own length. Native of Nepaul.

Dd 2

356 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

In this country the P. longifolia is generally supposed to requir'
protection in winter. Any tenderness, however, which it is possessed
of may arise from the seeds brought to this country being the pro-
duce of trees grown in the lower and warmer parts of India, wliere
they are cultivated on account of their beautiful foliage and graceful
habit of growth, but where they never attain the same size as on
the mountains in Nepaul. If by procining seed from trees at the
highest elevation where they are found to exist, plants could be raised
sufficiently hardy to withstand the climate of Britain, their introduc-
tion would be a valuable acquisition to the number of hardy orna-
mental exotic trees already known and employed for decorating
parks and pleasiu'e grounds.

By Messrs Dickson and Turnbull, Nursery and Seedsmen, Perth,
a plant of P. longifolia, raised by them from seed originally received
from Nepaul. Also by M. Vilmorin and Co. Paris, seeds from Calcutta
under the name of Neoza (not, howevei, the true NeozaPine of the
East Indies, see P. gerardianci) which seem identically tlie same with
those of P. longifolia, figured by Mr Lambert, and which are found
to have about twelve cotyledons.

XXVII. PINIJS GERARDIANA— Capt. Gerard s, or Short-i-t-aved

Indian Pine.

Spkcific characters Tree tall ; habit of growth compact and

rather conical; leaves seldom above four inches in length, fine, straight,
rigid, serrated on the margins, with a slight serrated longitudinal rib
on the interior, and convex on the exterior surface ; sheaths not sur-
rounding the leaves, but scaly and falling off, as those of the Wey-
nnouth and other five-leaved pines ; cones eight to ten inches in length,
flblong, ovate, brown, with thick pointed recurved scales like those
of P. longifolia, and generally partly covered with white resin ; seeds
nearly an inch in length, by little more than a sixth part in breadth,
of an oblong cylindrical shape, pointed at both ends, and dark brown
colour.

This species was named by Dr Wallich in honour of Captain P.
Gerard of the Bengal Native Infantry, author of Observations on the
Climate of Subathu and Kotgerh. See 1 bth vol. of the Asiatic Re-
searches.

Specimen of a cone and seeds of P. gerardiana, commvmicstXed to
the Highland and Agricultural Society by the Hon. W. Leslie Melville
from the Hiramalaya, and by G. R. Campbell, Esq., a cone and seeds

PINE. 357

under the name of Neoza or eatable-seeded pine of the East Indies, col-
lected by hiiu on the Chinese territory side of the Himmalaya Moun-
tains, where the seeds are gathered in considerable quantities, and
conveyed to the lower parts of India, where they are eaten by the
inhabitants, as those of the Stone Pine are in the southern countries
of Europe.

XXVIII. PINUS CANARIENSIS— Canary Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree tall (sixty to seventy feet) ; leaves
about one foot in length, very fine, spreading or pendulous, exte-
rior surface convex, smooth and shining, interior channelled, with
an elevated central margined or serrulated longitudinal rib ; sheaths
nearly an inch in length, light coloured, membranous, and lace-
rated or torn at the extremities ; male flowers in crowded cylin-
drical catkins, about an inch long ; cones five or six inches in length,
oblong, oval, of a dark brown colour, with very prominent four-
angled blunt regularly tapering pointed scales ; seeds oblong, about
a third of an inch in length, and of a dun colour. Native of the
Islands of Teneriffe and Grand Canary, where it grows from the sea-
shore to an altitude on the mountains of 6700 feet.

The P. Canariensis, which, according to Sprengel, is the P.
adunca of Bosc, in addition to being a very ornamental tree, affords
timber of excellent quality, capable of being used for any pur-
poses to which Pine timber is applied, not excluding ship-building,
and is said to be so resinous as to resist the attacks of insects.
Mr Lambert, however, states that plants raised by him and kept in
the greenhouse for several seasons, were destroyed by frost the first
winter after being planted out, so that it seems too tender for this
climate. By farther experiments and proper attention in selecting
seed from trees growing on the coldest climates, it may yet, how-
ever, be found hardy enough to resist the winters of Britain.

By M. Cel, Paris, a young plant of this species.

Species having generally their leaves in threes, specimens of which
have not yet been procured : —

PiNUs TEOcoTE, Twistcd-leaved Mcxicun Piue.
PATULA, Spreading -leaved do.
ECHiNATA, Hedgehog-fruited North American Pine.
LUTEA, Yelloiv North American Pine.

358 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

* * * Leaves in fives, surrounded by deciduous scaly appendages, but
having ?io legumintory sheath at their base.

XXIX. PINUS CEMBRA— Cembra Stone Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree medium-sized, from twenty to fifty
feet high, of a regular conical habit of growth ; branches horizontal,
short, and rigid ; bark smooth, at least until it attains a considerable
size, of a greenish colour, and afterwards changing to a light grey ;
leaves three to four inches long, fine, nearly straight, and of an agree-
able light green colour, except the inner surfaces, which are marked
with longitudinal silvery channels, exterior surface slightly convex
mid-rib of the interior very prominent, so as to give the whole leaf
a triangular-like form ; margins scabrous or serrated ; scales which
surround the base of the leaves lanceolate-acuminate and mem-
branous at the edges, generally falling oft after the first season ;
male catkins short, crowded at the base of the young shoots, and of
a bright purple colour on their outer surfaces ; young cones globose,
erect, nearly sessile, and of a purplish or violet colour, covered with
a fine bloom, which they retain until nearly ripe, changing afterwards
to a brownish colour, and are, when at full maturity, of an oval
form, about two inches in length by one and a half in breadth, scales
oval, loose, and sometimes reflexed at the margins ; seeds or nuts
rather larger in size than common pease, of an irregular somewhat trian-
gular shape, each with a hardish shell surrounding the kernel, which is
of a pleasant nut-like flavour; wings obsolete; cotyledons eleven to
thirteen. Grows naturally on the Alps of Switzerland, and other
mountains to the north-east, both in Europe and Asia, at elevations
much above the range of P. sylvcstris and Larix europcEu, on the
verges of perpetual snow. Supposed to ha\e been first introduced
to Britain in 17-46.

Of P. cembra there are two distinct and several subvarieties, the
most important of which, as a timber tree, is known by the name of

1. PiNUs Cembra Helvetica — Swiss Stone or Aphernousli
Pine — And is also occasionally termed Gledhow Pine, from some of
the oldest and best specimens in Britain being at a place of that name
near Leeds. This variety attains, on the Alps of Switzerland, to
a height of forty or fifty feet, with more than an average propor-
tionably thick trunk ; its timber is of a light colour, fine-grained,
compact, very durable, and possesses an agreeable smell, which it

PINE. 359

retains for a surprising length of time after being made into furni-
ture; and some of the best deal imported to this country from
Riga, is said to be that of this variety. The kernels of the nuts or
seeds often form an important part of a Swiss dessert, and an essen-
tial oil is obtained by distillation from the young shoots, after they
have been bruised, macerated and steeped a month in water, which
is pellucid, very liquid, whitish coloured, and known by the name of
Carpathian Balsam, which in Germany is believed to possess extra-
ordinary healthy qualities.

Although the Cembra Pine has been introduced into this country
for a considerable time, yet its cultivation has not only been ne-
glected, but discouraged, by generally received reports of its slow-
ness of growth, and consequently long period which it takes to arrive
at maturity. That some varieties do grow remarkably slow, is
by no means disputed ; but that character is not applicable to
the P. Cembra Helvetica, which, although it may not possess the
same rapidity of growth as the Wild Pine when young, yet after
three or four years, under ordinary circumstances, it will annually
put forth shoots from a foot to eighteen inches, and even nearly two
feet in length ; as a proof of which statement, many specimens grown
from seed, imported to this country in 1828 (see Quarterly Journal
of Agriculture, vol i. page 813), may be seen in the vicinity of
Edinburgh, from eight to twelve feet in height : these possess consi-
derable diversity in the colour of their foliage, habit of growth, &c.
but none seem at all to approach the next variety in their general
characteristics. There can therefore be no doubt but the P. Cembra
Helvetica is well adapted, from the high altitude at which it natu-
rally grows, to clothe the tops of many hitherto almost barren moun-
tains of this country, not only with fresh and luxuriant vegetation,
but also with valuable timber. Tlie only obstacle to its general and
extensive culture is the comparatively high price which the young
plants will always retain, from the seeds lying a season in the ground
before brairding, and the plants afterwards requiring a longer period
in the nursery than those of P. sylvestris to fit them for being
planted out, and (for a considerable time at least) the greater difficulty
experienced in obtaining seeds.

Specimens from two handsome trees, growing before the cottage
of Peter the Great at Peterhoff, near St Petersburg. By Mr Black,
land-steward, Dalkeith Park, a cone of P. Cembra Helvetica, re-
ceived by him from Moscow. And by Charles Guthrie, Esq. Tay

360 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

Bank, Dundee, a branch and cones from trees about thirty-five years
old, and thirty-five feet high, the produce of seed originally received
from Dr Hunter of York, and grown on the estate of Balhary, For-
farshire, the property of John Smyth, Esq.

2. PiNUs Cembua SiBiRicA — SIBERIAN SxoNE PiNE.* — This has
been by some separated into a distinct species from the last, but
having neither flowers nor cones to refer to, and as the foliage
is exactly similar to that of the last, it is here included as a
variety. Its principal distinguishing characteristics are its very
dwarf close bushy habit of growth, and darker coloured and rougher
bark than that of the SAviss variety, to which in appearance it may be
said to bear the same relation as the P. pumilio, or Mountain Pine,
does to p. si/lvestris. Wild Pine.

By Mr J. Smith, Hopetoun Gardens, a branch from a tree grow-
ing there, said to be upwards of a hundred years of age, and which
only measures five and a half feet in height.

XXX. PINUS STllOBUS— Weymouth or Wuite American- Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree tall (100 feet, and sometimes con-
siderably more), branches few, slender, regularly verticillate, and form-
ing a small conical-like head on the top of the long bare smooth-barked
trunk ; leaves four to five inches long, fine, straight, of a light green
colour, with silvery longitudinal channels, and a prominent rib on the
inside, convex on the outer, and scabrous on the margins, spreading
in summer, but, like most of the fine-leaved sorts, considerably more
contracted, and lying inwards to the branches in winter ; scaly ap-
pendages short, and falling off towards the end of the first season ;
male catkins solitary or few together, small, having long footstalks,
and of a light purplish colour, mixed with yellow ; young cones also
one or few together, ovate, cylindrical, and erect, with short foot-
stalks ; ripe cones pendulous, four or five inches long, and scarcely
one in diameter at the middle, slightly curved, partly covered with
white resin, particularly on the tips of the oval scales, which open in
the beginning of October to allow the seed to escape ; seeds ovate,
about one-sixth of an inch in length, and of a dull grey-like colour ;
cotyledons six to eight. Native of North America, where it grows
in great abundance towards the eastern part of that Continent,- be-

* May not this be the same as P. pigmaea of the gardens and Botanical Cata-
logues?

PINE. 361

tween the 42d and 47th degrees of latitude, on deep soils, which are
neither too dry nor moist.

This, which is the tallest growing tree to be met with in the east-
ern parts of North America, yields the most universally used timber
of American pines, and that which is imported to this country under
the name of White Pine, although the timber is not so hard and du-
rable as that of many others ; yet its great size, lightness, frceness
from knots, and the ease with which it is wrought, amply recom-
pense for its inferior properties. The Weymouth Pine has been
known and partially cultivated in Britain for upwards of a century,
but has not been found to attain the same size as it does in its native
country, where it often forms extensive forests to the almost total
exclusion of other trees. The want of success which has hitherto
attended its cultivation in this country, may no doubt partly be at-
tributed to the climate, but more especially from a want of proper
selection of soil, and, above all, by mixing it in small quantity amongst
other trees, a system to which it, in particular, seems naturally averse.
From its growing only on what may be termed a superior class of
soils, it is not certainly so deserving of general attention in this
country as some others, which will succeed well on poor exposed
moors ; but it might be introduced with the best effects in parks and
pleasure grounds, banks of rivers, mountain glens, <S:c.

By James Booth and Sons, Hamburgh, plants of a variety under the
name Flottbeck Weymouth Pine, which diifers from the common in
having still finer and lighter green coloured foliage.

XXXI. PINUS LAMBERTIANA— Lambert's or Gigantic Pine.

To this species, which was first discovered by Mr D. Douglas on
the west coast of North America, is now considered to belong the
loftiest trees in the world, a mark of distinction previously supposed
to be possessed by some of the Palms. The following extract is
from Mr Douglas' own account of Lambert's Pine — (^See Linnean
Transactions, vol. xvi.) : — " This plant covers large districts about a
hundred miles from the ocean, in latitude 43° north, and extends as
far to the south as 40°. It first came under my notice in August

1825, while at the head waters of the Multnomah River. In October

1826, it was my good fortune to meet with it beyond a range of
mountains, running in a south-western direction from the Rocky
Mountains towards the sea, and terminating at Cape Orford of Van-
couver. It grows sparingly upon low hills, and the undulating

362 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

country east of the range of mountains just mentioned, where the
soil consists entirely of pure sand, in appearance incapable of sup-
porting vegetation. Here it attains its greatest size, and perfects its
fruit in most abundance.

*' The trunk grows from 150 to above 200 feet in height, varying
from 20 to near 60 feet in circumference. One specimen, which had
been blown down by the wind, and this was certainly not the largest
which I saw, was of the following dimensions: — Its entire length was
215 feet, its circumference, 3 feet from the ground, was 57 feet 9
inches, and at 134 feet from the ground, 17 feet 5 inches. The
trunk is unusually straight, and destitute of branches about two-thirds
of the height ; the bark is uncommonly smooth for such large timber,
of a light brown colour on the south, and bleached on the north side.
The branches are rather pendulous, and form an open pjTamidal
head, with that appearance which is peculiar to the Abies tribe ; the
leaves are between four and five inches long, and grow in fives, with
a short sheath like those of P'mus Strohus ; they are rigid, of a bright
green colour, but not so glossy, and from minute deuticulations of the
margins are scabrous to the touch. The cones are pendulous from the
extremities of the branches, they are two years in acquiring their
full growth, are at first upright, and do not begin to droop, I believe,
till the second year. When young they have a very taper figure ;
when ripe they are about eleven inches in circumference at the
thickest part, and vary from twelve to sixteen inches in length. The
scales are lax, rounded at the apex, and perfectly destitute of spines.
The seeds are large, eight lines long and four broad, oval; and like
that of p. pinea, their kernel is sweet and very pleasant to the taste.
The wing is membranous, of a dolabriform figure, and fuliginous
colour, about twice as long as the seed. It has an innumerable quan-
tity of minute sinuous vessels filled with crimson substance, and
forming a most beautiful microscopic object. The embryo has twelve
or thirteen cotyledons.

" The whole tree produces an abundance of pure amber-coloured
resin. Its timber is white, soft, and light ; it abounds in turpentine
reservoirs, and its specific gravity has been ascertained from a speci-
men brought home by me, to be 0*464. The annual laj'ers are very
narrow ; in the above specimen there were fifty-six in the space of
four inches and a half next the outside. The resin which exudes
from the trees when they are partly burned, loses its usual flavour,
and acquires a sweet taste, in which state it is used by the natives as

riNE. 368

sugar, being mixed with their food. The seeds are eaten roasted,
or are pounded into cakes for their winter store.

" The species to which this pine is most nearly allied, is undoubted-
ly P. strohus ; from which, however, it is extremely different in sta-
tion, habit, and parts of fructification. I have named it in compli-
ment to Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Esq. a Vice-President of the liin-
nean Society, whose splendid labours in investigating the genus Pmw*
are too generally known and appreciated to require any eulogium
from me."

Although of rather a tender or delicate appearance, the P. Lamber-
tiana does not seem too tender to withstand the winters of Britain.
Those specimens, however, which were raised and distributed to va-
rious parts of the country, by the London Horticultural Society, from
seeds sent home by Mr Douglas, have in several instances unac-
countably perished when about four or five feet in height. This may
have arisen from the soil being too stiff and retentive compared with
that in which Mr Douglas found trees of this species to attain their
greatest size, or from some other cause at present not properly un-
derstood.

XXXII. PINUS MONTICOLA— Short-leaved Weymouth Pike.

This is another North-west American pine, discovered and intro-
duced by Mr Douglas. It bears a greater approximation to the P.
strobus than the last, but differs from it in having much shorter and
more rigid leaves ; considerably larger cones, which are however
nearly similar in shape ; and in its M'ood being more resinous, hard,
and durable.

XXXIII. PINUS EXCELSA— Tall Bhotan or Nepaul Pine.

Specific characters. — Tree tall (90 to 120 feet) of a pyramidal
habit of growth ; bark smooth, and of a dusky-brownish colour tinged
with green when young ; leaves six to eight inches in length, fine,
lax, or slightly pendulous, with a very prominent serrated rib, and
longitudinal silvery channels on the interior surface, and serrated
edges ; scaly sheaths, generally under an inch in length, deciduous ;
male catkins ovate, two to three lines in length, compact, and with-
out footstalks ; young cones generally from three to six together at
the termination of the shoots, oblong, cylindrical, and upright, de-
clining afterwards, and pendulous when quite ripe, at which period
they average in length from 12 to 20 inches, and their greatest dia-

364) PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

meter is from 1^ to 2 inches ; outer surface of the thin imbricated,
scales oval, of a yellowish-brown colour, tipped with darker points ;
seed oval, about two lines in length, and, together with their oblong
obtuse wings, of a dusky grey or dun colour ; cotyledons about 10
or 12. Grows naturally in Upper Nepaul and Bhotan, in the for-
mer of w hich it is known by the names of Deeoshera, Deoologhosee,
or Dhoop ; in the latter, by the name of Semshing, and the Hindoos
term it Raesula, or King of Pines.

The P. excelsa in general appearance may be compared to a very
luxurious growing Weymouth Pine, like which its wood is white
but more hard and resinous, equally free from knots, and altogether
superior in quality. Its timber is preferred by the Blioteas to that
of all their other pines, and by making slight incisions in the bark
of growing trees they procure large quantities of pure limpid tur-
pentine.

In the Museum a young plant received from Messrs Dickson and
Turnbull, Perth, who have in their nursery grounds at Kinnoul, a
specimen about 1 5 feet high ; it requires no protection in winter, and
is supposed to be the finest specimen in this country.

From Mr Murray, of the Glasgow Botanical Gardens, young
plants, the seeds of which were received from Nepaul under the name
of " Chili, a pine with cones 18 inches long." And by the Hon.
W. Leslie Melville, through the Highland and Agricultural Society,
a cone and seeds from the same parts.

The leaves of those plants from the Glasgow Botanical Garden
are exactly similar to those of P. excelsa, and the seeds received from
the Hon. W. Leslie Melville agree in every particularity with the
drawing and description of those of the above species given by Mr
Lambert ; there seems, therefore, little doubt but that they all be-
long to p. excelsa, for although there be a considerable difference in
the stated size of the cones, it is not at all improbable but those of
the tall Nepaul pine may occasionally be found to attain to much
more than average dimensions ; and collectors, when stating the size
of cones which they saw, would doubtless give the measurement of
the largest.

Five-leaved Pines, specimens of which have not yet been received
for the Museum : —

PiNUS MONTEzuMiE, Hough-hranched Mexican Pine,
LEiOPHYLLA, Sliort-lcaved do. do.

occiDENTALis, West Ifidian Pine.

FIR. 365

ABIES— FIR TREE.

The genus Abies does not differ from that of Pinus in any dis-
tinct permanent characteristic of either its flowers or fruit ; hence
they have been included in one genus, and the expediency of sepa-
rating them disputed by some of the most eminent botanists of the
present day. The difference in their general habits, however, and
particularly' in the arrangement of their leaves, (those of the Firs
being always solitary, and not two or more together, as in the case
of the Pines,) are reckoned by some sufficient to permit of dividing
them into two separate genera, which method is here followed. The
genus Abies also differs from that of Pinus, in having a common
membranous scaly covering for each bud or unexpanded shoot ;
while each bud of the latter is protected b}"^ closely imbricated,
chaffy, or feathery scales, arising from the base of, and covering
the additionally membranous, or scaly, sheath-enveloped young leaves,
and also from most, although not the whole, of the pines, in the im-
bricated scales of the cones being all thinner, or more foliate, and in
the number of their cotyledons being from 3 to 9-

* Sibch as are more exclusively denominated Spruce Firs, having
hard rigid leaves, and seeds like those of the Pines about half
surrounded by the winged, deciduous pericarp.

I. ABIES COMMUNIS— Common, or Norway Spruce Fir.
Generic characters — Tree tall ; branches verticillate, short,
lower ones decumbent, and forming altogether a regularlj' pyramidal
head ; leaves of a grassy green colour, generally under an inch in
length, curved or bent, sharp-pointed, and more crowded together
laterally, than on the upper and under sides of the branchlets ; male
catkins solitary, in pairs, or few together, about an inch in length,
cylindrical, generally curved, of a yellowish colour tipped with red ;
young cones terminal, pendulous, and of a bright red or scarlet
colour, when ripe still retaining the same pendulous habit, of nearly
a cylindrical shape, five to six inches long, and from one and a
quarter to half an inch in diameter at the middle ; scales of a rhom-
boidal-like shape, generally slightly incurved, and rugged or toothed
at the exterior point ; seeds very much resembling those of the
Wild Pine, from which they are, however, easily distinguished, by
being of a more uniform brown colour, and also by their being

366 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

sharper pointed, and feeling much harder or rougher-like to the touch ;
cotyledons seven to nine. Native of Norway, and other countries
in the north, both of Europe and Asia, where it abounds chiefly on
deep mountain valleys and declivities exposed to the north, where
the soil is humid, and rather of medium or light texture. Supposed
to have been first introduced to Britain in 1548.

In those countries where it grows naturally, the A. communis, or,
as it is sometimes called, A. excelsa, attains a height of from 100
to 150 feet, and is supposed to require a century before it ai'rives at
full maturity. Its timber is whiter, more elastic, less resinous, and
consequently lighter, than that of P. si/lvestris, and hence is preferred
for the masts, yards of large ships, &c. When imported into this
country from the north of Europe, it is known by the names of
White-deal, White Baltic- deal, and White Christiana-deal. The true
Burgundy pitch is obtained from the Norway Spruce, by making
incisions in the bark in the warmer part of the season, from which
it distills and becomes consolidated, before falling to the ground ;
it is then scraped off, and afterwards strained under a press, through
strong coarse cloths, into barrels for transportation. A medium-sized
vigorous tree will, in one season, yield thirty or forty pounds of juice.
In Germany, and some other parts of the continent, where the cul-
ture of the Norway Spruce is becoming a good deal attended to, the
seeds are sown along with oats or barley, in the quantity of from
two to four quarts or so to the acre, on ground where they are in-
tended to stand, and which has been previously well prepared. The
same method is also sometimes practised with the Wild Pine.

In some of the northern parts of Europe, immense havock is made
in Norway Spruce and Wild Pine forests by the attacks of insects,
chiefly of the beetle tribe, which introduce themselves into the
cellular integument of the bark, in consequence of which the trees
ultimately perish, and the insect's progress is only checked by felling
and removing all the trees for a distance of fifty yards round the af-
fected parts, and burning the branches on the ground.

By Messrs James Booth and Sons, Flotbeck, Hamburg, plants of
the following varieties of A. communis : —

1. Abies communis pendula — Pendulous or Weeping-branch-
ed Norway Spruce. — Distinguished from the common by the
drooping habit of its branchlets, and also by the darker glossy green
oolonr, and rather greater length of its leaves.
4

FIR. 367

2. Abies communis foliis variegatis — Variegated-leaved
Norway Spruce. — Leaves short, of a yellowish blotched or varie-
gated colour ; tree more compact and dwarfer in growth than the
common. These varieties are only interesting, as serving to form
a little diversity in parks and pleasure-grounds.

II. ABIES NIGRA — Black American Spruce.

Specific characters. — Tree medium sized, or about fifty feet in
height, of a regularly conical habit of growth ; branches regularly
verticillate, horizontal, or declining next their base, and aspiring to-
wards the extremities ; branchlets also more regularly verticillate
than those in the next two species ; bark of the trunk and branches
of a dark dusky-like colour ; leaves thick set, and spreading regular-
ly on all sides of the branchlets, scarcely half an inch in length,
straight, rigid, terminated abruptly, and four cornered or angled, of
a dark glaucous green colour, with two small silvery stripes on the
exterior or under side, and two longer on the interior ; male catkins
cylindrical, erect, and stalked, al>out an inch in length, yellowish
with red tipped anthers ; female, or young cones, ovate, erect, and
of a purplish colour, afterwards becoming pendulous, darker colour-
ed, and, when arriving at maturity, changing to a dusky reddish
brown, full size, about an inch and a half in length, and three-fourths
of an inch in diameter at the middle ; scales blunt, or rounded, and
■when ripe, rugged or torn-like on their thin margins ; seeds small,
scarcely more than a line in length, and of a brownish colour.
Grows naturally in North America, particularly between the 44th
and 53d degrees of latitude, on cold moist sand, or light soils, and is
found to attain the greatest height, which is seventy or eighty feet,
in valleys composed of deep black peaty soils. Introduced to Bri-
tain in the year 1700.

The wood of the Black Spruce is of a lightish red colour, strong,
light, elastic, and in America much in repute for making top-masts,
spars, and for ships ; as also the lower portions of the trunk, and
the larger roots, for forming knees of vessels, in districts where oak
is scarce. It is also imported to this country and the West Indies,
for making packing-boxes, herring- barrels, &c. It contains too little
resin to be useful in the production of turpentine. The tops of the
branches are employed in common with, but generally preferred to,
those of the next two species, for making the essence of spruce,
which is employed in the brewing of spruce beer. The black spruce

368 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMER.

will not succeed in dry warm exposures, and in this country should
be chiefly planted on moist, peaty, or moorish soils.

By Mr John Kinraent, gardener, Murie, Perthshire, — specimens
of branches and cones grown at that place ; and also by Mr Main,
land-steward, Dalhousie, specimens grown there on trees, the seeds
of which were sent home from America, by the Earl of Dalhousie.

IIL ABIES ALBA— White American Spiiuce.

Specific characters Tree about the same size as the last, also

of a pyramidical habit of growth ; branches more horizontal ; bark
considerably lighter in colour ; leaves also lighter, less crowded, and
not so straight, nor terminated so abruptly at their point ; male
catkins pendulous, on long foot-stalks, and of a yellowish and brown
colour ; female catkins, or young cones, ovate, and pendulous ; ripe
cones from one and a half to three inches in length, or nearly four
times their greatest diameter, and of a light brown colour ; scales
thin, round, or bluntly pointed, and entire ; seeds still smaller than
those of the last species. Grows naturally on the same parts as
A. nigra, but extends farther to the north, and does not succeed so
well on a dry peaty soil. Introduced in 1700.

In the Appendix to Captain Franklin's Tour to the North Pole,
by Dr Richardson, he mentions Abies alba as being the most north-
erly tree which came under their observation, and that the preced-
ing was not observed at a higher latitude than 65 degrees. Its wood
is employed for the same purposes, although considered inferior in
quality to that of A. nigra. The small root fibres are very pliable
when macerated in water, and deprived of their thin skin, are used
by the North American Indians for making ropes, as also for sewing
their birch-bark canoes.

IV. ABIES RUBRA— Red American Spruce.
Specific characters. — Tree more dwarf than either of the
two last, being seldom thirty feet in height, also of a pyramidal
habit of growth ; branches slender ; bark of a reddish-brown co-
lour ; leaves slightly compressed, or having only two prominent
angles, of a uniform, rather vivid than glaucous-green colour, fine,
curved or waved, sharp-pointed, those on the under side of the
branches aspiring ; cones in size and shape intermediate between
those of the Black and White Spruce, of a dusky brown colour;
scales often notched in the middle, but otherwise entire ; seeds rather

FIR. 369

smaller than those of the last. Grows naturally in Nova Scotia and
Newfoundland, in moist cold soils, but not nearly so abundant as the
preceding two. Introduced in 1755.

The timber of -4. rubra is reddish coloured, and superior in quality
to that of either of the preceding, but is of less value for general
purposes from the small size to which it attains. It was formerly con-
founded with A. nigra, but differs essentially from both that species
and A. alba, in all its parts, and particularly in its leaves, which are
more slender and sharper-pointed than either.

V, ABIES SMYTHIANAvelMORINDA— Smyth's Himmalayav
Spruce Fir.

Specific characters. — Tree tall, of a pyramidal habit of growth;
branches remotely verticillate, and somewhat pendulous ; bark light
coloured ; unexpanded buds copper-coloured ; leaves about an inch
and a half in length, fine, and almost straight, spreading nearly equally
on all sides of the branchlets, mucronate or bristle-pointed, somewhat
flattened, or having two prominent rounded angles, and two less dis-
tinct of a darkish green colour, very faintly marked with a silver
tinge, on the somewhat channelled spaces between the angles. Na-
tive of the Himmalaya Mountains. Not having any previous de-
scription or flowers to refer to, nor cones which can be decidedly
relied on, belonging to this species, the above description is all that
can be given with confidence.

From the rapidity and habit of growth of A. smythiana, it is like-
ly to prove a valuable acquisition both as a timber and an orna-
mental tree : it bears a greater resemblance to the Norway Spruce
than to any of the preceding American species, from which, how-
ever, it is easily distinguished by its more rapid and luxuriant-like
habit of growth, by the darker green colour, longer and proportion-
ably finer leaves, and by the more remote slender and pendulous
habit of its branches.

Specimen received from Mr J. Smith, Hopetoun Gardens, of a
branch from a tree growing there, and allowed to be the largest of
the species at present in Britain.

" It was raised from seeds sent to the Earl of Hopetoun by Dr
Govan in 1818, which were sown in a pot placed in gentle heat;
only six plants came up ; they were kept in pots for two years, and
when first planted out were protected from the north and east winds,
which was afterwards found tmnecessary, the tree being suflUciently

E e

370 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

hardy. Of the six plants three were sent to Edinburgh, and one to
the Horticultural Society, London, and the remaining two kept at
Hopetoun. The largest is now sixteen feet in height, the circum-
ference at the ground two feet three inches, and at three feet high
one foot five inches ; the branches extend to a diameter of ten feet,
and are rather pendulous. Several have been grafted on Spruce Fir
about four feet from the ground, and form a singular contrast with
the branches of that tree. Several have also been grown from cut-
tings, but they are not making such rapid progress as the seedlings.*
And by Dr Neill, Canonmills, seeds received through D. Don, Esq.
Professor of Botany in King's College, London. Also by G. R.
Campbell, Esq. a cone of species of Abies, under the name of Abies
pendula, found by him on the southern declivity of the Himmalaya,
where it forms large trees, with beautiful pendent branches. And by
the Hon. W. Leslie Melville, through the Highland and Agricultu-
ral Society, several cones of the same sort, also from the Himmalaya.
These cones are in size and shape somewhat resembling those of the
A. communis, but differ in their scales, which are almost round and
entire, while those of the latter are of a rhomboidal shape and rugged,
or notched on the outer extremity ; the seeds and wings are also very
similar.

VI. ABIES CLANBRASSILIANA—LoRD Clanbrassil's Spruce Fir.

Specific characters — Habit of growth remarkably dwarf, com-
pact, round, and bushy, the height being seldom more than three to
four feet ; annual, shoots from one to three or four inches in length ;
bark light brown, unexpanded buds of a light copper colour; leaves
about a quarter of an inch in length, slightly compressed, broadest
in the middle, tapering to both extremities, and sharp-pointed. Ori-
ginal plant found on the Earl of Moira's estate in Ireland, and first
introduced into Great Britain by Lord Clanbrassil.

As none of the other species are natives of Britain, and only one
plant of A. clanbrassiliana being found in Ireland, it is, although enu-
merated in catalogues as a species, considered only a very distinct
variety of either A. rubra or A. communis. The former of these cer-
tainly bears the closest approximation to it in size, but the latter re-
sembles it most in the colour of its bark, buds, and leaves, and seems

* Tliese plants were at first considered to be the Cedrus Deodara, although

they differed materially in having none of the verticillate bundles of leaves in

common with solitary ones peculiar to the genus Cedrusjrom taking in view the

great diversity between the leaves in young and old plants of many of the Coni-

fercE.

FIR. iill

upon the whole most entitled to its relation, notwithstanding the
innnense disparity in their height and habit of growth. That>4. com-
munis is, however, occasionally liable to accountable variations in its
size, is ascertained by very dwarf specimens being occasionally found
in plantations, although enjoying similar advantages with the rest ;
and in the Edinburgh Eoyal Botanical Gardens are several vaineties,
the produce of seeds procured from native forests on the Continent,
which are nearly as dwarf in their habit of growth as A. clafibrassi-
liana. The same unaccountable variations also occur in Black and
White Spruce plantations.

Lord Clanbrassil's Spruce Fir is only interesting in gardens and
pleasure grounds, as forming a curious contrast with the taller grow-
ing species ; it seldom or never produces either male or female
flowers, and is propagated by cuttings or layers.

Species belonging to this division, plants or specimens of which have
not yet been obtained for the Museum.

1. Abies orientalis. Oriental Spruce Native of the Levant

and China.

2. Abies carpatica, Carpathian Spruce. — Native of the Carpa-
thian Mountains.

* * Su/:h as are usually denominated Silver Firs, having flattened
and more or less pectinated leaves ; also irregularly shaped seeds,
more than half surrounded by the loinged persistent pericarp.*

VII. ABIES PICEA— Common Silver Fir.

Specific characters Tree tall, pyramidal, branches diverging

horizontally from the trunk, and in regular verticels or whorls ; bark
smooth and light coloured ; leaves fully more than an inch long ;
pectinate, smooth, flattened, dark green, with two silvery channels
on the under side, one deep central channel on the upper, and round-
ed or almost imperceptibly indented at the point ; male catkins
shortly cylindrical, and stalked ; cones on the upper branches, erect,
generally of a purplish colour, but in some varieties white, four to
six inches in length by fully one in diameter, cylindrical ; scales very
broad, rounded, and incurved at the external edge, toothed at the
sides, and having their long pointed persistent bractese produced con-

* This division has been by some formed into a distinct genus, of which the
Silver Fir is made the type, and which is termed Picea peclinala.

E e2

872 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

siderably beyond their points, deciduous or falling off when ripe ;
seeds fully a third of an inch in length, irregularly triangular, some-
what wrinkled, and nearly surrounded by their persistent shining
brownish purple pericarp, to which is generally attached a small por-
tion of the wing ; cotyledons four or five. Grows naturally on
mountains in Europe and the North of Asia, at altitudes imme-
diately under what is termed the zone or range of P. sylvestris.

The A. picea succeeds best in this country on deep rather superior
soils, and especially in such as are of a damp nature, as in glens at the
base of mountains or rising grounds, &c. but is very impatient of the
sea breeze. Its timber is rather soft, and not of long duration, there-
fore not held so much in repute by carpenters, nor imported to the
same extent as that of ^. commutiis. It is, however, a very ornamental
and free growing tree when planted on a suitable soil. From the
Silver Fir the Strasburg turpentine is derived, which is considered
superior to all the other substitutes for the true turpentine of Pis-
tachia Terebinthus. This liquid resin is obtained in small quanti-
ties by making incisions in the bark, but chiefly from small vesicles
under the bark ; and the collecting of this substance forms a con-
siderable branch of business to the natives, in some of the central
districts of Europe, who climb the highest trees by means of cramp-
irons fixed to their shoes, provided with a small hook to pierce the
vesicles, and a bottle slung to their waist for containing the juice.

By Major Pringle, 14. Walker Street, seeds oi A. picea from na-
tive trees in the Black Forest of Germany, with the following parti-
culars, a copy of which was also sent to the Museum by John M'Pher-
son Grant, Esq. younger of Ballindalloch.

" Silver Tanne, or Silver Fir of the Black Forest. — This tree grows
in the greatest quantity, and to a large size, in the neighbourhood of
Darmstadt, Baden, and inwards towards Switzerland. The soil in
general is good, and even on the sides of the hills where it is found,
the soil is of a considerable depth. The districts I have seen most
of this timber in is the territory of Baden, the character of the ground
hilly, from four hundred to eight hundred feet above the level of the
Rhine; climate in spring early and mild, summer very hot, winter
cold with snow, Fahrenheit's thermometer, from December till March,
being frequently many degrees below zero. Fine specimens of oak are
occasionally met with among the firs, in groups of a dozen or twenty
from eight, twelve, to sixteen feet in circumference, six feet from the
ground. The Silver or White Fir grows almost invariably perfectly
straight in the stem, free of branches, to a considerable height, mea-

FIR. 373

suring from titty to eiglity, and one hundred and twenty feet in
length, and ten to sixteen and twenty feet in circumference, six feet
up. These magnificent trees are cut up into planks, and form the
floating villages, which one meets with on the Rhine, on their way
to Holland."

Abies Picea tortuosa — Crooked-branched Silver Fir, — This
diifers from the common, in having remarkably twisted or crooked
branches and branchlets, which give it a rather peculiar appearance,
and render it an interesting variety either for planting in collections
or pleasure grounds.

Plants of this sort received from Messrs J. Booth and Sons, Ham-
burgh.

VIII. ABIES BALSAMEA — Balm of Gilead, or American Silver Fib.

Specific characters. — Tree medium sized, branches nearly ho-
rizontal, but more aspiring than those of the common Silver Fir, and
forming a narrower pyramidal head ; bark on the trunk generally
thickly interspersed with little elevated vesicles, containing a clear
limpid resin ; leaves shorter, narrower, lighter green, and less silvery
on the under side than those of A. picea, compared with which the
male catkins are also more numerously crowded round the shoots of
the preceding season, and more persistent ; cones also of a deeper
purple colour, more swollen in the middle, tapering to both ends, fui*-
nished with short and blunter pointed bractese, and generally having
at least one side sprinkled with white resin, which exudes from the
point ; seeds also nearly similar in shape, but not more than half the
size of those of the common Silver Fir. Native of the northern pro-
vinces of North America.

In its native country, according to Michaux, the A. halsamea does
not grow in masses like many others of the American Pine and Fir
trees, but is found scattered amongst Black and Hemlock Spruces,
and chiefly on the colder sides of mountains, in rather cold moist in-
ferior soils, composed of clay and gravel. It seldom attains to more
than forty feet in height, and its timber is light, soft, and even infe-
rior to the Silver Fir. In this country the Balm of Gilead Fir often
perishes when under twenty or twenty -five years of age; the symptoms
of its decay are a seemingly overflow of sap, and overswelling or
thickening of the terminal shoots, which may probably arise from
being generally planted on too rich soils, and in too warm situations.

374 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

This species obtains the name of Balm of Gilead from a resin which
is obtained from it in the same manner as that of the Silver Fir, ha-
ving a supposed resemblance to the true extract of that name, which
is derived from the Amyris Gileadensis. In this country the liquid
resin of the Balm of Gilead Fir is known by the name of Canada
Balsam.

Abies balsamea longifoma — Lonij-leaved Balm of Gilead
Fir. — Plants of this variety from Messrs J. Booth and Son, Ham-
burgii ; these differ from the common in having longer leaves and
more upright or less horizontal branches.

IX. ABIES FRASERII— Phaser's or Double Balsam Tir.

Specific characters — Habit of growth dwarf and bushy, seldom
exceeding the height of ten or twelve feet ; leaves pretty regularly
pectinate, crowded, straight, flattened, of a rather lightish green co-
lour, silvery underneath, and with a deep notch (rarely entire) at
their points ; male catkins, at the extremities of the branchlets, com-
pact, slightly oblong, and about half the length of the leaves ; cones
sessile, of a dark brownish colour, about an inch and a half in length,
by nearly one inch in diameter at the middle, tapering from thence
to the two blunt ends ; bracteae twice the length of the scales of the
cones, external half, broad, entire, reflexed, and terminated with very
short points ; seeds and wings of a dark purple shining colour, the
former short, and proportionably rather thicker than those of the
A. balsamea. Grows naturally on the higher mountains of Carolina
and Pennsylvania, in North America. A. Fraserii is a hardy free
growing plant, and although too small for a timber tree, it is well
adapted for planting in shrubbery and pleasure grounds, along with
and for the same purposes as Pinus pumilio.

X. ABIES NOBILIS— Large Bracted Fir.

Specific characters. — Tree tall ; bark of a somewhat purplish-
brown colour ; leaves about an inch in length, inserted chiefly on
the sides of the branchlets, curved upward or sickle-shaped, narrow-
ed towards the base, acute pointed, plain on the upper side, with a
furrow in the middle, opposite which the rib on the under side is very
prominent, of a colour above lightish green, and silvery on each side
of the rib ; cones on the upper sides of the branches solitary, erect,
. cylindrical ; sessile six to seven inches in length, by from two to

two and a lialf in dianietor ; bracteae of a lightish brown colour,
long and reflexedly imbricated, so as almost to conceal the scales,
broad, membranous, and deeply jagged or rugged on the edges, with
a long entire bent or hooked point in the middle ; seeds about as
large as those of A. picea, but more pointed, and lighter in colour ;
wing spreading almost equally to both sides, very light brown, and
thin. Native of the north-west coast of North America ; introduced
in 1827.

