HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 407 



other grasses. The seed is also often defective, and the cBop in 

 consequence cannot be depended on. 



varies according to the size and texture of their substance. A root of the white loaf 

 variety, measuring seven inches in diameter, afforded only seventy-two grains and 

 a half, while the same quantity of a root which measured only four inches, afforded 

 eighty grains. The middle-sized roots of the common turnip are therefore the most 

 nutritious ; as, on the contrary, are the largest roots of the Swedish turnip, affording 

 110 grains, while the middle-sized and smaller roots afforded only 99. 



100 grains of the nutritive matter of white turnips appeared to consist of mucilage 

 16, sugar 82, albumen or gluten 2=100 grains. 



2. Cabbages {Brassica oleracea, var.) are of a great value under the circumstance 

 of a tenacious heavy soil, where the turnip culture cannot be practised with 

 advantage. They require to be raised from seed sown in beds of earth in autumn 

 or spring, and transplanted into the field towards the end of May, or beginning of 

 June at farthest; and will be ready for use in October. It is essential that the 

 seed-beds have good shelter, but at the same time free exposure to the sun, morn- 

 ing, mid-day, and noon. The soil a rich friable loam. One pound of seed, if 

 properly treated, will produce 24,000 plants, and 8,000 plants are considered 

 sufficient for an acre of land. For the purposes of the dairy, one acre of cabbages 

 is considered worth three of turnips. There has been some difference of opinion 

 with respect to their effects on the quality of the milk and butter ; but they are 

 evidently superior to turnips as long as they keep fresh ; one or two decaying leaves 

 upon a head, however, are sufficient to give both milk and butter a strong disagree- 

 able taste. This I have long had an opportunity of proving. 



The varieties of the cabbage are numerous. Those best fitted for field culture are 

 the drum-headed cabbage, red-veined, the Scotch or Yorkshire, and the American. 

 The most productive of these are the drum-headed and American, but the red- 

 veined and Scotch stand the winter best. This plant impoverishes the soil very 

 much ; in collecting the produce for consumption, the plants should therefore be 

 drawn up by the roots, and not merely cut over, as is often practised to the detri- 

 ment of the soil. These different varieties afford about equal quantities of nutritive 

 matter. 



It is here necessary to correct a misstatement in the first printed account of the 

 results of these experiments, respecting the nutritive matter afforded by cabbages 

 and potatoes. 



The nutritive matter of the cabbage is wholly soluble in water, that of the potatoe 

 only partially so, for a great proportion of the potatoe consists of starch. 



One pound, or 7,000 grains of the cattle cabbage or drum- 

 headed cabbage {Bi-assica oleracea ciipitata) consists of - 430 - 280 - 6290 



One pound of the early York cabbage {Brassica oleracea, 



var.) - - - - - - 430 - 312 - 6258 



One pound of the Woburn perennial kale {B.oler.Jimbriata 

 pereimis) ------ 438 



One pound of the green curled kale (B. oler. viridis) - 440 



One pound of the purple bonecole or kale (JB. oler. lacinatd) 448 



One pound of tlie bulb of the turnip-rooted cabbage 



