Interchange of Seeds. 619 



the electro-chemical method is, that it enables the metallurgist to separate those portions 

 of ore which contain gold, silver, &c, from those which contain none. M. Becquerel then 

 alluded to the other uses to which electricity might be applied in the manufacture of metals, 

 especially in the art of gilding silver and copper, as also for taking impressions in copper 

 of medals, bassi relievi, and engravings. The learned academician concluded by observing 

 that this new and highly important power was only in its infancy, and that it would b* 

 impossible to foresee the immense services it was likely to render to the arts. 



Interchange of Seeds between England and India. 



In a late copy of the Gardener's Chronicle we observe mention is made of the advantages to 

 be anticipated from an interchange of Seeds between India and England ; and we are glad to 

 find Lord Auckland's proceedings, in this respect, in 1SS9, sanctioning the dispatch of Seed 

 collectors into Kumaoon, the Hill Tracts, Cashmere, and Thibet, have been followed by the 

 best results ; as has also the dispatch of Seeds by Mr. Griffith from Affghanistan, — these 

 having not only reached England in good order, but been, nearly all, successfully germinated 

 in the Garden of the Horticultural Society at Chiswick. Many too, of those thus sent, have 

 proved of a beneficial character ; and it is worthy of remark, that the Lucerne seed sent by 

 Mr. Griffith from Candahar, although of the same species as is generally cultivated in Europe, 

 was found yet to yield so far superior a crop, that it almost appeared a new race, besides 

 being more valuable as a green crop, from its coming in much earlier than commonly happens 

 with the plant produced from seeds grown in England The clover sent by the same gentle- 

 man from Aflghanistan has been pronounced a new species, and as such, named ' Trifolium 

 Gigantium ;' and, in like manner has been found to produce a heavy crop, and to be most 

 useful as fodder for horses. Indeed this plant has been considered so valuable, as a crop, 

 that almost any quantity would find a ready market, and become important as an article of 

 trade. If so much good is derivable to the mother country from the interchange of seeds, how 

 much more might we, in India, not obtain from that source, — especially in our cereal grasses, 

 and other articles of food. Our wheat, of a hard albumen, is deficient in farinaceous particles, 

 hardly usable if converted into flour, and thence obliged to be used half ground or in the 

 state actually known as soojee ; whilst our potatoe, by constant recurrence to the same stock 

 for seed, is prevented from arriving at that perfection which would give its full value as a crop. 

 Taking these articles alone, therefore, our benefit would be great ; but with this advantage, 

 if extended through the immense range of the vegetable world, what an inestimable profit 

 should we not derive from a freedom of interchange, in a country capable of growing every 

 plant in existence, in some part or other, but where the constant growth of the same produce, 

 from the same stock, and from the same ground, deteriorates almost every plant we possess, 

 — Eastern Star, Dec. 5. 



