ELECTRO-CULTURE. 
63 
or so strong as those on the other side. But the turnips and 
the mangold wurtzel soon presented a different character from 
* the rest, putting on a more vigorous appearance, as well as a 
more rapid growth, and by the month of August they had ac¬ 
quired a larger size than the others, which were growing in the 
natural soil. They still continued to increase rapidly in bulk, 
and by the 20th of October one of the turnips had reached the 
enormous size of forty inches and a quarter in circumference, and 
was still increasing. This is, I believe, much the largest dimen¬ 
sions this variety of turnip has ever been known to reach. I 
then began to feel but little doubt that in the succeeding six or 
eight weeks, during which all such plants continue to increase, 
it would attain a most unheard of bulk. But on that day, and 
when it had begun to excite considerable attention and interest 
among the Fellows of the Society, a most unfortunate occurrence 
took place, and my hopes were doomed to disappointment; for 
it was then pointed out to me that some person had wantonly 
thrust a stick into the heart of this fine root. 
This injury put a complete stop to its further growth, and in 
ten days afterwards I gave directions that this and all the other 
plants should be dug up. They were then carefully measured 
and weighed. The largest turnip was found to measure 40^ inches 
in circumference, and to weigh 16^1b. The aggregate weight of 
the turnips on the galvanized plot was 2/-±lb. On the other plot 
of ground, and growing naturally, the aggregate weight of the 
turnips was 5^1b. I should mention, however, that one of the 
turnips on this side had become rotten, and had been nearly eaten 
by insects. This was an accidental circumstance, and had it not 
occurred about 21b. more in weight would have been added to 
the last mentioned amount of 5-±lb. The aggregate weight of 
the mangel wurtzel on the galvanized side was 14^1b. On the 
other side, and growing naturally, it was exactly 101b. Thus 
there existed a large difference between the produce of the two 
plots of ground; but how far the above increase on the galvanized 
side was really due to this cause, or to any unknown accidental 
circumstance of seed or soil, it would seem premature to decide 
from the result of a single trial. It is a subject that I trust will 
be followed up by others, and carefully investigated.” 
