FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



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Brassica alba, Yisiani. (Sinapis alba, Linne.) 



White Mustard. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle 

 Asia. An annual. The seeds are less pungent than those of 

 the Black Mustard, but used in a similar manner. The 

 young leaves of both are useful as a culinary and anti- 

 scorbutic salad. Dr. Masters enumerates Brassica Chinensis, 

 B. dichotoma, B. Pekinensis, B. ramosa and B. glauca 

 among the mustards, which undergo cultivation in various 

 parts of Asia, either for the fixed oil of their seeds or for 

 their herbage. From 15 lbs. to 20 lbs. of seeds of the 

 White Mustard are required for an acre. In the climate of 

 California, similar to ours, 1400 lbs. of seeds have been 

 gathered from an acre. 



Brassica Chinensis, Linne. 



China and Japan. Serves like the following for cabbage, and 

 may in cultivation produce new varieties. B. cretica (Lam.), 

 a woody Mediterranean species. 



Brassica juncea, J. Hook and Thoms. {B. Willdenoivii, Boiss.; 

 Sinapis juncea, Linne). 

 From Middle Africa to China. According to Colonel Drury, 

 cultivated all over India for sarepta mustard seeds ; also a 

 good salad plant. 



Brassica nigra, Koch. ( Sinapis nigra, Linne. J 



The Black Mustard. Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. 

 An annual. The seeds, simply crushed and then sifted, con- 

 stitute the mustard of commerce. For medicinal purposes 

 the seeds of this species are preferable for sinapisin and 

 other purposes. In rich soil this plant is very prolific ; and 

 in our forest-valleys it is likely to remain free from the 

 attack of aphis. Chemical constituents : — a peculiar fixed 

 oil, crystalline sinapin, the fatty sinapisin, Myron-acid and 

 Myrosin. 



Brassica oleracea, Linne. 



An annual or biennial coast-plant, indigenous to various 

 parts of Europe. It is mentioned here with a view of 

 showing that it might be naturalized on our rocky and sandy 

 sea-shores. From the wild plant of the coast originated 

 various kinds of cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels 

 sprouts, kail, kohlrabi, &g. Other races of this species are 

 collectively represented by Brassica Bapa, L. (B. campestris, 

 L.), the wild Navew, yielding most of the varieties of 

 turnips, some with other cultivated forms transferred to us 

 from ancient times. Again, other varieties are comprehended 

 within Brassica Napus, L., such as the Swedish and Teltower 

 turnips, while the rape-seed, so important for its oil (Colza), 



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