212 Qtmies and Answers. 



where melons were growing, in July. The side shoots were carefully pinched 

 off as they appeared, and the plants produced their beautiful spikes of flowers 

 several times in the months of September and October. By reference to 

 the above-named page in the Botanical Magazine, you will see that it flowered 

 at Glasgow in 1829, — J. F. M'Elroy, Flower Gardener to W. M. Christy, Esq. 

 Clapham Road, Feb. 23. 1835. 



Art. V. Qliieries and Ansiuers. 



CHENOPd" DIUM Quinda. — There is something puzzling for me in the facts 

 relating to Chenopodium Quinda, which I hope you may assist me in clearing 

 up. I once had some seed of that plant from Bonpland, the fellow-traveller 

 of Humboldt, on his return from their travels in America : it was exactly 

 similar to what you describe, (X. 587.) a small whitish seed, looking like peeled 

 millet, except that it was more flat. Bonpland had warned me it was very old, 

 and perhaps even had suffered some peeling preparation, so that it was not 

 likely to grow. The result, indeed, was naught, notwithstanding the assis- 

 tance of hydrochloric acid, and all that I could contrive to promote the ger- 

 mination. 



I have ever since attempted to get some again; and, our Jardin des Plantes 

 having at last received a packet mider that name, grown the plant, and saved 

 some seed, I obtained from that source a small supply, which enabled me to 

 try its cultivation. The plants have shown themselves in my garden these 

 three or four years to much advantage, stout, healthy, 5 ft. to 6 ft. high ; with 

 beautiful, neat, tender leaves, which proved pretty good used as spinach ; but 

 the seeds T save, as well as those I first had from the Jardin des Plantes, do not 

 resemble those I had formerly from Bonpland; nor do they seem in the least 

 fitted for the stated economical purposes, so small, and flat, and poor they are, 

 with a blackish vei-y adhering skin upon them. 



I conjecture from hence, either that we have not the true sort, or, if we have 

 it, that om* climate will not bring the seed to its full size and perfection. In 

 order to come to the verifying of the facts, I send you a paper of my own 

 seed ; in order that it, and the plants it will produce, may be compared with 

 Mr. Lambert's ; and I shall feel much obliged, if you will be so kind as to send 

 me on your side some seeds of his growth, that I may effect the like comparison 

 here. — Filmorin. Paris, Jan. 26. 1835. 



We have sent some of the seeds received from M. Vilmorin to Mr. Lambert, 

 and also to the London and Edinburgh Horticultural Societies, and to Mr. 

 Gorrie, Mr. Lawson, Mr. Mallet, and Mr. Nevin ; the remainder we have left 

 with Mr. Charlwood. We have also sent a packet of the white quinoa to 

 M. Vilmorin. With reference to M. Vilmorin's doubts as to the dark- 

 seeded quinoa, if he will consult the Meinotres d' Agriculture, published by the 

 Royal Agricultural Society of Paris, in 1786, he will find (p. 98.) a paper by 

 M. le Blond, on the culture and uses of the quinoa. In this paper, after 

 stating that it is a native of North America, and that its grain is used as a 

 substitute for maize and the potato, M, le Blond adds, that there are two 

 kinds of quinoa, the red and the white ; but that the latter is the one most 

 generally cultivated, the seeds of the other being bitter, and only used medi- 

 cinally. — Cond. 



O'xalis a-endta. — Considerable difference of opinion exists here as to the 

 cultivation of O'xalis crenata. In very many cases the tubers produced are 

 exceedingly small. Has any mode of culture been practised successfully in 

 England !* — Thomas M'Glashan. Cupar, Jan. 30. 1835. 



Gladiolus natalensis. — In your visit to High Clere (X. 255.), you speak of 

 this plant producing one hundred bulbs in a season, which, if well treated, will 

 flower the following year. I should be glad to learn how. to treat them, so 

 as to produce a result so very desirable, as with me ninety-nine of them will 

 certainly require a longer period, — M. C. Bingham, Feb. 7. 1835. 



