266 THE CULTIVA.TIOX OF PEICKLY COMFEEY, 



rimuni, or the Caucasian variety. It is a native of Caucasus, 

 and was introduced into England about the end of last century. 

 This is one of the most productive and nutritious varieties, and 

 yields from seventy to eighty tons of forage an acre per annum, 

 according to the soil, and grows from three to four feet high, and 

 bears bells of a whitish yellow or straw colour. True Caucasian 

 comfrey, S. aspemmum, has a large rough leaf, with a number 

 of prickles on the under surface; hence its name " Prickly Com- 



Before the introduction of this improved variety into this 

 country, the varieties grown were Synvphytum officinale and aS^. 

 tuberosum, or tuberous-rooted comfrey, which were the native 

 species, but which now may be considered useless varieties. 

 Por a long time the name of the improved variety was con- 

 founded with these native varieties, which retarded its cultivation. 

 One of the many advantages of iS'. aspcrrimuru is that it can be 

 cut earlier and later than any other variety, commencing in 

 April and continuing to November. 



AVhen the British varieties, S. offieinale and >S'. tuberosum, were 

 first introduced into this country, they were chiefly grown as 

 ornamental plants, being remarkable for their graceful bells of 

 bright-blue flowers. Still, these and the new foreign species, S. 

 asp)eTrimum, are all relished by cattle, and they seem to contain 

 much the same chemical principles. Common or English com- 

 frey grows wild in this country ; it has a rather smooth leaf, 

 bears a whitish or yellowish flower, but is of no use for cattle 

 fodder. 



When comfrey is to be planted, the first thing necessary, in 

 order to avoid disappointment, is to get the proper kind, and 

 the one which will grow to the best advantage and yield the 

 heaviest crop. There are two kinds which might be planted to 

 advantage, and whicli are considered the best, namely, S. aspcr- 

 rimurn and the solid-stemmed variety. The advantage of the 

 solid-stemmed over S. asperrimum is that it grows to a larger 

 size, a greater weight of produce per acre is obtained, is some- 

 'what quicker and earlier in growth, although not so nutritious, 

 and can be propagated from stem- cuttings as well as from root- 

 cuttings. Sets planted in spring w^ill afford one or two moderate 

 cuttings before winter ; the next year, when well established, 

 they will give from four to six cuttings, according to the season 

 and soil. 



They require to be planted a yard apart each way, which will, 

 of course, take 4840 plants to plant an imperial acre, and which 

 will cost about fifty shillings. When once planted they will 

 remain for any number of years, and will only require keeping 

 clean and manuring to produce from 100 to 120 tons of good 

 fodder per acre per annum. The cultivation of comfrey, under 