This is one of the many discoveries of Mr D. Douglas on the
west coast of America : it attains to a great size, and is likely to
prove an important acquisition to the timber trees of this country,
but is as yet very rare. It resembles A. Fraserii in Iiaving large re-
flexed bracteae, but is much larger in all its parts.

XI. ABIES DOUGLASII— Douglas's Fik.

Specific characters. — Tree tall, and of a pyramidal habit of
growth ; branches regularly verticillate, and rather aspiring when
young, becoming afterwards horizontal, and slightly pendent, bark
dark coloured, and often thickly interspersed with small elevated re-
sinous vesicles, like those of the A. balsamea ; leaves very loosely
pectinate, from three quarters, to often nearly an inch and a half in
length, narrow, straight, and somewhat acute-pointed, of a liglit or
vivid green colour, and slightly silvery on the under side, which,
however, almost disappears after the first season ; cones five to six
inches in length, very much resembling those of the cedar of I^e-
banon ; margin of the very broad scales incurved and entire ; bracteae
ovate, acuminate, rugged or torn on their edges, shorter than the
scales ; seeds about the same size, but more oblong than those of the
A. picea ; wings broad, thin, shining, and of a pale brownish colour.
Native of the north-west coast of North America ; introduced in
1827.

Douglas's Fir is so named in compliment to Mr D. Douglas, by
whom it was discovered in California, and at first named A. Cali-
fornia. It is sufficiently hardy for this climate, and generally takes
on two growths in the season (^Loudou's Gard. Mag. vol. ix. page
672). Mr T. Bishop, landsteward, Methven Castle, Perthshire, has
found it to succeed admirably on a high muirland, without the least
advantage from any artificial shelter ; see his report on the introduc-
tion of certain new forest trees into the cultivation of Scotland,
Highland and Agricultural Society's Transactions, vol. xi, page 121.

376 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

Abies Douglasii bears a considerable affinity to the A. religiosa,
or Mexican Silver Fir, as described by Mr Lambert, except in the
cones of the latter being much smaller. A. religiosa was first dis-
covered on the higher mountains of Mexico, by Messrs Schiede and
Deppe, who applied the above name to it, from the branches being used
by the inhabitants to ornament their churches and places of worship.

XIL ABIES WEBBIAXA— Captain W. S. Webb's, or Purple-coned

HiMMALAYAN SlLVER FiR.

Specific characters. — Tree tall, of a conical pyramidal shape,
similar to the A. jncea, to which it bears a considerable resemblance
generally, but has larger and broader leaves, also thicker branches, and
much larger cones, which are also solitary and erect ; the scales of these
are entire, short, and broadly wedge-shaped, longer than the bracteae,
and of a deep purple colour ; seeds smaller, but of a longer and more
sharp-pointed form than those of the Common Silver Fir, but similar
in colour. Grows naturally at great altitudes on the Himmalayan
Mountains.

In the former edition of I\Ir Lambert's description of the genus
Pinus, &c. he named this species A. spectabilis, but afterwards re-
stored it to that of A. Webbiana, as applied to it by Dr Wallich,
in honour of Captain W. S. Webb, by whom it was first discovered.
It has also been termed A. tinctoria, from its cones yielding a purple
dye. The following is extracted from Mr Lambert's work, and was
communicated to him by Captain Webb, through Dr Wallich of the
Calcutta Botanic Garden : — " This Purple-coned Pine is called
Oumur ; it attains a height of eighty or ninety feet, with a diameter
of the stem near the ground of three to four feet ; the cone is pro-
duced on the extremity of the shoots ; the leaves are about one inch
long, of a beautiful light green, having a white stripe on the centre.
The wood is used for planes, and even equals in the texture of its
grain, and in odour, the Bermudas Cedar. The fruit is said to yield
at full growth an indigo or purple pigment by expression. Tlie sil-
very hue of its bark, the beautiful contrast of the leaves, with the
rich purple of the cone, glittering with globules of transparent resin,
produce in combination one of the most striking objects which can well
be imagined, and entitle it to precedence for ornamental purposes."
By the Hon. W. Leslie Melville, through the Highland and Agri-
cultural Society, seeds of A. Webbiana, collected near tlie verge of
perpetual snow, on the Himmalaya, November 1835.

FIR. 377

XIII. ABIES PICHTA— Fischer's or Siberian Pitch Silver Fir.
Specific characters.— Tree under the medium size, broadly,
pyramidal, or somewhat bushy, bark smoothish, and of a dull grey-
like colour ; leaves loosely pectinate, or spreading widely on both
sides of the branchlets, long, narrow, rounded, and almost impercep-
tibly notched at the points, of a light or rather vivid green colour,
with scarcely any appearance of silveriness underneath, particularly
after the first season. Native of the North of Asia ; introduced to

Britain in 1 824.

The usual height of A. pichta, as given in some catalogues, is fifty
feet, while in others it is stated as being a small tree or shrub. The
few' specimens which have been for several years in this coun-
try, seem of slower growth than either the Common Silver Fir or
Balm of Gilead, and therefore it is more than likely that this species
can only be valued for diversifying the appearance of Silver Firs,
where ornament more than timber is the object in view.

An opportunity has not yet been afforded of giving any descrip-
tion of the flowers, cones, or seeds of this or the next species ; they
are therefore included in this division, from their leaves most resem-
bling those of the Silver Fir.

XIV. ABIES TAXIFOLIA— Yew-leaved Fir.
Specific characters.— Tree seemingly under the medium size,
of a pyramidal habit of growth ; branches nearly horizontal, rigid or
stiff, bark smoothish, and dark coloured leaves, thickly pectinate,
broad, and about or under an inch in length, rounded and notched
at the end, like those of A. Fraserii, from which, however, they
differ in being occasionally more waved, and, together with the bark
and young buds, much darker in colour, also rather more silvery
underneath, especially when more than a year old.

The above description refers to a species known under the name
of A. taxifolia in the nurseries, and other collections in this country,
but which differs very much from that found by Mr Menzies on the
north-west coast of America, the wood and leaves of which are much
more slender, and, as well as its habit of growth, cones and seeds,
bear a greater affinity to A. Canadensis.

Plants in the Museum comnmnicated by Messrs H. Ronalds and
Sons, nurserymen, Brentford, London.

378 I'LANTS CULTIVATED FUR THEIR TIMBEK.

?»* Species which do not properly belong to either of the iwo pre-
ceding divisions.

XV. ABIES MENZIESII— Menzies or Wauted-branched Fir.

Specific characters. — Tree seemingly rather under the medium
size ; bark of the branches and branchlets of" a light brownish-grey
colour, and becoming rough or warted-like ; leaves linear, straight oi
slightly curved, closely set, spreading nearly regularly on all sides of"
the branchlets, slightly rounded, and occasionally marked with two
faint silvery lines on the exterior side ; plain-like, and more distinctly
marked on the interior side ; general colour light, and somewhat
glaucous green ; points hard, sharp, and brownish coloured ; cones
three times the length of the leaves, or from two to three inclies,
cylindrical, and terminating abruptly at both ends ; scales loose,
blunt, and rugged or torn-like on their exterior margin, longer than
the acute lanceolate bractete, which are consequently included. Na-
tive of the north-west of America ; introduced in 1827.

This species was discovered and named by Mr Douglas, in compli-
ment to Mr Menzies, another indefatigable collector, and whose re-
searches were also chiefly confined to the north-west of America.
A. Me7iziesii seems to be of a close or compact pyramidal habit of
growth, and not likely to attain any considerable height, but is, in
a botanical point of view, extremely interesting, as serving to com-
bine the Spruces {Abies) and Firs (Picea), having the leaves and ha-
bits of the one, with the cone and seeds of the other. Hence it is
adduced as an example for retaining these in one and the same genus.

XVI. ABIES CANADENSIS — Canadian or Hemlock Spruce.

Specific characters. — Tree rather above the medium size ;
branches numerous, large, and slender, forming a massy rather irre-
gular conical or pyramidal head ; bark light coloured and smooth,
except when very old, leaves pretty regularly distich or pectinate,
broad, flat, about half an inch in length, serrated or rough at the
edges, of a very light vivid green colour, with two silvery stripes
underneath ; male flowers few together, forming a small head on a
long footstalk ; cones pendulous on the extremities of the branchlets,
nearly an inch in length, and of a light brown colour when ripe ;
scales few, roundish, smooth, and entire on the margins ; seeds small,
light brown coloured ; wings nearly white. Native of North America.

The Canadian or Hemlock Spruce is very abundant in the natural

CEDAR. 379

forests of North America. It is found as far north as the fifty-first
degree of latitude, in the vicinity of Hudson's Bay, but is most plen-
tiful in the districts near Quebec ; farther south it becomes more rare,
and on the Alleghany, only occupies the higher grounds. Although
generally found growing with the Black Spruce, the Canadian uni-
versally attains its greatest height (seventy or eighty feet), on soils
which seem rather dry for the former, or where it assumes a some-
what stunted appearance. The Canadian Spruce, however, at-
tains large dimensions on the banks of rivulets, and where the
moisture is not stagnant. The timber is of little use, being very
much given to warp, and when of great dimensions, the concentric
circles are often separated at intervals, forming what are termed
shakes, from the immense influence which the wind has in bending
and twisting trees with such large dense tops ; the bark, iiowever, is
nearly if not altogether equal to that of the oak for tanning leather,
and is extensively used in some parts of America for that purpose.
In this country the Canadian Spruce is only of importance as an or-
namental tree, for which it would doubtless he more valuable if raised
always from seed, instead of cuttings or layers, as such form more
perfect plants, and it might also be an object of some importance to
procure these seeds from such trees as grow in the colder parts or
higher latitudes of North America.

The A. Caiiadensis is often included amongst the Picece or Silver
Firs, but it difters so materially in general habits and appearance from
these, that it is here separated. Of the following two, which bear
a considerable resemblance to, and may, therefore, be included in
the same tribe as the Canadian Spruce, specimens have not yet
been received.

A. taxifolia. Yew-leaved Spruce Fir of Lambert, a native of the
North-west of America ; and,

A. dumosa, Eastern Alpine Fir, which grows naturally on the
higher regions of Nepaul and Bhotan, and found by Dr Wallich's
collectors on Gosaingothan, one of the lofty peaks of the Himmalaya.

CEDRUS— CEDAR.

The genus Cedrus may be considered as intermediate or forming
the connecting link between the Firs, Abies, and the Larches, Larix.
Like the former of these, the Cedars are evergreen, and similar to that

380 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

tribe designated Silver Firs, in the form and habit of their cones,
while they resemble the latter in having the leaves of the yonng
branches solitary or in bundles, and those of the old always many
together in bundles, with a bud in the middle, from which arises
a succession of leaves on either the male or female flowers.

I. CEDRUS LIBANI— Cedar of Lebanon.

Specific characters. — Tree above the medium size of a conical
or pyramidal form when young, but when old the branches spread
widely and generally in a horizontal direction, which gives the tree a
peculiar, broad, and often a flattened topped form ; leaves straight,
three-fourths of an inch to an inch and a half in length, nearly cylin-
drical or indistinctly angled, tapering to a broad hard point, of a dark
grassy green colour, chiefly solitary and fasciculated on those of a year
old, and on all the older fasciculated only, or very rarely solitary ;
male catkins and young cones appearing in October ; ripe cones with
short footstalks, erect, ovate, and from three to five inches in length ;
scales long, roundish-shaped, incurved on the margin, of a dusky
brown colour, very firmly attached at their base, and scarcely open-
ing when fully ripe ; seeds of an irregular triangular form, nearly
half an inch in length, lightish brown coloured, and forming an ob-
lique angle, with the very broad membranous wing ; cotyledons six.
Native of Mount Lebanon, and other mountains of Asia, supposed to
have been first introduced to Britain in 1683.

The Cedar of Lebanon is found naturally to succeed best on rich
deep and rather moist soils, its timber is to appearance very like that
of the Larch, but harder and much more ponderous. It, however,
possesses so few of the remarkably valuable properties, particularly an
agreeable smell and great durability, generally ascribed to Cedar-
wood, that it seems more than probable it has often been mistaken
for or confounded with that of very different trees. The peculiar
habit of growth of the Cedar of Lebanon renders it valuable either
for planting alone in pleasure grounds, near architectural lines, or for
breaking the stiffness and regularity of other trees, particularly ever-
greens on the outsides of plantations or masses.

By Mr Corbett, forester to his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch,
Dalkeith, specimens of C. Libani, in flower November 1835, from
fine large old trees at Smeaton. And by Mr James Smith, Hopetoun
Gardens, a specimen of its timber grown at Hopetoun House, where
are some of the largest Cedar trees in Scotland.

CEDAR. 881

II. CEDRUS DEODARA— Deodau or Indian Cedar.

Specific characters. — Tree large, with a massy roundish or oval
head ; trunk straight or nearly so ; branches large and spreading, ho-
rizontal or slightly asj^iring next their base, and pendulous towards
their outer extremities ; leaves distributed either solitary or in bundles
as those of C. Libani, from which they, however, differ essentially in
being larger, of a dark green colour, and covered all over with a light
glaucous bloom ; male catkins upright, of a greenish light yellow
colour ; cylindrical, without footstalks, and about an inch and a half
in length ; cones about two together, stalked, upright, oval, from four
to five inches in length, of a brownish colour, tinged with a purplish-
like bloom ; scales nearly the same shape and size as those of C.
Libani, but falling off when ripe, like those of A. picea and others of
the silver firs ; seed light brown, about half an inch in length and
irregularly triangular or wedge-shaped ; cotyledons eight. Grows
naturally in Nepaul and others of the Indo- Tartaric Mountains, at
altitudes of ten or twelve thousand feet above the level of the sea.
Introduced to Britain in 1822.

The wood of Cedrus Deodora is very compact, resinous, possessed
of a strong turpentine smell, capable of receiving a high polish, and so
durable that it has been supposed almost imperishable, in confirma-
tion of which, amongst the instances of its great durability, one is given
in Mr Lambert's work of the wood of the Indian Cedar which, after
the taking down of a building in which it had stood two hundred and
twenty-five years, was found so little impaired that it was again used
in building a new house. Indeed, the timber of C. Deodara seems
possessed of all the properties ever ascribed to that of C. Libani,
compared with which the tree also seems equally if not more hardy
or suitable for the climate of Britain, and has also the advantage of
growing much more rapidly when young, so that it bids fair to be-
come one of the most valuable (either as a timber or ornamental
tree) of the Coniferce which have yet been introduced.

Seeds of C. Deodara, by G. R. Campbell, Esq. collected by him
on the Himinalaya. Also specimens of cones, and seeds collected on
the Himmalaya in November 1835, by the Hon. W. Leslie Melville,
communicated by Charles Gordon, Esq. of Driranin, Secretary to the
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, accompanied with
the following extract from the letter received with them : —

" Calcutta, January 20, 1836. — These are probably the last
seeds I shall dispatch this season, and I avail myself of the op-

S82 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

portunity to offer a remark or two on the Deodar Pine, which
has been my principal object in the several packages I have for-
Avarded. I have not myself seen it of any size, but I am living
among gentlemen on whose accuracy I can depend, and who have
resided in the mountainous portion of the Himmalaya range of
mountains, where it comes to perfection. They assure me that
trees one hundred and fifty feet high, without branches, and thirty
feet in circumference, are not at all uncommon ; some are even
larger, and the common size is not far short of the above dimen-
sions. The timber is employed for roofing and other purposes,
and if sheltered from the weather is very durable, it is found per-
fectly sound in the roofs of temples which cannot have stood less than
two hundred years. For out of door purposes, I understand it re-
quires paint, which, however, perfectly protects it. Regarding its
rapidity of growth, I have different accounts ; and we have perhaps
scarce been long enough in possession of this mountain tract to sjjeak
M-ith confidence on this point."

LARIX— LARCH.

The genus Larix is distinguished from all the preceding by having
deciduous leaves, which are, like those of Cedrus, chiefly solitary on
the young shoots, but always bundled or fasciculated on the old
twigs, with a bud in the centre from which the future leaves or
flowers proceed.

The Larches also differ from the Cedars in the scales of tlieir cones
being of a pretty regular round or oval form and of a much smaller
proportionate breadth, and also from the genera Pinus and Abies, in
having a hemispherical cupped glandular stigma, instead of the same
being bifid or trifid.

I. I.ARIX EUROPtEA— Common Larch.
Specific CHARACTERS. — Tree tall and of a conical or pyramidal
form ; branches subverticillate and spreading horizontally from the
straight trunk, occasionally, however, rather pendulous, particularly
when old ; branchlets also more or less pendulous ; leaves linear, soft,
blmit,or rounded at the points, of an agreeable light-green colour,single
or fasciculated, in the latter case many together, round a central bud,
spreading and slightly recurved ; male catkins without footstalks, glo-

LARCH. 383

bular or slightly oblong, of a light-yellow colour, and, together with
the female or j'oimg cones, appearing in April and beginning of May,
the latter varying from a whitish to a bright reddish colour ; cones
of an oblong ovate shape, erect, fully an inch in length, and of a
brownish colour when ripe ; scales persistent, roundish, striated, and
generally slightly waved but not distinctly notched on the margin ;
bractese, generally longer than the scales, particularly towards the
base of the cones ; seed of an irregular or ovate form, fully an eighth
part of an inch in length, and more than half surrounded by the
smooth, shining, persistent pericarp ; cotyledons five to seven. Grows
naturally on the Alps of Switzerland, and other mountainous coun-
tries towards the north of Europe, also in some of the northern parts
of Asia. Introduced to Britain in 1629.

The quality of the timber of the Common Larch, and the uses to
which it is in this country applied, are too well known to require of
any particularization. The resinous matter which flows from the
trees through holes pierced in the bark and sap-wood, is known in
the shops of this coimtry under the name of Venice Turpentine. In
Russia a gum, known by the name of Gummi Orenburgense, which
issues forth during the combustion of the medullary part of the trunks
when the forests are burned, which often takes place either from ac-
cident or intentionally during the warmer summer months, and
which is very glutinous and possessed of a sweet pleasant taste, is
used as a substitute for gum Arabic, and also as food. A kind of
Manna, Man^ie de Bream on, of the French shops, is collected from
the leaves and points of the young shoots of the larch in the morn-
ings before it becomes dissipated by the rays of the sun. And a glo-
bular-shaped kind of mushroom, known by the name of Boletus La-
ricinus, which in the northern parts of Europe grows on the trunks
of old larch trees, affords a fine purple dye, and has been pretty ex-
tensively used in medicine.

Although some of the oldest Larch trees in Britain and particu-
larly two planted at Dunkeld, Perthshire, in 1741, and which accord-
ing to Miller have been mistakingly supposed the oldest in this coun-
try, are still healthy and vigorous, yet in different parts much younger
trees and even whole plantations have been found to acquire a seem-
ingly premature old age, and perish from the effects of a disease ge-
nerally termed the Rot in Larch ; to account for which, various
hypothesis have been advanced, such as a degeneracy in the plants
raised from seeds of diseased trees. Hence the Highland and Agri-

384 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

cultural Society of Scotland offered premiums for the most extensive
introduction into this country of seeds from healthy trees in the
native forests on the Continent. With what results tJie future growth
of plants raised from these may be attended is of course as yet un-
known ; but in the seed-beds the produce of native trees bear a
marked superiority over those raised from the seed of this country, in
vigour, rapidity of growth, and the luxuriant healthy colour of their
foliage.

Planting Larch after Scotch fir has been ascertained to be very
detrimental to the health and success of the former, and the dry rot
has also been ascribed to a neglect or bad management of the young
plantations, to a too wet, as well as a too dry soil and subsoil. Also
to a ferruginous soil, on all of which the disease may doubtless in
some measure depend. Too deep planting is another reason given
for the rot in larch, apparently, however, with less propriety than
cither of the preceding. The question, therefore, seems to be still
involved in a good deal of obscurity. One fact, however, seems
to be universally admitted, viz. that the disease generally, if not inva-
riably, commences in the roots (either in the tap or laterals), and that
it proceeds upwards first through such parts of the trunk as these
roots more immediately influence, spreading from thence until the
tree becomes completely destroyed, or at least rendered unfit for the
generality of purposes to which the timber is applied. From thence
it may be inferred, that as the Larch, like most others of the Pine
family, has not the power, like many of the hard-Mood trees, of re-
producing either roots or young shoots ; when these receive any very
considerable check, that any material injury done to these, particu-
larly the former, either from the effects of drought, moisture, or in-
sects * destroying the functions of the leaves and consequently retard-
ing the returning flow of proper sap to the roots and other parts of
the tree, or any other cause whatever, must at first weaken the whole
plant, and consequently render it less able to exist under repeated
attacks arising from the same or different causes.

By Henry Home Drummond, Esq. of Blairdrummond, a transverse

" The insect which seems most injurious to Larch plantations in this country
is the Larch Blight Bug, Erioscma Laricia, which is of a dark colour but cover-
«d with a white mealy-like down, and often gives to whole plantations an almost
snowy whiteness; they are always found most prevalent in sheltered placesand in
quiet warm summers which succeed on open winter: they are easily destroyed or
dispersed by loud winds, or heavy rains, and leave the bark covered with a dark
coloured excrementitious substance.

LARCH. 385

section from near the root of a larch tree, about sixty years of age,
and three feet in diameter, grown on a clayey loam, incumbent on
gravel, and not possessing the least tendency to decay. Cut in 1833.
By Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Gardens, transverse section, from a tree
about twenty-six years old, grown on a strong black loam, incumbent
upon a dry porous and ferruginous subsoil, shewing that the rot does
not always commence in the centre of the tree, and that moist sea-
sons, such as 1 823, although accompanied with low temperature, pro-
duce annual layers of the greatest breadth, and also that those of very
dry seasons, such as 1826, are not only narrower but that the first
appearance of rot or decay commences in such, and spreads from
thence gradually, but chiefly outwards. Also a transverse section of
a tree planted at the same time, and in the immediate vicinity of the
last, on a strong deep loam, incumbent on a brown moderately
retentive subsoil, and likewise affected in the same manner as regards
the bi'eadth of annual layers in wet and dry seasons, but not present-
ing the Jeast vestige of rot or decay. And also a transverse and a longi-
tudinal section, from a tree ten years of age, planted after Scotch
fir, the former shewing the lateral progress of the disease, and the
latter the same in its ascent. The tree, from whence these were taken,
was grown on a light black loam, on a dry, bottom, at an altitude of
five hundred or six hundred feet above the level of the sea, and trees
grown on similar soil, at the same altitude, and planted at the same
time, but not preceded by Scotch fir, were found not to be in the
slightest degree affected by rot. These were all average specimens, se-
lected from a large number grown under similar circumstances as the
others, the qualities and defects of which they are intended to repre-
sent.

By Mr Blackadder, land-surveyor, Glammis, Forfarshire, speci-
mens of branches and trunks of young larch trees, subjected to a
disease apparently similar to that of the apple, known by the name
of Canker or Cancer, and which, although very prevalent in some
parts, particularly Strathmore, has not yet been satisfactorily noticed
or accounted for. It is, however, very piobably entirely owing to
the soil.

The varieties of L. Europcea, have hitherto been little noticed.
These are particularly conspicuous in the colour of their flowers,
but whether such variations are attended with any difference in the
quality of the timber, or hardiness of the tree, has not yet been
ascertained. There are, however, in plantations, two varieties very

386 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

distinct in their general appearance, together with others which
seem intermediate and of less importance. The most prevalent of
these is here, for sake of distinction, denominated, —

1. Larix Europjea communis, Common European Larch, ha-
ving branches more aspiring towards their points ; branchlets very
numerous, and forming a dense conical or pyramidal top ; foliage of a
1 ight grassy or vivid green colour ; and bark rather more rugged than
that of tlie other, which, as descriptive of its general appearance, may
be denominated, —

2. Larix I^urop/ea Laxa, Loose-headed European Larch.
True specimens of this variety may easily be distinguished from the
others when in the nursery -rows, by their more rapid growth, — more
horizontal and less crowded branches, — and by the darker green, or
somewhat glaucous colour of their foliage. When the trees advance to
a more mature ago, they, besides their greater size, and the preced-
ing peculiarities of the foliage, are easily distinguished by their
larger, thinner, and more gracefully somewhat pendent branches ;
cones also larger, more tapering pointed, and less compact than
those of the common sort. These remarks are from mere observa-
tion of the trees in a young state, but it would be a matter of some
importance to ascertain the difference, if any, in the value of their
timber.

3. Larix EuROPiEA pendula, Weeping European Larch.
This variety is much rarer, and more distinct than either of the last.
It is distinguished by the very pendulous habit of its branches, some-
what resembling those of the true Larix pendula, from which, how-
ever, it is essentially different in its cones and other characteristics.

4. Larix Europ^ea compacta. Compactor Crowded Branch-
ed Larch. This name is here applied to a very distinct kind of
larch without any regard as to whether it should be allowed to rank
only as a variety of Larix Euroj}cea, or form a different species.
Specimens of the cones and branches of which were received from
Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Gardens, who had the seeds sent him about
twenty years since, from Yorkshire, as those of the American black
larch, L. pendula, to which, however, it does not bear the least re-
semblance. The trees at Annat Garden are growing on verj'^ su-

LARCH. 387

perior, rather heavy, deep, blackish soil, and the largest has not yet
attained to more than sixteen feet in height, not being much more
than half tlie size which common larch would have attained to under
similar circumstances. In habit of growth the tree is conical or pyra-
midal, like the common, but its branches are very brittle, or easily
broken from the trunk, numerous, horizontal, or slightly bent down
near their base, aspiring afterwards, and the larger cones are finally
erect towards their point, with pretty regularly verticillate branchlets ;
towards the centre of the tree, however, these are pendulous, and re-
markably thickly interwoven with one another ; the bark is veiy
rugged or scaly, and thick ; cones, often small, irregularly shaped,
with very much waved and incurved or folded scales, but, when
fairly grown, nearly as large as those of the common larch, than
which, however, their scales are smoother, blunter pointed, conside-
rably'^ more incurved at the margins, and equally persistent ; bracteaa
much shorter than the scales ; seeds seldom perfected in this coun-
try ; and the foliage is of a light grassy-green colour. Regarding the
quality of the v/ood of this variety or species, little is yet known ; but,
from its slow growth, it does not appear likely ever to become of
importance as a forest tree.

II. LARIX PENDULA— Black or Pendulous Branched American

liARCH.

Specific characters, — Tree of medium size, slender, and ge-
nerally bending towards the top ; branches verticillate, few, remote,
and pendulous ; branchlets also thin, and more pendulous than the
branches ; bark smooth ish, and very dark coloured, that on the
youngest twigs of a dark purplish colour, inclining to grey ; leaves like
those of the common larch in shape,but rather longer, darker in colour,
and arising from shorter and much darker coloured buds or sheaths;
male and female catkins small and short, the latter generally tinged
with reddish purple cones when ripe, easily detached from the
branches, generally under three quarters of an inch in length ; scales
round, or slightly approaching to an oval shape, smoothish, of a
dark brown colour, few, loose, and slightly incurved on the margins;
bracteae much shorter than the scales, of a somewhat lyrate shape,
waved on the margins, and tipped with a short, soft, acute point ;
seed considerably smaller than that of L. Europcea, and of an oblong

Ff 2

388 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

shape ; alae, or wings, of a brownish purple colour. Native of
North America. Introduced to Britain in 1739-

The L. pendula grows only in the colder parts of North America,
being entirely confined to the northward of the 40th degree of lati-
tude, and is found in greatest abundance in mountainous parts, on
rather moist and inferior soils. The timber of L. pendula is of a
dai'kish waved-like colour, very tough, durable, and, where it is plen-
tiful, preferred for general purposes to any of the American pines or
firs, which grow in the same parts.

Specimens of the wood of the Black American Larch, grown in
Forfarhire, and presented by Mr VVedderburn, Pearsel.

III. I-ARIX IVriCROCARPA — Small-frutted or Red American

I.ATICH.

Specific characters. — Tree medium sized, upright, of a slender,
conical, or pyramidal habit of growth, but not so much so as the last
species ; branches horizontal, or slightly pendulous, except the upper,
which are rather aspiring ; branchlets also pendulous, and, together
with the branches, more numerous and dense than those of L. pen-
dula ; bark smoothish, of a brownish grey colour, and light brown
on the young twigs ; leaves of a vivid grassj'^ green colour, and
shorter tlian those of L. Europcea ; catkins very similar to those of
the last ; but the bracteae of the female or young cones are more of a
regular oval shape ; ripe cones about half an inch in length, easily
detached from the branches, of an oblong shape ; scales also some-
what oblong or oval, light brown coloured, slightly incurved, and
rougher, or more distinctly striated than those of the black larch ;
seeds also shorter or more rounded, and together with the alse, of a
lighter brown colour. Also a native of North America ; and found
chiefly in the same districts as the L. pendula.

M. Michaux, in his Sylva Americana, seems to have included
both the Red and Black American Larches under the name of L.
Americana. His figure is certainly that of L. microcarpa, although
some parts of the description apply more properly to L. pendula.
He says " that, in the United States, this tree is commonly designated
by the name of Hack Matack ; and the descendants of the Dutch,
in New Jersey, call it Tamarack. Whether, therefore, these names
are really applied to one or both of the preceding species, seems un-
certain ; but, at present, in this country at least, they are generally
supposed to apply only to the L. pendula, or Black I>arch. The

LARCH. 389

limber of both may be considered as about equal in quality ; that of
L. microcarpa is, however, of a lighter, and more of a reddish colour.
Neither of the American larches are found, under ordinary circum-
stances, to attain the same size in this country as the L. Europcea,
but succeed much better than it, on damp or marshy soils ; which,
together with the excellent quality of their timber, certainly entitles
them to a partial share of cultivation ; and their peculiar habit ot
growth, particularly that of L. pendula, renders them very suitable
m ornamental plantations.

By Mr Main, land-steward, Dalhousie Castle, specimens of tlie
cones of L. microcarpa, grown at that place, on trees which were
originally introduced by the Earl of Dalhousie, from North America.
Although these cones seem every way perfect, yet none of the seeds
which they contain are perfected, or capable of vegetating. This
circumstance may partly arise from the trees being young, and part-
ly from a deficiency in the climate or soil, compared with that of
their native country.

Plants of the three following species are only recently received,
and little else known of them except their names : —

IV. LARIX ARCHANGELICA— Archangel or Russian Larch.

Native of the north of Russia. Seems a hardy, compact, but not
vigorous grower.

V. LARIX INTERMEDIA— Intermediate OR Altayan Larch.

This species seems naturally possessed of a very strong luxuriant
habit of growth, with pendulous branches, and very large leaves ;
but like many more Siberian, or northern continental plants, it pro-
duces its leaves on the first approach of spring, and is thereby very
liable to be injured by the cold changeable weather to which this
country, in the earlier part of the season, is so subject.

VL LARIX DAHURICA— Dahurian Larch.

Seems a stinted, bushy, and irregular grower ; which character-
istics it may, however, have partly acquired from being generally
propagated by cuttings or layers. Native of Dahuria ; from whence
it was first introduced to Britain in 1 827.

390 PLANTS CULTI VATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

The preceding genera (Pinus, Abies, Cedrus, and Larix,) include
all the coniferous trees belonging to the Linnean class Moncecia,
which, in Britain, are considered deserving of cultivation for their
timber alone. Several others, however, yield valuable timber, in
countries better suited to their growth ; and, as they occasionally
attain to the size of small trees in this, when planted for ornament,
for which they are well adapted, their wood may be applied to va-
rious useful purposes, and the following short notices regarding them
are therefore considered not out of place.

CUPRESSUS— CYPRESS.

Generic characters. — Male inflorescence in an imbricated cat-
kin ; calyx a scale ; corolla none ; anthers four, sessile. Female, in
a short conical, or subconical catkin ; calyx a one-flowered scale ;
corolla none ; stigma two concave dotes ; scales, when ripe, coria-
ceous ; nut or seeds angular ; leaves not deciduous.

I. CUPllESSUS SEMPERVIRENS-CoMMOK Cypress.

Specific characters. — Leaves imbricated, running down, or
largely united to the branchlets, somewhat keel-shaped, the older one
distant, diverging, and sharp pointed, the younger closely and sub-
quadrangularly imbricated on the frond like branchlets ; cones
small and nearly globular, on the sides or extremities of the branchlets
scales thick, fleshy, and green, when unripe. Native of the Levant,
and other parts in the south of Europe ; introduced to Britain about
the year 1548.

The common cypress, in its native country, attains the height of
from twenty to forty feet ; it lives to a great age, and produces
timber of a dark or brownish red colour, possessed of an agreeable
sweet smell, it is said to resist the attacks of worms, and to be
so durable that the doors of St Peter's Church at Rome, which are
made of it, have lasted eleven hundred years ; and the ancient
Egyptians employed it for making their mummy chests. C. sem-
pervirens, as well as C. horizo7itaUs, Horizontal-branched ; and C.
stricta, upright cypress, which are generally considered as varieties
of the first, have been long known in Britain as ornamental shrubs
of the larger size. The last, from its straight, uprig'ut habit of
growth, harmonizes well \vith, and should be planted near buildings

CYPRESS. 891

ill which the prevailing architectural lines are horizontal. From
their dark green sombre appearance, no plants are better suited than
European cypresses for planting in church-yards and burying-
grounds, a purpose for which they have been employed in all ages,
in countries where they are known.

II. CUPRESSUS THYOIDES—White Cedar, or AVuite American

Cypress.

Specific characters Branchlets or fronds compact and com-
pressed ; leaves in alternate pairs, ovate, with a small gland neai-
their base, of a rather light green colour, compared with others of
the genus, and closely imbricated ; cones globular, dark brown when
ripe, very small, being scarcely more than a quarter of an inch in
diameter. Native of North America; introduced to Britain in 1736.

The C. thyoides forms immense masses in some of the maritime
swampy districts of New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, which are
overflowed by high salt water tides, and where it often attains the
height of seventy or eighty feet, but seldom more than three feet in
diameter. It is, however, of slow growth ; as is ascertained by the
great number of concentric circles contained in the transverse sec-
tions of the trunk. Its timber is light, soft, fine grained, of a rosy
hue when properly seasoned ; has a strong aromatic odour, which it
retains as long as kept from humidity, and is very durable. It is
applied to a great many useful purposes, such as covering houses in-
stead of slates, — making and lining the bottoms of boats, — and, in
Philadelphia, is so extensively employed in making of barrels, pails,
washing-tubs, churns, &c., that it has givea rise to a distinct class of
mechanics called cedar- coopers. Farmers in the vicinity of the
cedar swamps use the smaller trees for making field fences and rails,
which are made by splitting the tree in two, and last from fifty to
sixty years. In Britain the white cedar does not attain to near the
same size as in its native country ; but this is no doubt more owing
to the soil and situation in which it is generally planted, not being
congenial to its natural habits, than to the defects of climate.

111. CUPRESSUS LUSITANICA—PoRTUGAL Cypress, or Cedar

OF Go A.

Habit of growth somewhat conical, until nearly at its full height,
afterv.ards assuming a broad or flattened-like top, with large spread-
ing, gracefully pendent branches ; smaller branchlets or fronds

392 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

slender, thin, and diverging ; leaflets compactly imbricated, in four
rows, of a light, slightly glaucous, green colour ; male catkins nu-
merous, ovate, terminal, and of a yellow colour ; cones subglobular,
under half an inch in diameter ; scales few, thick, recurved, and
acute pointed. Native of the island of Goa ; introduced in 1683.

The C. lusitanica obtains the name of Portugal cypress, from be-
ing pretty extensively grown in some parts of that countrj', parti-
cularly near Busaco ; hence it is sometimes called the Cedar of Bu-
saco ; and, amongst nurserymen, has also been known by the names
of C. glauca, and C pendula. The true C. pendula, however, is a
very distinct tree, a native of Japan, and, if at all introduced, is still
very scarce in Britain. It is a taller growing tree than the C. lusu
tanica ; its branches are also much more pendent, and may probably
be found more suitable to this climate than the cedar of Goa, which,
unless protected, is often irreparably injured by the winters even in
the southern districts of Britain.

SCHUBERTfA— DECIDUOUS CYPRESS.

Generic characters. — This genus, which has also been named
Taxodium, is separated from that of Cupressus, to which it was re-
ferred by Linnaus, on account of the difference in the habit of
growth, and particularly in the form and arrangement of the male
and female inflorescence, the former of which is in long, loose, pen-
dulous catkins, which are somewhat branched near their base, and
the latter are scarcely apparent, and in small, almost sessile clusters.

I. SCHUBERTIA DISTICHA— North American Deciduous
Cypuess.

Specific characters. — Habit of growth conical when young,
but when old widely spreading, and often flat topped ; leaves from
four to five inches long, consisting of a mid-rib, with two opposite
rows of leaflets, which are straight, narrow, fine, and slightly con-
cave on the upper surface, of an agreeable light green colour,
changing in autumn to a dull red, and are shed soon after, the leaf-
lets generally falling before the mid-ribs ; cones, when full grown,
globular, or nearly so, fully an inch in diameter ; scales thick and
woody, rounded or blunt at the outer extremity, and easily separat-
ed when ripo, which is generally in October ; seeds small, hard, ir-

ARBOR VIT^. 393

regularly round, and said to retain their productive powers two
years ; cotyledons six or seven.

In the swamps of Louisiana, the Floridas, and other neighbouring
districts of North America, south of latitude 39°, the Deciduous
Cypress covers vast tracts, often of several thousand acres, which
are there denominated Cyprieres ; and on such soils as are of a deep
miry nature, or where a new layer of vegetable mould is yearly
deposited by the floods, the Deciduous Cypress, according to M.
Michaux, attains its largest height, which is about 120 feet, and
from 20 to 40 feet in circumference at their conical base, which, at
the surface of the earth, is always three or four times as large as the
continued diameter of the trunk, so that, in felling them, the Negroes
are obliged to raise themselves on scaffolds five or six feet from the
ground. The timber is of a reddish colour, when exposed to the
light, very strong, elastic, and durable, although lighter and less
resinous than that of the pines ; and, from its varied application, this
is considered one of the most important of North American trees.
In this country, however, the young shoots are liable to be injured
by the frost ; and its cultivation can only be recommended on a
limited scale, in collections and ornamental plantations.

II. SCHUBERTIA DISTICHA PENDULA -Pendulous Branched
Deciduous Cypress.

This, which is generally considered a variety of the preceding, is
said to be a native of South America, and is as yet but little known
in this country ; it seems, however, fully as tender as the preceding.
Plants of this variety received from Messrs J. Booth and Sons,
nurserymen, Hamburgh.

Mr Lambert mentions another species, under the name of S. sem-
pervirens, discovered on the west coast of North America, by Mr
Menzies, pl&nts or specimens of which have not as yet been re-
ceived.

THUJA— ARBOR VIT^.

Generic characters. — Male inflorescence in a small imbricated
catkin, each flower having four petals, and four anthers, with a calyx
composed of a single scale at the base. Female in a cone-like catkin ;
corolla none ; nut or seeds surrounded by an edged wing; evergreen.

394 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

1. THUJA OCCIDENTALIS— Common or American Arbor ViT.f:.

Specific characters Branchlets or fronds numerously and

regularly ramified, compressed, and spread horizontally ; leaves or
leaflets compactly imbricated in four rows, ovate, naked, and warted ;
cones obovate, small, about a third of an inch in length, and com-
posed of very few sublanceolate thin scales. Native of North Ame-
rica; introduced in 1396.

This is a common and well-known plant in Britain, but it seldom
attains to the same height as it does in its native country. In North
America it is found most abundant between the 45th and 49th de-
grees of latitude, on cool, rather moist soils, — as the rocky edges of
rivulets, small lakes, and in swamps too moist for the Black and
White Spruce, with which it, however, mixes on the margins, and
its greatest height is from forty to fifty feet, with a trunk, thicker in
proportion than most of the Coniferce. The wood is reddish, slightly
scented, verj-^ light, soft, fine grained, and durable ; it is chiefly used
for agricultural fences, and posts made of it will last from thirty-five
to forty years, and rails sixty ; it is also employed in house-car-
pentry, and boat-building.

2. Thuja okientalis — Chinese Arbor Vitje. — This species is
easily distinguished from the preceding by its more compact habit of
growth, by its compressed branchlets or fronds standing in an upright
position, with their edge to the trunk of the tree, and by the much
greater size of the cones, which are globular and have thick blunt
scales. Native of China; introduced in 1752.

The Chinese Arbor Vitse in its native country attains to about the
same size as the preceding, but in this, is only important as an orna-
mental shrub, from its graceful and peculiar habit of growth.

The following species are more rare, and the heights to which they
may attain in this country are not yet ascertained : they are all hand-
some growing plants, and deserving of a place in pleasure ground,
particularly the first three, the others are rather tender and require
protection in winter.

Thuja plicata. Plaited Nootka Arbor Vitce.

