40 THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 



To this the Messrs. Sutton append the following 

 remarks : — 



The writer of the above being unknown to us, we had the curiosity 

 to call at the address given, and ascertained that it was no " hoax," 

 but was assured by the " inventor " that ho had supplied several 

 tradesmen with the apparatus, and that he was formerly in the seed 

 trade himself. We may add, that we have since heard from the 

 same individual at another sea-port town to which he has removed. 



Having got possession of this circular, and being 

 desirous of becoming acquainted with so notable an 

 invention, we lost no time in setting on foot a nego- 

 tiation for the possession of the secret, and having 

 traced the inventor in his removal from Southampton 

 to Gosport, we then had letters addressed to him 

 upon the subject, and, if promises had been of any 

 avail, we might possibly at this time have been in 

 possession of a very improved and expeditious method 

 of making 000 seeds, only that we have learnt the 

 undesirable nature of pay beforehand. 



Our next inquiry was for a sample of 000 seed 

 itself; but, although it is well known in the trade, we 

 have hitherto failed in procuring it. We had hoped 

 that our seedsmen might have been able to procure 

 some through some of their friends. The result 

 was, that we made application to a most respectable 

 London firm, receiving the following reply : — 



London, February 27, 1861. 



Sir, — In reply to your favour received this morning, we take 

 leave to say that we shall have pleasure in complying with your 

 request for a sample of 000 turnips, if we can obtain it. But we do 

 not keep it ourselves, nor do we know the parties who prepare it, it 

 being something of a trade secret. We will, however, apply to some 

 of our friends here to let us have a small quantity, but doubt if they 



