[321 ] 



XLIX. On the Cultivation of the Cocks-comb. In a Letter 

 to the Secretary. By Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq. 

 F.R.S. $c. President. 



Read December 19, 1820. 



Dear Sir, 



The flower of the Cocks-comb, which I sent to the Meeting 

 of the Society on the 17th October, may be considered a 

 fair sample of all that I grew this year ; two of six having 

 been larger, and two somewhat smaller.* 



In cultivating these plants, I have treated them precisely 

 as I do my Pine-apple plants, having in some respects a 

 similar object in view ; for in both a single fruit stalk of 

 great strength is requisite, the protrusion of which should be 

 retarded as long as possible, consistently with the rapid 

 growth of the plant. The compost I employed was the most 

 nutritive and stimulating that I could apply, consisting of 

 one part of unfermented horse dung fresh from the stable, 

 and without litter, one part of burnt turf, one part of de- 

 cayed leaves, and two parts of green turf, the latter being in 

 lumps of about an inch in diameter, to keep the mass so hol- 

 low that the water might have free liberty to escape, and the 

 air to enter. Manure was also given in a liquid state by 

 steeping pigeon dung in the water, which was given very 



* The flower sent by Mr. Knight measured eighteen inches in width and 

 seven inches in height, from the top of the stalk ; it was thick and full, and of a 

 most intense colour. A very accurate drawing of it has been executed by Mrs. 

 Pope, and placed in the Library of the Society. 



