442 VLe7nerocdUisfulva, as a Forage Plant. 



ingly, in January 1828, I planted the whole piece in rows 2 ft. 

 apart ; between these a full crop of mangold wurzel was 

 planted towards the end of April, which, of course, completely 

 shaded the day lily for upwards of two months before it was 

 gathered in and housed. This circumstance does not, however, 

 seem to have had the least effect on it ; for early in April, this 

 year, the plants were 1 ft. high, and at the end of the month, 

 upwards of 2 ft. I did not cut them down, intending to 

 pick out the flower stalks only, to encourage the growth at 

 the bottom of the plants ; for, you must understand, the whole 

 were single, plants when first planted, now each has sent up 

 two or three plants. 



This season, I have again planted mangold wurzel between 

 the rows, and have in addition planted some of Cobbett's 

 corn ; for as both mangold wurzel and the day lily grow as 

 well, or perhaps better, by being a little shaded, I thought a 

 row of corn, in the alternate rows of day lilies, would be an 

 improvement ; and should these three, or any two of them, 

 succeed together, and I see no reason why they should not, it 

 would be difficult to form an idea of the immense produce 

 highly manured and well tilled ground might yield. The 

 day lily, being a permanent crop, will annually produce a 

 supply of green food in April and towards the middle of 

 May, when there is little or no pasture grass ; and, if cut at 

 this season, it will continue to grow during the summer. Still, 

 I apprehend, its chief value will be in the first crop ; for, by 

 immediately digging between the rows, a crop of mangold 

 wurzel, Cobbett's Indian corn, or both, may be planted, this 

 being the proper season for planting both, both requiring 

 the same culture, and both being ready to be gathered in at 

 nearly the same time, which may be done without materially 

 injuring the plant for the spring. Either of these late crops 

 will, of course, be of much more value than any crop obtained 

 by allowing the day lily to occupy the ground alone. 



It should be observed, that 1 never could detect any un- 

 pleasant flavour in the milk or butter, from the use of the 

 day lily, and I have occasionally given it in considerable 

 quantities : but, on the contrary, I have invariably found both 

 the milk and butter as sweet as if the cow had been grazed on 

 pasture land or mangold wurzel; a quality, which, if the 

 plant should prove useful, will greatly enhance its value. 



I am, Sir, &c. 

 Longleat, May 19. J. Elles. 



The Symphytum asperrimum has also been strongly recom- 

 mended as a forage plant, by Mr. D. Grant of Lewisham, of 

 which a notice will be found in our next Number. — Cond. 