DOLOBRATA, Tliick-lecived JajJciTi Avbov Vitce.

v\uxynv>A.v.\s, Fyramidal Italian Arbor Vitce.

ARTicuLATA, Joi/itcd Bui-bary Arbor Vitce.

FENDVLA, Pendulous Tartarian Arbor Vitce.

cupRESsoiDEs, Cijpress-lihe African Arbor Vila:.

ARAUCARIA. 395

Specimens of this last were presented by Mr Kidd, gardener, Ros-
sie Priory, Perthshire, from a fine plant growing in the conservatory
at that place, where also a smaller one has stood in the open air se-
veral seasons without protection.

II. Belonging to the class and order Dicecia Monadelphia of Lin-
ngeus, and to the natural order Coniferce of Jussieu.

ARAUCARIA— SOUTHERN PINE.

Generic characters. — Male catkins imbricated; anthers ten or
twelve, united, and with a calyx of a single woody scale at their base ;
Female catkins oval or cone-shaped ; calyx a lanceolate, two-flowered
scale ; style none ; stigma two-valved ; nut or seed of a sub-cuneiform
shape, having a hard woody shell surrounding the kernel, and more or
less winged. All evergreens, and natives of the southern hemisphere.
Hence the name of Southern Pine has been applied to the genus, in
opposition to the true Pine, which, as before stated, is believed to be
peculiar to the northern hemisphere.

I. ARAUCARIA IMBRICATA-Ciiili Pine.

Specific characters — Male tree about from forty to fifty feet in
height ; female often one hundred and fifty ; both with long trunks free
from branches, except near the top where they are horizontal, and form
a regular cone ; leaves lanceolate, about an inch and a half in length,
and about a quarter of an inch in breadth near the base, sharp
pointed, regularly distributed and imbricated around the branchlets,
and remaining for a series of years ; male catkins terminal, j'ellow)
oval, about two and a half inches in length ; scales numerous, imbri-
cated, long, and recurved at the points ; female catkins or young cones
oval ; scales numerous, imbricated, and cuneate, with narrowed ob-
long points ; stigma bivalved, thick, and swoUcn-like ; cones when
fully ripe globular, and from eight to ten inches in diameter, of
a dull brown colour ; scales easily detached, or falling off, and 'ge-
nerally having their long sharp points broken off" before they attain
to maturity ; seeds more than an inch in length, two to each scale*
cuneate, with a hard thick shell surrounding the eatable kernel ;
alse or wings short and obsolete. Native of Chili in South America ;
introduced in 1796.

396 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

The Chili Pine forms large forests at considerable elevations in the
Andes, and seems to delight in a rather moist soil ; the outer and inner
bark of full grown trees are each about four or five inches in thick-
ness ; the former of a light corky texture, witii deep fissures, from
which issue abundance of white resin. The timber is fibrous, yellow-
ish-white, interspersed with beautiful veins, and capable of receiving a
high polish, and well adapted for ship-building, especially for masts.
This tree was first discovered by Don Joseph Pavon in 1782, on
the mountains named Caramavida and Naguelbuta, and he published .
an account of it in the ISIemoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences
of Madrid. Many plants of it have now been raised in this country,
and one at Kew Gardens, the seed of which was brought home by
Mr Menzies, has attained a considerable size, has repeatedly flowered,
and seems quite hardy, as do also several specimens in the neighbour-
hood of Edinburgh, particularly in the Royal Botanic (larden. There
seems, therefore, every reason to believe that this tree, from its great
beauty and singular habit of growth, is destined at no very remote
period to form one of the best ornamental, if not timber, trees of this
countr}^

The A. imbricuta is the only species yet known, which is likely to
succeed in the climate of Britain without protection, the others being
natives of warmer regions, where they grow uninterruptedly during
the whole season, — a circumstance to which they no doubt owe the
peculiar 'property of having, unlike other dicotyledonous plants, little
or no appearance of annual layers. From their unsuitability for this
climate, the following brief notices are only given : —

II. ARAUCARIA BRASILIANA— Brazil Pine.

This bears a considerable resemblance to the last species when
young, but it is of a more rapid growth, leaves more loosely imbri-
cated, softer ; and when full grown it forms a large irregular-headed
tree, with horizontal, pendulous, and aspiring branches, at the extre-
mities of which the branchlets are collected into tufted masses ; the
cones are rather smaller, more compact, and harder than those of A.
imhricata, from which they also differ in the scales being thick, and
furnished with small sharp recurved spines on their points. The
•seeds or nuts are eatable, and sold in the shops of Rio Janeiro, as an
article of food.

III. ARAUCARIA EXCELSA— Norfolk Island Pine.

The Norfolk Island Pine has been known by the names of Pinm

AKAUCARIA. 39T

excelsa, Eutassa heterophylla, Cupressiis columnaris, and Domheya
excelsa. It was first discovered by the celebrated circumnavigator
Captain Cook, in his second voyage, on Norfolii Island and New Ca-
ledonia, where it often attains the height of one hundred and sixty to
one hundred and eighty feet, with a trunk free from branches to a
height of eighty or one hundred feet. The leaves on young trees are
linear, spiny, and diverging, but those on the adults are ovate, blunt
pointed about half an inch in length, and closely imbricated, the cones
are ovate, four or five inches in length, of a dark colour, and the
timber is so heavy as almost to sink in water.

IV. AKAUCARIA CUNNINGHAMII— Moreton Bay, or Cunning-
ham's Pine.

This Pine very much resembles the last, from which botanists
did not venture positively to separate it from the want of proper
knowledge of its characteristics, until it was examined in its native
forest on the shores of Moreton Bay, and the banks of the Brisbane
River, which falls into Moreton Bay, in New South Wales, by Allan
Cunninghame, Esq. in 1824. It there attains the height of from one
hundred to one hundred and thirty feet ; and from thence Sir Thomas
Brisbane, Bart, brought home seeds of it to his estate of Makerstone,
near Kelso several years since, whereby, together with small quanti-
ties brought home by other collectors from the same parts, specimens
now exist in many collections in this country. The generic name
of this and the last species has lately been changed to that of Altin-
gia, b}' which they are now known in the newest catalogues.

Besides the Araucarias, or Altingias, the South Sea Islands, and
New Zealand in particular, produce many valuable and interesting
Coniferous trees, both Monoecious and Dioecious, as yet little known
in this country, some of which, however, might, from the altitudes
at which they are found, and distance from the equator, prove suffi-
ciently hardy for the climate of Britain, particularly the Dammara
Anstralis or Koivrie, which grows to a great height on the plains, as
well as the mountains of New Zealand, and is considered one of the
finest timber trees for naval purposes, &c., in those parts, and alsoyields
a very useful resin in large quantities. Besides others of the same
genus, several species of the following genera are also found, viz.
Dacrydium, Podocarpus^ Phyllocladus, ^c, many of which are quite
different in habits, foliage, flowers, and fruit, from any of the Coni-
ferae hitherto discovered in other parts of the world.

398 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

TAXUS— YEW TREE.

Generic characters — Flowers of the male plants each a four-
leaved or parted perianth, united at the base ; stamens numerous ;
anthers peltate, six to eight celled ; female flowers also four-leaved,
pitcher-shaped ; seed one, in a fleshy drupe or berry, perforated at the
end and scaly at the base.

L TAXUS BACCATA— Common Yew.

Specific characters. — Tree rather under the medium size ;
branches large, and spreading nearly horizontally ; leaves thickly set,
pectinate, or in two rows, on the young branchlets, flattened, soft,
linear, and acuminated, of a dark green colour ; male receptacles, flat,
berries scarlet. Native of Britain.

The Yew grows naturally in woods, where it is generally wholly
or partly shaded by taller trees, and where the soil is of good qua-
lity, middling, tenacious, and damp. Its wood is hard, of excellent
quality, and takes on a finer polish than any other of our indigenous
trees. It was formerly much cultivated for making bows, but since
the days of archery it has met with considerable neglect, from the
great length of time it acquires to arrive at maturity, compared
with other common forest trees. It is, however, admirably suited for
growing as underwood, and the large price which can always be re-
ceived for its timber certainly entitles it to more attention. It used
to be planted in and near church-yards, as the cypress is in other
countries ; hence some of the finest old specimens to be met with in
this country are in such situations.

2. Taxus Baccata Fouis variegatis — Variegated-leaved
Yew Tree — This variety differs from the common in being of slower
or dwarfer growth, and having light yellow blotched or variegated
foliage, and is only of importance as an ornamental tree or large shrub
for pleasure grounds.

3. Taxus Baccata stricta — Upright or Irish Yew. — The
Irish Yew, although here included as a variety of the common, is
considered by some as a different species. Its principal distinguish-
ing characteristic is the upright habit of its growth, which renders
it very applicable for planting, along with the upright cypress in the
vicinity of buildings, where straight horizontal lines predominate.

YEW TREE. 399

II. TAXUS CANADENSIS—Canadian Yew.
The Canadian or American Yew in its native country grows to
about the same size as the common yew does in this. It is generally
supposed a distinct species, grows more close ajid compact ; its leaves
are shorter, more numerous, regularly pectinate, of a light green co-
lour, and it seems altogether a handsomer growing tree than the T.
baccata.

JUNIPERUS— JUNIPER.

Generic characters. — Scales of the male catkins subpeltate, co-
rolla and calyx awanting ; stamens from four to eight ; anthers celled ;
scales of the female catkins fcM', vmited, fleshy, and forming a globu-
lar generally three seeded berry.

I. JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA— Virginian Juniper or Red Cedar.

Specific CHARACTERS. — Leaves in threes, adnate, or longitudinally
attached at the base, younger ones imbricated, older spreading ; male
and female flowers small, or nearly inconspicuous, berries small, ovate,
and of a bluish colour. Native of North America; introduced in 1664.

The Red Cedar grows naturally most abundant on the banks of
rivers, and seldom to a greater height than thirty or forty feet, with a
thick trunk towards the base, which is covered with deciduous scaly
reddish-coloured bark, and rendered irregular by numerous deep hol-
lows or fissures under the stumps of the decayed branches. Its timber,
except the sap-wood, is slightly odorous, reddish-coloured, close in
texture, heavy, and very durable. It is used for all purposes in which
durability is regarded, and for which it is fitted from the smallness
of its size ; there are several varieties of the Red Cedar, differing
slightly in their height and habit of growth, and one in particular
Avhich is now generally allowed to be a distinct species, termed J.
canadensis, Canadian Juniper, which attains to about the same size,
and yields wood about equal in value to S. Virginiana.

Specimens of the wood of Red Cedar, grown at Hopetoun House,
by Mr James Smith.

II. JUNIPERUS EXCELSA— Tall Siberian Juniper.

Specific characters. — Trunk or stem upright ; branches slightly
pendulous ; leaves opposite, imbricated in the middle. Native of Si-
beria ; introduced in 1806. As well as beina: one of the tallest, this

400 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR TIMBER.

is one of the freest growers, it forms a very handsome small tree, par-
ticularly when planted alone on short grass.

The preceding species are the only truly hardy junipers that at all
deserve the name of trees. The Juniperus Barbadetisis, Barbadoes Ce-
dar, and J. Bermudiana, Bermuda Cedar, grow to a considerable
size, but require protection in winter, and it is the timber of the lat-
ter that is used for making pencils and odoriferous matches generally
called Cedar wood, and mistakingly supposed to be that of the Cedar
of Lebanon. The Dwarf or Shrubby Junipers which are numerous,
are all evergreen shrubs, of various sizes from three or four to about
twenty feet in height. Of the tallest growing may be mentioned J.
suecica, Swedish Juniper ; J. Oxi/cedrus, Sharp Cedar ; J. phoeni-
cea, Phoenician Cedar ; and J. lycia, Lycian Cedar, which, as well
as the humbler growing sorts, are of more or less importance for
growing in shrubberies. They are all chiefly natives of mountainous
places in different parts of the world, and some besides the common
are esteemed for their fruit or berries.

SPECIMKNS OF TIMBER, &c. 401

Specimens of the Timber and Seeds of hardy trees not belonging to
the natural order Conifercc, presented to the Museum.

By J. Robison, Esq. Secretary to the Royal Society of Edinburgh,
acorns of Quercus jEgilops, Velonia Oak, from one of the Grecian
Islands.

By Mr Alex. Wright, nursery and seedsman, Edinburgh, a very
interesting collection of North American Tree and Shrub seeds.

By Mr James Smith, Hopetoun Gardens, specimens of the timber
of Platanus occidentalis, American Plane, or Button Wood, grown at
Hopetoun House, but destroyed in the winter of 1814; a trans-
verse section of the trunk of a Portugal laurel, Prunus lusitanica,
thirty-three inches in circumference ; also timber of the Tulip tree,
Liriodendron tulipifera, and of the Live Oak, Quercus virens, grown
at the same place.

By Mr Spring, wood-forester, Hopetoun House, specimen of the
trunk or stem of a plant of common ivy, Iledena Helix, eighteen
inches in circumference.

By Mr James Slight, (of Messrs Slight and Co., engineers),
curator of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland's Mu-
seum of Models, specimens of the principal kinds of timber used in
this country.

By H. Home Drummond, Esq. of Blairdrummond, timber of Plar
tanus occidentalis, grown at that place, but, together with almost all
the trees then in Scotland, destroyed by frost in the winter of 1814.

By Messrs R. Brown and J. M'Nab, a large collection of the
woods of American trees, brought home by them in 1834.

By Messrs Havelaar and Taylor, Rotterdam, from the Hortus
Botanicus at that place, a transverse section of Protea argentea,
nearly two feet in diameter.

By Mr Arnott, Chapel, Fife, a curious excrescence, two and a half
feet in diameter, grown on the trunk of an ash tree, Fraxinus excel-
sior, which measured only about six inches in diameter.

By Mr John Machray, overseer, Bush House, a very large and
curious excrescence, grown on a Beech branch, Fagus sylvatiea.

By William TuUis, Esq. of Mount Vernon, a very old plant of
Viburnum opulus, Snow-ball tree, thickly interspersed on the trunk
and branches with roundish and irregularly shaped prominent excre-
scences.

{ 402 )

HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.

In this division of the Report such Plants, &c. specimens of which
were presented to the Museum are only included ; and as the pre-
sent publication is more of an Agricultural than a Horticultural
nature, the same lengthened characteristic details of these are not
gone into as in those plants comprised in the preceding divisions ;
from which circumstance it is, however, by no means to be supposed
that Horticultural Productions are considered merely as objects of
secondary importance, the very contrary being in fact the case ; and
at present experiments are in progress to admit of similar descriptive
and other details being given of Horticultural Plants on a future
occasion.

TREES AND OTHER PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR
THEIR FRUITS.

TYRUS MALUS— A.PPLE Tree.

By Mr James Smith, Hopetoun Gardens, specimens of a very
complete collection of the table and kitchen apples in cultivation,
particularly such as are of recent introduction.

By Patrick Matthew, Esq. of Gourdiehill, Perthshire, a very in-
teresting collection of superior hardy apples, grown in his extensive
orchards at that place, and chiefly peculiar to some of the older
orchards in the Carse of Gowrie and Clydesdale.

By Hugh Ronalds and Sons, nurserymen, Brentford, London, a
collection of upwai-ds of one hundred varieties, chiefly elucidative
of the later sorts, figured and described in Ronalds' Pyrus Mains
Brentfordiensis,

By Mr Stewart, gardener to General Durham of Largo, very fine
large specimens of twenty superior varieties of table and kitchen
apples.

By Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Gardens, Perthshire, a collection of the
principal Carse of Gowrie and Clydesdale Orchard apples, and spe-
cimens of twelve new varieties raised by him from seeds.

By Mr William Turner, gardener to the Earl of Caithness, Den-
ham Green, Edinburgh, specimens of the Golden Pippin, grown on
a standard ; and of a very beautiful apple supposed to be the variety

HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS. 403

known by the name of Queen of Devonshire. Also several very large
and higli coloured fruits of the Paradise Pippin, or Lady's Finger.

By Mrs Murray of Murray's-hall, Pei'th, a very beautiful seedling
table apple ; keeps till January.

By Sir Peter Murray Threipland, Bart, of Fingask, Perthshire,
three specimens of Royal Codlin, and of Yorkshire-green, baking
or kitchen apples ; average weight of the former 18^, and of the lat-
ter 155^ ounces.

By Captain Hunter of Tynefield, East Lothian, two specimens of
Stoup Leadington; weight of the largest 28 ounces.

By Major M'Kay of Bighouse, Berwickshire, several specimens,
of the Bighouse Pippin or Seedling Apple, crop 1834, average weight
14 ounces ; also crop 1835, average weight 13^ ounces. This seem-
ingly excellent variety is very large, and nearly of a globular form ;
light green coloured; keeps till February, is very juicy, and pos-
sesses an agreeable sweet taste.

By C. G. S. Menteith, Esq. of Closeburn, a specimen of the White
Calville Apple, crop 1834, in high preservation on the 24th March
following.

By Mr Carstairs, fruiterer, Howe Street, two specimens of Com-
mon Nonpareil, grown on a tree trained on a tile roof at Aberlady,
East Lothian ; weight of the largest 8^ ounces.

By George Wright, Esq, Saxe-Coburg Place, two Everlasting
Apples pulled from a tree at Millburn Lodge on the 5th of January
1835. This variet}'^ seems the same as that known by the name of
French Crab, which will keep for two years.

By John Dickson, Esq. of Hartree, Peeblesshire, on the 2d of July
1835, a very beautiful yellowish-green apple with a brown side,
grown the preceding season, and in high preservation ; it was kept
amongst oats, is a very superior variety for the table, and was ori-
ginally brought from America by Sir Alexander Inglis Cochrane.

By Mr Dickson, stationer. High Street, two White Codlin Apples,
joined or grown together; weight 13 ounces.

By Dr Craig, Ludgate Lodge, Ratho, three specimens of the Em-
peror Alexander Apple ; weight of the largest 14^ ounces. This is
a large, hardy, and most beautiful orchard apple ; it keeps till Janu-
arj'^, but is only of medium quality.

By R. Lowthian Ross, Esq. of Staffold-hall, Cumberland, three very
large and high coloured specimens of Ribston Pippin, and three of
the StafFold-hall, I^eadington, a superior dessert apple, and excel-

Gg2

404 HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.

lent keeper. Also a dozen of Pearmain Apples, of large size and good
colour

By Mr John Ross, general agent, 92 Prince's Street, several spe-
cimens of the Brown Normandy Rennet.

By John Burn Murdoch, Esq. of Coldoch, three specimens of a
variety, the name unknown, in good preservation on the 17th of
March.

By Mr Robert Arthur, Wall Tower Garden, North Berwick, se-
veral very fine specimens of Ribston Pippin, kept amongst sand, and
in high preservation on the l6th April.

The following lists contain the names of very select assortments of.
apples, suited for small or farm gardens, arranged according to their
time of rij)ening, and selected so as to afford a regular supply
throughout the year.

1 . Select Table or Dessert AppLEs^br growing as Standards in the

milder or more favourable districts of Scotland.

1. Common or "White Juncating. 13. iVfiller's Margaret.

2. Margaret or Strij)ed Juneating. 14. Hill's Seedling.

X Early Crofton. Ifi. Wormsley Pippin.

4. Common or Summer Oslin. If*. Kerry Pippin.

5. Thorle Pippin. 17. Pow Captain.

G. Kentish Codlin. 18. Grey Leadington.

7- Brown's Summer Beauty. 19. Redstreak.

8. La Fameuse. 20. Doonside.

9. Red Ingestrie. 21. Ribston Pippin.

10. Yellow Ingestrie. 22. Moncrieff or Gogar Pippin.

11. Red Quarenden. 23. Brabant Bellefleur or Iron Apple.

1 2. Emperor Alexander. 24. French Crab.

2. Select Kitchen or Baking Apples for growi?ig as Standards in

the milder or more fatmnrable districts of Scotland.

Keswick Codlin. Potter's Large Seedling.

White Codiin Duke of Wellington.

Carlisle Codlin. Mammoth.

Hawthornden. Tower of Glammis.

Spring Grove Codlin. Yorkshire Greening.

Kentish Broading. French Crab.

3. Select Table or Dessert Apples for grooving as Standards in

the colder or less favonruhle districts of Scotland.

1. White Juneating, 3. Summer Queening

2. Summer Leadington. 4. Tarn Montjromery.

HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS. -40.5

■ 5. Kiniioul Codliu. 15. Hill's Seedling.

6. Kentish Codlin. 16. Fair Maid of France.

7. Nonsuch. 17. Fulwood.

8. Orange Pippin. 18. Pow Captain.

y. Kerry Pippin. 19. Grey Leadinglon.

10. Yellow Ingestrie. 20. Paradise Pippin.

11. Red Quai-anden. 21. Winter Strawberry.

12. Emperor Alexander. 22. Red Streak.

13. Munches' Pippin. 23. Moncriefl'or Gogar Pippin.

1 4. Miller's Margaret. 24. French Crab.

4. Select Kitchen or Baking Avvh^& for groiving as Standards in
the colder or less favourable districts of Scotland.

1. White Codlin. 7- Carlisle Codlin.

2. Eve Apple. 8. Royal Codlin.

3. Maiden Apple. 9. Norfolk Beaufin.

4. Hawthornden. 10. Tower of Glammis.
6. Lemon Pipjnn. 11. Yorkshire Greening.
6. Kentish Broading. 12. French Crab.

3. Table or Dessert Apples of the finest quality, hut lohich, in most
districts of Scotland, require the protection of a ivall with a
southern or loesterly exposure.

1. White Juneating. 7. King of the Pippins.

2. Bursaul. 8. Court of Wick.

3. Tborle Pippin. 9. Loan's Pearniain.

4. Aromatic Russet. 10. Scarlet Nonpareil.

5. Margil. 11. Old Nonpareil.

6. Golden Pippin. 12. Ribston Pippin.

6. Select Apples suited for the manufacture of Cider, and which
may he grown as Standards in most districts of Scotland.

Those marked thus *, are suitable for the Table, and thus -)-, may be used as

Kitchen Apples,

"t" 1. Cockagee. 10. Herefordshire Redstreak.

• 2. Courtpendu. f 1 1 . Siberian Harvey,
f 3. Longleat Redstreak. t 12. Maiden's Blush.

• 4. Yellow Ingestrie. * 13. Downton Pippin.

• 5. Red do. "14. Scarlet Golden Pippin.
f 6. Large Sty re. " 15. AV'hitmore.

• 7. Wheeler's Russet. t 16- Old Red Must.

• 8. Grange Pippin. * 17. Red Cluster.

f 9. New Red Must. * 18. Green Cluster.

PYRUS COMMUNIS— P£Au Tree.
By Mr Jumc:? Smith, Hopclouii Gardens, specimens ol'twcnfy va-

406 HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.

rieties of new Flemish and French Pears, crop 1834, and of thirty
new or rare varieties, crop 1 835.

By Mr James Barnet, superintendent of the Caledonian Horti-
cultural Society's Experimental Gardens, Inverleith Row, several
specimens of the more rare or recently introduced superior French
and Flemish Pears.

By Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Gardens, a collection of the principal
Orchard Pears cultivated in the Carse of Gowrie ; and also of the
recently introduced garden sorts.

By Mr George Charlewood, seedsman, London, a collection of
New Winter or Keeping Table and Kitchen Peai's.

The following lists are arranged in a similar manner as those of
Apples : —

1. Select Table or Dessert Pears ybr growing as Standards in the

milder or more favourable districts of Scotland.

\. Lammas. 10. Black Auchan.

2. Crawford. H. Grey Auchan.

3. Green Chisel or Pear James. 12. Miller's Great Bearer.

4. Royale d'Ete. 13. Gros de Lyons.

5. Summer Bergamot. 14. Passe Colmar.

6. Yat. 15. Winter Orange.

7. Longiieville. IG. German Muscat.

8. Hazel Pear. 1 7. Beurre Ranee.

9. Galston's Muirfowl Egg. 18. Bergamotte de Pentecote.

2. Select Kitchen or Baking Pears for growing a* Standards in

the warmer or more favourable districts of Scotland.

1. Early Christie. 5. Pear Duncan.

2. Kilwinning. (j. Tresor.

3. Barland. 7- Catillac.

4. Holmore. 8. L^vendale's St Germain.

3. Select Table or Dessert Pears^/ot growing as Standards in the

colder or less favourable districts of Scotland.

1. Lammas. 10. Grey Auchan.

2. Crawford. 11. Black Auchan.

3. Green Chisel. 12. Green Swan Egg.

4. Summer Bergamot. 13. Red Auchan.

5. Gold Knap. 14. Miller's Great Bearer.

6. Benvie. 15. Passe Colmar.

7. Dutch Bergamot. 16. Winter Orange.

8. Hazel Pear. 17. German INIuscal.

9. Galston's Sluirfowl Egg. U'. Beurre Ranee.

HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS. 407

4. Select Kitchen or Baking Pears for groicing as Standards in

the colder or less favourable districts of Scotland.

1. Karly Christie. 5. Pear Duncan.

2. Kilwinning. 6. Pound Pear.

3. Late Christie. 7- Catillac.

4. Elshinhaft. 8. Black Worcester.

5. Table or Dessert Pears of the finest quality, but which require

the 'aid of a xvall tvith a southern or ivestern aspect, in most
jiarts of Scotland.

\. Tattle Muscat 7- Duchesse d'Angouleme.

2. ISIusk Robin. 8. Green Beurre.

2. Jargonelle. 9. Crasanne.

4. White Beurre. 10. Chaumontelle.

5. Styrian. II. Easter Beurre.

6. Marie Louise. 1 2. Lord Cheney's, or Holland Berga-

motte.

6. Select Pears suited for the manufacture of Perry, ^r growing

as Standards in most districts of Scotland.
Those marked thus *, are also suitable for the Kitchen or Baking.

1. Barland. 6. Old Field.

2. Holmore. 7- Teinton Squash.

3. HulFcap. • 8. Elshinhaft.

4. Roughcap. * 9. Double-blossomed.

5. Longland. * 10. Pear Duncan.

MISCELLANEOUS FRUITS, SEEDS, &c.

By Dr Knapp, 9 Duncan Street, a very fine specimen of the fruit
of the Quince, grown in Buckinghamshire.

By Mr Edward Sang, nursery and seedsman, Kirkaldy, Fife, se-
veral specimens of the Medlar, grown on a standard at that place.

By Lieut.-General Sir H. T. Montrison, Dunuehill, Canterbury,
seeds of the Winter Grecian Melon. The fruit of this variety is of
very superior quality, and if suspended in a fine net in a cool airy
room when cut from the vine, it will keep several months.

By Captain Loch, Darnhall, several fine specimens, at different
seasons, of the Long Green Prickly Cucumber, grown in the front
of a vinery, where the seeds are put into the ground about the mid-
dle of Maich, and the plants which are trained immediately within

408 HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.

the glass, yield a plentiful supply of fruit from about the middle of
June until the fires are taken from the vines in the end of the season.

By the Very Reverend Principal Baird, a very large cucumber
grown in the open air at Manuel.

By Mr David Stewart, gardener, Inch-House, several excellent
specimens of different varieties of the Cucumber.

By Mr M'Naughton, gardener, Edmonstone, specimens of three
varieties of Short Prickly Cucumbers gro\>n in the open air, and
several other sorts grown under glass. Also several varieties of
Gourds and Vegetable-marrow.

By Mr D. Brewster, gardener, Balcarres, Fife, a very fine Cucum-
ber eighteen inches in length.

By Mr David Stewart, gardener, Inch-House, a large Green Gourd,
weight 91 lb. ; and an interesting collection of different varieties of
Gourds, Pumpkins, and Vegetable-marrow.

By Mrs Marshall, Wellington Place, Stirling, two specimens of the
Pear-shaped Vegetable-marrow.

By Miss Gilchrist of Ospisdale, Sutherlandshire, Peaches and Al-
monds grown in the open air at that place, 1 834.

By the Hon. Lord Cockburn, a very interesting collection of seeds
from the Mauritius.

By Messrs R. Brown and J. Macnab, fruit of the Madura auran-
tiaca, Osage Orange, with seeds of several other American trees and
shrubs, collected and brought home by them in 1834.

By ]\Ir M'Naughton, Edmonston, fruit of Solatium Lycopersicum,
Love-apple.

By Mr Rennie, gardener, St Colms House, a plant in fruit of the
Purple Egg-plant, or beef-steak plant of the Americans, Solanum me-
longena variety.

By Mr Stewart, gardener to General Durham, Largo, fruit of the
white egg plant, Solanum melongena variety.

■ By Sir Peter Murray Thriepland, Bart, of Fingask, Perthshire,
fruit of the common Passion flower, Passijlora coerulea, grown in the
open air at that place.

By R. Lowthian Ross, Esq. of Staffold Hall, specimens of the Staf-
fold Hall. Damson Plum, a new variety propagated by suckers.

By Mr James Barnet, Experimental Gardens, a collection of new
or rare varieties of Brassica oleracea, consisting of greens, cabbages,
• broccoli, kohl rabi, &c. : -

:;^ By Mr M'Naughton, gardener, EdmonstoU; two stalks of very

. HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS. 409

fine Brussels Sprouts, for which he obtained the first prize at the
Horticultural Society's Show, November 1835.

By Mr David Brewster, gardener, Balcarres, Fife, a very fine large
head of Sulphur Broccoli.

By Mr Barron, gardener to the Earl of Harrington, seeds of a new
large hardy early cabbage of superior quality.

By Alexander Falconer, Esq. seeds of a new Canadian Kale, a
very fine hardy variety for using in spring, procured from Dr Lang-
worthy of Boy, Bath. And seeds of a new variety of cabbage, which
remains good a considerable time after it attains full size.

By Messrs Hay, Anderson, and Sangster, seedsmen, London, se-
veral very large specimens of Kohl Rabi, grown on rather moist
tenacious soil.

By Mr James Smith, Hopetoun Gardens, a bunch of very excel-
lent forced Asparagus on the 5th of December 1834, and another
on the 22d of the same month.

By Mr William Turner, gardener, Denham Green, several very
fine heads of forced Asparagus on the 5th and 20th of January 1835.

By Mr Alexander Temple, Falkland, two large specimens of Man-
chester Celery.

By Mr D. Stewart, gardener, Inch House, five Red Onions, ag-
gregate weight 2 lb. 3 oz. ; five Brown Portugal Onions, 2 lb. 1 5 oz. ;
and five Globe Onions 2 lb. 12 oz.

By R. W. Ramsay, Esq. of Lixmount, three white Spanisli,
three Brown Portugal, and three Globe Onions of the following ag-
gregate weights, 1 lb. 2^ oz. ; 1 lb. 3^ oz. ; and 1 lb. 4| oz.

By Messrs Hugh Ronalds and Sons, Brentford, three Tripoli
Onions, average weight 16^ oz. ; twelve white Spanish, average 121
oz. ; and twelve Globe Onions, average weight 11^ oz.

By Mr M'Naughton, gardener, Edmonstone, six Globe Onions,
weight of the largest 10^ oz. ; four Portugal, average weight 12|^ oz. ;
three Blood-red Onions, aggregate weight 26 oz.

By Mr Wm. Moyes, gardener, Seggieden, Perthshire, several Tri-
.poli Onions, largest 18^- inches in circumference, weight of the same
18;! oz.

By Mr David Brewster, gardener, Balcarres, Fife, several large
fine specimens of Portugal, Strasburg, Globe, and Blood-red Onions.

By Mr James Carstairs, gardener, Restalrig, four specimens of
, Strasburg Onions ; aggregate weight 3 lb. 21 oz.

410 HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.

By Messrs W. and J. Noble, seedsmen, London, very large speci-
mens of Globe and Portugal Onions.

By Mr M'Naughton, gardener, Edmonstone, four Scotch Leeks;
circumference of the largest 9| inches.

By Mr Thomas Handasyde, seedsman and florist, Fisherrow, spe-
cimens and seeds of the new Musselburgh Leek ; a very superior and
improved variety, raised by hira.

By Mr David Thomson, gardener, Balbirnie, Fife, on the 12th
January 1835, a quantity of very fine Mushrooms, grown on shelves,
with the aid of artificial heat, after the manner recommended by Mr
Oldacre, in his treatise on the Growth of the Mushroom.

IMPLEMENTS AND MODELS.

Since the establishment of the Museum, the Directors of the
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland have, in each sea-
son, favoured Mr Lawson with the use of their interesting and
beautifully constructed models, (made by Messrs James Slight and
Co.,) of the most improved implements and machinery, at present
used in the practice of husbandry in the best cultivated districts
of Scotland, and for many of which the premiums of the Society
were awarded to the inventors. These models are on a scale of
three inches to the foot, and exhibit representations of carts, bar-
rows, ploughs, grubbers, or cultivators, sowing machines, harrows,
rollers, hoeing machines, and machines for reaping, thrashing, win-
nowing, cutting or chopping straw, slicing turnips, steaming food
for live-stock, felling trees, pressing peat moss for fuel, grinding
bones, and aiding in the manufacture of cheese and butter.

Model of an improved waggon and drag for inclined railroads ;
also models of two improved (a single and double) Closeburn Lime-
kilns ; on a scale of an inch to the foot. By G. C. S. Menteith, Esq.
of Closeburn.

Model of a non-condensing steam-engine, for applying to a thrash-
ing machine. By Mr Joseph Smeal, jun. Millburn Tower.

Models of three cross-cutting saws, — a churn driven by means of
a pendulous lever, and a new powerful cheese-press. By a Lover of
Mechanics.

Model of a cradle-chum, used in the dairy of A. W. C. Hamilton,

IMPLEMENTS AND MODELS. 41 1

Esq. of Beltrim. By Mr Cranstoun, formerly gardener at Beltrim,
near Oniagh, Ireland.

Model of a newly invented portable machine for weighing carts,
cattle, grain, &c., to which the name of the Gart Weighing Ma-
chine has been given in compliment to Captain Houston Stewart of
Gart, Callander. The entire weight of the full-sized machine is under
three cwt., and it is capable of weighing about three tons, but may
be increased to any size and strength. By Messrs Davidson and Co.,
ironmongers, 123 High Street.

Two new kinds of mole-traps, — one with a spiral, and the other a
common thick wire, iron spring ; and pattern draining tiles of various
sizes ; together with a model of a brick wall, calculated to save ex-
pense both in the building and material, made by Mr Robert Kay,
Shiphaugh. By Messrs Drummond and Sons, Stirling.

Pattern mole-trap, with steel-spring, used on the property of His
Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, and found more efficacious than the
common mole-trap with wooden springs. By Mr Shaw, Dalkeith
Park.

A new improved self-acting rat-trap. By Messrs B. and W. Noble,
seedsmen, London.

Patterns of various dairy utensils, sieves, &c., made of zinc, w hich
is found not liable to rust. By Mr J. Clark, zinc manufacturer and
slater, 38 George Street, and 14 Crosscauseway.

A machine for cutting the verges of grass borders, walks, &c. By
Mr J. Horsburgh, veterinary surgeon, Dalkeith.

A very tasteful and neatly executed model of a rustic mosshouse.
By Mr James Henderson, apprentice at Alva Gardens, near Stirling.

A cascroum, an implement formerly extensively and still used in
some parts of the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland, for
digging or turning over the soil. By Mr James Bishop, surveyor,
Beaufort Castle, Inverness-shire.

Three vases, copies of the Florence, Warwick, and Egyptian ; also
patterns of ornamental flower-pots, made of a new discovered white
clay on the estate of Garnkirk. They are found to resist alike the
action of water, fire, and frost, and are admirably adapted for de-
corating pleasure grounds ; and the flower-pots are also very favour-
able to the growth of plants, being remarkably porous. Also, sample
specimens of draining-tiles and water-pipes, made at the Garnkirk
manufactory. By Mark Sprot, Esq. of Garnkirk.

Patterns of Terra Cotta, ornamental flower-pots, vases, &c. in great

41Jj2 miscellaneous.

variety. Tliese are naturally of a brick colour, very porous, and made
at Lowesby, in Leicestershire. By Mr J. Purdeu, Lowesby Depot,
London.

MISCELLANEOUS.

By the Very Reverend Principal Baird, specimen of the wool ol
the Lama- sheep. These animals were imported from the Andes by
Mr Stephenson of Oban, and seem perfectly suitable to the climate
of this country.

By David Falconar, Esq. of Carlowrie, specimens of a very com-
plete collection of the genus Narcissus, named and arranged accord-
ing to the system adopted by Haworth in his work on that beautiful
and interesting portion of hardy Amaryllideae.

By Messrs Willmott and Company, nursery and seedsmen, Lewis-
ham, Kent, a branch of Ficus elastica, Indian Rubber Tree, grown
in their hothouses.

By Mr James M'Nab, Botanic Gardens, several specimens of cloth
made from the bark of trees by the South Sea Islanders.

By Henry Stephens, Esq. Red Braes, a curiously wrought tunic
or coat, made by the Chinese from the leaves of sedges.

By Mr James Smith, Hopetoun Gardens, cocoons of the silk-
worm, Bombax mori, of a light yellowish colour ; the worms were
fed on mulberry leaves at that place.

By Mr George Carstairs, South Bridge, cocoons of the silk-worm
of various shades of colour, a circumstance said to depend much upon
the kind of food with which the worms are fed.

By Dr Knapp, 9 Duncan Street, a small collection of native plants,
some of them very succulent, preserved or dried so as to retain the
original colour both of their flowers and foliage.

By Mr John Machray, overseer. Bush House, cloth made from the
bark of trees by the natives of Otaheite ; and an old work, w ith plates,
on the Ancient Gardens of Italy.

By Mr Robert Fairbairn, Freeman Cottage, shoots grown in one
season, eleven feet in length, of the Common Elder (Sambucus
nigra.)

By Robert Innes, Esq. of Thrumster, Wick, specimen of marl
found at] that place, in beds varying from three to five feet in
thickness. Also a blue aluminous clay, found inmiediately under

MISCELLANEOUS. 413

llie marl, and a hard rocky subsoil, called Pan, which is found, im-
mediately under peat, and not only prevents the roots of plants from
penetrating it, but destroys them, by producing canker, &c. and is
therefore particularly unsuitable for the growth of trees.

Many specimens, which have been presented to the Museum since
the divisions to which they belong were in the press, are unavoid-
ably omitted, but will appear in the next Supplement.

We have again to express our thanks to the numerous contribu-
tors who have favoured us with their donations, and hope that if any
of such are neglected in the present report, they will pardon the over-
sight. Corrections will be thankfully received and acknowledged at
a future opportunity.

The present Report will at least impart an idea of the description
of articles — specimens of which are at all times acceptable for the
Museum, which is daily open for the inspection of the public, from
the middle of October to the end of May.

P. I.AWSON & Son.

( 4U )

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

Abernethy, Thomas, Esq., Willow Grove.
Airth, Alex. Esq., Lisburn, Ireland.
Arnott, Mr, Chapel, parish of Kettle, Fife.
Arthur, Mr R., Wall Tower, N. Berwick.

Baird, Very Rev. Principal, Edinburgh.
Baird, Mr, gardener, Meadowbank, Edin-
burgh.
Baker, G. Esq. of ElcmereHall, Durham.
Ballantyne, Wm. and Son, nurserymen,

Dalkeith.
Barnet, Mr, Experimental Gardens of

Edinburgh.
Barron, Mr, gardener to Earl of Harring-
ton.
Beck, Henderson, and Co., seedsmen,

London.
Bell, Mr, Winterfield Mains, Dunbar.
Biggar, J. Esq., Maryholm, Dumfries,
Bishop, Mr, land-steward, Methven

Castle, Perthshire.
Bishop, Mr J., surveyor, Beaufort Castle,

Inverness.
Black, Mr, land- steward, Dalkeith Park.
Blackadder, Mr, land-surveyor, Glammis,

Forfarshire.
Booth, J. G. &Co., Hamburgh.
Booth, J. and Son, Flotbeck, Hamburgh.
Brewster, Mr D., gardener, Balcarres.
Brown, Robert, Esq., Hamilton.
Brown and M'Nab, Messrs.
Buist, Matthew, Esq., Dunglass.
Burnet, James, Esq., Gadgirth, Ayr.

Caldwell, Mr, gardener, Holylec, Peebles.

Campbell, G. R. Esq.

Carmichael, Mr J., Strontian, Argyle-
shire.

Carstairs, Mr, gardener, Restalrig.

Carstairs, Mr, fruiterer, Howe Street.

Carstairs, Mr G., South Bridge, Edin-
burgh.

Cels, Monr., Paris.

Charlewood, G., seedsman, London.

Claik, .1., zinc manufacturer, Edinburgh.

Clapperton, Alex. Esq. of Spylaw.
Cockburn, The Hon. Lord.
Cockburn, Mr, land-steward, Hopctoun.
Colt, J. H. Esq. of Gartsherrie.
Cook, Capt., R.N. of Newton, Northum-
berland.
Corbett, Mr, forester, Dalkeith.
Couper, Mr, Bury St Edmunds.
Craig, Dr, Ludgate Lodge, Ratho.
Crighton, JMrs, of Dabton, Thornhill.
Currer, Mr, Myreside, Edinburgh.

Dale, Mr R., WestLibberton Mains.

