v.] CULTIVATION IN GENERAL. 45 



selected ; that is to say, such as are of the most perfect shape and 

 quality. In the cabbage, we seek small stem, well-formed loaf, few 

 spare, or loose leaves ; in the turnip, large bulb, small neck, slender- 

 stalked leaves, soUd flesh, or pulp ; in the radish, high colour (if 

 red or scarlet), small neck, few and short leaves, and long top. The 

 marks of perfection are well known, and none but perfect plants 

 should be saved for seed. The case is somewhat different as to 

 plants, which are some male and others female, but these present 

 exceptions to be noticed under the names of such plants. 



73. Of plants, the early coming of which is a circumstance of 

 importance, the very earliest should be chosen for seed ; for they 

 will almost always be found to include the highest degree of per- 

 fection iii other respects. They should have great pains taken with 

 them ; the soil and situation should be good ; and they should be 

 carefully cultivated during the time that they are carrying on their 

 seed to perfection. 



74. But effectual means must be taken to prevent a mixing of the 

 sorts, or, to speak in the language of farmers, a crossing of the breeds. 

 There can be no cross between the sheep and the dog : but there 

 can be between the dog and the wolf ; and, we daily see it between 

 the greyhound and the hound ; each valuable when true to his 

 kind ; and a cross between the two fit for nothing but the rope : 

 a word which, on this occasion, I use, in preference to that halter , 

 out of respect for the modern laws and usages of my country. 



75. There can be no cross between a cabbage and a carrot ; but 

 there can be between a cabbage and a turnip : between a cabbage 

 and a cauliflower nothiiig is more common ; and, as to the different 

 sorts of cabbages, they will produce crosses, presenting twenty, 

 and perhaps a thousand, degrees, fiom the Early York to the Savoy. 

 Turnips will mix with radishes and ruta-baga ; all these with rape ; 

 the result will mix with cabbages and cauliflowers ; so that, if 

 nothing were done to preserve plants true to their kind, our gar- 

 dens would soon present us with little besides mere herbage. 



76. As to the causes, I will not here dive into them. Suffice it 

 that we know that all sorts will mix, when seed-plants of the same 

 tribe stand near each other ; and we may easily suppose that this 

 may probably take place though the plants stand at a considerable 

 distance apart, since I have, in the case of my Indian corn, given 

 proof of mixture, when the plants were three hundred yards from 

 each other. What must be the consequence, then, of saving seed 



