176 



On the Orobanche and Prunella vulgaris. 



off, and that the clover-seed was entirely freed from it. I spread 

 this on a cloth, and dusted it with wood-ashes to dry it, that it 

 might be sown. It was sown the same day on a portion of the 

 prepared ground. The clover-seed which had not been washed 

 was sown on another portion. Now, if any orobanche appears in 

 the fu'st portion, said T, my mode of cleaning the seed is not effect- 

 ual ; but, if there is none there, and it comes up in the other 

 portion, then my experiment is conclusive. The result fully 

 realised my expectations : where the seed was sown, without wash- 

 ing, there came plenty of orobanche ; where the seed had been 

 prepared, as I have described, there was none. 



" I have since repeated the experiment several times on a larger 

 scale, and always with the same success." (L' Agriculture Pratique 

 de la Flandre, par J. L. van Aelbroeck, Paris, 1830, p. 283.) 



I am induced to give this extract from the excellent work of 

 Mr. van Aelbroeck, not only as a valuable account of the easiest 

 mode of getting rid of the orobanche, which is so destructive of 

 clover, but also as a good specimen of the manner in which agri- 

 cultural experiments should be conducted, and the great simpli- 

 city of the description. The venerable author, who still enjoys 

 health and vigour at a very advanced age, devotes much of his 

 time and attention to his farm near Ghent ; and, from his long 

 practical experience, unfettered by theory, is, on all subjects con- 

 nected with the cultivation of a light sandy soil^ the best authority 

 extant. 



The orobanche has never gained any great footing in England, 

 although the seeds, adhering to foreign clover-seed, must often be 

 imported. This may be owing to the soil and climate of Eng- 

 land not being so favourable to its growth as those of Flanders ; 

 but the knowledge of it, and the easy mode in which the clover- 

 seed may be purified from it, will prevent its spreading, should it 

 ever appear. 



W. L. Rham. 



August 31, 1839. 



