NOTE ON IRISH-GROWN JALAP. 
843 
given of the growth of podophyllum and jalap in the Botanic Gardens of 
Trinity College, Dublin, with analyses showing the produce of resin in each 
case. The podophyllum yielded 4‘5 to 4 - 8 per cent, of resin, and the jalap roots 
from 9 “2 to 11 -97 per cent. Professor Bentley and Mr. Hanbury each expressed 
their conviction that but little success would probably attend the cultivation of 
jalap in the United Kingdom, or indeed in Europe; and Mr. Hanbury men¬ 
tioned that in the preceding summer, notwithstanding the great heat, his plants 
did not produce a single flower. lie has since kindly informed me that in 1866 
and 1867 some few plants that were in an exceptionally favoured spot retained 
uninjured some portions of their stems and foliage, and produced flowers in 
November. The roots of last year, which I have lately examined, were very 
much smaller, and apparently much poorer than those referred to in my pre¬ 
vious paper. The largest was scarcely bigger than a walnut, while the others 
did not exceed a hazel nut in size. The finest specimen of 1868 growth which 
I had in my possession weighed 12 oz. when dried. 
Although I have had time to make only one analysis of the roots of 1869, it 
is of interest as affording one point, at least, of comparison between the hot 
summer of 1868 and the temperate summer of last year. 10 grammes of the 
dried root were exhausted as before by maceration and continued percolation 
with rectified spirit. The resulting tincture was concentrated to about one- 
sixth of its bulk, and then thrown, while hot, into a large excess of water in a 
counterpoised beaker. The resinous deposit was allowed to stand for twenty- 
four hours, then washed with warm water, dried, and weighed. 
The yield of resin was 0949 gramme, corresponding to 049 per cent.; judg¬ 
ing from the external appearance of the roots, such a comparatively favourable 
result was scarcely to be expected. From such limited data no general conclu¬ 
sions can safely be drawn as to the feasibility of cultivating jalap in Great 
Britain, yet it at least appears that a plant which seemed u to flourish only on 
the Mexican Andes,” can elaborate its characteristic secretion in fair quantity 
beneath our insular climate, and under ordinary conditions. I may mention 
that some further observations on the cathartic effects of the jalap of 1868 
showed that from 20 to 25 grains of the powdered root acted in from three 
to seven hours as a purge. 
Additional analyses of jalap roots grown in the United Kingdom would be 
very desirable, both from a scientific and an economic point of view, and I 
would be very glad to learn the results of analyses of English-grown jalap. 
Mr. J. Bain, the late curator of the Trinity College Botanic Gardens, a de¬ 
servedly high authority, more particularly in all that relates to the horticulture 
of exotic plants, has repeatedly assured me that he is convinced that jalap could 
be grown productively in Ireland, were it worth while to undertake its cultiva¬ 
tion. For the following information, respecting the culture of the jalap plant, 
I am indebted to his kindness. He brought his plants originally from Chelsea 
many years ago, and every year since they have flowered abundantly in the 
gardens, and in fact formed one of its chief ornamental attractions in autumn. 
The nature of the soil is not of so much consequence, though a light sandy 
soil, richly manured, is to be preferred. A sunny aspect should be chosen, and 
the roots be planted against a brick wall—if a number of plants—against parallel 
dwarf walls, about four feet or more in height. The plants in the College gardens 
were grown against a high wall. When it was attempted to grow them in the 
open ground, they did no good, but dwindled away. The plants were always 
sunk close to the wall, and though not trained purposely they were allowed to 
climb freely up the adjacent shrubs. Large branches like pea-stakes placed 
against a wall, answer instead of shrubs, but any support helps it to flower. 
Jalap flourishes when left to trail along the ground, but does not in that case 
readily mature flowers. It is, perhaps, doubtful how far flowering affects the 
