Mr John Sadler on a Curious Form of Kobl Eabi. 225 



On a Curious Form of Kohl Eabi. By John Sadlee, Curator, 

 Eoyal Botanic Garden. (Plate XL) 



(Read Nov. 11, 1880.) 



In the beginning of October 1880 I received from Mr 

 George Pollock, nurseryman and seed merchant, Stirling, a 

 peculiar specimen of the common purple Kold Rahi which he 

 had met with in a garden in the neighbourhood. 



At first I had the plant placed in a shallow basin of water 

 — the water just covering the roots. In this position the 

 plant continued to increase in size, so that many of the 

 swollen lateral branches, of which there were eighteen, were 

 by 11th November 1880 about the size of turkeys' eggs. At 

 that date I had it photographed, and then planted in a flower- 

 pot amongst good soil and placed in a cool frame, in the hope 

 that it would flower and produce perfect seed next summer. 



In August 1881 I measured the plant, which was now 

 growing in the open air. There were eighteen side tuberous 

 branches, ten of which had leafy shoots varying from 2| to 

 3 feet in length, and bearing abundance of flowers and fruit. 

 The largest tuberous branch was 4| inches in circumference. 

 I had some of the ripe seed sown and placed in the green- 

 house, where they soon germinated. I had also cuttings from 

 the leafy shoots put in at the same time, which struck freely. 

 The seedlings and cuttings which were planted out under 

 " hand-lights" are now (3d February 1882) very healthy, but 

 whether they will perpetuate the peculiarity of the parent it is 

 very doubtful. If this, however, could be accomplished it would 

 be a decided addition to the kitchen garden, representing, as it 

 does, exactly what the Bmssels sprout is to the common cab- 

 bage. The Kold Bali of Ger. ; Brassica Caulo-rapa communis 

 of D.C. ; Clwn-rave of Fr. ; turnip-cablmge and turnip-borecole 

 of British authors, is a hardy biennial, and can withstand the 

 severest frost and drought. It is a plant whicli is seldom 

 met with imder cultivation in British gardens, although it is 

 extensively grown in some parts of Germany, and is also 



TRANS. I30T. SOC, VOL. XIV. Q 



