I38 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
have been made in the United States we have as yet no conclusive 
evidence as [to the conditions of soil and temperature, &c., under 
which the highest percentage of active principle can be developed. 
Similarly, the conditions under which the annual form of the 
biennial Henbane is developed, and the possibilities of obtaining the 
more valuable biennial form from the annual one, yet remain to be 
shown. There is no doubt, however, that the character of the seed 
has a good deal to do with it. The first -formed seeds are naturally 
the strongest, and as the fruits do not all mature at the same time, 
but the seed is usually collected at one time, there is sure to be a 
large proportion of seed too weak to produce strong plants, or too 
immature to germinate when sown. 
It is obvious, therefore, that there is plenty of room for much 
interesting work to be done in connexion with improvements in the 
cultivation of medicinal plants. I might add one more illustration. 
The double -flowered Chamomile, which is the variety chiefly used in 
medicine, is apt to revert to the single-flowered form, and the condi- 
tions under which this occurs, and the remedy for it, are also worthy 
of investigation. 
There is another and less fortunate class of the community who, 
although intensely patriotic, are anxious to help themselves, or those 
dependent upon them, at the same time that they help their country. 
I allude to educated women with small incomes, many of whom 
have joined the Women's Herb-growing Association, formed since the 
war commenced. Unfortunately they have, I fear, been misled by 
extravagant statements in newspapers, both in this country and in 
the United States, as to the large possible profits arising from the 
cultivation of medicinal plants and the collection of wild herbs. I 
endeavoured a year ago to make known the only conditions under 
which herb-growing can be made to pay by publishing an article on 
the subject in the "Pharmaceutical Journal " (for January 2, 1915), 
but as that number is out of print I have had it reprinted, together 
with two others, giving lists of the herbs which at the present time 
are wanted by the cwt. and ton. I pointed out that it would not be 
possible for the wholesale trade to deal with small quantities, as they 
would not get uniformity of quality, and it would necessitate additions 
to their staff to deal with them, and that cultivation and collection of 
medicinal plants and herbs can only be profitably carried out on 
co-operative lines. 
It may be useful, perhaps, to take this opportunity of briefly 
recalling some of the statements there made, which can be read at 
leisure in the reprint alluded to, and to add a few facts concerning the 
present conditions of the industry. 
First, with regard to two of the principal medicinal plants, viz. : 
Henbane and Belladonna. It may be taken for granted that the 
plants yielding the largest profit under cultivation are just those 
which are the most difficult to cultivate, and it is those very difficulties 
which enhance their value. To take Henbane for an example. The 