Davidson and Co., seedsmen, Aberdeen.

Davidson and Co., ironmongers, Edin-
burgh.

Dickson and Turnbull, nursery and seeds-
men, Perth.

Dickson, J. Esq. of Hartree, Biggar.

Dickson, Mr, stationer, Edinburgh.

Donaldson, Mrs, Cupar Fife.

Douglas, Mrs, Leith Walk.

Downie, Robert, Esq. of Appin.

Drummond, Dr, Edinburgh.

Drummond, H. Home, Esq. of Blair-
drummond.

Drummond and Sons, seedsmen, Stirling.

Drummond, George, Esq. Bengal.

Dudgeon, Mr Falkland.

Dudgeon, J. and Co, Merchants, Leith.

Durham, General, of Largo, Fife.

Durham, Admiral Sir P., of Fordel, Fife.

Edmonston, Dr L. Shetland.

Fair, Mr Thomas, Woodheads, Lauder.
Fairbairn, Mr R., West Newington.
Falconer, Alex., Esq., Bath.
Falconar, David, Esq. of Carlourie.
Farqiiharson, J., Esq. of Invercauld.
Field & Child, seedsmen, London.
Finlayson, Mr J., Kincardine.
P^ischer, Professor, St Petcrsburgh.
Fischer, Mr, inspector of the Royal Bo-
tanic Garden, Gottingen.
4

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

415

Fowls, Mr, gardener, Fordel House, Fife.

Garrat, Richard, Esq., Great Harrondon,

Northamptonshire.
Gibson, Sir Alex. Maitland, Bart.
Gilchrist, Miss, of Ospisdale.
Girdwood, Mr, Isle of Bute.
Gordon and Co., seedsmen, London.
Gordon, Charles, Esq. of Drimnin.
Gorrie, Mr, Annat Garden, Perthshire.
Gow, Mr, Fettercairn.
Grant, John M'Pherson, Esq. younger of

Ballindalloch.
Graham, G. L., Esq., Edinburgh.
Graham, Mr J., Aberfoyle.
Grey, John, and Son, Denny.
Grieve, Mr, South Bridge, Edinburgh.
Guthrie, Chas. Esq., Taybank, Dundee.

Handasyde, T., seedsman, Fisherrow.

Havelaar and Taylor, Rotterdam.

Hay, Anderson, and Sangster, London.

Hay, Mr J., Newington, Edinburgh.

Hay, Captain J., R.N. Belton.

Henderson, Mr W., Whim.

Henderson, Mr J., Alva Gardens near
Stirling.

Highland and Agricultural Society of Scot-
land.

Hogg, R., seedsman, Dunse.

Hogg, D., corn merchant, Leith.

Hood, C, Esq. Invergorden.

Horsburgh, Mr J., Dalkeith.

Howden, A. Esq., Lawhead.

Hume, Mr, land-steward, Fordel.

Hunter, Captain, Tynefield.

Hutton, Mr, Salene.

Imrie, T., seedsman, Ayr.

Innes, Robert, Esq. of Thumster, Wick.

Jamieson, Mr, Lauder.
Johnston, James, Esq. of Straiton.
Johnston, Robert, Esq., Edinburgh.

Kidd, Mr, gardener, Rossie Priory.
Kinment, Mr John, Murie, Perthshire.
Kirk, Mr J., Preston Mains.
Knapp, Dr, Edinburgh.

Lauderdale, The Right Hon. the Earl of.
Lawson, Mr, forester, Dunrobin Castle.
Lindsay, Mr, Jun., Myres of Errol.
Loch, Captain R.N. Darnhall, Melrose.
Longmore, A., Esq., Ratter, Banff.
Loudon, .T. C. Esq., Bayswater, London.

Lover of IMechanics.
Low, Professor, Edinburgh.
Low, Mr, gardener, Hallyburton House,
Cupar Angus.

Marshall, Mrs, Stirling.

Matthew, Patrick, Esq. of Gourdiehill,
Perthshire.

M'Dowal, \V. Esq. of Barr.

Machray, Mr J., overseer, Bush House.

M'Kay, Major, of Bighouse.

M'Kinna, Mr, Gowkscroft, Ayr.

M'Laren, Mr J., Castlehill, Inchture,
Perthshire.

M'Nab, Mr J., Botanic Gardens, Edin-
burgh.

M'Naughton, Mr, gardener, Edmonston.

M'Pherson, Mr J., architect, Edinburgh.

Main, Mr, land-steward, Dalhousie Castle.

Maitland, Sir A. Bart., Lauder,

^^ aitland, Hon. Captain, Lauder.

Marshall, H. Esq., Deputy-Inspector Ge-
neral of Army Hospitals.

Marshall, L., Esq. of Messrs Gibson and
Co., Dantzic.

Meiklejohn, Mr J., farm-steward, Tranent
Mains.

Melville, The Hon. W. Leslie, Calcutta.

Menteith, C. G. S. Esq. of Closeburn.

Millie, D. Esq., Balhousie, Largo, Fife.

Miller, P. Esq. Dalswinton.

Montrison, Lieut.-General, Sir H. T..
Dunnehill.

Morrison, Mr, Bellfield, Dalkeith.

Morris, Mr, land-steward, Invermay.

Moyes, Mr J., Rait, Carse of Gowrie.

Moyes, Mr, gardener, Seggieden, Perth,
shire.

^luirhead, Mr, gardener, Invermay.

Murdoch, John Burn, Esq. of Coldoch.

Murray, Mr, Montague Street, Edinburgh,

Murray, Mr, Botanic Garden, Glasgow.

Murraj', Mrs, of Murrayshall, Perth.

Naysmith, Sir J. M., Bart, of Posso.

Nash, Adams & Nash, seedsmen, London.

Nicol, Dr, Inverness.

Noble, Rev. Mr, St Madoes.

Noble, W. and J., seedsmen, London.

Neill, Dr, Canonmills.

Ogilvie, Mr W., Giftbrd, East Lothian.

Park, D., merchant, Dalkeith.
Park, A. and J., Hunter's Square, Edin-
burgh,

41G

LTST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

Pearson, Captain, of Villoren, Falkirk.
Pollexfen, Thomas, Esq., Kirkwall.
Proudfoot, Mr, Pinkie Hill, Inveresk.
Purden, Mr J., Lowesby Depot, London.

Ramsay, T. W., Esq., Lixmount.

Reddie, J. Esq., Milnathort.

Reid, D., nurseryman, Leith Walk, Edin-
burgh.

Rennie, Mr, gardener, St Colm's House.

Richardson, J. Esq. Lisburn, Ireland.

Riddel, Sir J. M., Bart, of Strontian, Ar-
gvleshire.

Robb, Mr, Gorgio Mains, Edinburgh.

Robertson, Rev. J. M., Livingston Manse.

Robertson, Mr, gardener, KinfaunsCastle.

Robertson, James, Esq., of Tarvie.

Robison, J., Esq. Secretary to the Royal
Society of Edinburgh.

Ronalds and Sons, nurserymen, Brent-
ford.

Rjss, R. L., Esq. of Staffold Hall, Cum-
berland.

Ross, Mr J., agent, Edinburgh.

Sang, E. seedsman, Kirkaldy, Fife.

Saunders, B., seedsman, St Heliers, .Jer-
sey.

Scarth, R., Esq., Kirkwall.

Scotsman, Editor of the.

Scott, R., merchant, Laurencekirk.

Shaw, INIr T., Rait, Carse of GowTie.

Shaw, Mr, Dalkeith Park.

Shirretf, Mr, Mungoswells.

Sivwright, lateThos., Esq. of Meggetland.

Sivwright, Mr, Abercromby Place, Edin-
burgh.

Skirving, AV., seedsman, Liverpool.

Slight, J., engineer, Edinburgh.

Smart, Mr J., Kingside, Peeblesshire.

Smeal, Mr J., Millburn Tower.

Smith, Heirs of the late Jas., Edinburgh.

Smith, J., nurseryman, Ayr.

Smith, Mr, gardener, Hopetoun House.

Smith, Mr, gardener, Aytou House.

Smith, Mr, Dumgreen, Perthshire.

Smith, T., Esq., Pinfillan, Thornhill.

Smith, Mr, Mountmorns.

Spindler, Mr, Greenside, Edinburgh.
Spring, Mr, forester, Hopetoun.

Sprot, Mark, Esq. of Garnkirk.
Stark, Mr, Cowrigs, Kelso.
Stark, late Rev. W., Dirleton Manse.
Stark, Mr R., from Dirleton.
Stavert, Mr, Greenhead, Dalkeith.
Stenhouse, Mr J., jun., Ormiston.
Stephens, G., Esq. Edinburgh.
Stephens, Henry, Esq., Red Braes.
Stickney, W. Esq. Holderness.
Stewart, Mr, gardener, Largo House.
Stewart, James, Esq., Wellhall.
Stewart, Mr, gardener. Inch House.
Stoddart, G., merchant, Leith.

Temple, Mr, gardener, Falkland Palace.
Thomson, P. Esq., Hangingside, Linlith-
gow.
Thomson, Mr, gardener, Balbirnie, Fife.
Thomson, A., Esq. of Banchory.
Thorburn, G., seedsman. New York.
Threipland, Sir P. M., Bart., Fingask.

Perthshire.
Tullis, William, Esq., of Mount Vernon,

Edinburgh.
Turner, -Mr, gardener, Denham Green.

Valentin, Schertzer, and Sons, Haarlem.
Vilmorin and Co., seedsmen, Paris.

Warner, Seaman and Warner, seedsmen,

London,
Watson, Mr T. W., Dunso.
Watson, Captain, Drylaw.
Waugh, Mr, Hunter's Square, Edinburgh.
Webster, Mr, Durham.
Wedderburn, Sir, Pearsel, Forfarshire.
White, T., Esq., late of Gayfield Square.
White, Mr, Over Fingask, Perthshire.
Willmott and Co., seedsmen, Lewisham.
Wilson, Mr, Sweet Hope, Musselburgh.
Wrench, Jacob and Sons, seedsmen, Lon-
don.
Wright, A., seedsman, Edinburgh.
Wright, G., Esq. Edinburgh.

Young, Mr, land-surveyor, Perth.
Young, P., Esq., London.

Omitted.
Brown, T. C. & E., nurserymen, Slough.

( 417 )

INDEX.

Abies alba, .... Page 367
balsamea, . . . 373

balsamea longifolia, . 374

canadensis, . . 377, 378

carpatica, . . . 371

clanbrassiliana, . . 370

comnninis, . . . 365

pendula, . . 366
foliis variegatis, 367
Douglasii, . . . 375

Dumosa, .... 379
excelsa, .... 365
Fraserii, .... 374
Menziesii, • . . . 378
nigra, .... 366

orientalis, . . . 371

pendula, .... 370
Picea, . . . .371
Picea tortiiosa, . . 377

pichta, .... 378
religiosa, .... 375
rubra, . . . 368, 369

Smithiana vel morinda, 368, 369

spectabilis,
taxifolia, .
VVebbiana,
Achillea millefolium,

moschata,
iEthiisa Cynapium,
Agaricus campestris,
Agrimonia eupatoria,
Agrimony, common,
Agrostis alba,

canina, .
capillaris,
compiessa,
dispar,
latifolia,
stolonifera,
spica venti,
vulgaris,
Aira,

alpina,
caespitosa,

lutescens
flexuosa,
Alectoria jubata,
Allium porrum, .
Almond,
Alopecurus,

agrestis,
geniculatus,
pratensis,
Alstroemeria,

376

. 379

. 376

. 196

. 319

. 410
306, 322
306, 323

. 133

. 134

. 135

. 133

. 134

. 133

. 135

. 134

. 139

. 140

. 139

. 140

. 312

. 410

. 294

. 115

. 116

. 115

. 235

Alstroemeria ovata,
Alstroemer's lily,

eatable rooted,
Althcca eannabina,

narbonensia, .
officinalis,
rosea,
American earth-nut, .
Ammophila arundinacea,
Amygdalus communis,
Anethum foeniculum, .
graveolens, .
Angelica archangelica,

common,
Anthemis tinctoria,
Anthoxanthum, .

alpinum,
odoratum,
Anthyllis vulneraria, .
Apargia autumnalis,
Apium graveolens,

petroselinum,
Apocynum cannabinum,
Apple trees,

select list of,
Arachis hypogaea,
Araucaria

brasiliana, .
Cunninghamii,
excelsa,
imbricata, .
Arbor vitae, American or common
Chinese, .
cypress-like African,
jointed Barbary,
plaited Nootka,
pyramidal Italian, .
Tartarian pendulous,
thick-leaved Japan,
Areca Catechu,
Arrhenatherum, .

avenaceum,
bulbosum,
Arundo communis,
donax,
phragmites,
Asclepias Syriaca,
Ash tree, common,
Asmart, spotted or bistort,
Asparagus officinalis, .
Asperula tinctoria,
Astragalus glycyphyllus,

boeticus,
A\ena, ....

H h

Page 236
. 235

. 236

. 280

. 294

. 132

. 294

. 319

. 305

. 136

. 137

. 136

168, 307

196, 199

319, 409

1.99, 319

. 279

311, 402

. 404

. 294

. 395

. 396

396

395

393

394

294

. 116

. 117

. 147

. 148

. 277

311, 323

. 306

. 409

, 303

. 168

. 322

43, 135

418

INDEX.

Avena brevis,
fatua,

flavescens, .
nuda,

orientalis, .
sativa,
sterilis,

Balm, common, .

Barley, African, .
Ann at,
battledore,
bear, common
Bengal, .
big or rough,
black winter,
chancellor,
chevalier,
Dunlop,

English common two-rowed, 39

f olden, .... 41

limmalaya, naked . 37
Italian, . . . .41

long-eared, ... 38
Morocco, . . .35

Nepaul naked, . . 37

wheat, . . 37

Pomeranian, ... 37

Putney, fan, or sprat, . 38

Royston, ... 41

Siberian, ... 3(5
four or six-rowed

naked, . . 36

Stain's, .... 40

square, .... 34

Tangier, ... 35

true six-rowed, . . 37

two-rowed black, . . 41

naked, . . 42

winter four-rowed white, 34

white, ... 37

Barley grass, .... 144

Bean, 62

Alexandrian field, . . 64
Child's new early long-pod, 65
common tick, . . .63
Scotch or horse, . 62
dark red, .... 67
Dutch long pod, ... 66
garden, .... 66
nangdown long-pod, . . 65
harrow tick, .... 63
Lisbon early, ... 65
Mazagan early, ... 64
new large red or scarlet, . 63
nonpareil or Genoa green long-
pod, 67

pigeon, 64

purple field, .... 64

red or scarlet blossomed, . 68

Sandwich early Mom, . . 65

Spanish Mumford, . . 66

Toker, ..... 66

Turkey, .... 66

violette, .... 67

white-blossomed, ... 67

white-blossomed long- pod, 67

winter, 63

52
54
135
53
51
44
53

298
35
40
38
34
35
34
35
41
39
40

Bean, Windsor green, . . , &
red or scarlet, . 67
broad white, . . 66

Bed-straw, 302

common yellow-flowered, 303
Beech, common, . . . 294

Beet, 257, 258

Basanno, . . . 260

hlood-red, .... 260
blood-red new short-rooted, 260
common or marbled mangel-
wurzel, .... 259
large red garden, . . . 2G0
Neapolitan turnip-rooted, . 261
new black or mulberry, . 260

red-skinned, with white flesh, 259
turnip-rooted mangel-wurzel, 260
white mangel-wurzel, . . 260
yellow mangel-wurzel, . 259

Bent grass, 132

brown, . . .134

creeping-rooted common, 134
florin or marsh, . . 133
silky or windward spiked, 1.35
switch, squitch, or quick, 134

Berberis vulgaris.

311

Berberry, common.

311

Bertholatia excelsa.

294

Beta,

257

vulgaris.

258

campestris, .

259

hortensis, 260

307

,323

Betel nut or cabbage-tree.

294

Betula alba.

311

lenta.

323

Bidens tripartita,
trifid,

305

Bindweed, ,

233

large white.

233

red-skinned.

233

Spanish or sweet potato

233

yellow-skinned, .

233

Birch, common, .

311

Bird's-foot trefoil.

162

common.

162

greater.

162

Bixa orellana.

313

Blaeberry, ....

311

Boxwood, common.

322

J^assica campestris rutabaga.

184

189

campestris, olifer, .

189,

283

elonga, .

283

napus.

189

oleracea.

184

precox, .

190,

283

rapa, . .190

283

,240

Brazil nut, ....

294

Briza media.

138

Broom, ....

182,

183

Brome grass.

140

meadow.

141

rye-seeded.

141,

307

smooth.

142

soft or downy.

142

tall or giant, .

141

Bromus, ....

140

giganteus.

141

mollis.

142

Bromus, pratensis,

141

/IU.A..

Cedar, Lycian,

400

racemosus,

142

Phoenician,

400

secalinus,

141,

307

Sharp,

400

Buckthorn,

307

Cedrus,

379

alder,

308

deodara, .

380

common.

307

Libani,

379

narrow-leaved .

308

Celery,

409

rock, .

308

Cereal grasses,

yellow-berried,

308

Chenopodium quinoa.

Buckwheat, or Persicaria, .

Cherophyllum sylvestre.

307

common.

Chiccorj', succory,

193

notch-seeded,

common.

193,

322

perennial.

endive, common,

194

Tartarian, .

Chick pea, . .

Bunias orientalis,

192

Chickling vetch.

Burdock, small, .

306

Cicer arietinum.

Burnet, common,

197

Cichorium Intybus,

193,

323

Buxus sempervirens, .

322

endivium,
Cinquefoil, common, .

194
307

Cabbage, ....

184,

409

Clover, ....

149

Cape or drumhead

large

Alexandrian or Egyptian, .

156

Savoy,

186

biennial red.

151

common or wild.

184

common red.

149

cow or tree,

185

cultivated red, .

150

early smooth-lea\ed

rape

Duke of Norfolk's cow

-grass

,151

of Germany,

190

hop trefoil.

157

German greens, green, red.

Hungarian,

158

or purple,

186

hybrid or bastard.

153

kail, common plain leaved

,185

long-spiked purple-headed.

158

kohl rabi.

187

Moliner's, .

156

Scotch drumhead or

late.

186

oval-headed or Alpine,

154

summer rape, wild Colsat

perennial red.

150

or Colza,

189

of Argov

le, .

151

thoustind-headed, .

185

of Germany,

151

turnip rape, rough-leaved,

190

scarlet-crimson or Italian,

154

turnip-rooted,

239

strawberry-headed, .

157

winter rape, or cole-

seed,

189

starry trefoil,

158

Caesalpina brasiliensis,

312

villoiis-stalked, .

158

crista.

312

)'ellow.

152

echinata,

312

white or Dutch,

159

sappan,

312

3'ellow suckling,

157

Camelina sativa.

287

zig-zag clover or marl

Trass,

153

Campanula rotundifolia,

307

Club rush, tall or bull rush.

315

Cannabis sativa, .

274

290

Cnicus arvensis, .

197

Canary grass.

147

Cocoa-nut tree, .

294

Cape,

Cocos nucifera.

294

common,

Cochlearia Armoracia,

320

bristle-pointed.

Cocksfoot-grass,

118

reed-like,

147

rough or orchard

-grass

Caraway, common.

•298,

317

of America,

118

Carpiniis betulus.

311

Comarum palustre.

307

Carrot, ....

265

Comfrey, rough or prickly.

197

Altringham,

266

Conium maculatum.

319

early-horn or Dutch,

267

Convolvulus Batatas, .

233

large white green top.

267

Coreopsis tinctoria.

305

long red or Surrey, .

266

verticillata.

305

orange large field.

266

Coriandrum sativum, .

298

318

red or purple-coloured

267

CoriandePj common, .

298,

318

short orange.

267

Coronilla, ....

167

specimens of,

268

varia, . .

168

Carthamus tinctorius,

304,

306

Corylus Avellana,

294

Carum Carui,

298,

317

Cotton, ....

279

Catabrosa aquatica.

129,

130

Cow-weed, . . • .

307

Catstail grass.

113

Crambe maritima,

192

Cedar, Barbadoes,

400

Crata:gus Oxycantha,

323

Bermuda,

400

Crocus sativus.

305

Cedar, Deodar or Indian. .

380

vernus.

306

Lebanon,

379

versicolor, .

306

H h 2

4Ji>0

INDEX.

•20;

18:
18,
•23G,

Crown vetch.

Crown vetch, various-flowered,

Cruciferous and other herbage an

forage plants,
Cucumis sativa.
Cucumber, .
Cucurbita,

Pepo, .
Cudbear,

Cuminum Cyminum,
Cumin, common.
Currant, black,
Curcuma longa, .
Cupressus,

Busaco,
glauca, .
norizontalis,
lusitanica,
pendula,
sempervirens
stricta,
thyoides,
Cydonia japonica,
Cynosurus cristatus,
Cytisus vel spartium,

Scoparium,
Cyperus esculentus.
Cypress, common,
deciduous.

North American deciduous,
pendulous branched dec"

duous, .
Tortugal or cedar of Goa,
white American,

Dacrydium Podocarpus,
Dactylis glomerata,
Dammara australis,
Dandelion, common, .
Danthonia strigosa.
Date palm, .
Daucus Carota, .

hortensis.
Day lily.

Delphinium Consolida,
Devil's bit, .
Dill, common,
Dipsacus fullonum,
Diospyros ebenaster, .
Dogsbane,

Canadian hemp,
Dogstail grass, crested,
Dolichos,

birds-foot,

Catiang,

Egyptian or black- seede

lablab,

long-podded,

sesquipedalis,

small,

soja,

unguiculatus,
Dye plants, or plants yielding co

louring matter,
Dyer's broom or greenweed
chamomile,
woad,

167
168

184
407
407
408
■202
311
319
318
323
313
390
392
392
390
391
392
390
390
391
407
137
3-22
322
237
390
392
392

393
391
391

397

118

397

323

294

265

266

199

307

306

319

313

279

137

, 93

298
310
305
192

Ebony,
Elder, dwarf,
Elymus,

arenarius,
sibiricus,
Empetrum nigrum,
E{|uisetum hyemale.
Erica vulgaris,
Ervum, .

ervilia,

ervilia sativa,

hirsutum, .

lens, .

monanthos.
Euphorbia lathyrus.

like.

Faba vulgaris arvensis,
hortensis,
Fagus sylvatica, ,
Fennel,
Fescue-grass,

creeping,
fine-leaved,
hard,

meadow, .
reed-wood,
sand,

sheep's, .
spiked ryegrass
tall,

various-leaved,
Festuca,

arenaria,
calamaria,
duriuscula,
elatior,
heterophj-lla,
loliacea,
ovina,
pratensis,
rubra,
tenuifolia.
Fibrous plants, or plants c

ted for their fibre, .
Fir-tree,

American silver, or balm

ofGilead,
black American spruce,
Canadian or hemlock

spruce,
Carpathian spruce,
common or Norway spruce, 365
crooked-branched silver, 373
Douglas's, . . . 375
Fischer's or Siberian pitch

silver, . . . 377

Eraser's or double balsam, 374
large bracteated, . . 374
long-leaved balmof Gilead, 374
Lord Clanbrassil's spruce, 370
Menzies's or warted-branch

. 313

. 307

. 130

. 131

. 130

. 311

. 316

. 322

94, 180

. 180

. 181

. 94

. 95

. 293

. 62

. 66

294, 401

. 319

. 119

. 121

. 123

. 121

. 119

. 123

. 122

123

119

120

119

122

123

121

120

119

123

119

121

123

Itiva-

271
364

373
367

378
371

ed,

oriental spruce,
red American spruce,
Scotch,

silver common,
Smyth's Himmalayan

spruce.

378
371
368
328
371

369

INDEX.

421

Fir-tree, variegated-leaved Norway

spruce, . . . ou/
weeping-branched Norway

spruce,

366

Webb's purple-coned Hin-

malayan silver, .

376

white American spruce.

368

yew-leaved.

377

Flax, ......

271

Alpine, ....

274

bundled-flowered.

274

common, ....

271

great-flowered.

274

hairy,

274

Narbonne, ....

274

oval-headed variety,

272

perennial, ....

273

Spanish, ....

274

tallest variety, common.

272

upright, ....

274

white-flowered.

272

Flax lily,

277

New Zealand,

277

Fool's parsley, ....

319

Foxtail grass, ....

115

jointed.

115

meadow,

115

slender.

116

Fraxinus excelsior, . 311,3'23,

401

French honeysuckle, .

166

Fusiform rooted plants.

237

Fustic,

313

Galega ofiicinalis.

167

Galium Aparine, ....

323

verum, ....

303

Genista pilosa, ....

183

tinctoria, . . 183

310

Gentiana acaulis.

322

lutea, ....

322

purpurea,

322

Glechoma hederacea, .

322

Glyceria,

127

aquatica.

129

fluitans.

128

Goat's rue, officinal.

167

Gold of pleasure.

287

Golden rod, common dwarf.

323

sweet-scented.

323

Golden thistle, ....

305

Goosefoot, black varieties.

white, . .

Gossypium,

279

Gourd, -202

408

pumpkin,

202

Gyrophora deusta.

312

pustulata.

312

Gramineous, herbage and forage

plants,

101

Grass seeds, kinds & quantities fo

sowing down land.

205

weight of, per imperia

bushel,

203

Greenweed, dyers',

183

hairy.

183

Gromwell, officinal.

323

Ground-ivy, ....

322

iematoxylon, campechianum, . 'M2

Hair-grass, tufted, . . . 139

yellowish, tufted, . 159

Hair-grass, waved or zig-zag, . 140

Hamiltonia oleifera, . . . 294

Harebell, common, . . . 307

Hawkweed, narrow- leaved, . 305

Hawthorn, common, . . . 323

Hazel, common, .... 294

Hedeia Helix, . . . .401

Hedge-nettle, . . . .306

Hedysarum coronarium, . .166

Helianthus annuus, . . . 292

Indicus, . . . 292

tuberosus, . . 233

Hemlock, common, . . . 319

Hemerocallis flava, . . 198,199

fulva, . . 199

Hemp, common, . . . 274,290

Hesperis matronalis, . . 192, 288

Hieracium, 196

umbellatum, . . 305

Hill-mustard, .... 192

Holcus lanatus, . . . .142

mollis, .... 143

Hollyhock, 280

Hop, common, . . . 321, 275

Hordeum, .... 33, 144

distichon, ... 38

nigrum, . 41

nudum, . 42

gymno-hexastichon, . 36

hexastichon, . . 37

Nepalense, ... 37

pratense, . . . 144

trifurcatum, . . 37

vulgare, ... 33

var. nudum, . 36

Zeocriton, . . .38

Horehound, common, . . 298

water, . . . 307

Hornbeam, common, . . . 311

Horticultural productions, . 402

Horse-radish, .... 320

Horse-tail, 316

Humulus, ..... 321
Hypericum perfoliatum, . . 307
Hyssop, common, . . . 298

Hyssopus officinalis, . . . 298

Implements and models,

Indian corn, Cobbett's,

Egyptian or ch

Indigofera Anil, .
argentea,
tinctoria.

Iris, common yellow, .
Pseud-acorus, .

Isatis tinctoria,

Juglans regia.

Juniper, Siberian tall,
Swedish,
Virginian,

Juniperus Barbadensis,
Bermudiana,
Canadensis,
excelsa,
Lycia,
oxycedrus,
Phoenicia,

cken.

410
57
57

312
. 312
. 323
. 323
. 323
192,299
294, 311
. 399
. 400
. 399
. 400
. 400
. 399
. 399
. 400
. 400
. 4(t0

422

INDEX.

Juniperus suecica, . . .400
Virginiaua, . . .399
Jvidney-bean, .... 85
Battersea, ... 87
black speckled, . . 92
Canadian, or round Ame-
rican, ... 88
Canterbury, dwarf, . 87
Chinese common dwarf, 90
light or dun, 88
round-seeded, 90
common white rimners, 90
dark dun, or liver-colour-
ed, . . . .88
Dutch dwarf, . . 87
dun and yellowish drawf, 88
dwarf sabre, . . 87
speckled, . . 89
flageolet shaped . . 87
flesh-coloured, . . 89
French tall, pearl, or

Turkey peas, . . 91
Fulmer, spotted, . 89

German sabre runner, 91
improved French pole, 91
Jersey dwarf, . . 89
large runner or pole, . 92
light-dun, cream,or straw-
coloured, . . 88
Lima, or scimitar podded, 92
Magpie, ... 89
negro, or black dwarf, 90
hew imperial French,

pearl, or Turkey peas, 91
new large white runners, 92
painted lady runner, . 92
purple speckled, . . 91
red Prague, . . 92
red speckled, . . 89
round white common, 86
scarlet runners, . 92
small round yellowdwarf, 88
Soison's dwarf, . . 86
tall, . . 90
white Dutch runners, . 92
white seeded dwarf, . 86
zebra speckled, . . 89
Kidney vetch, common, . 168, 307
Kohl-rabi, 187

Lactuca crispa, .... 195

palmata, . . . 195

sativa, . . . .195

Lapsana communis, . . .197
Larch, ...... 382

Archangel or Russian, . 389
black, or pendulous branch-
ed American, . . 387
compact or crowded branch-
ed, .... 386

Dahurian, . . . 389

European common, . 386

intermediate Altayan, . 389
loose-headed European, . 386
small-fruited, or red Ameri-
can, . . . .388

w-eeping European, . 386

Larix, 382

Americana, . . . 388
Archangelica, . . . 389

Larix, Dahurica, .

. 389

Europsea,

. 382

Larix, Europsea communis.

. 386

compacta.

. 386

laxa,

. 386

pendula, .

. 386

intermedia,

. 389

microcarpa,

. 388

pendula, .

. 387

Larkspur, common.

. 307

Lathyrus, ....

. 178

alatus.

. 180

amphicarpos,

. 180

angulatus, .

. 180

Aphaca,

. 180

auriculatus.

. 180

Cicera,

. 179

Clymenum, .

. 180

cornutus,

. 180

hirsutus,

. 179

Italicus,

. 180

latifolius.

. 178

Lusitanicus,

. 180

Nissolia,

. 180

pratensis,

. 178

sativus.

. 96

sylvestris, .

. 178

tuberosus, .

. 236

Lavender, common.

. 297

Lavandula spica.

. 297

Lavatera arborea,

. 280

Lecanora candelaria, .

. 312

parellus,

. 312

tartarea,

. 311

tartarica,

. 312

Ledum palustre.

. 323

Leek,

. 410

Leguminous plants.

. 62

Leguminous herbage and for.

ige

plants.

. 149

Ligusticum levisticum.

. 319

Leontodon Taraxacum, . IJ

)6, 323

Lepraria chlorina.

. 312

Lettuce, cultivated.

. 195

Linum alpinum.

. 274

fasciculatum.

. 274

grandiflorum,
nirsutum,

. 274

narbonense, .

274

perenne.

. 273

strictum.

. 274

suffruticosum.

. 274

usitatissimum, . 25

'1,289

altissimur

n, 272

capsula 0

ta,

272

flore albo,

272

Liquorice, common.

. 325

Liquortia oflicinalis.

325

Liriodendron tulipifera,
Lithospermum officinale, .

400

328

Lolium arvensc, .

112

Italicum,

106

perenne, .

102

temulentum,

112

Loosestrife, common, .

306

Lotus corniculatus.

162

major.

162

villosus, . . . .

163

Lovage, ....

319

INDEX.

423

Lupine, white, .... 97

yellow, .... 97

Lupinus albus, . . . .97

luteus, . . . .97

Lycopodium clavatum, . . 312

complanatum, . 31'2

Selago, . . . 312

Lycopus Europffius, . . . 307

Lyme-grass, sand or sea-side, . 131

Siberian, . . . 130

Lysimachia vulgaris, . . . 306

Madura, 313

aurantiaca, • . 408

tinctoria, . . . 313

Madder, dyer's, . . . .301

Mangel wurzel, . . . , 259

Marjoram, common, . . 298, 307

Mahogany, mountain, . . . 323

Marrubium vulgare, . . . 298

Marsh- Labrador, tea plant, . 323

Marsh-mallow, common, . . 280

Marsh-trefoil, or buckbean, . 322

Jleadow grass, annual, . . 127

flat, or compressed, 126

nerved, . . 125

rough-stalked, . 125

smooth-stalked, . 126

wood, . . .124

Meadow sweet, or queen of the

meadow, 201

Medicago aculeate, . . . 161

arenaria, . . . 161

circinata, . . . 161

cretacea, . . . 161

echinus, . . . 161

elegans, . . .161

falcata, . . . 161

flutinosa, . . . 161

lelix, . . .161

lupulina, . . . 159

maculata, . . . 161

media, . . . 160

murex, • . . 161

muricata, • . . 161

prostrataj • . .161

sativa, • . .159

var. rustica, . 160

scutellata, • . . 161

terebellum, . . 161

tribuloides, . . . 161

uncinata, . . . 161

Medick, or Lucerne, . . . 153
black nonesuch, or yellow

clover,
brownish-flowered
intermediate,
purple,
yellow sickle,
Medlar, common,
Melic grass, ciliated, .

one-flowered, .
Siberian, or tall.

Melica,

altissima,
ciliata, ,
nutans, .
uniflora, ,

Melilot, blue-flowered.

159
160
160
159
161
407
145
144
145
144
145
145
145
144
164

Melilot, common, . . . 163

Siberian, or long-rooted, 164

Melilotus cccrulea, . . . 164

leucantha, . . . 164

macrorhiza, . . 164

officinalis, . . . 163

Melissa oflicinalis, . . . 298

Mentha Piperita, . . .296

viridis, . . . .296

Menyanthes trifoliata, . . 322

Mespilus Germanica, . . 407

Mignonette, wild, . . .300

Milfoil, common, . . . 196

musk, .... 196

Milk vetch, 322

sweet, . . . 168

Millet, black-seeded, ... 58

common, . . . .58

Indian, . . 60

German, .... 59

frey-seeded, ... 58
ndian, .... 60
Italian, . . . .59
red-seeded, ... 59
small whitish-seeded, . 59
white-seeded, . ; .58
whitish Indian, . . 61
Mint, pepermint, . . . 296

spearmint, . . . 296

Miscellaneous specimens, . 412

Molinia, ccerulea, . . .145

Mushroom, common, . . .410
Mustard, black, brown, or red, 285, 319
corn, or charlock, . 2;]6
white, . . . 285, 319
Myrica Gale, . . . .311

Myrrh, 319

Myrrhis odorata, . . . 319

Myrtle, Scotch, . . . .000

Nettle, Canadian, . , _ . 276
common, or great stinging, 276
hemp, .... 276

Nicotiana, rustica, . . . 324
Tabacum, . . . 324

Nipplewort common, . . . 197

Oak, common, .... 311
dyers', . . . .310

quercitron, or Ameri-
can, .... 310
Oat, Angus early, ... 46
grey, ... 47
late, ... 47
animal, on fly, ... 53
Archangel, .... 50
Argyleshire, small, . . 55
Blainsley, .... 47
blue major, . . .46
common cultivated, . . 44
or old black, . 50
Cupar-grange, ... 47
Danish, .... 48
Danthonia, or bristle-pointed, (54
Drummond, ... 48
dun, common, ... 49
winter, ... 50
Essex new early, . . 46
French potato, . . .44

424

INDEX.

Oat, Friesland, or Dutch, . • 49

Georgian, ... 45

Hopetoun, .... 45

Irish common, ... 48

Kent earl}', .... 45

Kildrummie, ... 47

London don, ... 48

Macbiehill, ... 48

naked, common, . . 53

Poland, .... 48

potato, .... 44

red, dun, or black, . . 49

Essex, .... 49

Macbiehill, ... 48

Riga black, or brown, . 50

short, 52

small naked, ... 53
Strathallan, . . .46
Tartarian black. . . 51
common white, 51
early white, . 52
Hungarian, or one-
seeded, . 51
three-grained, white, . . 49

wild, 54

Oat-grass, bulbous-rooted, or knot-

ed, . . . . 117
filirous- rooted, . .117

tall IIG

yellowish, . . .135

Oil plants, or plants yielding oil, 283

Oily grain, 293

Oil-nut, 294

Olea Europaa, .... 294

Olive tree, 294

Onobrychis sativa, . . . 165

bifera, . . 166

Origanum vulgare, . . 298, 307

Oryza mutica, .... 61

sativa, .... 61

Oxalis crenata, .... 234

tetraphylla, . . . 235

Palma Christi, or castor oil plant, 294

Panicum altissimum, . . .146

miliaceum, ... 58

Papaver somniferum, . . . 290

album, 291, 326

olifer, . 290

Parmelia saxatilis, . . . 312

Parsley, common, . . 199,319

Parsnip, common, or wild, . . 269

common long-rooted, 269, 318

Jert^ey long, . . . 269

turnip-rooted, . . 270

Passiflora ca?rulca, . . . 4(t8

Paspalum stoloniferum, . . 146

Pastinaca sativa, . . 269, 319

Pear trees, select list of, . . 406

Pease, American crown, white, . 81

red, or purple, 71

Australian, purple-podded, 71

Bishop's early dwarf, . 75

blue Prussian, ... 74

Botany Bay, ... 77

branching, white, . . 84

Carolina, . . . .73

common dwarf crooked, sugar, 82

grey. . . . 69

Pease, common tall crooked, . 8J
Dantzic, .... 74
Dutch dwarf, sugar, . . 83
dwarf blue, or green imperial, 75
marrowfat, . . 78
prolific, ... 78
early Charlton, . . 72

dwarf Brest, . . 76
frame, double-blossom-
ed, . . . .77
frame, single blossomed, 77
golden Hotspur, . 78
green marrowfat, . 79
Warwick, ... 77
Fishamend's sugar, . . 84
French early, ... 84
im|>crial, tall, . 83
marrowfat, . . 79
small, white oryellow, 72
grey Hastings, . ." . 70
Groom's new superb, . 76

grotto, or mossy-podded, . 82
Knight's dwarf green wrinklcd,80
marrow, . 80
white wrinkled
marrow, . 80
improved white wrink-
led, ... 80
green wrinkled, 80
white wrinkled, 80
large egg, or bean, . . 74
late dwarf sugar, or tama-
rind, . . .83
green marrow, . . 79
wvker, ... 83
matchless marrowfat, . 79
magnum bonum, . . 81
Marlborough, ... 70
Marquis of Hastings, . 81
new tree, . . . .81
nimble, .- . . . 77
nimble hog, early, . . 70
painted lady, crown, . . 72
partridge grey maple, . 70
pearl, .... 74
Prussian white, ... 73
race- horse, ... 84
red American eatable podded, 83
or purple flowered eat-
able podded, . . 83
rose, or crown, ... 81
Rounceval giant grey, . 71
white, '. .81
royal dwarf, ... 78
scimitar blue, ... 75
Spanish, .... 74
dwarf blue, . . 76
early, . . 76
late, . . 76
tall blue, or green imperial, 75
marrowfat, ... 78
Vilmorin's sugar, . . 83
Waterloo, .... 82
Wellington, ... 81
white flower, eatable-podded, 82
sickle, ... 73
winter field, . . .72
M'oodford's green marrow,
or nonpareil, ... 7!*

INDEX.

425

Phoenix dactylifera, . . . 294

Phalaris arundinacea, . . 147

Canariensis, . . . 56

Capensis, . .. . 56

paradoxa, ... 56

Phaseolus lunatus, ... 92

multiflorus, . . 92

vulgaris, ... 86

Phellandrium aquaticiim, . . 319

Phleum nodosum, . . .114

pratense, . . .113

Phormium tenax, . . . 277

Phragmitis comnuinis, . . 307

Phytolacca decandra, . . . 307

Pine-tree, 338

Aleppo, . . . 344
American long-leaved, 349
Austrian black, . . 338
Bhotan or Nepaul, . 363
Canary, . . . 357
Cembra stone, . . 358
common wild, . . 328
Corsican, . . . 336
dwarf, .... 333
Fischer's, . . . 333
frankincense, or lobloU)', 351
Gerard's, or short-leaved

Indian, . . . 356
Haganoe, . . . 330
heavy-wooded, . . 354
hedge-hog fruited North

American, . . 357

hooked-coned wild, . 329
horizontal-branched

wild, . . . 328

Lambert's, or gigantic, 361
long-leaved East Indian, 355
maritime, . . . 345
Masson's, or Indian, . 348
Mexican rough-branch-
ed, . . . . 364
New Jersey, . . 346

Pallas, or Tartarian, . 339
Pinaster, or cluster, . 341
pitch black, or three-
leaved Virginian, . 352
pitch, . . . .347
pond, or foxtail, . 353

prickly coned, or Table

Mountain, . . 347

Pyrenees, of the . 335

hook-fruited, 334

Riga, . . . .330

Sabine'i, or great prickly

coned, . . . 353

; Scotch fir, . . . 328

short-leaved, . . 364

twisted-leaved 329

wild, . . 329

Siberian stone, . . 360

Sir Charles Lemon's, 343

Sir Joseph Banks', or

scrub-pine of America, 345
spreading-leaved Mexi-
can, .... 357
stone, . . . 344

Swiss stone, or apher-

nousli, . . . 358
twisted-lea\ed Mexican, 357

Pine-tree, variable, two and three-
leaved yellow, . 349
West Indian, . . 364
Weymouth short leaved, 363
Weymouth, or white

American, . . 360

yellow leaved American, 357

Pinus altissima, .... 337

Arabica,

Australis, .

