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XL. On the Woburn Perennial Kale, a Variety of Brassica 

 oleracea acepliala fimbriata. By Mr. George Sinclair, 

 Gardener to the Duke of Bedford, F. H. 8. #c. $c. 



Read February 18, 1823. 



In the very interesting paper of M. De Candolle, on the 

 Species, Races, and Varieties of the Genus Brassica, there is 

 no mention made of a singular and but little known subva- 

 riety of the Brassica oleracea acephala fimbriata, which I have 

 called the Woburn Perennial Kale, and now propose to give 

 some account of, to the Horticultural Society. The valuable 

 properties of this plant, as a never-failing Winter-Green, 

 deserve to be more generally known, for, excepting that some 

 plants and cuttings have been distributed by the Duke of 

 Bedford, in consequence of its having been cultivated in his 

 Grace's gardens at Woburn Abbey, it certainly is almost un- 

 known as an esculent vegetable. I have, however, lately 

 learned that plants of a similar character, and nearly resem- 

 bling it, are, occasionally, though rarely, grown in gardens in 

 the County of Norfolk. 



This variety of Brassica oleracea was first grown at Wo- 

 burn Abbey in 1808, and until 1814, it was cultivated as an 

 ornamental plant ; the foliage being very finely divided or 

 fringed, and of a deep purple colour, it was not considered 

 unworthy of a place in the flower garden. For seven years 

 it refused to flower, though cultivated in different ways, in 



