The Method of Rearing Seed, $c. 



517 



species grown in England : the following is the mode they 

 adopt. 



They first prepare a compost with equal proportions of 

 buffalo's and swine's dung, as fresh as can be procured, and 

 of red maiden earth ; these are mixed well together into a 

 smooth paste, with a sufficient quantity of water to make the 

 whole of the consistence of tar ; to a quantity of this mixture, 

 equal to about five quarts, three drams by weight of assafce- 

 tida, dissolved in a small quantity of water, are added. This 

 compost is always used soon after it is prepared. 



The vegetables for this operation are drawn, when wanted, 

 from the beds, when they have attained about one third 

 of their natural growth, and those plants are chosen which 

 are the most succulent and luxuriant; the tops are re- 

 moved, leaving a few inches from their origin in the crown 

 upwards ; and a little of the inferior extremity, or tap root, 

 is cut straight off likewise, allowing nearly the whole of the 

 edible part to remain, from the bottom of which, to within 

 about an inch of the crown, are made two incisions across 

 each other entirely through the body of the vegetable, 

 dividing it into quarters nearly to the upper end. They 

 are then dipped into the compost until they be well covered 

 by it, both externally and internally, and are immediately 

 placed in beds, previously prepared for their reception, at 

 the distance of fifteen or sixteen inches from each other, and 

 so deep in the ground that the upper extremities only appear 

 in sight. They are afterwards regularly watered, and when 

 they take root, and fresh tops have made some advance in 

 growth, they require but little attention. The tops speedily 

 become large, and grow into strong and luxuriant stalks, the 