Austriaca, .

Banksiana,

Brutia,

Calabria,

Canariensis,

Caraminica,

Cembra,

Cembra helvetic
Sibirica,

echinata,

excelsa,

Fischerii, .

Genevensis,

Gerardiana,

Halepensis,

horizontalis,

inops,

Lambertiana,

Laricio,

leiophylla,

Lemoniana,

longifolia,

lutea,

maritima, .

Massoniana,

mitis,

montana, .

Montezumse,

monticola,

Mugho,

Neoza,

Nepalensis,

occidentalis,

Pallasiana,

palustris.

Pinaster,

pinea,

ponderosa,

Pumilio,

pungens,

Pyrenaica,

resinosa,

rigida,

Rom ana,

rubra,

Sabiniana,

sanguinea.

serotina.

Sinensis,

Strobus,

svlvestris, .

Tseda,

Taida alopecuroides,

Teocote,

uncinata,

variabilis,
Pisum sativum arvense.

. 348

. 350

. 338

. 829

. 336

. 337

. 357

. 337

. 358

. 360

. 357

. 363

. 333

. 348

. 356

. 344

. 329

. 346

. 361

. 336

. 364

. 343

. 3.55

. 357
341, 345

. 348

. 349

. 333

. 364

. 363

. 333

. 357

. 348

. 364

. 339

. 350

. 341

. 343

. 354

. 333

. 347

. 335

. 347

. 352

. 337

. 348

. 353

. 334

. 353

. 348
349, 360

. 328

. 351

. 357

. 334

. 349

. 69

arvense vel hortense, 72

hortense. . . T'l

426

INDEX.

Pisuin sativum saccharatum, . 82
Plantago lanceolata, . . 200

psyllium, . . . 315
Plantain Hea-wort, . . .315
rib-grass, . . . 200
Plants used in the arts and manu-
factures, . . .313
cultivated for economical
purposes, . . .317
Platanus occidentalls, . . 401

Poa annua, 127

compressa, .... 126

nemoralis, . . . . 124

nervata, .... 125

pratensis, .... 126

trivialis, .... 125

Polygonum cymosum, . . 99

emarginatum, . . 99

Fagopyrum, . . .98

Persicaria, . . 306

'I'ataricum, . . 99

Poke weed, V^irginian or American, 307

Popp)', cultivated garden, . . 291

oil or grev^ . . . 2.90

white, '. . . .291

Potatoes,

Class 1, earliest garden sorts
adapted for forcing on
account of their dwarf
habit of growth . . 214
Class 2, earliest rardcn sorts
not adapted for forcing
on account of their tall
habit of growth, . .214
Class 3, second early garden

sorts, . . . .216
Class 4, early field sorts, the
leaves and stems of which
(under ordinary circum-
stances) arc decayed by
the time they are usu-
ally taken up, and the
tubers of which are then
fit for use, . . . 216
Class 5, late field sorts, the fo-
liage of which, in ordi-
nary seasons, does not
decay until injured by
frost, and the tubers of
which generally require
to be kept for some time
before being fit for using
to the greatest advan-
tage, .... 222
Class 6, late large prolific sorts
more particularly adapt-
ed for feeding cattle, . 222
Class 7, late unprolific curious

garden sorts, . . 224

Sorts not included, . . 230

Poterium Sanguisorba, . . 197

Prangos pabularia, . . . 202

Protea aigentea, . . .401

Prunus domestica, . . .311

Lusitanica, . . . 401

spinosa, .... 323

Pterocarpus santilinus, . .313

Pvrus communis, . . . 406

malus, . . . 311,402

Quaking-grass, common, . . 138

Quercus infectoria, . . . 310

Robur, . . . .311

tinctoria, . . . 310

Quince, common, . . . 407

Radisli, common, . . . 286

wild, or jointed-podded

charlock, . . . 287

Ragwort, common, . . . 305

Rape, summer, .... 283

Hungarian, . . . 283

Raphanus Kaplianistrum, . . 287

sativus, . . . 286

sativus oleifer, . . 286

Red Brazil wood, . . . 313

Sander's wood, . . . 313

wood, 312

Reed, common, . . .147, 307

cultivated, . . . 148

Reseda Luteola, . . . 300

Rhamnus catharticus, . .. 307

Clusii, . . . .308

erythroxylon, . . 308

fraiigula, . . .308

infectoria, . . . 308

saxatilis, . . . 308

Rheum compactum, . . . 326"

palmatum, . . , 326

raponticum, . . 326

Tataricum, . . . 326

undulatum, . . . 326

Rhubarb, buck or waved-leaved, 326

common. . . . 326

palmate leaved, . 326

I'artarian, . . . 326

thick-leaved, . . 326

Rhus coriaria, .... 309

glabra, . . . .309

Ribes nigrum, .... 323

Rice, common, .... 61

East Indian, . . .61

mountain, .... 61

Ricinus communis, . . . 294

Rocella tinctoria, . . . 312

llocket, common, . . . 288

or Dame's violet, 192

Rosmarinus officinalis, . . 2.98

Rosemary, 298

Rubia tinctoria, . . . 301

Rudbeckia laciniata, . . . 196
Rue, meadow, .... 307
Rumex Acetosa, .... 307
Rush, eatable-rooted sedge, . 237
Rye, common or winter, . . 31
midsummer, . . . 32

perennial, .... 33
spring, .... 32

Rye-grass, annual, . . . 103
beardless darnel of Bri-
tain, . . .112
bearded darnel, . 112
common, . . . 102
perennial or
Scotch, . 102
Devonshire evergreen, 104
Italian, . . .106
MoUe's, . . .104
Pacey's, . . . 103

INDEX.

Ryegrass, PoUexfen's, . • 104

Russeirs, . . .104

spreading, . . • 104

Stickney's, . . 104

thick-stalked, . . 105
True annual beardless

darnel, . . . 113

Whitworth's. . . 103

Safflowcr, dyers' or bastard Saf-

f/on, . . . .304

Saffron crocus, . . . • 305

Sage, common, .... 323

Sainfoin, common or cultivated, 105

St John's wort, .... 307

Salix pentandra, . . .311

Salsola Kali, . . . .314

sativa, .... 314

Soda, . . . .314

Saltwort or soda plant, . . 314

common or prickly, . 314

fleshy-leaved, . . 314

cultivated, . . . 314

Salvia officinalis, . . . 3"23

Sambucus Ebulus, . . . 307

Scabiosa succisa, . . . 30(}

Schubertia disticha, . . • 392

pendula, . W3

Scirpus lacustris, . . . 315

Scolymus hispanicus, . 305, 306

Sea-cale, 192

Sea-reed, or mat-grass, . . 132

Secale Cereale, .... 31

fragile, .... 33

Senecio Jacobsea, . . . 305

Serratula tinctoria, . . . 305

Sesamum orientale, . . . 293

Setaria Germanica, ... 59

Italica, .... 59

Sida abutilon, .... 281

broad-leaved, . . . 281

Sinapisalba, . . . 285,319

arvensis, .... 286

nigra, . . . 285, 319

Sloe-tree, common, . . . 323

Soft-grass, creeping, . . . 143

woolly, or Yorkshire

fog, . . . 142

Solanum tuberosum, . . . 213

Solidago odora, .... 323

Virgaurea, . . . 323

Solorina crocea, .... 312

Sonchus arvensis, . . . 196'

oleraceus, . . . 196

Sorghum bicolor, ... 61

vulgare, ... 60

Sorrel, 307

Soutliern pine, Brazil, . - 396

Chili, . . . 395
Moreton Bay, or

Cuningham's, 397
Norfolk island, 396

Spanish broom, common, . . 281
Spartium junceum, . . 281,282
Speedwell officinal, . . . 323
Spergula arvensis, . . .201

arvensis ramosus, . 201

Spiraea Ulmaria, . . . 201

Spurge caper, . . . .273

Spurrey, branching, . . . 201

common or yarr, . . 20J

Stachys sylvaticus, . . . 306

Sticta pulmonacea, . . . 312

Sumach, common, . . . 309

Sunflower, common, . . . 292

dwarf, . . . 292

Jerusalem artichoke,

common, . . 234

Jerusalem artichoke,

yellow, . . . 234
tuberous-rooted, . 233

Swallow-wort, Syrian or Virgi-
nian silk, . . . 277
Sweet grass floating, sweet meadow, 128
water sweet or meadow, 129
Symphytum asperimum, • . 197

Tare, wild, common, or hairy, . 181
cultivated, . . 180
Tare or lentil, common, . . 94
large, ... 94
one- flowered, . 95
red, ... 95
small, . . . 95
yellow, . . 94
Taxus baccata, .... 398
stricta, . . . 398
foliis variegatis, . 398
canadensis, . . . 398
Tea tree, . . . • .323
Teasel, clothier's, . . . 313
Thalictrum flavum, . . . 307
Thea bohea, .... 323
viridis, .... 323
Thuja articulata, . . . 394
cupressoides, . . . 294
dolabrata, . . . 394
occidentalis, . . . 393
orientalis, . . , 394
pendula, . . . 394
plicata, . . . .394
pyramidalis, . . . 394
Thyme, common, . . . 298
Thymus vulgaris, . . . 298
Tobacco, common green, . . 324
Virginian, . . . 324
Tormentil, upright, . . . 307
Tormentilla ereeta, . . . 307
Tree-mallow, common, . . 280
Trees cultivated for their fruit, 402
Trees cultivated for their tim-
ber, .... 327
Trifolium Alexandrinum, . . 156
alpestre, . . . 154
badium, . . . 158
filiforme, . . . 157
fragiferum, . . 157
hybridum, . . 153
incaruatum, . . 154
medium, . . . 153
Molineri, . . .156
pannonicum, . . 158
pratense, . . .149
procumbens, . . 157
repens, - . . 152
rubens, . . .158
stellatum, . . . 158
Triticum festivum, ... 2

428

INDEX.

Triticum atratulii, ... 30
Bengalenso, . . 28

caninum, . . J43

compactuni, . . 19

compositum, . . 25

dicoccon rufuni, . 29

durum, ... 25

hordeiforme, . . 30

hybernum, ... 2
monococcum, . . 29

platystachion, . . 29
rufuni, . 29
Polonicum, ... 27
praemorsum, . . 30

quadrat um, . . 22

repens, .... 144
sativum, ... 2

Spelta, ... .28
turgidum, ... 20
Zea, . . . .27
Tuberous-rooted plants, . . 213
Turnip, Aberdeen yellow bullock, 243
altringliam, . . 244

autumn stubble, or si.v

weeks turnip, . . 247
Ballantyne's new impro-
ved purple-top Swedish, 238
Berwickshire border im-

f>erial purple-top yel-
ow, .... 243
bullock, green top-yellow, 243
purple-top yel-
low, . ■ .243
red-top, yellow,
common, . 243
Cambridgeshire yellow

tankard, . . . 242
common, . . . 240

Cox's new imperial Swed-
ish, .... 238
Dale's hybrid, . . 241
Dutch, or garden red, 249
early stone, or white gar-
den, .... 249
garden yellow, large, . 24.)
globe, green-top white, 246
red, . . . 247
Gordon's yellow, . 244

green tankard, . . 248
top, white or round
green, . . 247
Hood's new large yellow, 243
Jones's yellow, . . 244
Laurencekirk large yel-
low tankard, . . 242
Lawton hybrid, . . 245
Lewisham green-top ox-
heart, . . .246
long black, . . . 250
brown, . . 250
white, . . .249
Maltese golden or yellow

Malta, . 244

long white, . 249

new purple-top hybrid, 241

Norfolk, or round white, 248

green, . . 247

red, . . 248

old Scotch yellow. . 243

Turnips, Pomeranian globe, . 246
Preston or Liverpool yel-
low, . . . ' . 245
round black, . . 249

round brown, . . 250

Skirving's improved pur-
ple-top yellow, . 243
small Berlin or Teltau, 25('
long yellow, . 245
stone globe, . . . 247
specimens of, with noti-
ces regarding their cul-
ture, . . . 250
Swedish, . . . 239
green-top, yellow, 238
red or purple-top, 23o
white, . . 239
tankard purple-top yel-
low, . " . 242
red, . . 248
white, . . 248
white Dutch, . . 248
globe, common, 246
sorts more particu-
larly suited forgar-
den culture, . 248
varieties adapted to
field culture, . 245
yellow Dutch, . . 245
globe, . . 244
stone, . . 24-1
sorts more parti-
cularly suited for
garden culture, 244
yellowyarieties which are
more particularly suit-
ed for field culture, 241

Ulcx Europsea, . . . .181
stricta vel Hibernica, . 182

Urtica canadensis, . . . 276
cannabina, . . . 276

dioica, . . . 276, 307

Usnea plicata, .... 312

Vaccinium Myrtillus, . .311

Vernal-grass, sweet-scented, . 136

Veronica officinalis, . . . 323

Vetch, liastard tufted, . .175

Bengal, . . . .177

biennial or Siberian, . 171

bush, .... 174

cultivated or common

tare, . . . .169
dark purple-flowered, . 175

freat-wood, . . .177
lungarian, . . .177
hybrid, . . . .177
large-podded, . . . 177
Narbonne or broad-leayed, 176
narrow-leaved, . . 176

pea-shaped, . . . 177
saw-leaved, . . .177
three-coloured, . . 176

tufted, . .171

two-coloured, . . . 177
yillous or hairy, . .174
wood, . . . .172

yellow-flowered, seaside, 173

INDEX.

4^9

Vetch, white tare,lentil ofCan

ada,

or Napoleon pea,

Vetchling and everlasting pea

178

angular-seedeil, .

180

broad-leaved everlasting

,178

clymenum.

180

earth-pea.

180

flat-podded,

179

horned-pea,

180

Italian,

180

jointed-podded.

180

narrow-leaved ever

last-

ing, .

178

Nissolia,

180

rough-podded.

179

Spanish,

180

tuberous or eatable-

root-

ed, .

236

yellow.

180

yellow or meadow.

178

Viburnum opulus,

401

Vicia angastifolia,

176

atropurpurea,

175

Bengalensis,

177

bicolor.

177

biennis.

171

Cracca,

171

dumetornm,

177

intermedia.

177

lutea,

173

Narbonensis,

176

Pannonica,

177

pisiformis, .

177

platycarpus,
Pseudo-cracca, .

177

175

sativa,

169

alba,

sepium.

174

serratifolia.

177

sylvatica, .

172

tricolor.

176

villosa.

174

Walnut, common, . . 294, 311

AVater hemlock, . . . 319

Wheat, antifly or German thickset, 22

barley-like, ... 30

Bengal, .... 28

black, .... 30

black petanielle, . . 24

blood-red, . . 9

Cape, "... 17

Caucasian, red beardless, 11

Chili square, . . 19

Chinese bearded spring, 15

Chinese turgid, . . 22

common cultivated, . 2

old red, . . 9

red beardless

French, . 14

white, . . 2

compact or square-eared. 19
cone or rivet, red, grey or

blue, ... 24

crawley red, . . . .30

creeping red, . . .30

Dantzic red, ... 6

Dantzic white, . . 6
Egyptian, . . .25

Wheat, Essex golden or red, . 10

white, ... 4

Fcllemberg spring white, 13

Fern, .... 18

Flanders white, . . 8

French bearded spring, 16

Gatinais upright large, . 22

Georgian, ... 26

German thick set, . . 22

Giant, St Helena, . . 24

golden-drop purple-stalked, 11

golden-drop red, . . 10

golden-drop white, . 5

Gregorian, ... 5

hard or horney, . . 25

hard Sicilian, . . 26

hard spring, ... 13

Heckland's red, . . 12

Hungarian white, . . 7

Hunter's, ... 3

Italian bearded, . . 30

Italian smooth, . . 30

Jefiray, .... 4

Kent red, ... 10

Lammas or red English, 10

Leghorn or Tuscany, . 12

Lozcre turgid, . ■ . 21

Mendoza, red bearded, 19

Mogadore, . . 27
Mongoke, smooth white

turged, ... 21

Morocco or Tangier, . 26

mouse-tail, white-stalked, 11

Mungoswell, ... 3

Naples white, . . 8

Odessa beardless white, 8

one-grained, ... 29

Polish, .... 27

Pole, rivet of England, 23

red beardless Caucasian, 1 1

Chinese, ... 19

English, ... 10

gray or blue cone or rivet, 24

velvet-eared of Crete, 12

rivet, common of England, 23

Shanry white bearded, 15

Siberian, ... 26

Sicilian, square, spring, 20

bearded, spring, 17

spelt, .... 28

white-spiked, . 29

red or brown-spiked, 29

summer or spring, 29

two-rowed red or

brown, . . 29

spring bearded Sicilian, 17

bearded French, . 16

Chinese bearded, 15

common beardless, 13

small square, . 20

square Sicilian, . 20

square-eared or compact, 19

sulphur-coloured, . . 11

Taganrock smooth white

turgid, . . .21

Talavera, ... 5

Tangier or Morocco, . 26

Touzelle white, . . 8

Turkey, .... 24

430

INDEX.

Wheat, Tuscany, ... 17

red beardless, 14

white bearded, 15

beardless, 13

Uxbridge, ... 3

velvet red-eared, . . 12

woolly-eared red

bearded, . 19

white, . . 6

Victoria, ... 16

winter common bearded, 14

light yellow bearded, 16

spelt, ... 28

woolly-eared of Crete, . 12

wliite velvet, 6

bearded, 17

zea or far, . . .27

Wheat-grass, bearded, . . 143

common couch, . 144

Whin, common furze or gorse, . 181

Irish or upright, . .182

Whorl grass, water, . . . 129

Willow, sweet, . . . .311

Woad, dyers' or glastum, . . 299

Woodroo'f, dyers', . . . 303

Wood sorrel, crenate flowered or

tuberous-rooted, . . 234

four-leaved, . . . 235

Xanthium strumarium, . . 306

Yew-tree, Canadian, . . 399

common, . , . 398

Irish or upright, . 398

variegated-leaved, . 398

Zea, 57

ERRATA.

Page 1.5, line 10 from bottom, /or became read become
51, line 10, /»)• one-seeded i-ead one-sided

170, lines 8 and 9, for and one er a half read one or one and a half
217, under title Fold of Increase, omit Feet.
2.53, lines 17 and l!),/<-r Woodhall read Wellhall
275, line 5 from bottom, /oj- Urtice.^. read Urtica.
301, line 10, for died, read dyed.

318, line I, for Cobiandri.\um, read Coriandrum.

319, line 7 from bottom, for Anthusa Cynopium read Mthu.ta Cynapium,
337, lines 12 and 13, /oj- 1828, 1830, read 1828 and that of 1830,

359, line 9, for healthy read healing

37], line 3, for accountable rend unaccountable

3.99, line 7 from bottom, for S Virginiana. read J. firglniana .

SUPPLEMENT

AGRICULTURIST'S MANUAL.

SUPPLEMENT

AGRICULTURIST'S MANUAL,

CONTAINING DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF

AGRICULTURAL PLANTS

INTRODUCED WITHIN THE LAST SIX YEARS.

PETER LAWSON & SON,

SEEDSMEN AND NURSERYMEN TO THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND.

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS,

EDINBURGH AND LONDON.

MDCCCXLII.

A close attention to those Agricultural Plants which have
been introduced or brought into notice since the publication of
our Agriculturist's Manual in 1836, has enabled us to lay
before the Public this our first Supplement to that Work, in
which will be found noticed numerous important additions
to the formerly cultivated Cereal Grains Hay and Pasture
Grasses, Turnips, and other plants suited for field culture.

Edinbukgh, \
\st August 1842. /

CONTENTS.

GRAINS,

I. Cereal Grains,
Avena — Oat, .
Hordeum — Barley,
Penicillaria — Egyptian Millet,
Secale — Rye,
Triticum — Wheat,
Zea — Indian Corn,
Zizania — Canadian Rice,
II. Leguminous Grains,
Faba — Bean, .
Pisum — Pea, .
Phaseolus — Kidney-bean,

HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS,
I. Grasses, ....
Alopecurus — Fox-tail grass,
Cynodon — Doob-grass, .
Digitaria — Polish-millet, .
Dactylis — Cocksfoot grass,
Elymus — Lime-grass,
Festuca — Fescue grass, .
Lolium — Rye-grass or Darnel,
Milium — Wood-millet,
Panicum — Guinea-grass, .
Poa — Meadow-grass,
Tripsacu m — Gam a-grass,
II. Leguminous and other Plants,
Heracleum — Cow-parsnip,
Medicago — Medick,
Melilotus — Bokhara Clover,
Trifolium — Clover, .
Vicia — Vetch or Tare,

1
1

1
7
12
12
13
29
31
32
32
33
34

35
35
35
35
36
36
36
37
40
41
41
43

44
44
45
46
46
48

VI CONTENTS.

Page
PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR ROOTS, . . 49

Beta — Mangel Wurzel, 49

Brassica — Turnip, 49 and 61

Solanum — Potato, ........ 62

Tropseolum — Indian Cress, 66

PLANTS USED IN THE ARTS AND MANUFACTURES, 67

Madia— Oil-seeded Madia, 67

Polygonum — Dyer's Buck-wheat, 68

Sesamum — Oly-grain, 69

GENERAL INDEX, 61

SUPPLEMENT

LAWSON'S AGRICULTURIST'S MANUAL.

GRAINS.

CEREAL GRASSES.— GF^MINE^.

I. AVENA FATUA of Linnoeiis — or Wild Oat.

1. Markel or Markley Bearded Oat. — Like its progenitor the
Wild Oat, this variety has very long straw, with an unusually
large panicle ; its grains are also larger, better filled, and generally
of a blackish colour, but shew a tendency to become lighter under cul-
tivation. They are readily distinguished from those of all other dark-
coloured cultivated oats by the presence of a beard or tuft of hairs at
their base, which is the principal characteristic of the species. This
oat is grown in some of the higher central districts of England for
feeding, and in some of the northex-n parts of Scotland for meal ; it
was introduced to the Carse of Gowrie from Yorkshire some years
since by Miss Yeman Spence of Mui-ie, where its culture was^ how
ever, immediately discontinued, that being only, if at all, advisable in
very late situations.

11. AVENA SATIVA of Lhinceus — or Cultivated Oat.

2. Barbachlaw Early White Oat. — This variety is said to have
originated on the farm of Barbachlaw near Bathgate, and has long-
been esteemed by cultivators in the higher districts of the Lothians,
from its hardiness, earliness, and adaptation to elevated, moorish,
and wet soils. It is productive both in straw and grain; but the lat-
ter forms only an inferior sample, being long, thin, and often very
bristly, so that it is principally in demand for feeding.

2 CEREAL GRAINS — AVENA OR OAT.

3 & 4. Berly, Berlik, or Barley, Whit:' Oats. — Under tliese
names there are two varieties known in Scotland, which are farther
distinguished by the terms Scotch and English. The Scotch Berlie
is supposed to have been cultivated in Aberdeen and neighbouring
counties for at least upwards of half a century, and the other was in-
troduced to Aberdeenshire as a seed-oat from England about ten or
twelve years since, when it more than probably received its present
appellation.

The Scotch Berlie Oat more resembles the Kildrurnmy, page 4,
than any other variety now cultivated in the north-eastern districts of
Scotland. It differs, however, in its straw, which is said to be prefer-
red to that of any other sort by cattle ; being fully longer and less firm
in texture ; it is also a few days later in ripening, and its grains are
rather longer awned as well as whiter coloured. It is particularly
adapted for growing on light early soils, is very prolific, not easily
shaken, and meals well.

The English Berlie is fully as early as the early Angus oat (page
46 of Ag. Manual), and about as easily shaken by winds when ripe ;
but its straw is firmer and not so readily lodged or broken down, its
grains also are in general heavier, less awned, and of a fine light yel-
low colour. This variety is well adapted for rich, heavy, and clay
soils ; and its prolificacy, combined with its other merits, is such as to
render it a favourite with growers, so that its cultivation has extended
rapidly in the districts where it is known.

For genuine samples, with descriptions, of the Beidie oats, and se-
veral other varieties, cultivated in the district of Strathbogie^, we were
indebted to Mr William Murray, lately farmer at Slioch.

5. CHxmcH'sor Churick's White Oat is a large-grained and thick-
skinned sort, allied to the Georgian (page 45 of Ag. Manual), but pos-
sessing these characteristics in even a higher degree, the smaller seed
of the spikelet being generally entirely imbedded in the thickened skin
of the larger ; so that it is not likely ever to receive increased cultiva-
tion. We were favoured with a sample of this sort in 1838 by Messrs
Banks and Son, Haddington, but have not obtained any particulars
relative to its origin.

The description of a v^ariety under the name of Church's Early
Oat is recorded in the 4th vol. of the Highland Society's Transactions,
published in 1816, which appears to have been a totally distinct sort
from the present, and was originally received from Scotland by a Mr
Church in Northumberland, who first sowed sixty grains of it in 1776,
the produce of which he cultivated for twenty -five years on the same
farm, without its exhibiting any symptoms of degeneracy. Towards the

CEREAL GRAINS — AVENA OR OAT. .*]

eud of last century it was much grown in the Noi-th of England and Ber-
wickshire, but appears to have been ultimately superseded by the po-
tato oat, which it somewhat resembled, but produced a longer thicker-
skinned grain and inferior sample.

6. Cleland Early White Oat was exhibited by its originator W.
Dalrymple, Esq. of Cleland, at the Highland and Agricultural So-
ciety's Show at Glasgow, September 1838, who described it as being
"hardy, prolific, and from a fortnight to three weeks earlier than the
potato oat." The Cleland seems to resemble the next variety in se-
vei-al characteristics, but produces a shorter grain and heavier sam-
ple; some growers report it as being rather liable to sedge-root, but
farther trials are yet necessary to ascertain its real merits.

7. Cumberland Early White Oat. This variety, as its name im-
plies, originated in the County of Cumberland, and is the produce of
a single plant, which, from its earliness, first attracted attention in
1833 or 1834. In 1836, Thomas Crisp, Esq., Hawkhill, Alnwick,
communicated a sample in grain for the Museum, with the following-
particulars of an experiment made by him to ascertain the relative
merits of the Cumberland potato and Hopetoun varieties, which were
sown in equal quantities, and on adjacent ridges, measuring the same
extent of surface.

" The Hopetoun Oat produced, of clean corn,

Do. do. of light corn

The Potato Oat produced, of clean corn,

Do, do. of light corn,

The Early Cumberland produced, of clean corn, 20

Do. do. of light corn,

The Early Cumberland was cut exactly a fortnight before any of the
others, and on being thrashed and cleaned up it was found to weigh
about the same as the Hopetoun, and 2 lb. lighter than the other."

The last three years' experience has shewn this variety to be de-
cidedly earlier than the potato oat, also longer in straw and less liable
to be shaken by high winds ; but its grain being light and very in-
ferior in quality, cultivators are genei^ally discontinuing its growth.

8. Dutch Early White Oat was introduced from Holland, some
years since, by Mr William Milne, Bolton, near Haddington, who
finds it to be as early as the potato oat, while it is more prolific ; and
on inferior soils it succeeds better and yields more straw than any
other variety with which he is acquainted. In sample it approaches
that of the Hopetoun, but is a shade darker coloured,

9. Dyock's Early White Oat. — For the introduction of which to
general notice, the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland

17 bushels

i and 2 pecks.

0 do.

and 2 do.

15 do.

and 3^ do.

2 do.

and li do.

20 do.

and 34 do.

3 do.

and 2 do.

4 CEREAL GRAINS — AVENA OR OAT.

awardeil their silver medal in January 1840 to M^* John AVatson,
Ledmore, Brechin ; was originally raised by a Mr Dyock, near Aber-
deen, and has been grown in the vicinity of Brechin for the last seven
or eight years, where it is also known by the name of James David-
son's Oat, it having been first cultivated in tliat quarter by a grocer and
small farmer of that name. Mr Watson, to whom we are indebted
for our first sample of this oat, considers it early, hardy, very prolific,
and exceedingly well adapted for the higher corn lands. Its grains
are rather long, somewhat awned, and form a medium sample, that
received weighing 41 i lb. per bushel. As it is rather liable to shake
in rough weather, it should be cut before being fully ripe.

10. Flemish Early White Oat. — This variety has been long
known, although never extensively cultivated in Scotland, and may
be described as yielding a good sample, having longish straw, and
being a hardy free grower, bearing in its general characteristics a
considerable relation to the Early Dutch, No. 8.

11. iRiSHor STRATH.'LLLAN£'rtr?j/ W hitc Otit (T^age -i:& o£ Ag. Manual.)
This variety is more commonly known by the former than the latter
name, in the higher parts of Strathearn and west of Perthshire,
where it is most extensively cultivated ; which nan^e is generally sup-
posed to be a corruption of Earish or Earlyish, in allusion to its early
ripening property, and not indicative, as some have supposed, of an
Irish origin.

Mr R. Sharp, jun., Blackford, Auchterarder, reports that, " on the
higher parts of his farm, about 400 feet above the level of the sea,
it succeeds well on a considerable variety of soils ; but on such as are
of a rich or superior description, it is very apt to become lodged from
its great length of straw. At that altitude a Scotch acre sown with
7 bushels of seed, will yield on an average from 30 to 36 bushels,
weiwhino- each 36 to 39 lb. It is less liable than several of the finer
sorts to suffer injury from the grub or other enemies ; and in harvest
it is well calculated to withstand rough, windy, and wet weather ;
but its culture is only advisable in exposed and late situations.

12. KiLDRUMMY White Oat — This variety did not, as formerly
stated in the Manual, page 47, originate in Kildrummy in the north
of Aberdeenshire, where, however, it has been long and extensively
cultivated ; and wheie a tradition exists, that, nearly a century ago,
after a bad season in which the oats of that district did not ripen suf-
ficiently for seed, it was brought from the Mains of Halkerton, south
of the Grampians ; and that, in the Mcarns and neighlxiuring districts
of Angus, it was then known by the name of Halkerton Oat. Since
the introduction of Sandy's Oat, Xo. 15, the cultivation of the Kil-

CEREAL GRAINS — A VENA OR OAT. 5

drummy is decreasing in the Garioch, Strathbogie, and adjoining dis-
tricts ; that variety producing a firmer straw, being about a week
earlier, and better adapted for damp, heavy, and rich soils. On those
of a poor or inferior nature, the Kildrummy Oat, however, yields
fully as good a crop in early seasons, but its sample, although of a
fine, clear, silvery colour, is in general 2 lb. to 3 lb. per bushel lighter
than the other.

13. Lancashire Witches Early White Oat, — This variety would
seem, from its name, to have originated in Lancashire, but was in-
troduced to Scotland from Northumberland in 1837. Experiments
made in E. Lothian shew it to be fully four days' earlier than the
Early Angus, while it is rather longer in straw, considerably more
prolific, and superior in quality ; its grains being larger, more plump
and heavier ; qualities which must render it a desirable acquisition to
cultivators in late districts.

14. Orleans Early Brown Oat. — Avoine Joanctte of the French ;
is a very early variety, which, on that account, and its producing a
good sample, has been pretty extensively cultivated of late years in
the department of Orleans in France. It bears a greater resemblance
to the Black or Brown Biga Oat (page 50 of Manual) than to any
other in the collection ; but is lighter, or more of a brown colour,
rather larger in grain, and heavier in sample. No proper trial has
as yet been made of this sort in Scotland, but it seems worthy of at-
tention. Another variety received from M. Vilmorin, Paris, along
with this, under the name of the Three Month Black Oat, he at first
considered to be synonymous, but which, on farther trial, he found t(
be the same as the Black Oat of Brie, page 50 of Manual.

15. Sandy's or Rhynie Early White Oat. — This estimable va-
riety was discovered in 1824 or 1825, on the Farm of Milltoun of
Noth, in the parish of Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, then occupied by Mr
Pirie, who, in the winter and spring preceding, had occasion to cut a
number of ditches throughout his pastures. On a bank formed by the
earth which had been taken out of one of these, his cow-herd Sanely
or Alexander Thomson obsei'ved, in course of the summer, an oat
plant of extraordinary luxuriant growth, which Mr Pirie carefully
preserved for seed, considering it to be different from any of the
varieties then grown in the country, and so rapidly did it increase un-
der his management, that, in a few years, the produce was not only
sufficient to sow his own farm, but also to supply many of his neigh-
bours. Mr William Murray of Slioch, from whom the above infor-
mation was derived, farther states, that Sandy's oat bears a consider-
able resemblance to a variety formerly knoM'n in that part of the

b CEREAL GRAINS — A VENA OR OAT.

country by the name of the Red or Lord Chief Baron's Oat, having
like it a reddish tinge, when fully ripe, but Sandy's produces more
straw, is not quite so early, and yields a fuller crop on inferior ground.
Compared with the potato oat, the qualities of which are so univer-
sally known, Sandy's is much hardier, produces a heavier crop of
straw, which is much firmer in texture, and not liable to get lodged
or broken down in rough weather ; it also yields a heavier and more
bulky crop of grain in bad seasons, ripens more regularly, and is
not nearly so subject to shake in a gale of wind; but the best evi-
dence which can be adduced of the superiority of Sandy's oat is, that,
in its native district, its culture has now almost superseded that of the
potato oat ; and there, instances have been known of its weighing as
much as 461b. and 471b. per bushel, but 431b. or 441b. is considered a
good avoi'age weight. A sample communicated by Mr Walker, farm-
manager to his grace the Duke of Richmond at Gordon Castle, and
grown there in 1839, weighed 471b. per bushel.

16. Siberian Early White Oat. — This variety was received in
autumn 1839, through Messrs J. G. Booth & Co. of Hamburgh, from
the north of Europe ; who reported having, by actual experiment,
found it to be fully a fortnight earlier than the potato oat, while its
produce in straw is about a third heavier than that of the Hopetoun.
In sample, it has somewhat the appearance of the Georgian Oat, page
45 of the Manual, to which tribe f^Avena saliva gcorgica of Zuccag.)it
evidently belongs, having large and thickish-skinned grains, which,
however, both weigh and meal well ; qualities which, together with
its hardiness and prolificacy, seem to shew that it will yet be found
a highly suitable variety for the later districts of this country. Trials
of the Siberian Oat, in various parts, especially the north of Scotland
in 1840-41, prove it to be from a fortnight to three weeks earlier than
the potato, while, in other respects, its merits, as stated above, are not
over-rated.

17. Ta:m Finlay's White Oat is a variety held in considerable es-
teem by cultivators, both in the high and lower parts of Ayrshire, as
well as in the neighbouring counties, where it was formerly named
the Old Poland Oat, but acquired that by which it is presently known,
from having been brought into general notice by Thomas Finley, a
person who was in the habit of renting old pasture lands for the pur-
pose of breaking them up and taking two crops of oats, for Avhich he
universally used this sort, and with very considerable success. It is
very hardy, ripens about a week later than the potato oat, and produces
a greater quantity of sti'aw than any of the older eai'ly sorts ; its sam-
ple possesses rather an inferior appearance, and is chiefly in demand

CEREAL GRAINS — HORDEUM OR BARLEY. 7

for feeding, but is said to yield a greater quantity of meal in propor-
tion to its weight, than any other of those sorts generally termed
Long Grained Oats. For the history and authentic samples of this
oat, we are indebted to James Campbell, Esq. of Craigie, near Ayr,

18, Tuscany Early White Oat A sample of this oat was received

in spring 1841 from the Editor of the " Genesee Farmer," Rochester,
North America ; which in the following summer produced a slender,
tough, and rather short straw ; with plump, short, thickish skinned,
bright coloured grains, but it seems less productive than some of the
better known sorts ; although farther trial is still required to prove
whether it is worthy of extended culture.

19. Winter Dun or Grey '^ Oat (page 50 of Manual). This variety
is now cultivated to a considerable extent in some of the southern and
midland sheep counties of England, and such trials as have been made
in Scotland prove it to be very hardy, in having withstood the late
severe winters without injury. It is known in some districts by the
name of Winter Feed Oats, from its use in affording a rich pasturage
for sheep in the earlier spring months, which treatment is of essential
benefit to the after-growth of the crop, especially on light dry soils ;
from the sheep droppings acting as a manure, combined with the con '
solidating of the soil by their treading. Archibald Hamilton, Esq. of
Blackstone, who has grown the winter oat at Rozelle, near Ayr, for
the last five or six seasons, reports, that *' it i-ipens about a fortnight
sooner than, and is fully as prolific as, any of the spring sown sorts,
and weighs about 42 lb. per bushel," Other growers, however, in
different parts of the country, have found it to be deficient in the pro
duce of both grain and straw, and it is only when intended for feeding
sheep that its growth is advisable.

I. HORDEUM DISTICHON of Linnceus—on Two-Rowed
Barley,

1. Black's Superlative Barley. — This is an early variety, ap-
proaching to the Dunlop (No. 3, and page 40 of Manual), which was
introduced to Perthshire from England by the same parties, where,
after several years' cultivation, the stock ultimately fell into the hands
of the late Mr Black, farmer at Rosiehill, in the Carse of Gowrie,
whose name it bears in that district, he having been its only grower
for several years, until its merits attracted the attention of neigh-
bouring cultivators, especially that of Sir John Richai'dson, Bart, of
Pitfour, who, in the beginning of August 1839, cut a field of it about
a week before harvest was commenced elsewhere in that part of the
country, and who found it to possess the additional qualifications of
prolificacy and superioi'ity of sample.

8 CEREAL GRAINS — HORDEUM OR BARLEY.

2. Brown's Barley bears the name of its originator, the late Mr
David Brown, farmer, Fornought, Perthshire, and is a hardy, early,
and prolific variety ; at present much esteemed by growers in that and
the neighbouring county of Forfar, especially in the Carse of Gowrie
and Strathmore districts, where it has been known for the last six or
eight years, and although belonging to that class generally termed
long-grained barleys, it is found to weigh well, and is much esteemed
by maltsters. A sample grown on a field of good clay manured
with rape-dust in 1840, and communicated by Mr George Bell, Inch-
michael, Errol, weighs 55J lb. per bushel ; the produce being at the
rate of 9^ quarters per Scotch acre, and the average length of straw
4 feet 8 inches.

3. Bute Barley is a variety selected two or three years since by
Mr Samuel Girdwood, Isle of Bute, in a field of Chevalier Barley,
who is of opinion that it will be found to be considerably earlier than
that sort, as well as hardier and more prolific ; another year or two
experience is, however, still wanted to ascertain its actual merits.
In form of spike, it bears a considerable resemblance to the Italian
barley No. 5, but is considerably darker in colour as well as smaller
grained.

4. DuNLOP or DuNLOP's Barley (page 40 of Manual), acquired
its name in Perthshire from having been sent to the late William
Dickson, Esq. of Kinnoul nurseries there, by a Mr Dunlop from
England ; in some counties of which it is termed Chevalier Barley, — a
name, however, more universally applied to a very different variety
(see page 39 of Manual), which, from its lateness, is only suited for
tlie earlier districts of Scotland ; while the earliness of the Dunlop
especially recommends it to the attention of cultivators in the later
districts and higher altitudes at which barley is grown.

5. Italian or Golden Barley (page 41 of Manual). For some
years after its introduction, this variety received a rapidly extended
cultivation on account of its earliness, beauty of sample, and proli-
ficacy ; but of late some growers begin to entertain a belief that it is
rather an impoverizing crop for the soil, and are consequently dis-
continuing its culture ; regarding this there is still, however, a con-
siderable diversity of opinion, and a year or two longer will be re-
quisite to ascertain the true amount of its merits.

The following are the results of an experiment conducted in 1837,
and kindly communicated by James B. Fernie, Esq. of Kilmux,
Cupar-Fife, for the purpose of ascertaining the comparative merits
of this and the three other sorts mentioned.

" With the view of comparing the two kinds of barley previously
wi-own on my farm, viz. Clievalier and early English, with the two

CEREAL GRAINS — HORDEUM OR BARLEY. 9

recently introduced sorts, Italian and Annat, I selected a part of a
field of uniform quality for that purpose, which had been cropped with
potatoes the preceding year. The soil was a good, sound, dry -loam, situ-
ated about 400 feet above the level of the sea, and received the seed fur-
row in the autmnn immediately after the potatoes were taken up : be-
fore sowing, which was done on the 11th April, four separate lots,
containing one Scotch acre each, were measured off, on which four
bushels of the respective kinds of barley were sown. The Italian
and early English were reaped on the 30th August, when both were
rather over-ripened, and ought to have been cut three or four days
sooner. The Chevalier and Annat were not cut till the 5th of Sep-
tember, which shewed these two to be about ten days later than the
others. All the parcels were carefully thrashed in February 1838,
when they were found to measure and weigh as under. The prices
attached are calculated at the rate of twenty-six shillings per quarter
for 52 lb. per bushel, deducting at the rate of one shilling per pound
per bushel, below that weight.

