170 
Some Minor Farm Crops. 
harvest period, they possess and retain a bright pea green 
colour, which is the natural condition of the teazle plant. On 
account of the high prices fetched by American teazles, it is 
not usual for them to come into competition with the English 
product for use in this market. Some years ago a well-known 
firm of American and English agents introduced into this 
country what was considered to be the strongest and hardest 
hooked teazles in existence. They were known by the name 
of “ Oregon,” from the State in which they originated, but 
being only suitable for special purposes, they seem to have 
gone out of use. 
In France teazles are grown in a great many departments 
and districts in comparatively large quantities. The supplies 
for the English market are largely derived from the depart- 
ment of Vaucluse in the south, and the department of Seine et 
Oise in the north. There is a vast difference between the two 
growths : the teazles from the north, being of much better 
quality, show better results in wear. Those from the south 
are more soft, and more of a wild nature, but in spite of that 
they are very useful for some purposes. On account of the 
system of artificial irrigation in the south great quantities are 
produced in the department of Bouches du Rhone and are 
harvested ten months after the seed is planted. Teazles from 
the north of France are very similar to those grown in Somerset- 
shire, although not quite so strong. It is stated that there is 
a great increase in the acreage of the “ Normandy ” teazles. 
Some teazles for the English market are derived from and 
around Lintz, in upper Austria. In appearance they look very 
well, and when well harvested they possess a nice pea green 
colour, but in quality and results they do not even reach the 
standard of those derived from the south of France. The 
prices for the Austrian products fluctuate a great deal, and on 
an average are lower than those ruling for the irrigated 
products of the south of France. Formerly, teazles were 
grown in large quantities in Austria, but of late years the 
acreage has greatly diminished. 
There is always more or less fluctuation in the price of 
English teazles, and a great deal depends upon the quarter in 
which they are grown. The present rates are considered high. 
English growers are making even better prices than for similar 
qualities that come from the Continent. 
The costs of producing teazles are higher than those for 
ordinary arable crops, and great care must be taken with the 
cultivation of the plant, and the harvesting and grading of the 
heads, but. any good farmer who is prepared to give his 
personal attendance could raise good crops on a medium clay 
soil. There is no reason why the whole of the supply for the 
