264 ON IMMERSING POTATOES IN AMMONIACAL WATER. 
Meaning nothing disrespectful to your correspondents or to yourself 
by the above remarks, I remain 
, A Constant Reader. 
We have given the spirit of our correspondent’s criticism in accordance with our design 
of admitting every species of fair remonstrance or remark which maybe made on any com¬ 
munication appearing in the Register, but we must beg leave to add that Mr. Ashford does 
not write for the instruction of old Linnaean botanists, but for our very young readers, 
who perhaps never saw or never heard of such books as either Lee’s or Smith’s introduc¬ 
tions to botany, the former of which we should think is now out of print. The reception 
of the natural system in this as in other countries is only a proof of its superiority over 
that of Linnaeus ; and though the latter may be long used as first steps to the science, it 
will probably at last be entirely neglected.— Ed. 
Mode of conveying Seeds of Araucaria imbricata in a 
VEGETATING STATE FROM CHILI TO LONDON *.-On the 17th of 
July one hundred seeds of the above plant were deposited in a common 
wine-box by Capt. T. M. Bagnold, R.M., placing alternate layers of 
earth and seeds. The box was placed in a small cabin which he occu¬ 
pied in a brig of 150 tons; the box had no lid, and served as a stand 
for a trunk, which was occasionally removed to inspect the box. In 
crossing the equator several plants were observed rising through the 
upper stratum of mould, and on arriving in London, Nov. 7, the box 
was placed at the gardens of the Horticultural Society, when all were 
found in a state of vegetation, and were placed out in pots. By this 
plan it is in the power of a passenger in the smallest vessel to import 
any quantity of these embryo plants, under difficulties hitherto deemed 
insuperable. In twelve months after their arrival these plants were 
thought worth three pounds each. 
(See p. 3 of the same.) A proposed improvement in draining by 
the use of the present materials, brushwood, broom, gorse, or heath, but 
previously charred. Peat is also considered peculiarly applicable either 
for filling drains or making hollow ones, also charred. The large silver 
medal was voted to Mr. T. Johnstone, of Glasgow, for the same. 
(See p. 22 of the same.) Effect produced on Potatoes by 
immersion in Ammoniacal Water or in Brine. —If potatoes be 
* The Araucaria imbricuta is a coniferous tree, a native of Chili, where it grows at 
the foot of the Andes, and attains a height of from 120 to 150 feet or more. The cones 
contain seeds as large as almonds, and of much the same kind of taste, which are employed 
by the inhabitants in various kinds of cookery. See letter from Capt. Bagnold in Trans¬ 
actions of the Society for Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, Session 
of 1833 and 1834, Part 1, Vol. I., p. 6. The large silver medal was voted to him. 
