Introductory. 13 



In an orchard adjoining this garden, up against a dry 

 bank at the back, I some time ago observed a thistle of 

 such extraordinary dimensions that I placed myself along- 

 side its stalk, to make a rough estimate of its height. The 

 crown of my hat did not reach half-way to the top, nor 

 anything like it ; while its stem by the base was nearly 

 as thick as my wrist. It was one of the sort which are 

 here commonly called " boar thistles "; but I took no 

 exact note of the species, determined on having it home 

 and submitting it to rule and tape. As ill luck would 

 have it, the discovery of this vegetable giant was made 

 on a Sunday, which caused the deferring of my intention 

 to the following day. Then revisiting the spot, with my 

 gardener and a grubbing tool, I had the mortification to 

 find it gone. A right-of-way path runs by, near the bank 

 where it grew, and some villanous trespasser, whom 3 

 cannot help being angry at, had taken a fancy to this 

 gigantic carduus, torn it up by the roots, and carried it 

 clean away. As there is no Scotchman dwelling in the 

 immediate neighbourhood, I am puzzled about the motive 

 of the pilferer. It may have been botanical curiosity, or 

 only an idle freak ; though I have heard that the bird- 

 catchers sometimes use these large thistles, limed, for the 

 taking of goldfinches an explanation of the rape prob- 

 able enough. It was certainly as tall as any of my arti- 

 chokes, and the stalk near the base of much greater 

 thickness. 



Besides the composite, other plants grow luxuriantly 

 on the Old Ked. In the same garden carrots and par- 

 snips attain the dimensions of a man's forearm ; while 

 beet-root needs sowing late to keep it within bounds for 

 table use. Some of my " Mexican " potatoes, planted in 

 it this year, threw up haulms so rank and high I had the 



