VEGETABLE PLANTS. 4! 



but is frequently developed in cauliflowers, 

 turnips, and indeed in all the members of the 

 Brassica or cabbage family. So far as our 

 knowledge extends, there is no cure for this 

 malady ; for after it makes its appearance upon 

 a plant, it increases in size until it so seriously 

 affects the circulation of the sap, that the 

 plant wilts, turns yellow, and finally dies a 

 slow death, but one as sure as that of an animal 

 on which a vampire has settled and sucked its 

 life-blood away. But we believe there is a 

 prevention, which is infinitely better than the 

 best of cures, for a cure must be preceded by an 

 attack of the disease, which cannot take place 

 without injury. So far as our extended obser- 

 vations have shown, the enlargement called 

 club - root is primarily caused by the root 

 being mutilated by an insect. There may be 

 different insects capable of bringing about 

 the same result, if each burrow into and mu- 

 tilate the root in the same manner and to the 

 same extent ; but allowing this to be the case, 

 it will readily be admitted that the one that is 

 the most common cause, the one that is cul- 

 pable in the main, is the one which most se- 

 riously engages our attention. This we believe 

 to be none other than 



