194 
The late Mr. H. M. Jenkins. 
published in the Society's ' Journal ' and by the Duke of Richmond's Com- 
mission, I have described the cultivation of industrial crops, such as flax, 
caraways, &c., which I have thought might be grown profitably in England. 
The difficulty to be overcome with all of them is their preparation for market, 
which the English farmer does not understand. This is esjiecially the case 
with plants used for dyeing purposes, such as woad and madder. The first 
successful rival to the former was indigo ; but now all these plants have more 
or less succumbed to the competition of coal-tar colours. 
" Poppies are grown largely in France for medicinal purposes, but not, so ' 
far as I know, for opium-smoking, as the climate is not hot enough to develop 
the necessary amount of morphia for that purpose. Our climate even in 
Kent would be inadequate for the successful cultivation of that crop. Still 
more is this the case with tobacco, to say nothing of the enormous labour bill 
to be paid. If farmers would read, they could easily learn the possibilities 
and impossibilities of growing these crops. But after all, the final difficulty 
of preparing them for market would have to be surmounted." 
Among the services which ought to be recorded, of which no 
public evidence exists, were those which Mr. Jenkins rendered 
to the many correspondents, foreign as well as English, who 
continually applied to him for information. This is a point to 
which more than one of my own correspondents have called my 
attention. I quote one or two examples from the letter-book of 
the last year of his life. 
The subject of Tobacco-cultivation, just mooted, is again dis- 
cussed in a letter written on 27th February, 1886, which maybe 
quoted in connection with his elaborate report on the same 
subject, which was the latest work he accomplished : — 
Tobacco Cultdke. — " I regret to say that I am unable to give you any 
information with reference to the growth of tobacco in the British Islands. 
" My own opinion on the subject is based on my practical knowledge of the 
growth of tobacco in the North-West of Europe, aud I fail to see that the fact 
of its having been previously grown in the British Islands is more conclusive 
that it could again be profitably grown, than the fact of grapes having been 
grown and wine made in England in the reign of Edward II. proves that 
grape culture and wine-making would be profitable in England at the present 
daj'. This, however, is of course a matter of opinion, and it would be very 
desirable if the Government would cither itself conduct, or allow private 
individuals to condtict a series of experiments with a view to demonstrate 
whether tobacco and certain other industrial crops can be profitably grown in 
England at the present day, in face of the existing competition from more 
favoured climes." 
" November let, 1886. 
On Winter Coats for Dairt Cattle. — " The ' mantles ' are used ex- 
tensively in Holland, where they are called, to translate the Dutch term, 
♦ chemises.' I have no dotibt that almost any draper in Rotterdam or Schiedam 
or any other town in that district could supjUy them. I will write and ask a 
friend of mine to send me a list of prices from one of the makers, and on 
receipt of his reply I will send it to you. I shall always be glad to give you 
any facilities for consulting books in the Library of this Society between 
ten and four, except during the first week in the month, when the Com- 
mittees and Councils are held, nnd the rooms are therefore occupied." 
