Naturalization of Plants ^ ^c. 17 



continuing that practice four or five years, they became 

 as early water melons as I ever had. 



Many admit the importance of a change of seed, from 

 the fact of foreign flax seed producing the best flax in 

 Ireland ; but when it is considered that it is the bark of 

 the stalk only that is used in Ireland, and that this is in 

 the best perfection before the seed ripens, the argu- 

 ment fails when applied to other vegetables. 



For many years past, I have renewed the whole seed 

 of my winter grain, from a shigle plant which I have 

 observed to be more productive, and of better quality 

 than the rest; a practice, which I am satisfied, has been of 

 great use ; and I am fully of opinion, that all kinds of 

 garden vegetables may be improved by the foregoing 

 methods, particular care being taken, that different 

 kinds of the same species of vegetables are not in bloom 

 at the same time, near together, as by this bad practice, 

 they mix and degenerate.* 



* The above remark of an observant, practical agriculturist, 

 has so often been confirmed by the observations of othei's, 

 that no doubt can be entertained of its accuracy. The fact 

 is one of the most powerful proofs of the sexual doctrine of 

 plants, and is strongly confirmed by the familiar example of 

 the certain degeneracy of squashes and pumpkins if grown 

 near gourds ; the latter even communicate an emetic quality 

 to their neighbours. In like manner, melons will degenerate 

 if planted near squashes or pumpkins. A case is recorded 

 in the law reports, of an action which was brought against 

 a gardener near London, in the reign of Charles 2, for selling 

 cabbage seed instead oi cauliflower seed. On trial it appear- 

 ed, that both had been planted near each other, by the pur- 



c * 