Italian produced 6 quarters, 4 bushels, weighing 49^ lb. £7 12 9

Annat do. 6 do. 1 do. weighing 50 lb. 7 7 0

Early English do. 5 do. 6 do. weighing 51i lb. 7 6 7i

Chevalier do. 5 do. 3 do. weighing 49i lb. 6 6 3|

6. Lord Western's Barley. For some years past, a variety of
English origin has been grown under this name in East Lothian ;
the characteristics and history of which have not been obtained ; but
it does not seem to have received much attention from the generality
of cultivators.

7. Nottingham Long-Eared Barley. Some years since this va-
riety was very favourably noticed in several English agricultural peri-
odicals ; and in spring 1838, a sample was received from William
Courtney, Esq., Newton Stacey, Hampshire, who reported its hav-
ing yielded very large returns in that and neighbouring counties. It
does not as yet, howevei', appear to have attracted much attention in
Scotland; and, in as far as can be judged of from its merits, Avhen grown
in small quantities along with others in the collection, these do not
appear to be in any way superior. Its ears are long, but being loose
or open, do not contain more that the usual number of grains, which
are rather above an average size, and, when well harvested, form a
bright yellow-coloured sample.

8. Pomeranian or German Barley, a variety lately imported, and
which has, for the last two or three years, been grown very success-
fully in different parts of Scotland, especially in Ross and other
northern counties. It is early and prolific, produces a tall firm straw,
with long narrow ears, each usually containing upwards of thirty

10 CEREAL GRAINS — IIORDEUM OR BARLEY.

longish-shaped, but thin-skinned and liglit-coloured grains, which
weigh well, and form a superior sample.

9. Potter's or Zealand Barley, is named in compliment to Mr
David Potter, of Hundon in Suffolk, its first grower in Britain, who
obtained about half a wine-glass-full of it out of a cargo imported to
Ipswich from the north of Europe six or seven years since : he re-
ports that the success attending the growth of it has been such, that
it is now the most generally cultivated variety in that neighbourhood.
It was introduced from England to the north of Scotland some years
since, by Sir Francis Mackenzie, Bart, of Gairloch, who has found
it to pi'oduce as much as nine quarters per acre, and to yield a
superior sample. It has also been known for the past two or three
years in Northumberland and Berwickshire, where it is held in high
esteem by cultivators.

10. Providence Barley is an English variety, the first plant of
which is said to have been found by a person at Lytchett Heath,
Wiltshire, growing in the corner of his garden, in the years 1835 or
1836, which ripened thirty to forty ears in June, and the root being
left, is reported to have produced other two crops the same season.
The account of its farther culture by a Mr Hanville of Blandford,
exti'acted from the Wilts Independent, was published in the Gar-
deners' Gazette for 22d February 1840. He sowed a quantity of it in
April 1838, whereas it should have been sown in February ; yet he
reaped two crops that same season, and found it to be not only a pro-
lific variety, but its grains wei*e also of large size and superior quality.
In Scotland, the true merits of this variety have not yet been ascer-
tained, nor is it ever likely to realize expectations founded on the
above flattering description of its merits ; yet its earliness alone
would claim for it a fair trial.

11. Suffolk or Norfolk Short-Necked Barley is a leafy stalked
strong awned variety, which has been grown for several years in the
eastern districts of Strathmore ; where it is held in considerable re-
pute by some growers, from its capability of withstanding rough
weather ; while others have discontinued its growth, from finding it to
be eight or twelve days later than the common sorts, and also moi-e
liable to sprout in wet weather. It was first introduced to these
parts from the Earl of Leicester's property, who was in the practice of
cultivating it on his higher grounds. In good seasons it yields a heavy
crop and superior sample ; but in Scotland it can only be recom-
mended for seaward and other early districts much exposed to wind.
Samples in grain and straw were first received for the Museum in
1839, from Robert Scott, Esq. Laurencekirk.

CEREAL GRAINS— HORDEUM OR BARLEY. 11

11. HORDEUM VULGARE of Linnceus—BiG or Bere.

12. Nepal or Himalayan Naked Big or Bere — (Page 36 of Ma-
nual.) The peculiar deformed appearance of the awns in this variety
has induced many botanists to consider it a distinct species, which
Sweet named Hordeum Nepcdcnse ; Shultz, H. Ilimalayensc ; Sc-
ringe, H. trifurcatum, &c. We were, however, formerly induced
to consider it a variety of Hordeum vulgare, from the arrangement
of its florets, and the tendency it exhibited of producing perfect awns
under cultivation in this country. Since then we have been favoured
by Mr John Anderson, Kinnoul Nurseries, with specimens exhibit-
ing its still farther transformation into a distich or two rowed barley,
with all the intermediate forms ; thus tending to shew that the cul-
tivated varieties of Hordeum distichon and H. vulgare may have ori-
ginally been the offspring of the same species, although they now pos-
sess a seemingly distinct permanency of character.

13. Victoria new Big or Bere. — The introduction of this may be
considered as the first step to the acquirement of superior varieties of
the old Big or Bere, compai^ed with which it produces longer straw, is
longer eared, often containing 70 to 100 grains in each, more prolific,
and produces a finer sample, instances having been known of its
weighing as much as 56 lb. per bushel ; and Mr Thomas Imrie, Nur-
sery and Seedsman, Ayr, from whom samples for the Museum were
first received, reports his crop of 1839, which was grown on good
croft land in the vicinity of that town, to have been thirteen quar-
ters per acre. Samples in grain and straw have also been commu-
nicated by Mr Alexander Henderson, Long Niddry, East Lothian,
and Mr A. Gorrie, Annat, Perthshire, the latter grown about 500
feet above the level of the sea, both of whom agree in considei*ing
it a most promising acquisition, and their experience tends to shew
its adaptation for either low and fertile, or elevated and late, dis-
tricts. The merit of bringing the Victoria Bere under the notice
of cultivators in this coimtry is due to Mr Fulton, a farmer near May-
bole in Ayrshire, who first obtained a few ears of it from the Belfast
Botanic Gardens five or six years since.

III. HORDEUM ZEOCRITON of iinncett^— Sprat or
Battledore Barley.

14. Fluck- Wheat Barley. This variety was selected in a field
at Knockandii, near Ballandalloch, Banffshire, and differs from the
common Sprat Barley in having a narrower spike, with shorter grains,
and consequently superior sample. It does not appear likely to de-

12 CEREAL GRAINS — SECALE OR RYE.

serve extensive cultivation, but is interesting as serving, together with
the Bute and Italian Barleys (Nos. 3 and 5,) to connect the forms
of the two reputed species, Hordeum distichon and H. Zeocriton of
Linnaeus.

PENICILLARIA SPICATA of PfiZ/denoio— Egyptian
Millet.

Oenei'ic Cliaraclers. — Panicle, crowded ^ involucrum, many bristled and one
or two flowered ; glumes, containing one fertile and one barren floret, the
latter being the shortest.

Specific Characters. — Panicle somewhat cylindrically spicate ; bristles ol
the involucrum rough and equal in length with the florets ; joints and uppei
part of the stalk villous ; ripened grain somewhat similar to very small
wheat. Holcus spicatits of Linn£Eus ; Panicum spicatum of Roxburgh, &c. ;
Annual. Native of Egypt and the East Indies-

Although long known to botanists this plant was only recently
brought into notice as a cereal grass, by Sennor M. Molon of Madrid,
who found it to ripen earlier than the Broom corn, Holcus or Sorghum
vulgare, and to succeed best on light chalky ground ; experiments
which he made on deep rich soils having failed from the over-luxu-
riance of the plants, and the decaying anthers adhering to the crowded
panicle so thickly as to retain the moisture, and thereby prevent the
development of the young grains. M. Vilmorin of Paris, from
whom we, last spring, received seeds, considers tlmt the Egyptian mil-
let may be better suited for some parts of France than the Brome
corn, but there seems little probability of its ever becoming useful in
this country, although it might be beneficially introduced into the
Polynesian and other colonies.

SECALE CEREALE of Lmnceus—OR Rye.

Many-Stalkeb Russian or Great Northern Rye. — A cut sam-
ple of this variety, measuring upwards of e^ght feet in height, was
received in 1839 from M. Vilmorin, who first obtained it from M.
Molle, Professor of Agriculture, Sec, under the name of Seigle multi-
caule de Mussie. It most resembles the Midsummer rye (page 32 of
Ag, Manual), but diff'ers from it in having much more luxurious and
darker green coloured foliage, considerably taller stx'aw, larger grains,
and in being a few days earlier in ripening. Another vai-iety intro-
duced from Saxony to, and recommended for cultivation in France,
under the name of Seigle multicaule, has been proved by frequent
trials to be scarcely if at all different from St Jean, or Midsummer rye
above alluded to.

CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT. 13

TRITICUM— OR WHEAT.

From the great diversity of form in the numerous cultivated varie-
ties of Triticum, and the approximity of those arranged under se-
parate heads to one another, much uncertainty and confusion exists
in defining the Umits of the different species ; hence the multiplicity
of specific names which some botanical authors have adopted, many
of wiiich are, to say the least, of questionable utility ; amongst
which may certainly be classed some of those formerly used in the
Agriculturists' Manual, which were then adopted in deference to the
opinions of several eminent botanical authorities ; and while it has
not in the present instance been deemed expedient to attempt any de-
finite classification of species,, yet it has been thought advisable to
follow the authority of Linneeus and others in preference to that of
Host,, by including under T. spelta all the beai-dless and bearded
slender or open-spiked, adhesive, chaffed, wheats ; while those with
flat, compact, or square ears, are, wuth the exception of T. monococ-
cum, reckoned as varieties of the following species, viz ; —

I. TRITICUM AMYLEUM of Seringc—ou Starch Wheat.

Specific Characters. — Spike laterally compressed ; spikelets closely imbri-
cated and two to fonr seeded ; glumes smooth and navicular, with a promi-
nent keel or nerve terminating in a short mucronated point having a notch
at either side ; external palea either terminated by a short bristle or long
awn, and, together with the internal one, adliering to the grain after being
thrashed.

It will be seen from the above description, that Nos. 78 to 82 in-
clusive, in pages 28 and 29 of the Manual, will now be considered as
varieties of T. amyleum, that having been deemed preferable ta the
other names which have been given to it by botanists, such as T.
dicoccuniy or two-grained wheat, applied by some authors to the whole
species ; and by others to the long-eared section of it Nos. 78, 79,
and 80, while under that of T. tricoccum those last included the broad
spiked sorts, Nos. 81 and 82 of the Manual, and also the first of the
present arrangement.

1. Yellow Broad-Spiked Starch-Wheat is a vai'iety interme-
diate in colour between the white a,nd red sorts, to which it is similai'
in other respects ; and in common with all the adhesive-chaffed sorts,
whether varieties of T. amyleum, T. spelta, or T. mooiococcum, the
grain of this is occasionally termed spelt.

14 CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT.

il. TRITICUM COMP ACTUM of Host— or Compact spiivED,

Wheat.

2. Duck's-Bill Yellou) -Wheat. — Young plants very hai'dy ; straw
short, stout, and upi'ight ; ears two, to two and a half inches long, by
about three quarters in breadth and remarkably compact, the joints
of the rachis being from 10 to 12 in the inch ; spikelets very easily
detached when ripe, so that the grain is apt to be lost, even by slight
•winds ; chaff thin, smooth^ and yellowish or cream coloured ; grain
medium sized, oblong, plump, lightish yellow, and transparent.

We are indebted for this sort to Colonel Le Conteur of Jersey, to
which island it was first introduced from Keil in the Baltic, where,
as well as in Newfoundland, it is much grown, being very prolific,
and well suited for these climates ; but it is said to yield an inferior
flour.

The name Duck's Bill wheat has been applied, and seemingly with
less propriety, to a totally different sort, belonging to the species T.
tiirgidum of Linnseus, — see Miller's Gardener's Dictionary, &c., —
which has almost no characteristic in common with T. compactum, a,
reputed species, separated from T. hyhcrnmn of Linuseus by Host, an
Austrian botanist, who founded its characteristics chiefly on the com-
pact form of the spike ; but of late, several varieties, as Hickling's,
the Cluster Wheats, &c., have been introduced, which in form seem
to unite it with the latter, and shew that the most compact and
open spiked sox'ts, ai"e merely the extreme forms of the same species ;
and, as Linnseus's name, T, hyhernum, has been disallowed by mo-
dern botanists, the compact wheats might, with greater propriety, be
included under the more applicable one of Lamark, viz., T. sativum.

III. TRITICUM COMPOSITUM of imw^eM.?— Compound-
Headed Wheat.

3. American Thumb Wheat. — This resembles the Egyptian wheat
in having a large compound head or ear with long and very thick so-
lid straw, but differs in having white woolly chaff and lighter-coloured
grains. An ear received in 1838 from Wm. Courtney, Esq., New-
ton-Stacey, Hants, contained 13 branches, and he reports his crop
to have yielded at the rate of one hundred bushels per acre. Very
flattering accounts of this variety have appeared in course of the two
past seasons in various agricultural periodicals ; but, like the Egyptian
and Turgid wheats, to which it is closely allied, it yields a coarse
and inferior sample, especially in a warmer climate like that of this
country, and is only suited for latitudes such as the south of Europe.

CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT. 15

IV. TRITICUM DURUM of J9es/ow<ames— Hard-grained

Wheat.

4. IsHMAEL Hard Wheat.— Straw short, rigid, and solid; ears
erect, densely square, short and thick ; chaff long, whitish coloured,
and slightly downy ; awns blackish, or dark brown towards their base,
long and spreading ; grains large, oblong, and of a light yellowish
transparent colour. This sort was received in 1839 from M. Vil-
morin &; Co., Paris, and is easily distinguished from the four varie-
ties described, page 26 of Ag. Manual, by its very dark coloured
grains. It is one of those sorts which are cultivated extensively in
the North of Africa ; but although early and suited for spring sowing,
it is not likely ever to be considered worthy of culture in countries
adapted for the more valuable varieties of T. sativum.

5. Manfridonia Hard Wheat.— Straw short, rigid, and generally
quite solid; ears erect, square, and pretty compact; chaff lightish
brown, hard, and smooth ; awns long, and similar in colour with the
chaff ; grains large, oblong, hard or flinty, and of a light yellow trans-
parent colour. This variety approaches in character to the hard
Sicilian wheat, page 26 of the Ag. Manual, but may be considered
as a still more decided variety of Tritlcum durum, and was presented
in spring 1840, along with a sample of its flower, which is used for
making macaroni ; by Miss Walker of Drumsheuch, who had it from

Italy.

6. Nepal Hard or Vinous Wheat.— Straw short, erect, slender,
and slightly hollow ; ears about 2i inches long, and somewhat com-
pressed ; spikelets close set and very regularly alternate, two-seeded,
and adhering firmly to the rachis which is furnished with tufts of
wool at their insertion ; chaff regularly and densely covered with thick
down, firm in texture, and of a light brown colour ; awns long, erect,
and blackish or dark brown ; grains of more than ordinary size, ob-
long, very hard, and of a lightish yellow transparent colour. This
sort" was sent form Nepal to the Highland and Agriculture Society
of Scotland in 1839 by Dr Rolland, and was distributed amongst
growers in various parts of Scotland for trial the following year,
when the produce was so much affected with mildew and rust as to
render these experiments almost a total failure, a circumstance not
of an unusual occurrence with foreign samples the first year of their
growth in this country, consequently another year or two will be re-
quisite to test its qualities. It is not, however, likely to merit much
attention, farther than as being a variety so very distinct from the

16 CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT.

other known sorts as seemingly to constitute a different species, al-
though for the present it is included amongst the varieties of T.
durum, on account of the similarity of its grain ; and it is not unlikely
that this may be referred to the T. villosum of Beauvois, when op-
portunity offers of examining the smooth and downy varieties of
Hard Wheat.

V. TRITICUM SATIVUM of Lamarck— M.osi generally Cul-
tivated Wheat,

7. Barbary Thick-Chaffed Bearded Wheat Straw rather un-
der the medium length, slender, but remarkably firm and tough,
being generally perfectly solid ; ears short and slender ; spikelets re-
mote, and seldom more than two grained ; chaff white, smooth, very
thick and rigid ; awns fully longer than the ears ; grains large, ob-
long, lightish-yellow coloured and somewhat flinty, bearing a con-
siderable resemblance in sample to some varieties of the last species.
Although an early spring wheat, this is not likely to meet with atten-
tion from British growers, unless its peculiarly-formed straw should
be found useful in some branch of manufacture.

8. Bellevue Talavera White Wheat. The young plants are hardy,
and produce remarkably bx'oad upright foliage, which is often of a yel-
lowish or somewhat sickly hue in spring, but recovers rapidly after-
wards ; straw rather short and flexible, but becoming brittle when
over ripe ; ears of a loose open habit, long, and tapering upwards ;
spikelets remote and spreading, generally 3 and occasionally 4 seeded ;
grains unusually large, oblong, thin skinned,- and very white, forming
a superior sample.

Colonel Le Couteur of Bellevue Villa, Jersey, who has bestowed
unprecedented attention to the selection, cultivation, and improvement
of this genus of the cereal grasses, and author of a highly useful
work '* on the Varieties, Properties, and Classification of Wheat,"
selected a plant of this variety in a field of the common Talavera, the
produce of which he first offered to the public in autumn 1838.
It is decidedly the earliest beardless variety presently cultivated in
this country, and consequently well adapted for spring sowing. Some
cultivators, however, who have chiefly grown it as a winter wheat,
assei't that it is deficient^ both in produce of straw and grain, to the
more common sorts, and that it is only as a spring wheat that it
is entitled to attention ; or as a winter wheat on high lands.

9. Bois-HALL Red Wheat. — Young plants very hardy ; straw
rather short, stout, and rigid ; ears erect, usually about two and a
lialf inches long, very compact, or closely imbricated, especially toward

CEREAL GRAINS — TRITK'UM OR WHEAT. 17

their points, in this respect approaching to the compact wheats, page
19 of Ag. Manual ; spikelets often 4 grained ; chaff thin and hard, of a
bright reddish- broM'u colour, slightly streaked ; grain of medium size,
forming a good lightish-red sample. In 1836, this variety was sent
to the Museum by Messrs Field & Child, seedsmen, I-ondon, who had
it from the original grower Mr Smoothy of Boishall, since which it
has been tried by several cultivators in Scotland, who agree as to its
being hardy, rather more than ordinarily prolific, and well suited for
rich alluvial soils, as it is not apt to get lodged ; but it is rather liable
to sport or degenerate into subvarieties, which will prove an obstruc-
tion to the extension of its culture.

10. Branching Smooth-eared Red Wheat. — An ear of this sort
was received in spring 1840 from M. Vilmorin & Co., Paris, which
may be described as bearing the same relation to the beardless va-
rieties of T. sativum, that the Egyptian wheat does to the downy-eared
sorts of T. turgidum. Several grains from this ear were carefully
sown when received, the produce of which possessed very little of the
branching habits of the original, but whether this arose from a lia-
bility to degenerate, or was the effects of spring sowing and a want
of sufficient vigour in the plants, still remains to be ascertained. At
best, however, this is likely to be regarded more as a singular variety
than for any real merits,

11. Brodie's White Wheat. — Is so named in compliment to its dis-
coverer, the late Mr Brodie, who, in 1821, picked a single ear of it in
a field on his farm of Ormiston, and afterward propagated the same
at Fernhirst in Roxburghshire. The size ani beauty of the original
ear was such as to attract particular attention, but before sowing he ac-
cidentally lost all its grains, except thirty-two; the produce of which in
1826, or after being five j^ears cultivated, was twenty-six Roxburgh-
shire bolls of six bushels each. The beauty of sample, and success
attending' the early culture of Brodie' s Wheat, rendered it a favourite
with neighbouring growers, whose opinions of its merits were enhanced
from finding it not only superior in sample to Hunter's (page 3 of Ag.
Manual), but also more productive, taller in straw, and about a week
or ten days eaidier ; which latter property especially suits it for spring
sowing. Of late years its culture has been pretty extensively prac-
tised in' Berwickshire, the Lothians, and other wheat countries, where
it is genei'ally liked.

A tariety introduced from England in 1839, called the Oxford
Prize Wheat, from having obtained the first premium at the English
Agricultural Society's show, held there that season, bears such a nrar

18 CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT.

I'esemblance to Brodie's that several good judges have been induced
to consider them the same, only slightly altered by the influence of
climate, &c. ; and this appears the more likely from its having been
ascertained that the late Mr Brodie Avas in the practice of sending
his seed-wheat to several acquaintances in that district of England.

12. BuRWELL Red Wheat is so named fi"om having originated in
the parish of Burwell, Cambridgeshire, a district famed for its red
feed wheat, which is still held in considerable esteem by growers in
the higher wheat districts of the central and northern counties of Eng-
land, where in many parts it has entirely superseded the old red
wheat, from its being considerably hardier and much earlier, as
well as more prolific, and loss liable to suffer damage in adverse
seasons. Its straw is long, firm, and reddish coloured ; ears largo
and thin set, having scarcely 3 spiculsc in the inch ; chaff of a dark
reddish-brown colour, large, hard, and closely surrounding the grain,
which is also large, longish shaped, and of a deep reddish colour, form-
ing a goodish sample.

13. Cambridc4E i?row;n Wheat — Straw of medium length, slender,
tough, and flexible ; ear long, open, loose, and generally bent or
drooping ; chaff large, rigid, and of a reddish brown colour ; grains
deep bi'own, large, oblong, and tapering towards the point, forming
a good sample. This variety was received in 1836 from the late
George Baker, Esq. of Elmese Hall, Durham, whose crop of it that
season averaged 60 bushels per imperial acre, and he farther charac-
terized it as being early, hardy, and a sort which he always found to
tiller or spread well in spring.

14. Caucasian Bearded Yellow Wheat (Froment de Caucase
harhu of theFrench). — Straw long, coarse, and soft,consequently liable
to lodge in wet seasons ; ears long and heavy ; grains large, oblong,
yellowish coloured, and rather thick skined, forming a good heavy
sample. This variety was received last year from Messrs Vilmorin &
Co. Paris, and is of recent introduction to France, where it is found to
succeed either as a spring or winter wheat ; but although reported to
be more than usually prolific, farther experience is still required to
ascertain its true merits.

15. Chevalier Ten-Rowed White Wheat. — Straw of fully more
than medium length, firm, stout, and not liable to lodge ; ears erect,
rather short, but very compact ; spikelets often containing four, and
occasionally five grains, which are of medium size, short or roundish,
thin skinned, and form a superior, heavy sample.

Of the origin of this variety, which is also known by the name of

CEREAL GRAINS— TRITICUM OR WUEAT. 19

Brown's Chevalier, a correct account has not been obtained ; it, how-
ever, bears a considerable resemblance to a sort which has been long
known in the south of England by the name of Salmon Wheat, No.
35, of which it is very likely an improved variety. It has been grown
in Scotland for the last four seasons ; and although it presents rather
a weakly appearance in the winter months, yet it is found to recover
rapidly in spring, and is, on the whole, reckoned hardy, as well as
prolific, and deserving of general cultivation in good wheat districts.
Under the name of Chevalier, several reputed varieties have been
of late years brought into public notice, — as Fullard's Chevalier, Che-
valier Prolific, Courtney's Chevalier, &c., the last of which vv^ill be
found farther noticed under the name of Hickling's Prolific. No. 26.

16. Clover's Red Wheat. — The young plants are of vigorous
growth, hardy, and tiller well in spring; straw rather long, very thick,
and stout, not being liable to lodge even when grown on rich soils ;
ears very large, pretty close set^ and generally only slightly bent to
the one side ; chaff firm and strono- of a brio-fit brownish colour ;
grains large, oblong, and lightish red coloured, forming a very good
sample.

This variety was selected by Mr John Clover, farmer at Kirtling,
near Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, about fifteen years since, from a
field of wheat in that neighbourhood, which was known by the name of
Suftolk red wheat ; and its culture is now very general in that and
surrounding counties, where it is even displacing the Burwell red.
No. 12, for which it is often substituted by the seed-growers of that
long esteemed sort. With a bag of this variety, weighing 66 to 67 lb,
per bushel, Mr Clover gained the Highland and Agricultural Society
of Scotland's premium for the best red wheat, at Berwick-on-Tweed,
30th September 1841.

17. Cluster Dwarf White Wheat is a remarkably short and firm
strawed variety, which chiefly distinguishes it from the next, and es-
pecially suits it for rich soils where the common sorts are apt to
acquire too great a length of straw, and, in consequence, become
lodged. It may be termed medium hardy, tillers well in spring,
and yields a good return both in quantity and sample.

It was first imported from England to E. Lothian in 1838, where
the name of cluster was applied to it on account of the thick and dense
form of its ears, which, from the rigidity of its straw, are more than
usually erect.

18. Cluster Tall White Wheat. — Sti'aw tall, of medium strength,
but rather apt to lodge M-hen grown in rich soils ; ears generally un-

20 CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT.

der 3 inches in length, square, and very compact, the joints of the
rachis being usually 8 in an inch ; spikelets generally 4-grained, chaff
short, hard, smooth, and white ; grain rather small, short, and of a
dullish white colour, but forming a good heavy sample. This variety
was introduced from England under the name of Dudney wheat in
1837, by Arch. Scott, Esq. of Southfield, E. Lothian, who chang-ed
it to that of tall cluster, from its similarity in form of ear to the
last.

19. Col. Le Couteur's compact WJdte Wheat. — This is a seed-
ling raised in 1832 by Colonel Le Couteur of Bellevue, Jersey, and
named Triticum hyhrichim Coturianum compactum, in compliment
to him, by his friend Professor La Gasca, Curator of the Royal Gar-
dens at Madrid. It is hardy and tillers remarkably well in spring ;
produces fine firm straw, rather under the medium length, and, con-
sequently, not liable to lodge even on the richest lands ; the ears are
short and compact ; grains of ordinary size, oblong, and rather thick
skinned, usually three or four in the spikelet, and forming a good sam-
ple. In addition to these characteristics, Col. Le C. finds it to be
rather early, highly productive, and not at all liable to shed its seeds
in high winds, even when vei'y ripe ; and his crops in 1826 averaged
58 bushels per imperial acre. Several trials on a limited extent have
been made with this sort in Scotland, none of which seem to have
been attended with any remarkable results, but further experience is
yet re(5[uisite to define its actual merits

20. Col. Le Couteur's round White Wheat — Triticum album
densum of La Gasca. An illustrative figure of this variety, along
with that of the last and others, is given by Col. Le Couteur in his
work " on the varieties, properties, and classification of wheat," in
which work he expresses an opinion that it may be the same with
the white Hungarian wheat, page 7 of Ag. Manual, he having been
only acquainted with the latter by description. The results of two
or three years' cultivation proves them, however, to be essentially dif-
ferent, the only characteristic common to both being the small sizo
and round shape of the grain ; Col. Le C.'s having a shorter ear and
shorter straw, while it yields a thicker skinned, inferior sample, and
is not deserving of cultivation except for straw -plait, for which its
firm, tough, and very white straw seems, in an especial manner, to
recommend it.

21. CoL. Le Couteur's Jersey Dantzic White Wheat — Triticum
candidum epulonum of La Gasca. — The young plants are hax'dy,
tiller remarkably well in spring, and bloom before most other sorts ;

CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT. 21

straw of more than usual length, slender, and somewhat liable to
lodge on rich soils ; ears moderately dense, and di'ooping- or bending
to one side when ripe ; chaff thin, smooth, and white ; grains gene-
rally three but sometimes four in the spikelet, of an oblong shape and
transparent light colour, forming a medium sample. Col. Le C. ap-
plied the name of Jersey Dantzic to this from having obtained it out
of a cargo of wheat impoi'ted from Dantzic ; it is not, however, to be
confounded either with the following or the white Dantzic, page 6 of
the Ag. Manual ; to neither of which it bears much resemblance.
From experiments which the Colonel made with this sort, he found
that 18 lb. of the flour yielded 24 lb. of bread, which was of superior
quality, being dry and white coloured ; and his crop in 1836 yielded
52 bushels of 63 lb. each per imperial acre. In 1839 several quar-
ters of this wheat were grown on the farm of Long Niddery, E.
Lothian, by Alex. Henderson, Esq. who found that the return it
yielded, and apparent quality of its sample, were not such as to war-
rant a continuance of culture.

22. Col. Le Couteur's, No. 5. Jersey Dantzic White Wheat. —
Straw softish and of medium length ; ears long, slender, and generally
a little bent or curved ; spikelets very remote, and usually containing
two or three large, oblong, thickish-skinned grains, which form ra-
ther an inferior sample. Col. Le C. selected this variety as well as
the last, and some others, from a cai'go of Dantzic wheat, and was
induced to cultivate it on observing its hardiness and early habits,
qualities which he considers may render it alike important for grow-
ing as a Avinter wheat in elevated late districts, or as a spring wheat
in more genial situations. As yet this sort has not been sufficiently
tried in Scotland to warrant an opinion as to its real merits.

23. Col. Le Couteur's velvet or downy White WJieat — Triti-
cum KoeJeri of La Gasca. — A sample of downy white wheat, to which
•we have applied this name, was received from Col. Le C, along with
the preceding four, and others ; which having been sown along with
the common white woolly wheat for comparison, was found to produce
shorter straw, with smaller ears, and otherwise to appear quite dis-
tinct, but seemingly inferior, both in quality and produce, to that va-
riety, page 6 of Ag. Manual.

24. Eclipse White Wheat. — Young plants hardy, and becoming
bushy or tillering well in spring ; straw of more than ordinary length,
thick, and firm in texture ; ears upright, or very slightly drooping
when ripe, regularly formed and compact ; chaff very white, thin, and
hard ; grains usually four in the spikelet, of a round or slightly

22 CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT.

oblong' shape, very white and thin skinned, forming a very superior
sample. This sort was introduced to Scotland from the south of Eng-
land in 1838, but, like many others of the finer varieties from that
quarter, its produce for the last year or two has been found to decrease
in quality, thus tending to justify a very prevalent opinion, that, in
order to grow the finer wheats to the greatest perfection, it is occa-
sionally necessary to procure a change of seed from a more favourable
climate.

25. Hedgehog Yellow Bearded Wheat — JBle Herisson of the
French ; straw very short and rather brittle ; ears also very short,
crowded, and thickly furnished with long spreading and somev.diat
tortuose awns ; chaff smooth, and varying from a dull yellowish-
brown to a whitish colour ; grains reddish or deep yellow, very small,
hard, and of an oblong shape, forming an inferior sample. This va-
riety is recommended by the French as being hardy, prolific, and
fitted either for autumn or spring sowing ; but experiments in this
country shew that it is only deserving of attention from its being a
distinct and curious variety for collections.

26. IIicklixg's Prolific Yellow Wheat. — Young plants tiller well
in spring, and yield a broad healthy foliage ; straw of fully more than
ordinary length, sti'ong, and not liable to lodge ; cars of a large size
and beautiful dense square form, the joints of the rachis averaging
about nine to the inch ; chaff white ; grains of a short or somewhat
roundish form, and a deep yellow or reddish colour, forming rather
an inferior sample. This variety was formerly noticed under the
name of Heckland's wheat, page 12 of Ag. Manual, and is the pro-
duce of a plant with three ears, which was discovered in 1830 by
Mr Samuel Hickling, in a field at Ca\vston, near Aylsham, Norfolk ;
these contained 293 grains, from the produce of which he, in 1835,
sowed a breadth of 18 English acres. It was introduced into the
the Lothians in the following year, and received a rapidly extended
cultivation in the various wheat districts of Scotland, as well as in
England and Ireland. Its culture is now, however, considerably on
the decrease, from the circumstance of dealers offering only a secon-
dary price for it, as they consider it inferior for baking to most of the
older red wheats, amongst which it is generally classed, notwithstand-
ing the whiteness of its straw and chaff.

Samples of wheat under the names of King William, Thickset,
Incledon's prolific, Courtney's six-rowed Chevalier, Norfolk, &c. have
been at different times received from various parts of England, be-
tween Hickling's, and which no difference apparently exists, except

CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT. 23

such as may be attributed to the difference of climate, soil, &c. in
which they had been grown.

27. HoPETOUX White Wheat is the pi'oduce of a single ear of un-
usual size, which was discovered in 1832 on Mr James Reid's farm
of Drem, E. Lothian, by his steward Alexander Douglas, who pre-
sented it to Mr Patrick Sheriff, originator of the well known Hope-
toun oat, and then occupier of the neighbouring farm of Mongoswells.
From the original ear Mr Sheriff carefully extracted the grains,
ninety-nine in number, without disfiguring its appearance, and after-
wards presented it to the Messrs Drummond, Stirling, in whose agri-
cultural museum it is still preserved. Mr S. having left Mongos-
wells in 1836, gave the whole produce of his Hopetoun wheat, then
amounting to about five bushels, to Mr James Reid, who has since
grown it with much success ; and within the last two years it has been
pretty Avidely distributed amongst growers, who generally consider it
an improved stock or subvariety of Hunter's, page 3 of Ag. Manual.

28. Indian White Wheat. — Straw short and stout; ear rather under
the medium size ; chaff very white, remarkably short, and i-ounded
or blunt-pointed ; spikolets generally containing three or four grains,
of a somewhat transparent whitish colour, ordinary size, and good
quality. This peculiar chaffed variety was received from M. Vil-
morin, Paris, in 1839, with no particulars as to its history or quality,
except that it was obtained from the E. Indies ; and it is extremely
doubtful whether it will ever deserve the attention of growers, unless
perhaps, in warm climates.

29. Malacca White Beardless Wheat. — Straw of medium length,
fine, and rather brittle ; ear erect and thin, the spikelets averaginof
five to the inch, and generally three or four seeded ; chaff short and
rounded at the point, very white coloured, thin, and brittle ; grains
large, somewhat oblong, white, and thin skinned, forming a superior
sample. This variety was received in autumn 1840 from London,
along with the Barbary thick chaffed wheat formerly noticed, but
judging from one year's trial, together with its general charac-
teristics, it appears too tender and fine for the climate of this coun-
try.

30. Marianapoli Bed Beardless Spring Wheat. — Young plants
vio-orous and hardy ; straw tough, firm, and erect ; ears of medium
leno'th, thin, and slender, the spikelets being at most only three seeded,
and the joints of the rachis about five in the inch ; chaff thickish and
firm, bright brownish coloured, and furnished, towards the point of
the spike, with a few scattered awns, from one-fourth to three-fourths
of an inch in length ; grain rather under the medium size, oblong,

CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT.

thin skinned, and of a bright reddish colour; forming a superior
sample compared with most other red spring wheats. This variety
was obtained in 1839 from M. Vilmorin, Paris, who received it from
the department of Vaucluse, as being an early and deserving winter
sort ; but from trials made by him, he is of opinion that it will an-
swer better as a spring wheat in the north of France. A sample
sown with the others in our collection last autumn stood the winter
well, appeared less liable to disease, and ripened as early as the ge-
nerality of the spring varieties, but seemed very deficient Jjoth in
produce of straw and grain.

31. 'N APLES Beard edWhitcWheat. — Straw short and somewhat ten-
der; ears rather shorter, bufe-fully more compact, than the generality of
bearded spring wheats ; chaff and awns white and brittle, the former
scarcely enclosing the grains, which are large, oblong, and of a dark
brown transparent colour, forming a rather coarse-looking sample.
This sort was received in 1839 from France, where it is rather scarce,
and does not seem possessed of any qualities to recommend it in pre-
ference to the more common kinds.

32. Narbonne Red Spring Bearded Wheat Straw short and tough ;

ears long and thin, the joints of the rachis being four to five in the
inch ; spikelets large, spreading, and often four-seeded ; chaff large
and firm ; of a dark brown colour at the sides, and lighter towards
the centre of each spikelet ; awns brownish, long and spreading;
grains of medium size, long shaped, and forming a dark-coloured, ra-
ther inferior sample. This sort appears to be rather subject to dis-
ease, and seems possessed of no property to entitle it to culture in
this country.

33. Paixted- Stalked White Wheat. — Straw short, tough, and of
a beautiful reddish or purple colour ; ear under the medium size,
erect or slightly inclined, and whitish chaffed ; grains of medium
size, slightly oblong shape, thinnish skin, and forming a good sam-
ple. This variety was received from France in 1839, under the name
of Blc Pictet, and is found to retain the characteristic colour of its
straw under cultivation, but has no other real property to recommend it.

34. Pearl White Wheat was imported from Middlesex to Leith in
1838, by John Watson, Esq., corn-merchant there ; and was then
considered as being very closely allied to the Uxbridge (page 3 of
Ag. Manual), and more recently many growers were of opinion that
it was identical with the Oxford prize, or an improved variety of
Brodie's wheat (No. 11.), compared with which, it is, however, shorter
and smaller in grain, as well as heavier and superior in sample ; it

CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT. 25

ulso ripens fully earlier, and produces stiff and rather longer straw.
Archibald Scott, Esq. of Southfield, one of its first growers in this
country, gained the premium at the Haddington Show with this sort,
in autumn 1839, which had been sown in the previous spring, and
weighed 64 lb. per bushel ; and in 1840 he again carried the prize
with it, sown in the previous autumn. Weight 66^ lb.

35. Salmon White Wheat. — Straw stout and rather under the me-
dium length ; grain of ordinary size, somewhat oblong in shape, thin
skinned, and of a transparent whitish or salmon colour, forming a supe-
rior sample. In some of the southern counties of England, where this
sort is pretty extensively grown, it is considered as being both hardy
and prolific ; but although introduced at various times, growers in
Scotland do not seem to have found these properties so prominent, or
its characteristics so distinct, as to have led them to give it more than
a very limited cultivation.

36. SAB.KYelloworlled Wheat. — Straw leather short, but tough and
firm ; ears brownish colonized, slender, and slightly curved ; grains
three and sometimes four in the spikelet, of a thin oblong form, and
dull yellowish colour. Col. Le Couteur, Jersey, from whom this va-
riety was received, first obtained it from the island of Sark, which he
reports as being much visited by storms, and where the fields receive
no artificial shelter, consequently he presumes that it may be advan-
tageously grown in cold and late districts ; but the results of one
year's culture in this country tend to shew that hardiness is its only
property, as it is neither prolific nor does it yield a good sample.

37. Saumur Yellow Wheat. — Straw tall, erect, thickish, somewhat
soft, and, as well as the chaff, of a whitish colour ; ears large, and me-
dium compact ; grains large, oblong, thinnish skinned, and light red or
yellowish coloured, forming a good sample. This variety is said to
have originated in the valleys of Anjou ; and its culture has, of late,
inci'eased rapidly in the districts of Orleans, La Beauce, vicinity of
Paris, and other parts of France, from having been found fully a
week earlier, as well as more prolific, than the commoner sorts ; but
the unusually severe spring of 1838 proved it to be also more tender.
Small quantities grown in this country shew it to be a healthy and
free grower ; but seemingly possessed of no qualities to recommend
it in preference to the sorts in general cultivation.

38. TouzELLE Red Wheat — Under this name a variety has recently
been received from M. Vilmorin, Paris, without any accompanying
description ; it has a longish and rather thin dark reddish-coloured
spike, with large firm chaff, and largish, well-filled, thin-skinned,
reddish grains.

26 CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT.

39. Traxsparext Red Bearded Spring Wheat. — Straw longer than
that of most spring wheats, firm and flexible ; ears long and very
slender ; chaff of a transparent lightish brown colour, large and hard;
grains two or three in the spikelet, largish sized, somewhat hard or
flinty, and of a transparent reddish or yellow colour, forming a me-
dium sample. Compared with the other French spring wheats, this
seems to yield a more bulky crop of straw, and is also a more hardy
and free grower ; but its produce in grain is too scanty to render it
worthy of attention.

40. Trehois Black Jointed White Bearded Wheat. — This variety
has strong bi^oad foliage, and the young plants tiller remarkably in
spring ; its straw is of medium length, thick, but soft, and brittle when
ripe, generally a good deal kneed or bent at the large blackish joints ;
ears of ordinary size and pretty compact, furnished with long spreading
awns ; grains usually three and sometimes four in the spikelet, of me-
dium size, oblong shape, and whitish colour ; forming a goodish sample.
A sample in straw and grain was sent to the Museum, in 1838, by
Mr A. Gorrie, Annat, Perthshire, who had it from Col. Le Couteur,
through Dr Hamilton of Plymouth, and J. C. Loudon, Esq., con-
ductor of the Gardeners' Magazine, &c., as an early spring or three
month wheat, as its name implies. In Perthshire it has proved,
however, to be fully as late as the common winter wheats, and on the
whole does not seem possessed of any properties to recommend it for
cultivation in this country.

41. Tun STALL White Wheat. — Several varieties have been grown
under this name in different parts, including even the white woolly-
eared or hedge wheat (page 6 of Ag'. Manual) ; and one was brought
into notice by Sir Francis A. M'Kenzie, bart. of Gairloch, at the
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland's Show at Inverness
in 1839, under the name of Tunstall thick-chaffed wheat, ^vhich he
recommended for cultivation in that district, but further particulars
regarding it have not been received.

