HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 411 



foliage. After the time of flowering, however, it produces com- 

 paratively nothing during the rest of the season ; and unless the 



and transplanted like cabbages ; in this case, the beds require to be made and sown 

 the preceding autumn. Two pounds of the seed will produce a sufficiency of plants 

 for one acre of ground. The stem is swoln like a bulb, and when divested of the 

 leaves may readily be mistaken for one. Hares are so fond of it, that on farms 

 where these animals abound, the culture of this plant is found to be impracticable. 

 Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt first introduced kohl rabi into England from Germany. In 

 1805, Messrs. Gibbs and Co., seedsmen to the Board of Agriculture, raised one ton 

 and a quarter of the seed, and continue to supply the demands of the public for it, 

 and for all other agricultural seeds of the best quality. 64 dr. of the bulb of kohl 

 rabi afford 105 grains of nutritive matter. 



Burnet {Poterium sanguisorha). This plant is a native of Britain, growing in dry 

 upland pastures and calcareous soils. It was first introduced to the notice of the 

 Agriculturist by Mr. Rocque, of Walham Green, in 1760. Ann. Regist. Since 

 that period, the numerous trials that have been made of it as a plant for pasture and 

 for hay, have not proved it superior to lucern, sainfoin, or clover, except in soils 

 where these plants do not succeed. The chief property that gives value to burnet, is 

 its hardy nature, keeping green all winter, and its early growth. If left uncut in 

 autumn, it will afford green food from October till April. On soils suitable to its 

 growth, a portion of ground set apart for the growth of burnet would therefore be 

 attended with considerable profit. 64 dr. afford of nutritive matter 100 grains. 



Oriental Bunias (Bunias orientalis). This is a native of the Levant and Russia. It 

 was cultivated in 1739 by Philip Millar, in the Botanic Garden of Chelsea. It 

 appears to have been first introduced into the field-culture by Arthur Young, Esq., 

 from whom Messrs. Gibbs and Co. had the seeds, which they have since increased 

 in sufficient quantity to supply the farming public. The manner of growth of the 

 roots and leaves resembles that of the dandelion. It is not a very early plant, but 

 bears mowing well. It is less productive than chicory, and is cultivated in the same 

 manner as that plant, and applied to the same uses as food. Its nutritive qualities 

 are equal to those of the broad-leaved clover. 64 dr. of the stems and leaves, at 

 the time the seed is ripe, afford 100 grains of nutritive matter; the same weight of 

 leaves, cut at the beginning of May, affords only 70 grains. 



Hogweed {Heracleum Sphondi/lium). I was first led to submit this plant to ex- 

 periment at the suggestion of the Rev. S. Bale, of East Grinstead, who favoured 

 me with the seeds of another species, the H. giganteum. He observes, that it is a 

 very early and productive plant, bears mowing well, and that it is much relished by 

 cattle. Gmelin says, that the Russians distil an ardent spirit from the stalks ; they 

 prepare it by fermenting the stalks in water with the marsh whortle-berry ( Vaccl- 

 niuni idiginosum), which is more agreeable to the taste than spirits made from corn. 

 Cows, sheep, swine, and rabbits, appear to be very fond of the leaves. It comes 

 into flower about the middle of May. Its nutritive powers appear to be consider- 

 able, when compared to those of lucern and some other plants. 



About the first of May, 64 dr. of the herbage afford of nutritive matter 90 grains. 

 Ditto of lucern - - - - 90 



Ditto of burnet - - - - 100 



Ditto of Bunias oriental'ia - - 1 00 



Ditto of the broad-leaved cultivated clover - 80 



