506 Report of the Agricultural Exhibition 



eluding an early white variety from Aberdeen, which produced, 

 on a small spot, at the rate of 222 bolls of 560 lbs. each per 

 Scotch acre. We may also mention " a permanent white 

 variety, obtained by cutting out and planting the variegated 

 part taken from the red potato, performed by a female horticul- 

 turist, from Mr. H. Bishop, New Scone." In thanking the 

 female horticulturist for the result of her ingenious experiment, 

 Messrs. Dickson and Turnbull gallantly observe : — "If ladies 

 would only take the lead, the young farmers would soon follow 

 them in studying the science of vegetable physiology." We 

 entirely concur in this opinion ; and only wish that, in addition 

 to vegetable physiology, ladies would study the natural system 

 of botanical classification ; direct their attention to trees and 

 shrubs, so as to introduce a greater variety in our shrubberies 

 and plantations ; and not forget altogether landscape-gardening 

 and domestic architecture and furniture. 



Of mangold wurtzel three specimens were exhibited, the 

 heaviest weighing 9 lbs. 9 oz. It seems to be a general opinion 

 that Perthshire is the most northerly point in Britain where the 

 field culture of mangold wurtzel can be carried on with profit. 

 Red beet, four specimens ; and silver beet, one specimen. 

 Among the miscellaneous articles were cardoons, celery, suc- 

 cory, onions, a great variety of the cabbage tribe, a new variety 

 of saintfoin (Melilotus officinalis), sown by Mr. Gorrie on the 

 9th of April, and pulled on the 1st of October. " When sown in 

 September, and allowed to ripen its seeds, it grows 5 ft. or 6 ft. 

 high ; but, if cut before flowering, it will yield a second crop ; 

 and, sown on stubble, will form an excellent substitute for clover 

 when that plant is found to have failed." THfolium incarnatum 

 is used for this purpose in England ; but Mr. Gorrie is of opi- 

 nion that the Melilotus officinalis, or true Irish shamrock, as it 

 is by some considered, is a preferable plant for Scotland. Gaul- 

 therm Shallon, it is found, may be successfully cultivated in 

 heathy woods and on waste moorlands, so as to afford a welcome 

 repast to both grouse and pheasants. This has been done by 

 Mr. Bisset of Methven Castle gardens, and also by a gentleman 

 of our acquaintance (Mr. Carpenter), on Tweedside. Most of 

 our readers know that the G. Shallon, introduced by Mr. Douglas 

 from the north-west coast of North America, is a beautiful dwarf 

 evergreen shrub, bearing edible berries. O'xalis tetraphylla, 

 from Mr. Gorrie, raised in the open air during summer, but 

 kept under glass during winter. In Prussia, this plant is used 

 as an edging ; and its leaves as sorrel, mixed with those of New 

 Zealand spinach to improve its flavour. The flavour of the 

 bulbs resembles that of potatoes. Fine samples of potato flour 

 were exhibited ; and it appears that the proportion of flour is to 

 the weight of raw potato as 1 to 10 on an average. 



