520 
On the Kohl-Rahi. 
the size or specific giavit}' of the bulbs.* The experiment, as has been 
already remarked, was most carefully carried out, and the circumstance of S(' 
considerable an extent of crop being experimented upon, added to the fact that 
the entire crop of both leaves (removed) and roots having been accurately 
weighed, give it a reliable character. 
"That the free admission of light and air tends to increase the weight of the 
roots appears to be confirmed by the fact that the outside drill, which we have 
weighed separately for some years, produces at the rate of several tons per acre 
more than the general crop. I should also observe that the variety of man- 
gold experimented upon returns a greater weight of leaves (and also of roots) 
per acre than any other kind we grow ; and it may be found that the removal 
of a certain quantity of leaves from this particular sort will have a difierent 
effect from that produced by taking ofi' the same quantity from another kind 
whose leaves would be 20 or 30 per cent, less, all other circumstances being 
equal." 
Mr. Innes, of VVroxton Abbey, writing under date 4th January, 
1860, says, "At this moment my sheep are folded on this root, 
and eating it off like swedes, and apparently are doing very well 
with it ; whereas the greater portion of my early-sown sAvedes 
are destroyed by the frost, and of no value for food. The time 
when the Kohl-Rabi is most useful is in the spring, when the 
ewes are lambing, as it is found greatly to increase the supply of 
milk. I give mine also to milch cows in the winter, when they 
are unable to obtain grass." From the root being firmly fixed in 
the earth, and the bulb growing clean out of the soil, the Kohl- 
Rabi seems specially adapted for feeding sheep on the ground ; 
as every portion of it can be eaten, and not a particle destroyed 
by being trodden under foot. Mr. Innes has likewise a field in 
which the Kohl-Rabi is alternated with Swedes, thus : — 
Swedes. 
KoW-Ralii. 
Swedes. 
Kohl-Rabi. 
8 rows. 
8 rows. 
8 rows. 
8 rows. 
This was done for the purpose of drawing off the Kohl-Rabi 
to be given to milch cows, and feeding off the swedes on the 
land by sheep. 
Mr. William Kelly, Portrane, says in reply to an inquiry, " 1 
* The following remarks of Prof. Balfour, Professor of Botany, Edinburgh, 
and the late distinguished chemist, Dr. George Wilson, appear to have some 
bearing on this matter. " The function of the leaves," says Prof. Balfour, " is 
to expose the juices of the plants to light and air, and thus to aid in forming the 
woody matter of the stem and the various secretions. Unless the leaves are freely 
exposed to air and light, the wood is not properly formed. Hence the reason why 
the wood is deficient both as regards quantity and quality iu trees grown in 
crowded plantations. The same observations applj' to all the secretions of plants." 
Dr. Wilson remarked: — " It appears beyond doubt that the force generated by the 
sun, and conveyed by his rays in tlie guise of lieat, light, and chemical power, to 
the earth, is not extinguislied there, but only changes its form. It apparently 
disappears when it falls upon plants, which never grow without it ; but we cannot 
doubt that it is working in a new shape in their organs and tissue." 
