124 Queries and Answers. 



sandy soils they ought to be turned in when in the second, in stiff soils when in the 

 third flower." A German writer (Gard. Mag. vol. i. p. 200.) recommends borage, 

 as containing alkali ; and we think the recommendation deserves a trial. As 

 lupines are oleaginous, their oil and the alkali of the borage would probably unite 

 and form a saponaceous nutriment. 



Raising Potatoes from Seed. — " Sir: I have as yet seen no observations 

 in your work on the raising of potatoes from seed. I have practised it for 

 a few years with very encouraging results, having raised some better roots 

 from seed than I ever had before. Within these few days, I dressed some 

 raised from seed sown this spring, which were as big as large walnuts, and of 

 the character of the best early potatoes. This, however, never happened 

 before : in general, they do not exceed the size of hazel-nuts the first year; 

 and most of those this year were no bigger. The third spring they are fit 

 to plant for a crop. On a plot as big as a large table you may sow seed to 

 raise roots enough for an acre. 



" Apple and Quince Hybrids. — I wish to know whether any experiment 

 has been tried of fecundating the apple, pear, or quince blossom from the 

 Pyrus (now Cydonia) japonica. I tried the experiment this spring, but it 

 was frustrated by the ungenial weather. The fruit of the P. jap. has, when 

 ripe, as I have often seen it, a most delicious fragrance, between quince 

 and pine-apple, and will perfume a room for weeks. I saw one, which was 

 sent last year to the Horticultural Society, which weighed above £ lb., and 

 measured 8^ inches in circumference. It is too austere to be eaten raw, 

 but may be used when cooked, though not equal to a quince. 



" Ayrshire Rose. — Can you inform me whether the Ayrshire rose is a 

 variety of the sempervirens, the arvensis, or what ? I have a plant against 

 my house which was put in last spring two years, about six inches high. It 

 now (including a sucker taken off' and planted beside it the first autumn,) 

 covers about twenty yards in width by six in height, though it has been 

 much pruned. I have about twenty buds standing on various parts of 

 various roses, which, when they come to flower, will make a magnificent 

 appearance. I have repeatedly measured the growth of several shoots, 

 which 1 found to grow two inches a day all through the summer? Is there 

 any parallel to this in the vegetation of a woody plant in this climate ? 

 [We believe not. Mr. Lindley's name for this rose is R. sempervirens, var. 

 subdecidua. For all practical purposes it may be considered as the same 

 as R. arvensis. — Cond.] 



" Portuguese Cabbage, or Cove Tronchudo. (Tronchudo sp. having a great 

 stalk.) — Are you acquainted with a Portuguese kind of cabbage called 

 there Tranxuda ? I procured the seeds from Portugal, and have raised them 

 in abundance for several years. It is allowed to be the most delicious 

 vegetable of the tribe by good judges. It is in season in May and October. 

 It does not cabbage, and is very apt to run to seed ; but if the plants are 

 headed in time they afford excellent sprouts, which, with the stalks of the 

 leaves, are the best part. I shall be happy to supply seeds, and particulars 

 of the culture, if required. I am, Sir, &c. 



" Nov. 22. 1826. A Suffolk Amateur." 



We have tasted this cabbage, from the garden of the Horticultural 

 Society, and fully agree in opinion with our correspondent as to its merits. 

 As seeds are not yet to be had in the seed shops, we shall be very glad of a 

 little, and particularly so for remarks on their culture. — Cond. 



