105 



ennobling of plants. These experiments, at the request of the 

 British Association for the Advancement of Science, were repor- 

 ted to that Society, the last report having been made at Oxford 

 in the year 1860. 



On this occasion no less than 200 plots were referred to, con- 

 sisting of the following : 



Agricultural Plants 

 Medicinal Plants ., 

 Esculent Vegetables 

 Grasses (old and new Plots) 

 Miscellaneous Plants 



Plots. 

 50 

 30 

 20 

 60 

 40 



Total .. .. .. 200 



We now refer to three sets of experiments then reported upon 

 as aiding us in the discussion of the subject of our present paper. 

 They were 



1 . The production of a new and distinct crop of parsnip from 

 the cultivation of the Pastinaca sativa. This has been since 

 known and appreciated under the name of the Student parsnip. 



2. The production of sorts of broccoli, cabbages, and greens 

 from the wild cabbage (Brassica oloracea), gathered from the 

 rocks overhanging the sea at Llandudno, North Wales. Of this 

 latter we published a subsequent report in the Agricultural 

 Gazette for 1861, as we were too late for the meeting of the 

 British Association at Manchester. Seeds of a distinct sulphur 

 broccoli and a curly green were subsequently sent to Messrs. 

 Sutton & Sons, but we believe that the broccoli was not suffici- 

 ently permanent, but the green is still in cultivation, and has 

 proved the hardiest kale in the garden during the past trying 

 season. 



3. The mangel reported upon in 1860 and 1861, had 

 reference to experiments with well-known sorts of mangels, and 

 also with an attempt to ennoble our wild Beta maritima from 

 which we quote the following : 



" Plots F. and G. Wild Beet. I confess the at present forked roots look 

 but unpromising, but when I go to the kitchen garden and examine the 

 roots of the -white beet, which is only grown for its leaves, which are used 

 as a garden vegetable, I see that they are no better. It is only in growing 

 for roots that you get them of the right form." f 



t Agricultural Gazette for October 26, 1861. 



