520 The Method of Rearing Seed, in the East Indies. 



tinued rains ; but, on the contrary, have experienced a steady 

 heat, and mild weather, will invariably be superior to any 

 other that may not have had these advantages. By this 

 method I was enabled to produce Carrots and Turnips of a 

 superior quality, and uniformly of good flavour, for many years 

 in India, without the introduction of foreign seed, which other- 

 wise would have rendered frequent supplies of the latter 

 necessary. Most vegetables deteriorate very rapidly in that 

 climate, but none more so than the two sorts above men- 

 tioned. 



I entertain no doubt of the superior merits of this method 

 in rearing the seed of some vegetables in hot climates, but it 

 is difficult to assert that the compost employed by the Indian 

 gardeners is the best and most suitable that can be devised, 

 or whether the several ingredients with which it is prepared 

 by them, be particularly beneficial, or really necessary to suc- 

 cess. It will however, I think, be admitted that a portion of 

 some manure, if not required for nutrition, may be useful as 

 a stimulus, and also to soften the earth combined with it, 

 and to render it easily pervious to the young and delicate 

 roots that are about to be formed. A mixture of earth and 

 water merely, will on drying become hard, and instead of re- 

 ceiving with facility, may oner such resistance to the roots as 

 may be detrimental to the plants. 



It may likewise be of some consequence to select such 

 earth for the compost as may contain much life and vigour, 

 and if this supposition can be admitted, earth that has not, 

 for a time, been cultivated, will probably possess some su- 

 periority over such as has been partially exhausted by feeding 



