386 



HORTICULTURAL COMMUNICATION. 



To the Editor of the Analyst, 



Sir, — ^Through the medium of your useful periodical, I wish to offer 

 some remarks on the inattention of gardeners in the interior parts of 

 the island to the cultivation of a greater variety of esculent vegetables 

 Many years ago, when I resided in London, I could obtain from Covent 

 Garden market the following wholesome and nutritious vegetables; but 

 they are not to be had in this neighbourhood : — 



The roots of the Scorzonera (Viper's Grass.) 



The roots of the Slum Sisarum (Skirret.) 



The roots of the Tragopogon porrifolius (not perrifolium.*) 



Salsify — the Salsifis or Sersifis of the French, who cultivate so many 

 more vegetables for the table than we do in this country. 



The Orobus tuberosus and the Lathyrus tuberosus. 



Some persons may be disposed to think that the above-enumerated 

 vegetables are only used medicinally. It is true they are prescribed by 

 some physicians as articles of diet to invalids ; but it would be greatly 

 underrating their value to suppose that they are adapted to such cases 

 only, and that they would not be agreeable additions to the tables of 

 persons in perfect health. In fact, we cannot have too great a variety of 

 vegetable nutriment. These roots come into season at different times of 

 the year — some in spring — some in summer — and some in the autumn ; 

 so that it is to be wished that gardeners would give more attention to the 

 cultivation of them. "When we reflect on what has been effected by 

 horticultural diligence in the instance of other esculent vegetables (such 

 as celery, carrots, and beet), it is not unreasonable to expect that in 

 favourable soils and under proper management, the Skirret, the Salsify, 

 the Scorzonera, the Orobus, and the Lathyrus may be made to produce 

 roots three or four times the size of those which they now yield, and that 

 then they would come into general use among families in easy circum- 

 stances ; for, as the cultivation of them would be attended with con- 

 siderable trouble, gardeners could not afford to sell them at the same 

 low prices at which they sell carrots, turnips, and other common culinary 

 vegetables. 



Mr. Loudon, who has shown so mueh industry and accuracy in 

 editing various valuable works relating to Natural History generally, an(l 

 to agriculture, gardening, and botany in particular, has published in his 

 Gardener's Magazine, No. LVIIL for January, 1835, some notices of 

 new culinary vegetables, of which gardeners, and especially London 

 gardeners, will no doubt avail themselves. Herbaceous culinary 

 vegetables, as well as certain roots, are comprehended in Mr. Loudon's 

 notices ; whereas the remarks contained in the present communication 

 are restricted to esculent roots, which the writer conceives to be deserving 

 of particular attention, as most of them will grow in the open garden, 

 and will keep well in sand throughout the winter. 



I am. Sir, 



Your's, &c. 

 A FRIEND TO HORTICULTURE. 



Birmingham, June 14th, 1835. 



* Tragopogon is often made by botanists of the neuter gender ; but it is a noun 

 masculine. 



