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On the Ctdtivation of Ruta Baga, By Joshua Gilpin. 



Kentfnere, f Delaware J Dec. 2d, 1822. 

 Dear Sir, 



When you lately favoured me with a visit here, you 

 may remember I shewed you a field of Ruta baga tur- 

 nips, which I have since gathered, and I now state to 

 you the result, with my experience upon their cultiva- 

 tion. 



Having attended to the subject some years in Eng- 

 land, where I was struck with the very beneficial effects 

 of the culture of this plant, I determined to make myself 

 so far master of it, as to pursue it here ; accordingly, on 

 my return, I commenced it in the Spring of 1816, and 

 have steadily continued it since, with such deviations 

 only, from the English practice, as I have found neces- 

 sary to suit it to our climate ; in which all the difficulty 

 attending it consists, and as I am convinced that the cul- 

 tivation of the plant generally, is as beneficial here as 

 there, I think it important that the distinctions should be 

 well ascertained, by attention, perseverance, and compa- 

 rison of sentiment between those persons who concern 

 themselves with it. 



I shall begin with the seed I use, which is altogether 

 of my own raising, and though it has been said that it 

 degenerates in cultivation here, I have not found that to 

 be the case, as you will see by a comparison of the seed 

 and root, both of which I now send you. 



I began originally with seed bought in England from 

 a person on whom I could rely, and it proved very good: 

 but as I know great attention is requisite there to procure 