42. Vilmorin's White Wheat. — Straw long and thick, but not firm
in texture, consequently liable to get lodged in very rich soils ; ears
very long, compact, and generally curved or waved ; spikelets short,
and often four-seeded ; chaff hard, glossy white, and completely enve-
loping the grains, which are short or roundish shaped, and of a light
cream colour ; forming a very superior sample. This seemingly supe-
rior variety was communicated by Col. Le Couteur, in 1839, who had
it originally from M, Vilmorin of Paris, in compliment to whom he
has named it ; which name is here retained in consequence of its ap-

CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR vrHEAT. 27

pearing quite distinct from any of the numei'ous named sorts which
have at different times been received from M. Vihnorin, From the
limited trials which have been made of it in this country it appears
well deserving of farther attention.

43. Waterloo i2e(i Wlieat. — This variety produces a strongish straw,
yields a good sample, and is of medium fecundity ; it may be farther
described as bearing a considerable resemblance to the Burwell red,
No. 12, but does not seem possessed of sufficient pi^operties to induce
growers to cultivate it in preference to the more generally known kinds.
This sort was received in autumn 1836, from Messrs Jacob Wrench
and Sons, seedsmen, London ; and was originated by a Suffolk far-
mer some years previously.

44. Whittington's WhiteWlieat. — Young plants bushy and hardy ;
straw very long and of softish texture; ears unusually large, and droop-
ing ; spikelets large and spreading, often four, and not unfrequently
five seeded; grains large, oblong, thin skinned, and forming a vei^y
superior white-coloured sample. This well known and highly proli-
fic variety is named after Mr Wliittington, land agent and valuator,
at Whitmorc House, near Ripley, Surrey, and is the produce of three
ears received from Switzerland by him in 1830. In 1836, he first
offered a limited quantity of its seed for sale, since which its culti-
vation has spread x-apidly in the different Avheat districts both of Eng-
land and Scotland. In the latter country it has of late, however,
somewhat fallen in the estimation of growers, from the unfavourable-
ness of the seasons, and its being liable to lodge on rich soils, where
its culture has been attempted by many, contrary to the advice of its
originator, who recommends it for thin or inferior soils only, for
which it is particulai'ly suitable, and has also been found to succeed
well as a spring wheat, being fully earlier than the commoner sorts-

A sample received along with the last variety (Waterloo red wheat)
from Wickham, Suffolk, under the name of Wellington, and another
from London called Elcy's gigantic white wheat, said to have been
discovered in 1832 by Mr Charles Eley, Sion Hill, Islesworth, have
been grown for the last three seasons along with Wliittington, between
them and which no difference can be detected : these may therefore
be considered as synonyms.

45. Whitworth White Wheat. — Straw of medium length, slender
and firm ; chaff thin, firm, and of a whitish colour,. tipped with light
brown ; grains oblong, tapering towards the point, white and thin
skinned ; forming a superior sample. In the county of Durham and
neighbouring districts this variety has been a good deal sought after

28 CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT.

of late years for spring sowing, it being about a week or ten days
earlier than tlie common sorts. It was first introduced to these
parts by Gilbert Wood, Esq. of Whitworth, who received it from the
south of England without a name.

A sample procured in autumn 1838, from the London market, un-
der the name of Elthcna ivheat, seems to be identical with the Whit-
worth, neither can we detect the least difference between it and an-
other procured in 1839 from M. Vilmorin and Co., Paris, named
Earli/ striped chaffed ivhcat, which was originally sent to them from
England by Mr Samuel Taylor.

TRITICUM TURGIDUM, i.— Turgid Wheat.

46. African Turgid Wheat. — Straw very long, stout, and nearly solid;
ears long and more open than is usual in the varieties of this species ;
chaff hard, slightly downy, dark brown on the margin, and shaded off
to a light yellowish colour inwards ; grains medium sized, yellowish,
and somewhat transparent, of a short and irregular roundish shape.
This and the three following varieties were recently received from
M. Vilmorin and Co., Paris, and like others of the same species,
there is little probability of their ever being grown with advantage
in the climate of Scotland ; their lateness and other peculiarities
suiting them better for such as the southern countries of Europe.

47. Garagnox Black Bearded Turgid Wheat. — Straw long, very
thick, stout, and nearly solid ; chaff large, rigid, smooth and white,
forming a striking contrast with the long black awns ; grains very
large, lightish coloured, and of an oblong irregular shape.

48. Taganrock Black Bearded Turgid Wheat. — This variety re-
sembles the last in having long black awns, and smooth white chaff,
but its ears are much shorter and more compact ; chaff larger and
more hard or firm in texture, and its grains are still larger, and of a
more oblong shape, forming a sample resembling that of the varieties
of Triticum durum, p. 25 of Ag. Manual.

49. St Helena Giant Turgid Wheat, page 24 of Ag, Manual. Some
years since a reputed superior turgid wheat was brought under the
notice of French cultivators by a M. Barand of Louisiana, under the
name of Ble Nonette de Lausanne, which was found to be the same
as the Giant St Helena Turgid wheat, a sort now esteemed one of
the best for the richer soils of the middle and south of France ; and
in this country it appears to ripen rather earlier, and produces a bet-
ter sample than most others belonging to this species.

CEREAL GRAINS — TRITICUM OR WHEAT, 29

ZEA MAYS of Linnceus. — Maize or Indian Corn.
Since the publication of the Agriculturist's Manual, numerous va-
rieties of Indian corn have been added to the collection, but as they
are of comparatively little importance to the British farmer, the fol-
lowing short notices of the principal sorts have been deemed sufficient.

1. American Pop or Snap Indian Corn. — Length of the spike or
ear seldom exceeding 7 inches, and average diameter of the same
about 3^ inches ; grains usually in twelve rows, very small, roundish
or slightly compressed, and of a blackish purple colour. Cultivated
in the northern states of the Union, and chiefly used for parching.
This variety was received in 1840 from Mr M. B. Bateman, proprie-
tor and editor of the " Genesee Farmer," Rochester, N. Ameri-
ca, along with specimens in ear of Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, and 13.

2. Canadian Early Yellow Indian Corn. — Ear usually 8-rowed,
and 7 to 9 inches long by from 4 to 4^ inches in circumference ; seeds
small, bright yellow coloured, and oblong shaped. Much grown in
Canada and the northern states.

3. Chinese Tree Indian Corn. — Average length of the ear about
9 and circumference 5| inches ; seeds in 12, 14, or 16 regular rows,
rather under the medium size, considerably compressed, and whitish
coloured. This sort was highly recommended in some of the Ame-
rican agricultural periodicals some years since, but it is found to be
suited only for the southern or warmer districts.

4. Button or 12-11owed Indian Corn. — Ear from 9 to 12 inches
long, and 5^ to 6 inches in circumference; grains generally in 12
somewhat irregular rows, of medium size, roundish shape, and lig-ht
yellow colour ; esteemed the best and most g-enerally grown variety
in the northern states and some parts of Canada. Specimens of this
sort were also received from Mr C. P. Bosson, editor of the '• Yan-
kee Farmer," Boston, in 1841, along with those of Nos. 6, 8, 9, 10,
and 11.

5. Early Red-blaze Indian Corn — Ears generally 8-rowed, and
about 8 inches in length, by 4^ to 5 in circumference ; grains of me-
dium size, much compressed, of a whitish colour in the more con-
cealed parts of the spike, and varying to a light pink and deep red-
dish brown colour where exposed to the sun or light thi'ough open-
ino's in the sheath. A good early sort, and somewhat extensively
grown in the same districts as the last.

6. Early Small 8-Rowed Indian Corn. — Average length of ear
about 7 inches, and circumfex'ence 4^ to 5 inches ; seeds usually in 8

30 CEREAL GRAINS — MAIZE OR INDIAN CORN.

regular rows, lai'ge, very much compressed, and of a bright yellow
colour. Only cultivated in districts where there exists an uncertain-
ty of the larger and more productive sorts ripening.

7. Early Variegated Indian Corn. — Ears generally under 6 inches
in length, by about 3^ inches in circumference; seeds usually in 8 some-
what irregular rows, rather small, slightly compressed, and varying
in colour from almost entire white to a deep red or lake, while others
in the same spike have a deep purple or bluish tinge. Received in
spring 1841 from Germany, and said to be fully as early as either
the Egyptian or Cobbet's Maize, page 57 of the Manual. Many of
the other varieties occasionally produce variegated ears, which, how-
ever, do not retain that permanency of character which seems to
attach to this.

8. Nantucket Large White Indian Corn Average length of

ear 8 to 9 inches, and circumference 5 to 5^ ; seeds in 8 very recru-
lar rows, very large, a good deal compressed, and of a transparent
whitish colour. This bears a considerable resemblance to a late sort
called in France, the large white Maize, but appears generally to
have fewer rows in the spike, with fully larger and moi'e oblong-shaped
grains.

9. Pearl Indian Corn. — Ear seldom exceeding 6 inches in length,
and 3 in circumference ; grains in 8 rows, very small, roundish shaped,
and of a transparent whitish or pearl colour. A rather late and un-
productive variety.

10. Rice-Seeded Indian Corn. — Circumfei*ence of the ear usual-
ly exceeding its length, which is seldom more than 4 inches; seeds
very small, roundish, or conically pointed, of a transpai'ent whitish
colour, and so irregularly inserted in the spike that the rows can only
be traced in portions of some specimens. Altogether the appearance
of this is so distinct from that of other varieties that it may ultimate-
ly be found to constitute a distinct species.

11. Rocky Mountain or Leafy-spiked Maize. — An ear of this
soi't received from Mr Bosson, of Boston, L^nited States, and report-
ed to have been originally bi'ought from the Rocky Mountains, is 12-
rowed, and measures about 7 inches long, with an average circumfe-
rence of about 6 inches ; and its grains, which are of medium size,
whitish colour, and slightly compressed, are entirely enveloped by the
large, foliaceous, two valved calyx, which gives to the spike the appear-
ance of being composed of closely imbricated small leaves ; so that
this may even be considered better entitled to rank as a distinct spe
cies than the last.

CEREAL GRAINS— MAIZE OR INDIAN CORN. 31

12. Sugar Indian Corn, — Average length of ears about 7, and
circumference 4^ inches ; grains in 8 regular rows, compressed, a
good deal wrinkled, and of a lightish tx'ansparent colour. Chiefly-
used for the table when green.

13. Vermont Early Indian Corn. — Ears about 7 to 8 inches long
and 4^ inches in circumference ; grains in 8 regular rows, medium
sized, a good deal compressed, and of a deep yellow colour. An early
variety, cultivated in the northern states and Canada.

In addition to the preceding, several other less distinct yellow-seed-
ed varieties were received from America, under the names of Connec-
ticut, New Hampshire, Pomroy, Twin corn, &c., descriptions of which
have not been given, as they appear to be merely local names.

ZIZANIA AQUATICA of LinncBus, or Canadian Rice.

Gr^EETC Characters. — Inflorescense panicled ; barren and fertile
florets distinct, the former usually six- stamened ; corolla of the latter
a two-valved hooded and awned glume ; seeds solitary and enveloped
in the plaited corolla.

Specific Characters. — Panicle efi'use ; spikelets drooping ; bar-
ren and fertile florets mixed ; seed included in the awned corolla ;
from a half to three quarters of an inch in length when ripe ; cylin-
drical shaped, dark brown coloured, and hard or flinty. Annual.
Native of N. America.

Seeds of the Canadian Rice were communicated to the Museum
by John Haldane, Esq., Haddington ; and also by Mr C. P. Bos-
son, editor of the " Yankee Farmer " newspaper, Boston, United
States ; all of which had, however, lost their vitality, — to retain
which they require to be brought home in an air-tight vessel,
among mud or water. From several trials which have been made to
grow this plant in Great Britain, it appears that the summers are, in
general, not of sufficient warmth for bringing its seeds to full matu-
rity, although it grows abundantly at considerably higher latitudes
in the north and north-west of America ; where, in shallow streams,
and by the margins of lakes, it attains a height of from 6 to 10 feet,
and affords food for the wandering natives, as well as for the vast
numbers of aquatic fowls which abound in the less frequented regions
of that continent.

( 32 )

LEGUMINOUS GRAm S—Le^fujninosce.

FABA VULGARIS Eqjina of Loudon — Horse or Field

Beax.

1. Annfield Field Bean. — Height of plant usually about 4^ feet,
pods 3^ to 4 inches long, and generally containing 3 or 4 beans, which
are of a large size, somewhat flattened, and most commonly tapered
to a small roundish point. This variety is of medium earliness, and
rather productive, especially when grown in superior early soils. No
particulars as to its origin have been received, but it may be described
as bearing a near relation to the Early Mazagan, page 64 of Ag. Ma-
nual, and consequently is one of the largest class of field beans. A sam-
ple was first sent to the Museum in 1837 by Claud Alexander, Esq. of
Ballochmyle, Ayrshii'e, from a crop grown on a black moorish soil, at
an altitude of 400 feet above the level of the sea ; which was sown on
the 7th Feb., and reaped on the 24th Sept. of that year. Produce
per acre about 34 bushels.

2, Heligoland Field Bean. — Height averaging about 3^ feet ; pods
small, straight, cylindrically shaped, and very numerous, as many as
50 beino- uccasionally found on a single plant ; beans 3 or 4 in each
pod, well-filled, of a roundish or slightly oblong shape, and very small,
forming a superior and heavy sample. This is an early and hardy-
growing sort, and consequently suited for the higher classes of bean
soils, but many growers who have given it a fair trial are beginning
to discontinue its culture, from finding that the smallness of its seeds
causes a deficiency in the actual bulk of produce, notwithstanding its
unusual fertility. A sample, the produce of carefully selected seed
of Heligoland beans, was received for the Museum in spring 1837,
from Mr John Clark, Long Sutton, and we have also been indebted
on several occasions for samples, both in grain and straw, to William
Ewinw, Esq., Concraig, Crieff", Perthshire, who cultivates two varieties,
the one having white and the other black eyes, which he selected from
the stock first brought to that district from Lincolnshire by the Eight
Honourable Lord Willoughby d'Eresby, and finds it to be decidedly
preferable to the common sort, — his crop in 1838 having weighed 69
lb. per bushel, and yielded 64 bushels per Scotch acre.

3. Prolific Pi'rple Field Bean. — Height 4 to 4^ feet ; pods nume-
rous, usually containing 4, occasionally 5, seeds, which are rather
smaller in size, but similar in form to those of the common tick bean,

LEGUMINOUS GRAINS — FIELD PEA. 33

pago C3 of Ag. Manual ; of a bright jiurple or reddish colour when
I'ipe, and becoming much darker afterwards. This variety was intro-
duced to Scotland from Mark Lane some years since, and althouoli
found to succeed well in good early districts, its culture has been al-
most entirely discontinued, from a prejudice existing among'st dealers
against the colour of its sample.

4. WmTEuField Bean — Since the publication of the Agriculturist's
Manual, it has been ascertained that this variety is perfectly distinct
from the Heligoland bean, No. 2 ; and although it has been culti-
vated with considerable success in various pai'ts of the country, grow-
ers generally seem to agree that it is only in very favourable autumns
that its sowing can be pi'ofitably attended to.

Of Garden beans not noticed in, or introduced since the publication
of, the Agriculturist's Manual, the principal one isMarshalVsnew early
dwarf jyroli fie, besides which several sub-varieties of the older sorts
have been brought into partial notice, a description of which has, in
the present instance, been deemed unnecessary.

PISUM SATIVUM ARVENSE of imn«i«5— Field Pea.

1. Grey Dantzic Field Pea. — This name has been applied to a
small round dark grey seeded variety, lately imported to Leith from
the Baltic, which in appearance of sample very much resembles
large tares ; but nothing farther is as yet known of its characteristics
or merits.

2. Himalayan Small Grey Field Fea. — Straw from 18 inches to 2
feet in length, weak and straggling ; blossoms always solitary ; pods
generally under an inch and a half in leng-th, Avell filled, curved or
scimitar shaped, and usually containing five or six peas, which are,
when ripe, of a dull greenish colour, speckled with brown, and not
larger than common tares or vetches. In our collection contain-
ing 73 sorts of field and garden peas grown in 1840, this was
found to be the earliest, smallest seeded, and the least productive.
Its seeds were sent from the Himalaya by the Hon. W. Leslie
Melville, under the name of Kullaoo, and being from a district of
Asia which is supposed to have produced many others of our most
useful cultivated plants, it is not improbable but that it may be the
origin from which all the improved varieties of the pea at present
in cultivation have been derived.

3. White Podded Sugar Field Pea. — Average height from 5 to 6
feet ; pods whitish, irregularly shaped when full grown, and composed

34 LEGUMINOUS GRAINS — FIELD PEA.

of a thick fleshy skin without endocarp ; peas of largish size and light
dun colour, slightly speckled, and forming a superior sample. Al-
though somewhat early and fully more than usually prolific, this sort
is never likely to be much grown as a field pea, the want of the
endocarp rendering the pods easily broken in harvesting, and it is also
inferior in quality for culinary purposes to the sugar or skinless peas
usually grown. Samples have at various times been x'eceived from
Messrs Vilmorin & Co., Paris, and also of crop 1841, from Charles
Guthrie, Esq. of Tay Bank, Dundee, along with those of Nos. 6, 7,
and 63 of Aff. Manual.

Several superior varieties of the garden pea, as well as considerable
numbers of improved or slightly altei-ed subvarieties of the older sorts,
have been inti'oduced since the publication of the Agriculturist's Ma-
nual, descriptions of which, in this Supplement, have been deemed
inexpedient. The following list of names of the principal sorts al-
luded to may, however, be acceptable to some, viz. Auvergne pea, St
Heliers new wrinkled marrow, Bedman's improved dwarf imperial,
Victoria tall, Turkey ivhite crown, Adelaide royal dwarf, Knox's
new champion, Rising Sun, Waterloo new early frame, Thomson's
early dwarf y Sultana sugar pea, &.c.

PHASEOLUS VULGARIS of ininceiw— Dwakf Kidney

Bean.

The culture of kidney beans in this country being almost exclusively
confined to the garden, the descriptions of the lately introduced sorts
are here dispensed with, as in the case of Garden Beans ajid Peas.
The following are, however, the names of the principal of these,
Thousand to one kidney bean of America, Canary, and Black Bel-
gian.

( 35 )

HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

I. GRASS'ES.—GFAAIINEjE.

1. ALOPECURUS NIGRICANS of Horneman—^/aoiwA
headed-Foxtail Crrass.

Specific Characters. — Inflorescence forming a cylindrically spiked panicle,
tapering slightly towards the base, and of a darkish colour ; glumes villous
and fringed, about half as long as the awns of the paleas : Perennial, 3 to 4
feet high. Native of Europe and the north of Asia.

This grass somewhat resembles the meadow foxtail; but besides
the darker colour of its panicles, it differs in being of a much more
luxurious and rigid habit of growth ; it also comes into use rather ear-
lier in spring. The results of several trials to grow its seeds in Scot-
land seem to indicate an unsuitability in the climate for that purpose,
but as these are now beginning to be grown on the continent, a few years
will be sufficient to test its real merits. It was first brought into
favourable notice in Loudon's Gardeners' Magazine for May 1839, page
301, by a correspondent, who says, " I have some new grasses of which
I entertain great hopes : One from Siberia fAlopccurus nigricans)
seems to be valuable for its bulk and earliness beyond most grasses
which we have hitherto had in cultivation."

2^. CYNODON DACTYL ON, the creeping Cynodon. Digita-
RIA HUMiFUSA, and D. SANGUiNALis, spreading, and slender spiked
Finger-grass or Polish millet are all remarkable for the peculiar arrange-
ment of their inflorescence, which is formed by 3, 4, or more spikes, ra-
diating from the top of the culm or stalk. The first is a creeping pe-
rennial, found in some parts of the South of Eng-land, particularly
about Cornwall ; it grows abundantly in France and others of the
southern countries of Europe, where it may be said in many instances
to occupy that place in their vegetations which is done in this by the
Poa annua, springing up like it by the waysides, and filling the in-
ter-spaces amongst the stones of causewayed streets, &c. It is, however,
of little interest to the agriculturist, unless from its approximity to
Cynodon linearis, the famous Durod or Doob-grass of the Hindoos,

36 HERBAGE AND FORAGE GRASSES.

for wliich the seeds of Dig'itaria humifusa, a plant of annual dura-
tion and humble growth, have of late years been imported from the
continent ; and is there found in similar localities with the first. An-
other species, however, of Digitaria, viz. the D. sanguinalis or Po-
lish millet, also found in some parts of the south of England, is
much superior to either of the preceding in produce of herbage, but is
chiefly esteemed for its seeds, which, in various parts of Europe where
it abounds, are boiled with milk and eaten like rice.

5. DACTYLIS GLOMERATA gigantea of Booth— G/c^antic
Cocksfoot-Grass. This is one of the results of an increasing attention
which has of late years been bestowed upon the improvement of the na-
tural grasses, by selecting and propagating from varieties possessed of
superior properties. It is distinguished from the common form of the
species, by its being of a much more vigorous growth, attaining to a
considerably greater height, and producing larger sized seeds. This
variety was first grown by Messrs J. G. Booth & Co., Hamburgh,
and introduced from thence by us in 1841.

6. ELYMUS GE^ICVLATJJS o{ Linnivus— Jointed Lime-Grass.
Specific Characters. — Spikes long and slender, often jointed or bent down
as if broken ; spikelets three, flowered, pubescent, and remote ; perennial, groAvs
naturally on sandy sea shores, but not common on those of Britain.

This plant bears a considerable resemblance to the Elymus arena-
rius (page 131 of Ag. Manual); but differs in its foliage being nar-
rower, and in its spikes, as well as general habit, being more loose
or open. In addition to being useful for similar purposes with the
other, its large oat-like seed aff^ord good food for wild- fowl; and,
from growing in large tufts, to the height of from 4 to 6 feet on
almost any sort of soil, it may be beneficially employed as a cover for
game, especially in rabbit warrens, and sandy or gravelly links.

7. FESTUCA DURIUSCULA of Linnasus, Hard Fescue-grass
(page 121 of Manual.) Attention has of late been directed to the
cultivation of improved and permanent varieties of this variable but
highly useful grass, by Mr Thomas Bishop, Methven Castle, who,
from many others, has selected and grown for some years the follow-
ing four.

8. F. DURIUSCULA precox, or Early Hard Fescue. A pur-
plish coloured, very early, and consequently useful variety for spring
pastures.

9. F. DURIUSCULA purpurata.— P«rp7i5A Hard Fescue. So
named from its general colour, and that of its stems and panicles in
particular. This Mr B. considers by much the most productive of

LOLIUM— OR RYE-GRASS.

tlie Hard Fescues, and exceedingly well adapted eitlier for hay or
pasture lands.

10. F. DURIUSCULA serrata or Saiv-leaved Hard Fescue, so
named from possessing in a greater degree than the others, a particular
roughness on the margin of its leaves. Sheep are found to manifest
a partiality for this sort ; and the pleasing green colour of its foliage
which it retains in an unusual freshness throughout the winter, ren-
ders it especially applicable for lawn pastui'es,

11. F. DURIUSCULA uri. BisIiQp's Creeping Rooted Hard Fes-
cue (pag-e 121 of Manual.) From the creeping tendency of this, it
might perhaps with more propriety have been included under Fes-
tuca rubra, from which, however, it differs in other particulars ; its
principal value dependson the deep and creeping habit of its roots, which
suits it in an eminent degree for withstanding- severe drought, and, in
the opinion of its originator, would render it a valuable acquisition
to colonists in such climates as Australia.

12. FESTUCA ELATIOR gigantea, of Booth ; Gigantic Tall
Fescue-Grass. — This name has been very appropriately applied by its
originator to a very strong growing variety of Tall Fescue-grass lately
introduced and distinguished like the Giant Cocksfoot-grass, No. 5,
by its gigantic growth, and large size of seeds ; in addition to which
properties, it is also more prolific in seed than some of the com-
moner varieties of Festuca clatior (page 120 of Ag. Manual).

13. LOLIUM ARVENSE, Annual Beardless Barnel.—The
Beardless Darnel of Hooker, and other British Botanists (page 112 of
Manual), is the ioZmmspec205Mm of continental authors, and is distin-
guished by being of larger size, more rough and stout in its habit than
the true L. arvense (page 113 of Ag. Manual), a plant not hitherto disco-
vered in Britain, and described as being of a slender habit of growth,
spikes nodding or drooping from the weight of their seeds, when ap-
proaching to maturity ; spikelets shortly oblong, beardless, and gene-
rally exceeded in length by their solitary appressed glumes.

14. LOLIUM ITALICUM of the " Bon Jardinier." ItalianRyc-

^ra55(page;106 of Ag. Manual) This species is synonymous with the

Lolium Bouchianum of Kunth, who in his Agrostographia thus de-
scribes it. " Spikelets about thrice as long as their glumes ; and
each containing five to ten awncd florets ; root perennial ; native of
Italy." And farther, that " this species differs from Lolium perenne
in its florets being awned ; from L. arvense and L. tcmulcntum in the
glumes being so much shorter than the spikelets, as well as in its
being of more perennial duration, by which last property it alsodif-

38 HERBAGE AND FORAGE GRASSES.

fers from the next and more nearly allied species, L. multiflorum,
from which it is also farther distinguished by having in general
smaller spikes, and fewer florets in its spikelets."

An experience of 10 years since our first introduction of the Ita-
lian Rye-grass to Britain, enables us now to give a more decided de-
scription of its habits than formerly. In respect to duration it may
be termed a subperennial, beyond which title even the most perma-
nent varieties o{ LoUum percnne have no claim. In most instances,
two seasons of Italian Rye-grass are all that can, with any degree of
certainty, be depended upon ; and in very wet, cold, spongy soils, it
will often exhibit a thin stock the second season. Instances have,
however, occurred in which as many as five and even six successive
years' produce have been reaped from the same field, but this has
arisen more from the ground having been resown in course of reap-
ing the seed, than from the actual duration of the original plants ;
the seeds being remarkably easily separated from the hay, even al-
though not perfectly ripe, which will always render the harvesting
of them an operation attended with considerable care and difficulty.

Although the natural tendency of the Italian Rye-grass is to pro-
duce many stalks or stems from the same root, yet, from its upright
habit of growth, it by no means forms a close turf; hence the pi'O-
priety of sowing it with a mixture of other grasses of a different habit,
which, by filling up the interstices, will add considerably to the weight
of produce.

Different opinions are still entertained as to the real merits of
Italian Rye-grass, but, perhaps, the best proof of its excellence is the
great and yearly increasing demand for its seeds. In addition
to its uses for hay or pasture it has been very successfully em-
ployed as a substitute for tares, a practice described and highly
recommended by Mr Thomas Bishop, Methven Castle, in a com-
munication to the Hig'hland and Agricultural Society of Scotland,
published with their Prize Essays and Transactions, March 1839.
His experiments were at first, 1837, confined to about 2^ imperial
acres of heavy red loam, which on the 4th of May he sowed with 4
bushels of Italian Rye-grass, and 201b. of crimson clover, but as he
wished the crop to form a basis for permanent pasture, he added 8 lb.
of Timothy -grass, 4^ pecks of Fescue-grasses, 8 lb. of red, and 12 lb.
of white clover. All the seeds vegetated rather slowly, on account
of the dry cold weather that followed ; but on the return of moist
weather they grew with astonishing- rapidity, so as to be in condition
for mowing as food for horses on the loth of August, and they con-

LOLIUM — OR RYE-GRASS. 39

tinned to yield an abundant supply until the end of October, part
having- been cut a second time. Many of the Italian Rye-grass stalks
measured upwards of five feet in height ; the Timothy-g-rass came
partly into flower, and the crimson clover was much earlier than the
common red, but both gave good returns. The horses that were fed
on the mixture g'ot into better condition than they had been during
the previous part of the season, although employed at the time in
subsoil ploughing moor-ground. The weig-ht of green produce cut
on the 26th of September was at the rate of ten tons seven cwt.
per imperial acre — and in hay two tons three cwt. The greater
part of the Italian Rye-grass was killed during the winter by the
long continued snow-storm ; but that which remained, was the first
ready for mowing in spring, and with the other grasses, and white
and red clovers, yielded an excellent crop of hay in course of the
summer.

Like all other plants subjected to artificial culture, the Italian Rye-
grass is productive of numerous sub-varieties, as a proof of which, we
received in 1838 specimens of no less than 50 distinct spikes, from
Mr Robert Arthur, which he collected in a field near North Ber-
wick. In this country no attention has, however, as yet been de-
voted to the selection and cultivation of any variety possessing per-
manency and superiority of character.
15. LOLIUM MULTIFLORUM of Lammaroux,3f a«3/-/otycrccZ

Annual Rye-grass This differs fi'om the Italian Rye-grass in be-

ingof less duration, or strictly annual, and is thus described by Reichen-
bach in his Flora Germanica. " Spikelets many-flowered, compressed,
about twice as long as their glumes ; awns longest on the florets of the
terminal spikelets, and occasionally awanting towards the base of the
spike ; root annual." Under this species the following two varieties
fall to be included, seeds of which were received from France in
1837 ; but as they were not found superior t& the common in quality
or bulk of produce, while they were both so strictly annual as to
yield no grass after being cut for seed, their cultivation was discon-
tinued.

16. LOLIUM MULTIFLORUM, var.^nYian?/many-/oif/ercd
Annual Rye-grass. — This variety seems to possess the most common
forms of the species, and is indigenous to the pi'ovince of the sam
name in France, where it was first taken notice of in 1835 by M. Rieff'el,
Director of the Agricultural Establishment of Grand Jouan, who finds
it particularly useful for growing as a single crop, it being only of
annual duration, and eminently suited for such soils as he farms, viz.

40 HERBAGE AND FORAGE GRASSES.

high wet moorish lands of considerable tenacity, and such as do not
retain the clovers throug-hout winter. He recommends sowing- it in
September at the rate of 40 lb. per acre, and finds it to yield enor-
mous crops of herbage and hay.

17. LOLTUM MVLTlFLORVMsubmuticumoHhe "Bon Jardi-
n[ei\'' BaUli/'s Shoi-t-mvncd Annual Bt/e-r/rass. — Was brought into no-
tice by a celebrated agriculturist of that name in the department of the
Loire, also about 1835, and differs from the last in having only those
seeds towards the extremity of its spikes slightly aw ned, which circum-
stance^ together with the form and great weight of the seeds, as well
as its shortness of duration, gives it the appearance of a hybrid be-
tween Lolium italicum and L. arvensc. Besides having much hea-
vier seeds, it is shorter in growth, as well as thicker in straw, and
finer in foliage than No. 16, and M. Bailly reports having reaped as
much as 5000 or 6000 lb. of seeds per acre.

18. MILIUM EFFUSUM of Linnfcus— TFooc^ Mlllct-GrcCss.

Generic and Specific Characters. — Inflorescence panicled ; panicle large and
regularly diffused ; glume without a keel, smooth, beanlless, and two-valved ;
palese equal in size, less than the glumes, and closely enveloping the seed.
Perennial ; grows naturally in old woods and copses, and most frequently
on rich vegetable soils composing the shelving and sloping banks of rivers,
where it usually attains a height of 4 to 6 feet.

The merits of this the most elegant of British grasses have long-
been overlooked. Some years since the following description of it
appeared in the Floragraphia Sritannica. " The panicles of this
graceful and pretty g-rass are sometimes found near a foot long, asid
eig-ht inches wide ; the seeds are a favourite of numerous birds, and
the abundance which it produces, together with its naturally prefer-
ring to grow in the cool and shade of trees, sufficiently recommend it
as a grass of great utility in game preserves ; and its elegance and soft
green colour would form an ornament of no inconsiderable beauty in
the shade of plantations and pleasure-grounds, where but few other
plants will grow."

A communication by Mr A. Gorrie, Annat Cottage, appeared in
the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture for March 1839, which it is
hoped may be the means of fai-ther extending- the usefulness of a plant
seemingly possessed of more than ordinary mei'its. He mentions that
" its broad lively g-reen grass, which resembles luxuriant young wheat,
appears early in spiing. In June it sends up numerous stems 4 to
6 feet in height ; and in July the panicles are richly stored with ripe
millet-like seeds, which are greedily eaten by young pheasants. Every

POA— OR MEADOW-GRASS. 41

part of the grass is relished by cattle, and the aftermath comes away
freely, even after the first crop has been allowed to ripen seed."

If sown in woodlands at the rate of about 6 lb. to the acre, a suf-
ficiency of plants will be produced for ultimately stocking the ground ;
and although autumn is the natural period for that operation, yet, if
performed in February or March, less opportunity will be allowed
for birds picking up the seeds, besides the plants from such as would
vegetate in autumn are liable to perish under the falling foliage of
that season. For very thick shady woods, and especially places where
falling leaves usually collect, a preferable method of rearing it is to
sow the seeds in a nursery bed, and afterward stransplant the plants
when they have attained to a sufficient size.

l9.FAl^IC'UMMAXlMVMoUaqum.—Mani/-JloweredTall Mil-
let, or Guinea-Grass. This species was formerly described under the
name ofP.altissimum (page 146 of Ag. Manual), in deference to the au-
thority of the Bon Jardinier; but as that name was employed with more
propriety by Meyer, a German botanist, to designate an annual spe-
cies which, in the West Indies, climbs to the tops of trees, it is now con-
sidered more expedient to follow Jaquin's authority. Its characteris-
tics are — height varying from 5 to 10 feet ; panicle much branched
and spreading, its length being often 1^ foot, and diameter at base 1
foot ; branches and branchlets slender and roughish ; florets some-
what oblong and shai'pish pointed, coloured, smooth, and slightly
nerved ; leaves numerous, long, flat, and, together with their sheaths,
smooth ; root perennial, and somewhat creeping. Naturalized in
the West Indies and Southern States of America, to whence it is said
to have been brought from the coast of Africa. Although it is found
to endure the winters of this climate, yet it is by no means suitable
for culture, being late in spring, and easily injured by autumn frosts ;
but it might form a valuable acquisition in such countries as Australia
and New Zealand.

20. POA ABY SSl'^IC A of Alton.— Abt/ssitiian Meadow-Grass.
In the last edition of the Bon Jai'dinier,this grass is mentioned as hav-
ing been so highly i-ecommended by travellers who had opportunities of
witnessing the immense returns that it yields in its native country, that
several trials have of late been made, with a view to ascertain how far
itmightbe advantageously grown in the climate of France ; the^results
of which rather tend to shew that, although in ordinary seasons it
will ripen its small millet-like seeds in the latitude of Paris, yet its
culture for forage or herbage is likely only to be profitably practised
in the southern provinces. Seeds were this season (spring 1842)

42 HERBAGE AND FORAGE GRASSES.

received from M. Vilmorin, Paris, which have been subjected to dif-
ferent sorts of treatment, with a view to ascertain if this grass is at
all worth the attention of colonists going to, or resident in, warmer
climates.

20. POA FERTILIS of Host— Fertile Meadow-Grass, and the
Poa serotina, or late flowering meadow-grass of Willdenow and others.

Specific Character. — Hoot somewhat creeping and knotted ; culm often
decumbent, swollen at and branching from the lower joints ; panicle large,
thickly dift'used, and ckooping slightly to one side ; perennial. Native of
Germany and other parts of the Continent, where it grows naturally in
meadows and rich moist soils.

This species somewhat resembles the Wood Meadow-grass (page
124 of Ag. Manual), but is a stronger growing plant, and much more
fertile in the production of seeds, properties which have rendered it
the subject of experiments ; but from the lateness of its growth in
spring, and its producing little or almost no aftermath, their results
have been by no means satisfactory.

22. POA NEMORALIS gigantea of Boot\\— Gigantic Wood
Meadow-Grass. — This is an improved variety of the original species,
also like the Gigantic Cocksfoot and Tall Fescue-grasses, Nos. 5 and
12, introduced by Messrs J. G. Booth & Co., Hamburgh, but having
been more recently brought into notice than these, sufficient time has
not yet been obtained for properly testing' its merits.

23. POA NEMORALIS sempervirexs, Evergreen or Hudson's
Bay Meadow-Grass. — Is more generally known by the less applicable
name of Poa nervosa, in consequence of its original cultivator, Mr
Thomas Bishop, Methven Castle, having received it with that appel-
lation from Mr Stewart Murray of the Glasgow Botanic Garden,
about 10 or 12 years since. In a communication, however, from Mr
Bishop to the Highland and Agricultural Society, published in March
1839, he states that Mr Murray has now no recollection of having a
grass under that name, and considers that it must have been inad-
vertently applied to this variety, which Avas a short time previously
received along with some others from North America.

The recommendatory characteristics of the Hudson's Bay meadow-
grass are its greenness in winter, earliness in spring, and the rapidity
with which it reproduces leaves and stems after being eaten or cut
down ; in addition to which, its thick growth, fineness of foliage, and
capability of growing under the shade of trees, like the common Poa
nemoralis (p. 124 of Manual, from which it cannot be considered
specifically distinct), render it a most desirable grass for lawns and or-
namental parks.

TRIPSACUM— OR GAMA-GRASS. 43

24. POA NERVATA of \Yi\k\eno\v.— Nerved- seeded Meadow-
Grass. — In the description foi-merly given (p. 125 of Manual), this
grass and the preceding are confounded together from the similarity
of their names ; and not having at that time had specimens of the
true P. nervata to compare with the other, from which, as well as
all the cultivated sorts, it differs essentially, and may be specifically
described, as having somewhat creeping roots; numerous barren stems
^ to 2 feet long, thickly furnished with two rows of alternate leaves ;
thick, softish, slightly furrowed, and angular culms ; large equal-
ly, and widely diffused panicles ; five to seven flowered spikelets ;
and short, blunt-pointed, and distinctly seven nerved florets, which
are usually of a dark brownish colour. A native of North America,
generally attaining a height of 2^ to 3 feet.

The unusual manner of growth of this grass, in producing long
leafy stems, particularly in the aftermath, seems to I'ecommend it as
deserving of a place in mixtures of permanent grass. It appears to
thrive best in rich and rather moist soils of medium texture ; but
farthei' experience is requisite to ascertain its actual merits.

25. TRIPSACUM DACTYLOIDES of Linnaeus.— Gama-Gra^s.

Gaicric and Sj)edfic OA^/rac^trs.— Inflorescence monoecious and spiked;
spikes solitary, or several together ; fertile next the base, and barren to-
wards the extremity ; barren spikelet two-flowered, the outer male and in-
terior neuter ; fertile florets with two styles, solitary and surrounded by a
single involucial leaf; seeds when ripe so completely immersed in the
receptacle, as to give the spike a cylindrical ossified-like form. Spikes in
tliis species usually three together, by which it is distinguished from the
only other allied one T. monosfachyon or Single-spiked Gama. Native of
the south-eastern coasts of North America. Perennial.

The Gama-grass is said to be so named in honour of a Spanish gen-
tleman who introduced its culture into Mexico ; and it is reported
to have been first brought to this country from Virginia in 1640, but
its usefulness does not appear to have been noticed until, through the
medium of Loudon's Gardeners' Magazine, vols. x. and xii., from the
last of which the following extract is made : — " Various accounts are
o-iven of the produce of this grass, from 70 to 90 tons of green hay,
and from 20 to 30 tons of cured hay to the acre, are said to have been
grown in North Carolina. The flower-stems attain a height of 7 or
8 feet ; and the editor of the American Farmer says, ' a blade sent
to him in a letter measured 31^ inches in length.' One of his corre-
spondents observes, ' When all surrounding vegetation was burnt up,

44 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

the Gama-grass was green and flourishing ; and during the month of
July it grew 43 inches. It was cut on the first day of" every month,
ranging from 3^ to 4 feet in height.' It is said to grow well in
both sandy and clayey soils ; to taste like the leaves of Indian corn,
and that in the neighbourhood of New York it is considered the best
of all grasses for soiling."

In 1836 a few seeds of the Gama-grass were kindly sent to us by
Sir Charles G. Stuart Monteath, Bart, of Closeburn, from which, by
cracking their outer coats previous to sowing, we succeeded in grow-
ing several plants within three weeks thereafter ; their hard and im-
pervious nature being such, that, unless aided by like means, they
will lie in the ground for a twelvemonth or longer before vegetating.
Part of these plants were put out in the south front of a garden wall
where they grew luxuriously until autumn, when their foliage was
killed to the ground by the first frost ; the roots, however, remained
uninjured, and late in the five past springs have continued to send
up strong foliage, but hitherto have not shewn any indications of pro-
ducing seed-stalks. A plant, however, which has been all along kept
in a greenhouse, and allowed plenty of root-room, among rich soil,
ripenedseedsin September 1840 and 1841, its stems attaining a height
0^ from 9 to 10 feet, while some of its root-leaves measured upwards
of 6 feet in length. Whatever may be the value of the Gama-grass
in its native climate, that of Britain seems unsuited for its proper de-
velopment, but its natural habits, and particularly its capability of
withstanding excessive drought, entitles it in an especial manner to
the attention of settlers in the Polynesian Colonies.

HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

II. COW PARSNIP, CLOVERS, VETCHES, &c.—
UMBELLIFEBjE and LEGUMINOS^.

HERACLEUM — Coiv Parsnip. — The gigantic growth of several
species of Heracleum, and the early period of spring at which they de-
velope their umbrageous foliage, have led to trials for the purpose of
ascertaining how far they might be beneficially used as cattle's food ;
and, notwithstanding many highly favourable reports of the results
which have from time to time appeared in the newspapers and other
periodicals, still their true merits are by no means ascertained. Like

MELILOTUS — OR BOKHARA CLOVER 45

many others of the same natural order, UmbellifercF, most of the spe-
cies possess a peculiar aromatic taste, which is relished by some ani-
mals, while others cannot be induced by almost any means short of
starvation to partake of them.

The following are the two sorts principally deserving of notice, both
having of late years been recommended to growers.

1. HERACLEUM ASPERUM of BiGharstein— Rough-Seeded
or Siberian Cow Parsnip. — Stem usually about 6 feet high, with nu-
merous branches terminated by large white-flowered umbels; root-
leaves 3to4feet long, deeply lobed. seriated, somoAvhat heart-shaped,
and downy underneath ; seed subrotund, and rough or scabrous ;
perennial ; native of the North of Asia, &c. This species was first
brought into notice, by Mr J. Smith, Ayr, who exhibited it at the
Highland and Agricultural Society's Show there in 1835.

2. HERACLEUM PANACES of Linnseus. —Giant or zvoollt/-
jointed Cow Parsnip. — Stem usually 6 to 10 feet high, with fewer
branches, and more dull-coloured flowers than the last, and very shaggy
or hairy joints; leaves 3 to 5 feet long, palmated, downy underneath
and rough on the veins ; seeds smoothish ; perennial ; native of the
North of Asia and America.

3. MEDICAGO MACULATA of Linneeus.— »S/;o«e(/ Mediek,
or Hedgehog Plant.

Specific Characters. — Stems reclining or trailing, and much branched ; leaf-
lets generally with a large dark spot in their centre ; flowers small, yellow,
and generally in pairs ; pods cochleate or closely spirally twisted, so as with
the shai-p curved spines, which are thickly arranged on their exterior mar-
gin, to form globular bristly balls slightly flattened at the ends. Annual ;
native of Britain, Europe, South America, &c.

The sandy grounds towards the sea in many parts of South Ame-
rica, which, in the dry season, present the appearance of sterile wastes,
are, on the return of rain, almost immediately covered with the luxu-
riant verdure of this and other allied species, so as to form rich sheep
pastures, but their spiney pods often prove a considerable annoyance
to the animals, by becoming so completely enrolled in their wool, as
only to be separated by considerable labour in picking. Edward
Wilson, Esq. of Abbot Hall, Kendal, was kind enough, in 1837, to
communicate a specimen of M. maculata, 3 to 4 feet in leng-th, which
was known in that neighbourhood by the name of American clover,
from its pods being imported in large quantities among wool, from
Buenos Ayres and Monte Video, and their seeds being, along with
other refuse of the manufactories, used as manure for turnips and

46 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

other farm crops, they vegetate and grow freely amongst these, seem-
ingly not at all influenced by the change of climate.

4. MELILOTUS LEUCANTHA major, Bokhara Clover.— This
plant formed the subject of a paragraph which in 1838-39 went the
round of the agricultural and several other periodicals, titled " New
Era in Agriculture," and describing it as a Tree-Clover, a few seeds of
which had just been brought to England from Bokhara by a gentleman,
who stated that, in that country, it attained a height of fourteen feet,
and yielded several cuttings per annum of highly nutritious food for
cattle and horses ; also that its bark yielded a fibre similar to and
used for the same purposes as that of hemp, &c. The Bokhara clover is
now ascei'tained to be a large growing variety of the Melilotus leu-
cantha (page 146 of Ag. Manual), which was known in the south of
Russia, and other parts of the Continent, for some years prior to its
introduction to Britain, under the name of M. leucantha major. In
September 1 840, a plant was exhibited at the Highland and Agricul-
tural Society's Show at Aberdeen, which was grown in Perthshire by
Mr Archibald Gorrie, who had the seeds from its introducer through
J. C. Loudon, Esq., London, and which had 6 or 8 stems measuriiig
about 10-^ feet in height, each of these being- furnished with numerous
side branches, and clothed with a profusion of white flowered racemes
having a slight agreeable odour, and seemingly much sought af-
ter by bees. Its bark, although fibrous, seems, however, very de-
ficient in that property when compared with that of hemp; and
when intended for feeding, the plants should be cut when little more
than a third of their full height, as their stems afterwards become
very hard or woody. Like the other more common species of Melilot,
this should be treated as a biennial, and sown or planted in rows not
less than a foot distant and fully 9 inches apart in the rows.

5. TRIFOLIUM ELEGANS of Savi.— ^Z^^a^^ Clover. In
the Bon Jardinier for 1842, this species is noticed as having been
found indigenous, and for some years past cultivated, in the De-
partment de la Nievre, under the name of T. hyhridum (see Ag.
Manual, page 153), to which it bears a considerable resemblance, but
is described as being of weaker growth, and less in all its parts ;
having a dull rose-coloured flower, and pale green foliage ; the leaflets
being also marked like those of the common white and red clovers.
These two species also differ in the soils which they naturally inhabit, T.
fZe^ajw being only found on those of a poor siliceous, or stiff ferruginous
nature, while the T. hyhridum seems to delight in those of a rich
aluminous or calrai-eous description. As seeds of T. degans have

VICIA — VETCH OR TARE. 47

only been received for the first time this spring, it is impossible to
say how far it may prove suited for cultivation in Britain.

6. TKIFOLIUM INCARNATUM tardif of the French, or
Late Flowering Crimson Clover. — This variety was first brought into
notice by a M. Juery of Toulouse, five or six years since. Its cha-
racteristics are lateness of flowering, and tallness or vigour of growth ;
qualities which must recommend it to growers of the common Crim-
son Clover, for succession or late crops.

Sir John Robison has the merit of first introducing this variety to
Scotland, having in 1837 communicated a quantity of its seeds, as well
as those of the common Crimson and Moliner's clovers, to the Pligh-
land and Agricultural Society ; the results of a comparative trial with
which were, that the plants of this came into flower, when those of
the common were nearly over, and on being cut their produce was
fully a third heavier than either of the others.

7. TRIFOLIUM RESUPINATUM of Linnseus— ^wnnaZ

Stra wherry -headed Clover.

Specific Character?. — Stems creeping or reclining ; leaflets obovate, acute ;
heads roundish ; flowers resupinate or inverted in position ; calyx inflated
after flowering, membranous and downy ; native of various parts of Europe ;
found sparingly on light sandy soils in the south of England.

Having received seeds of this species from the Rotterdam Botanic
Garden in 1838, we were so struck with the remarkable vig-our of
their growth, as to consider it highly deserving of culture. The autumn
of that season was, however, so wet, that although the plants grew to
about four feet in length, forming-, with their reclining branching
stems, a dense mass of vegetation, and producing a long continued pro-
fusion of their light reddish flowers ; no sufficiently ripened seed was
obtained to perpetuate or continue their growth, and the same results
attended the produce of a farther supply received from the same
source in 1840. Parties, however, located in more favourable cli-
mates, mig'ht find it worth their attention to make farther trial for
the pui'pose of cultivating this species as an annual clover, which
might either be grown alone as tares, or sown where blanks may oc-
cur in hay crops.

8. TRIFOLIUM SUAVEOLENSof Willdenow— ^'ii/(?cY-A-c-m<cc^
or Afghanistan Clover. Seeds of this were received along with
those of the last in 1838, the plants produced from which so closely
resembled those of the other, that they were only ascertained to be dif-
ferent towards the end of the season, from their calicos not becoming
inflated after flowering. In 1840 another small sample of seeds was

48 HERBAGE AND FORAGE PLANTS.

received from Mr G. Hoist, seedsman to the Imperial Agricultural
Society of Moscow, who reported that it was then beginning to be
cultivated in that vicinity, having been brought from Central Asia
some years previously. In 1840 and 1841 seeds were sent to the
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland by the Honourable
the Directors of the East India Company, through Dr F. Royle, from
AfFg'hanistan. And though all of these parcels produced an abun-
dance of plants, which generally commenced flowering about the end
of August, and ultimately attained a length of from four to five feet ;
none perfected seeds. So that, on the whole, this, as well as the last
species, seems better fitted for warmer, and very probably drier, cli-
mates than that of Scotland.

9. VICIA SATIVA FLORE ALBO — Whitc-Jlowered ov Hoprtoun
Tare. — This variety bids fair in a short time to supersede the old sum-
mer tare ; from a field of which it was selected a few seasons since by
Mr Patrick Sheriff, lateof Mungoswells, the originator of the Hopetoun
oat, and several other improved varieties of cereal grains, who, in the
beginning of winter 1838, kindly sent to the Museum about twelve
seeds of this new vetch, several of which were sown the following
spring ; and the produce, both in seeds and bulk of hanlm, compared
with any of the other varieties which were grown alongside, was
fully double. Its seeds are of a light bluish or green colour, and pos-
sesses little of the strong taste peculiar to the common tare, so that,
in addition to its other properties, these may become at least equally
useful with the white-seeded variety or Canadian lentil for culinary
purposes.

10. VICIA SATIVA CANADENSIS of Zuccagne. — Canadian Vetch
or Tare. — This variety was received in spring 1840, from Mr George
Shepherd, seedsman and nurseryman, Montreal, and is distinguish-
ed from the commoner varieties, by the dull pale or pinkish colour of
its flowers, as well as smooth shining light green foliage, and dwarf
bushy habit of growth, which, together with its being later in flower-
ing, must preclude its being cultivated in preference to the others.

( 49 )

PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR
ROOTS.

I. BETA VULGARIS campestris — Mangel Wurzel or Field
Beet (page 258 of Ag. Manual).

1. White Globe orTuRXiP-RooTED Mangel Wurzel. — Although
still comparatively little known, this variety has been occasionally
grown in the southern counties of England for some years past, and
is found to be a hardier or better keeper than any of the other sorts,
but considerably deficient in weight of produce to either the following
or red turnip- rooted.

2. Yellow, or Orange-Globe, or Turnip-Rooted iH/otw^re/TFMr-
zel. — Compared with the Red Turnip-rooted variety (page 260 of
Ag. Manual) this is of still more recent introduction, attains to fully
as large a size, and generally possesses a more symmetrical form. It
is also reputed to keep better than the long-red or common sort, and
is especially suited for shallow soils ; on which the globular-rooted
kinds invariably produce heavier crops than the others.

II. BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS rutabaga of DecandoUe—
Swedish Turnip (page 237 of Ag. Manual.)

1. Fettercairn Globe Swedish Turnip. — Seeds of this were re-
ceived in 1841 from Sir John Stewart Forbes, Bart, of Pitslig-o and
Fettercairn, who finds it superior to any other sort which he has
grown, inasmuch as it yields a more regular crop, while its roots ai*e
fully above an average size, and possess a beautiful symmetrical glo-
bular form, without neck, and are in colour a shade lighter than the
common purple topped.

2. Laing's Improved Purple-Top Swede This differs from all

other hitherto known varieties of Swedish Turnip, in having large
entire cabbage-like leaves, which, by their horizontal growth, form a

50 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR ROOTS.

thick covering to the soil, thereby materially checking the vigour
of autumnal weeds. It bears the name of its originator, Mr Alex.
Laing of Duddo, near Berwick-on-Tweed, who first offered its seeds
to the public in 1839, and numerous parties who have since grown
it, bear testimony to its superiority in attaining to a large size,
beino- of a fine globular shape, extremely hardy, and about a fort-
night later in running to seed in spring, than any of the other sorts.
3. Skirving's Purple-Top Siuede. — Specimens of this sort
exhibited by its originator, Mr Wm. Skirving, Seedsman and Nur-
seryman, Liverpool, at the annual Shows of the Highland and Agri-
cultural Society in 1837-8, were of unusual dimensions, consider-
ino- the period of the season, and seemed to possess in a high de-
cree the properties of solidity and firmness of texture, so peculiar to
the Swedes when grown to a large size, but showed no other charac-
teristic sufficient to distinguish it from the common Purple-topped,
than what might have been attributed to careful selection of the
stock.

4. SivIRVIxg's Improved Purple-Top Swede. — This is a more re-
cent introduction, and possesses the characteristics of size and solidity
of texture to fully a greater extent than the last ; compared with
which, it is also less flattened at the crown, and grows more above
ground. For some years past this variety has been a good deal culti-
vated both in Englandand Scotland, but several eminent growers in the
Lothians, as well as other districts where the culture of Swedes is
extensively practised, have found that it does not resist injury from
frost so well as the common purple-top, page 238 of Ag. Manual.

5. Thorpland Globe Sivede (see foot-note, p. 293 of Ag. Manual).

In symmetry of form this variety is inferior to none of the others,

beino- of a beautiful globe shape, without the least appearance of neck
so frequent in turnips of this class ; it is, however, smaller in size
than the more commonly cultivated soi-ts, and consequently would
seem best suited for garden culture. Unfortunately its characteris-
tics of colour are by no means permanent, inasmuch as seeds saved
with the greatest care from selected roots, vary in their produce to all
the shades of colour from a deep purple to a light green, which causes
an appearance of mixture in the crop, generally disliked by growers.

6. Victoria New Pink-Top Sivede. — In general character
and appearance, this has nothing to recommend or distinguish it
from a good stock of the common purple Swede, except that it is
lighter coloured on the upper surface, which gives it the appear-
ance of beino- a cross between the purple and green top vai-ieties. It

BRASSICA RAP A — TURNIP. 51

was first raised by Messrs Mackie & Ewing, seedsmen, Norwich,
(from whom seeds were received in 1839), where it is held in con-
siderable repute ; but although its merits were even more decided,
yet its indistinctness of colour would tend much to prevent its becom-
ing a favourite with Scotch growers, many of whom are too apt to
think any variety approaching to the green as being just so far dege-
nerated from their generally esteemed Purple topped Sivede.

III. BRASSICA RAPA of Linn^us.— Common Turnip (Page
240 of Ag. Manual.)

1. Pollexfen's Green Top Yellow Bullock Turnip. — This name is
applied to a selected and improved stock of the Aberdeen yellow bul-
lock (pag'e 243 of Ag. Manual), which has been grown for some yeai's
by Thos. PoUexfen, Esq., Kirkwall, Orkney, and which is considered
fully larger in size, rather hardier, and more symmetrically formed
than the ordinary stocks of the variety from which it derived its
origin.

2. Scott's Hybrid Purple Top White Turnip. — This variety was
i-aised by Archibald Scott, Esq., farmer at Southfield, East Lothian,
in 1838, and is characterized as being large sized, well formed,
hardy, and a late keeper, qualities which have of late obtained for it
a considerable demand both among Scotch and English growers.

3. Snowball White Globe Turnip. — This name is applied to a sub-
variety of white globe, perhaps the most perfect in regard to form or
symmetry of any sort hitherto cultivated, being of a true globular
shape, with a remarkably small root and top. It is of English origin ;
and Lhe produce of seed received from Messrs Charlwood, Covent
Garden, in 1839, was found to be deficient in weight, as well as more
easily injured by frost than either the common or Pomeranian white
globes, page 246 of Ag. Manual, so that it may be more properly re-
garded as a garden than as a field turnip.

4. Hungarian Red Top White Turnip — Is a very distinct variety,
having entire and erect growing leaves ; its roots are of a roundish or
somewhat flattened shape, attain to a medium size, and arrive early at
maturity. In a collection of turnips, the seeds of which were received
from France in 1837, and grown in the experimental ground of his
Grace the Duke of Buccleuch at Dalkeith Paxk, this appeared the
most promising ; but it has hitherto received almost no attention from
British cultivators, althoughwith a little care in the selection and rear-
ing of its seed, it might be found a superior sort.

52 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR ROOTS.

5. WooLTON Hybrid Red Top White Turnip. — Was discovered
about six years since in a field of purple top Swedish turnips by L.
Uppelby, Esq. of Woolton, Barrow, near Hull, who reports it to be
a very valuable kind, as it is hardy, globe-shaped, grows to a large
size, and keeps well till the end of February, or even later. This
variety has not yet been grown in Scotland, but we have been favoured
by Mr Uppleby with a supply of its seeds this season, which are sown
along with a collection of the other sorts presently cultivated, for the
purpose of comparison.

IV. SOLANUM STOLONIFERUM of Schlechtd.— Sto-
LONiFEROus or Creeping-Stemmed Potato. — This potato was dis-
covered on the mountains of Mexico and introduced to Europe by
the French botanical travellers Messrs Schiede and Deppea, who
were at first of opinion that in it they had found the true oi'igin of
the cultivated potato ; but a more close examination has led botanists
to consider it a distinct species, to which the name here given has
been applied, as being descriptive of the habit of growth in its sur-
face as well as under ground stems, the latter of which have been
found, in light rich soils, to extend in one season as far as 3 or 4 feet
around the parent plant, producing an immense number of very small
tubers, a characteristic which has induced certain French cultivators
to undertake experiments, with a view to procure improved varieties
from seed, which it produces in abundance ; and there appears little
doubt that the desired object might be obtained by judicious selec-
tion and crossing with proper varieties of the more common species
S. tuberosum.

V. SOLANUM TUBEROSUM of LiNN^us.— Common Potato
or Tuberous-rooted Solanum. (page 213of Ag. Manual.)
1. Agricultural late Kidney Potato. — Is in length nearly
thrice its average diameter, slightly flattened, and thickened towards
the point ; eyes few and very shallow, or almost level with the general
surface ; colour whitish, and quality superior. Two tubers of this va-
riety were received from J, C. Loudon, Esq., in November 1838, the
largest of which measured 10 inches in length by 11 inches in cir-
cumference at the middle, and weighed 2 lb. 6^ oz., see Gardeners'
Magazine, vol. xiv. page 638, in which it is x-ecommended by its origi-
nator, Mr Bowndes of Binfield, as combining superiority of quality
with unusual size ; with us, however, it has been surpassed by many
of the commoner sorts in actual weight of produce ; and hence its

SOLANUM TUBEROSUM— POTATO. 53

merits seem by no means such as to entitle it to special recommen-
dation.

2. Caraccas Potato. — This is a late, prolific, and healthy grow-
ing sort ; of superior quality, roundish, slightly flattened shape, red-
dish colour, and rather under the medium size. It was found wild
in Caraccas ; and introduced about six years since by J. Hill, Esq.,
wine-merchant, Liverpool, who then presented a few of the original
tubers to Mr Hannay of Dalquhairn, Dumfriesshire, under whose
management they increased remarkably, and are now grown by many
other cultivators in that district, where this variety is also known by
the names of the American and new Prince Regent Potato.

3. Chapmax's Neav Spring Potato is a late variety reai'ed by T.
H. Chapman, Brentford End, London, who offered them to the pub-
lic in spring 1842, and reports them to be in perfection for use, from
November till June. Dr Lindley also bears testimony to their ex-
cellence of quality in the Gardeners' Chronicle for 2d April 1842.
No trial of this sort has as yet been made in Scotland.

4. Colonel Spens' Black Kidney Potato is a smallish-sized,
dark-coloured late keeping sort ; presenting, on being cut, a blackish
purple zone near and parallel with the circumference. The late
Col. Spens of Craigsanquhar, from whom this sort was received in
1839, long grew and especially recommended it for spring and early
summer use.

5. Cucumber Potato may be described as bearing a near alliance
to the Red Pine Apple, page 230 of Ag. Manual, and was received
in 1837 from Mr Dunbar, Barnton, who reported it as being
very productive, as well as one of the best table potatoes grown in
France.

6. GoLDFiNDER Potato. — A very tall, luxuriant growing, and pro-
ductive variety, with white and slightly oblong, somewhat flattened
tubers ; reputed as being of superior quality, and yielding a good crop
even on inferior soils,, and with little manure. Presented and highly
recommended by James Hamilton, Esq. of Kames, in 1839.

7. Leadington White Potato. — A new and very prolific field
sort, introduced by Mr James Baldin, LennoxLve, Haddington, who
states that it should be planted in rows at least two feet apart, as its
Stems attain to a height of 4 or 5 feet, and that he has frequently
gathered from fifty to sixty good tubers fi'om a single plant.

8. Malcolm's Early Red Potato. — A small roundish, hollow-
eyed, and bright red coloured sort. Received in autumn 1839 from

54 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR ROOTS.

Mr Alexander Pickard, gardener at Ilallyburton House, Cupar- An-
gus, who intimated having that season planted it in the open ground
in March, and lifted the crop for use in the first week of July. In
produce, this is found to be considerably inferior to many of the early
white sorts, but its good quality and similarity in colour to esteemed
late sorts entitles it at least to a limited share of culture.

9. Mangel Wurzel Potato is a name under which the Red
Yam, page 135 of Ag. Manual, has of late years been brought into
pretty general notice, and under which it still supports the character
of being one of the best cattle or feeding potatoes.

10. Rohan or Prince de Rohan Potato. — Tubers of large size,
roundish shape, hollow-eyed, and whitish coloured. This variety
was raised from seed in 1829 or 1830, by an amateur in Geneva,
who reared unprecedented crops of it, and used every means to pre-
vent its getting into the hands of any other cultivator, until at length
tempted to part with a tuber in exchange for some rare and valuable
plants of Cacti, which Prince Charles de Rohan had received from
S. America ; but even then the Prince only obtained it upon condi-
tion that he should never send any of the produce to Holland, Bel-
gium, England, Prussia, or Germany ; from his gardens, however, it
found its way into France in 1834, and from thence two tubers were
brought over to Scotland by us in autumn 1836, the produce of which
we exhibited at the Pligliland and Agricultural Society's Show at
Dumfries in 1837- The highly flattering account of its quality and
produce given by the originator of the Rohan potato, combined with
liis attempt to retain its exclusive culture, caused it to be sought after
with the greatest avidity, so that it is now pretty generally known
both throughout Europe and N. America ; but the results of several
years' experience shew that in Scotland it proves to be decidedly an
inferior sort for the table, while it is at least equalled by several
others for feeding cattle.

11. Rough Robs Potato. — The potato to which this name has been
applied is a healthy growing and prolific second early, with roundish
sliaped, slightly flattened, reddish coloured, rough skinned tubers ;
and is much esteemed in the lower parts of Argyleshire and neigh-
bouring districts, for the purpose of succeeding the earlier white sorts
in the Greenock and other markets. Received in 1838 from Richard
Campbell, Esq. of Auchinbreck.

12. Segonzac's Early Potato — Tubers of medium size, whitish
colour, and oblong shape, rather deeply hollowed at the eyes, and
insertion of the stem. This variety is of French origin, and was

TROP^OLUM TUBEROSUM — INDIAN CRESS. 55

recommended to growers in that country in 1836, as possessing the
property of early maturing to such a degree as to render it capable
of producing two crops in the season ; but an experience of some years
proves it to be later than several of the earliest sorts generally grown
in this country, while it is also inferior to most of those in quality.

13. Smith's Yellow Peruvian Potofo.— Tubers rather under the
medium size, roundish or slightly elongated, with numerous deeply
sunk eyes, and of a yellowish white colour. This is a healthy grow-
ing and superior late sort, having a peculiar yellow coloured flesh,
and was brought into notice by Thomas Smith, Esq. of Penfillin,
Dumfriesshire, who received it from its native country, Peru, and ex-
hibited a basket of its produce at the Highland and Agricultural
Society's Show at Dumfries in 1837.

14. Snake Rooted Wild Potato.— Stems weak and straggling ;
tubers seldom more than from two to three ounces in weight, very
much elongated, and crooked ; the full length frequently measuring
more than five or six times the average diameter. This curious va-
riety was exhibited by Mr Stewart Murray of the Glasgow Botanic
Garden, at the Highland and Agricultural Society's Show held at
Glasgow in 1838, along with several others which had been received
the previous season from their native districts in S. America ; and
has nothing to recommend it but the singularity of its form.

15. Spanish Early Dwarf Potato is a small white sort of su-
perior quality, and very dwarf growth, its stems seldom attaining a
height of more than 5 or 6 inches. Received from Mr James Atkin,
seedsman, Northampton, in 1836 ; but three or four years' cultivation
has shown it to be deficient in produce as well as rather liable to dis-

ease.

VI. TROPiEOLUM TUBEROSUM of Ruiz and Pavon.
Tuberous or Potato Rooted Indian Cress.

Generic and Specific Characters. — Flowers composed of five unequal petals,
with eight stamens and one style ; calyx a solitary five-cleft and spurred
leaf ; seeds usually three together, and separately enclosed in a furrowed,
coriaceous covering ; stems trailing ; leaves roundish, crenate and peltate ;
roots tuberous. Perennial ; native of Peru ; introduced in 1834.

In its native country the tubers of this plant ai-e cooked, and
eaten like potatoes, or boiled to the consistency of a pulp or jelly, and
flavoured with various ingredients according to taste ; which latter
mode is there generally preferred. When prepared in the former

56 PLANTS CULTIVATED FOR THEIR ROOTS.

manner they are soft and waxy, in taste resembling sea-kale, combined
to the peculiar pungency of the common Indian cress, to which this
also bears a considerable resemblance in its foliage and rambling
habit of growth, so that the young sets should be planted five or six
feet apart. In this country it is only in favourable seasons that it
produces its brilliant orange blossoms without the aid of awall orartifi-
cial heat, so that the tubers cannot, under ordinary circumstances, be
expected to arrive at their proper maturity ; and their culture is there-
fore never likely to extend beyond the gardens of the opulent, or such
as may desire to have a few dishes in die season as a rarity. As,
however, the plant withstands excessive drought it seems naturally
adapted for the support of human life in countries where the ordi-
nary crops are occasionally liable to be destroyed for want of rain.

( 57 )

PLANTS USED IN THE ARTS AND
MANUFACTURES.

I. MADIA SATIVA of Molina.— Cultivated or Oil-Seeded

Madia.

Generic and Specific Characters. — Belonging to the class xix. and order 2,
(Syngenesia Superflua) of Linnaeus ; Receptacle and seeds naked ; Involucre
double, the outer usually 8-10 leaved, and much larger than the icner,
which is composed of many leaves or scales. Plant upright, with numerous
diverging branches, and together with the leaves and involucre, covered
with very viscid glandulous hair or down ; leaves lanceolate, entire, and more
or less stem-clasping ; flowers inconspicuous, yellow, and much crowded at
and near the extremity of the branches. Annual ; 1^ to 2 feet high ; native
of South America.

In its native country the Madia has long been cultivated for its
oleaginous seeds, the produce of which is deemed by many even superior
to that of the olive or poppy. In Europe its culture was first at-
tempted, in 1835, by M.Bosch, royal gardener at Stutgard, since which
period it has been greatly extended, and that with the utmost success,
under the patronage of His Majesty the King of Wirtemberg
and others. The following is extracted from a communication
received along with a quantity of seeds of the Madia Sativa in sprincr
1839. " From its valuable property of enduring winter and spring
frosts, the Madia may either be sown in autumn or spring ; the ground
being pi'eviously well pulverized. Four pounds of seed will suffice
for sowing an acre in drills, and about six pounds for the same space
broadcast. The young plants should be thinned out .so as to stand
at least 4 or 5 inches apart. The crop should be reaped when the
earliest seeds acquire a grey colour, and disposed in handfuls to faci-
litate drying, after which it should be immediately thrashed out, as,
if stacked in the haulm, the viscid matter which adheres to the fo-
liage would cause fermentation. The seeds should afterwards be
washed in warm water to clean them of the same viscid or glutinous

58 PLANTS USED IN THE ARTS AND MANUFACTURES.

and strong smelling substance. The crop on an acre of poppies
averages 12 bushels imperial, which yields about 22 lbs. of oil per
bushel, or in all 264 lbs. @ 6d. = L.6, 12s. ; while an acre of Madia
sativa produces on an average 26 bushels of seed, each of which yields
about 17 lbs. of oil, — or in all, 442 lbs. @ 6d. = L.ll, Is. Chemical
analysis shows that 100 parts of Madia oil contains 45 of olein (fluid
fat), 40 of stearin (margarine or solid fat), and 15 of glycerine, a
sweetish glutinous substance."

A quantity of Madia sown by us in the vicinity of Edinburgh in
May 1839, ripened seeds in August following, but the unusually
rainy weather caused many of the plants to damp off after flowering.
A portion of the seeds which were sown immediately after harvesting
produced plants 2 to 3 inches in height that autumn, many of which
perished in course of the winter ; but the remainder, although weak
in spring, recovered sufficiently to produce a good crop of ripe seeds
about the middle of July. Upon the whole there seems every pro-
bability that, inordinary favourable seasons, the Madia sativa might
be grown very successfully in Scotland.

II. POLYGONUM TINCTORIUMofLoureiro— Dyers' Buck-
wheat.

Specijic Characters. — Flowers with six stamens and three pistils, reddish
coloured, and disposed in slender spikes ; leaves ovate, sharpish pointed,
of a light gi'een colour, smooth and shining, with abrupt closely fringed
stipules at their base ; annual or biennial ; native of China.

Although this Polygonum was known to British botanists as an
inconspicuous exotic so early as 1776, when it was introduced to the
Royal Gardens at Kew, by John Blake, Esq., yet authentic informa-
tion relative to its properties as a dye-yielding plant, was only re-
ceivedat a comparatively recent period, from the missionaries resident in
China, whei'e it has been cultivated from time immemorial for its
colouring matter, which is deemed equal if not superior to the finest
indigo. In Europe, attention was first directed to its growth by M.
Delile, professor of Botany in the Jardin du Hoi, at Montpellier,
who, in 1835, obtained seeds of it from the Baron Fischer, director of
the Imperial Gardens, St Petersbui'gh ; and these having increased
rapidly under his management, he was, in a year or two, able to dis-
tribute them pretty widely, so that in 1838 we succeeded in pro-
curing a sufficiency to make trial of its cultivation in the vicinity of
Edinburgh, the results of which shewed that although the climate

SESAMUM — OLY-GRAIN. 59

was not sufficiently warm for its maturation, as the plants only ex-
hibited the first appearances of flowering just prior to their being
destroyed by frost, yet as these had then attained a height of from
2^ to 3 feet, with numerous side bi'anches, and yielded a consider-
able weight of foliage per acre, it may probably be cultivated with
advantage even in this climate, when the extraction of the dye is
better understood. In France, its growth and manufacture have
been made the subjects of numerous experiments, attended with va-
rious results ; but it is generally believed that a more intimate know-
ledge of the proper method of extracting the dye is still requisite to
render its cultivation a matter of general importance.

Thunberg, a Swedish botanical traveller, mentions, that, in addi-
tion to Polygonum tinctorium, the Japanese also extract blue dyes
from P. chinense, P. harhatum, and the common road-side weed, P.
aviculare. ,

III. SESAMUM ORIENT ALE of Willdenow.— Oriental
Sesamum or Oly-Grain.

Generic and Specific Characters. — Belonging to the xiv. class and 2nd order
(Didynamia Angiospermia) of Linnseus ; calyx five parted ; flowers, includ-
ing the ovary or seed-vessel, containing one abortive and four true stamens,
bell-shaped and five lobed, the under lobe being largest ; capsules two-
celled, and having each cell redivided by the inflexed edges of its valves ;
stems nearly erect, and furnished with oblong ovate leaves. Annual; \h
to 2 feet in height; native of Arabia and the East Indies.

The Oriental Sesamum is a tender white-flowered annual, of little
beauty, but cultivated to a great extent in most tropical countries,
pax'ticularly in Arabia and the E. and W. Indies, for its seeds, four
and a half pounds of which yield about one pound of oil, which is em-
ployed for like purposes with that of rape, as well as for salad and
other culinary uses. The seeds are also prepared in vainous ways
for food, being parched, as also made into bread, puddings, used in
soups, &c.

IV. SESAMUM INDICUMofWilldenow.-ORiENTAL Sesamum or
Oly-Grain. — In its specific character this differs fx'om the last by its
more erect habit of growth, as well as in its lower leaves being three
lobed, while its upper or entire ones are moi'e of an oblong* or lanceo-
late form, and in its flowers being of a light purple colour. It is
cultivated in the same countries, and used for like purposes, with the
Oriental Sesamum.

( 61 )

INDEX.

Page.

Alopecurus nigricans, .

. 35

Cynodon dactylon,

. 35

A vena fatua,

. I

linearis.

. 35

sativa,

. 1

creeping rooted.

. 35

Barley, Black's superlative,

. 7

Dactylis glomerata gigantea,

. 36

Brown's,

. 8

Darnel, annual beardless.

. 37

...

Bute,

. 8

Digitaria humifusa,

. 35

...

Dunlop's,

. 8

sanguinalis.

. 35

Fluck-wlieat,

. 11

Durod, or Doob-grass,

. 35

Italian,

. 8

Egyptian millet, .

. 12

German, .

, 9

Elymus geniculatus.

. 36

...

Golden, .

. 8

Faba vulgaris equina.

. 32

Lord Western's,

. 9

Fescue-grasSj Bishop's creeping hard, 37

Nottingham long-eared.

. 9

common.

do.

.36

Pomeranian,

. 9

early.

d-o

. 36

Potter's, .

. 10

purplish.

do.

. 36

Providence,

. 10

saw-leaved,

do.

. 37

Suffolk short-necked,

. 10

tall, gigantic.

. 37

Zealand, .

. 10

Festuea duriuscula,

. 36

Bean

Annfield, .

. 32

... prtecox.

. 36

...

Heligoland,

. 32

... purpurafa,

. 36

Marshall's early- dwarf.

. 33

serraia,

. 37

Prolitic purple.

. 32

... Uri,

. 37

Winter,

, 33

elatior gigantea,

. 37

Bere

or Big, Himalayan naked,

. 11

Finger-grass, slender spiked.

. 35

Nepal, do.

. 11

spreading.

. 35

Victoria, .

. 11

Fox-tail grass, blackish headed,

. 35

Beta

I'ulgaris campestris,

. 49

Gama-grass,

. 43

Bras=

ica campestris rutabaga.

. 49

Guinea-grass,

. 41

Rapa,

. 51

Hedgehog plant,

. 45

Buckwheat, dyer's,

. 58

Heracleum asperum.

. 45

Canac

ian-rice.

. 31

Panaces,

. 45

Clover Aifghanistan,

. 47

Hordeum distichon,

. 7

Annual, strawberry -headed

, 47

vulgare.

. 11

Bokhara or tree.

. 46

zeocriton,

. 11

crimson, late flowering.

. 47

Indian corn,

. 29

...

elegant.

. 46

American Pop, or snap

sweet scented, .

. 47

Canadian early yellow,

tree, or Bokhara,

. 46

Chinese tree.

. 29

Cocksfoot grass, gigantic,

. 36

Button or 12-rowec

. 29

Cow-parsnips, giant,

. 45

early red blaze.

. 29

rough-seeded,

. 45

do. small 8-rowed,

. 29

Siberian, .

. 45

do. variegated,

. 30

woolly-jointed, .

. 45

leafy spiked.

. 30

INDEX.

Indian corn, Nantucket white,
pearl,

rice-seeded,
Rocky mountain,
Sugar,

Vermont early,
Indian cress, potato-rooted, .
Kidney-bean, Belgian black,
canary,

Thousand to one,
Lolium arvense, .

Bouchianum,
italicum, .
multifloruni,

submvticiim, ,
perenne, .
speciosuni ,
teniulentum.
Lime-grass, jointed,
Madia sativa, or oil-seeded madia,
Mangel wurzel, white globe,
j'ellow, do. .
Meadow-grass, Abyssinian, .
fertile,

nerved-seeded,
wood evergreen,
do. gigantic,
Medick spotted, .
Medicago maculata,
^lelilotus leucantha major,
Millet, Egyptian,

... Polish,
INIilium effusum, .
Millet-grass, tall, many-flowered,

wood,
Oat, Barbachlaw early,
. . . Barley or Berlie, English,

do. do. Scotch,

.. Church's or Churick's
,,. Cleland early,
... Cumberland, do.
... Dutch, do. .

,., Dyock's, do.
... Flemish, do. .
... Irish, do. .

... Kildrummy, .
... Lancashire witches,
... Markel, or Markley,
... Orleans early,
. . . Rhynie, do.
... Sandy's, do. .
... Siberian, do. .
... Strathallan, do.
... Tarn Finlay's,
... Tuscany early,
... Winter,
Oly-grain, Indian,
Oriental,
Panicum maximum.
Pea, Adelaide royal dwarf,

'age. j Page.

yO I Pea, Auvergne, .... 4.'?
.30 ... Bedman's dwarf blue imperial, 43

... Dantzic grey,

. 33

... Himalayan small gi'Sj', .

. 33

... Knox's new champion, .

. 34

... Rising sun, .

. 34

... St Heliers wrinkled marrow,.

... Sultana sugar,

.. Thomson's early dwarf.

. 34

... Turkey white crown,

. 34

... Victoria tall.

. . . Waterloo early frame.

. 34

... white-podded sugar.

. 33

Penicillaria spicata,

Phaseolus vulgaris.

Pisum sativum arvense,

. .'3

Poa abyssinica.

. 41

... fertilis.

. 42

. . . nemoralis gigantea, .

. 42

semper virens, .

... nervata,

... nervosa,

. 42

... serotina,

. 42

Polygonum aviculare, .

. 59

barbatum, .

chinense,

. 59

tinctoriuni.

. 58

Potato, agricultural late kidney.

, 52

Caraccas, .

Chapman's new spring,

Colonel Spens' kidney.

. . creeping stemmed,

... cucumber, .

... gold-finder,

Leadington white,

Malcolm's early red. .

Mangel-wurzel,

Prince de Rohan,

. 54

Rohan,

... rough- Robs',

Segonozac's early,

Smith's yellow Peruvian,

... snake-rooted wild,

Spanish early dwarf.

stoloniferous,

Rye, great northern,

... Russian, many-stalked, .

Rye-grass, Bailly's short-awned,

Brittany man^- -flowered.

Italian,

Secale cereale.

Sesamum indicum.

orientple,

Solanura stoloniferum,

tuberciuni,

Tai-e or Vetch, Canadian,

... Sheriffs or Hopetoun, .

Trifolium elegans,

incarnatum tnrdif,

resupinatuni.

INDEX.

(36

Page.

Trifolium suaveolens, .

. 47 Whe

at. Chevalier, FuUard";?,

. 19

Tripsacum dactyloides,

. 43

prolific.

. 19

monostachyon,

. 43

ten-rowed,

. 18

Triticum Aniyleum,

. 13

Clover's red.

. 19

corapactura,

. 14

Cluster-dwai'f, .

. 19

compositum, .

. 14

... tall,

. 19

dicoccuni.

. 13

Col. Le Couteur's compact.

durum,

. 15

Jersey Dantzic,

. 20

sativum,

. 16

No. 5, .

tricoccum,

. 13

... round, .

. £0

turgidum,

. 28

velvet or downy.

. 21

villosum,

. 16

Duck's -bill.

. 14

Tropseolum tuberosum,

, 55

eclipse,

. 21

Turnip, Hungarian red top.

. 51

Garagnon turgid.

. 28

Pollexfen'sgreen top yellow |

hedgehog;

. 22

bullock.

.51 ..

Hickling's prolific.

Scott's hybrid, purple top, 51

Hopetoun,

. 23

Snowball,

.51 ..

Indian white.

. 23

Woolton hybrid red-top, . 52 |

Ishmael hard.

. 15

Swedish, Fettercairn

globe, 49

Malaga white, .

. 23

Laing's improved pm-ple

Manfridonia hard.

. 15

top.

. 49

Marianapoli red,

. 23

Skirving's purple top

. 50

Naples bearded,

. 24

Skirving's improved purple

Narbonne red, .

. 24

top.

. 50

Nepal hard,

. 15

Thorpland globe,

. 50

painted stalked.

. 24

Victoria pink top,

. 50

pearl.

Vetch or tare, Canadian,

. 48

Salmon,

. 25

... Hopetoun or Sheriff's,

• 48

St Helena giant turgid.

Vicia sativa canadensis,

• 48

Sark-yellow,

/lore albo,

. 48

Saumur,

Wheat, African turgid.

.28

Taganrock black turgid.

. 28

American thumb.

. 14

Touzelle, .

. 25

Barbary thick-chaffed.

. 10

transparent,

Bellevue Talavera,

. 16

tremois,

Bois hall red,

• 16

Tunstall, .

... branching smooth-eart

d, .17

Turgid,

Brodie's white,

. 17

Vilmorin's,

Burwell red.

. 18

Waterloo red.

Cambridge brown.

. 18

Whittington's white.

Caucasian bearded,

. 18

Whitworth's white.

Chevalier, Courtney's

. 19 Zea

Mays, ....

Brown's, ,

. 19 Zizai

lia aquatica,

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Full text of "The agriculturist's manual : being a familiar description of the agricultural plants cultivated in Europe : including practical observations respecting those suited to the climate of Great Britain and forming a report of Lawson's Agricultural Museum in Edinburgh"

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