264 THE CULTIVATIOX OF PEICKLY COMFEEY, 



facturers of agricultural implemeuts ; and its object liaviug been 

 attained by the present high standard which has been reached 

 by the principal makers of agricultural machinery, we think it 

 might with advantage to all parties be discontinued." 



THE CULTIVATION OF PRICKLY COMFREY, AND ITS USE 



AS A FODDER PLANT. 



By David "\V. Wemtss of Newton Bank, St Andrews. 



[Premium — The Medium Gold Medal] 



Prickly Comfrey (Syvvphytum asiyerrimum) is now extensively 

 grown, especially in England, as a fodder plant, both for horses 

 and cattle, and is noted for its mucilaginous produce and emol- 

 lient properties. It is a perennial plant, and produces a most 

 useful and profitable crop, and one which, no doubt, in a few 

 years, will be more generally grown throughout the British Isles. 

 It is relished by all animals, horses being frequently kept 

 through the winter on it, without hay, and only a moderate 

 allowance of oats, which has the efiect of giving them fine coats 

 of hair. When given to milk cows, it not only produces a full 

 yield of milk, but the butter made possesses the quality and 

 natural rich colour of the best summer butter. Y^ouug cattle 

 also thrive well upon it, with or without turnips. Sheep do not 

 eat it so freely, unless being compelled by much snow being on 

 the ground. Should cattle at first be found not to take it 

 readily, their dislike to it will probably be caused by the 

 roughness of the leaves ; for this reason they should be withered 

 before being given. But this does not often happen, as all 

 animals, as a rule, eat comfrey readily. 



Previous to use, it is necessary to put the comfrey through 

 a chaff-cutting machine, along with some hay or straw, so as to 

 cut it into short lengths. Mixed in equal quantities, two pecks 

 morning and evening, is the allowance that ought to be given 

 either to horses or cattle, with a moderate allowance of other 

 food ; when a little salt is added they will relish it better, and 

 w^ill thrive well on it. 



Xo plant can be more easily propagated and cultivated than 

 comfrey, and, as formerly stated, there is no plant yet dis- 

 covered that yields such milk-producing qualities. Its medi- 

 cinal properties also cannot be overlooked, it having been found 

 to be a curative as well as a preventative in cases of foot-and- 

 mouth disease ; and it has been affirmed that cows fed on 

 comfrey have escaped this disease, while others in the same 

 dairy not fed on it had the disease badly. Having these 

 qualities, there is every reason to believe that comfrey will be 



