Ale from Mangold Wurzel. 697 



and headed down and grafted several trees. It has exceeded 

 my most sanguine expectations. The new heads are of extra- 

 ordinary growth: three of them have borne well this year; 

 the wood of all is extremely vigorous and healthy, and without 

 any symptom of disease of any kind. Many of your scientific 

 readers have probably performed the same experiment, on the 

 same process of reasoning; but, as the result was contrary to 

 the anticipations of several experienced gardeners, I commu- 

 nicate it, in the hope of saving many a useful though cankered 

 stock from destruction. — Id. 



Monstrous Pear. — Sir, There is now growing, in a gar- 

 den in this town, a monstrous jargonelle pear, which may be 

 thus described : — From the first bloom, which took place 

 early in the spring, a perfect pear was produced; and, after 

 the pear had grown some time, it sent out a flower from its 

 eye, and produced there a second pear ; and the second pear 

 afterwards sent out two flowers from its eye, and these pro- 

 duced two pears : so that now there are four perfect pears 

 growing connectedly. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — M. Said. Lan- 

 caster, July 8. 1832. 



A pear, with an imperfectly formed second pear protruding 

 from its end, was sent us from a neighbour's garden in Bays- 

 water just after receiving the above communication. A couple 

 of monstrous pears will be found figured in Vol. IV. p. 263. 

 fig. 78. — J. D. 



On the Use of the Seed-do'wn of Typha for stiffing Bedding 

 for the Poor. — When these seeds are ripe, they fall in great 

 wool-flocks from the stalk ; and as 7ypha grows wild in many 

 places, they could be procured in abundance. When beaten 

 for some time, they separate, and open all their balloons, so 

 as to become as soft and as elastic as feathers ; and, from their 

 hygrometric expansibility and contractiveness, I apprehend 

 they would never get into clots or lumps if sewed up into a 

 bag or bedtick. I should hope that this hint will be not 

 wholly useless to your Encyclopaedia of Cottage Architecture. — 

 Robert Mallet. 94. Capel Street, Dublin, Oct. 1832. 



A good Ale may be made from the Roots of Mangold Wurzel 

 in the following manner : — Take one third of malt, two thirds 

 of mangold wurzel liquor, and about a fifth part of treacle, 

 adding hops at the rate of six ounces to nine gallons. Barrel 

 and work with yeast in the usual manner. The mangold 

 wurzel liquor is thus obtained : clear the roots, pare off the 

 outer rind, slice and boil till they are quite soft, and then 

 squeeze off the liquor. — A Friend to the Cottager*. 



