320 THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY 
pungent than the unbruised seeds, and it is from this that 
the Volatile Oil of Mustard is obtained. This is a colourless 
or pale yellow liquid, rather heavier than water, of an ex¬ 
ceedingly pungent odour, and acrid, burning taste, and 
having sulphur among its essential constituents. It is 
powerfully rubefacient, capable of speedily raising blisters, 
and is used by dissolving thirty drops in a fluid ounce of 
alcohol, or six or eight drops in a fluid drachm of olive or 
almond oil. In over-doses it is highly poisonous ; its odour 
is perceptible in the blood, and it is said to impart the smell 
of Horse-radish to the urine. It is from the presence of 
this volatile oil that the odour and pungency of mustard 
arises ; and as it does not exist ready formed, but is pro¬ 
duced by the agency of water, hence it is that dry mustard 
is destitute of both taste and smell till it has been moistened. 
The peculiar principles in Black Mustard seed, and in those 
of the White also, though in a less degree, are My route acid , 
which exists in the seeds in the state of Myronate of 
potassa; My rosy tie, closely analogous in character to the 
albuminous constituent of almonds, called emulsin; and 
Sinapisin, a peculiar crystalline principle, which, on contact 
with water, and the albuminous principles of the seed, emits 
the odour of the oil of mustard. Myronic add is a fixed, 
inodorous substance, of a bitter and sour taste and acid re¬ 
action. It contains sulphur, nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, 
and oxygen. Myrosyne, when dry, has the character of an 
albuminous substance; is soluble in water, forming a viscid 
solution, which froths when agitated, and is coagulated by 
heat, alcohol, and the acids. Sinapisin is in brilliant, white, 
scaly crystals, sublimable by heat, soluble in alcohol, ether, 
and the fixed and volatile oils, but insoluble in acids and 
alkalies. The peculiar ingredient in White Mustard seed is 
Salpho-sinapisin , a white, crystallisable, inodorous, and bitter 
substance, soluble in alcohol and ether, and forming a yellow 
solution. The Oil cake of Mustard requires to be given to 
cattle with great caution, as it is somewhat purgative, and is 
generally sprinkled on their chaff. The Flour of Mustard 
used in this country is obtained chiefly from the seeds of 
White Mustard, while that of France is procured from the 
Black ; hence it is that French Flour of Mustard has always 
a dark appearance, and a great mixture of dark-coloured 
specks, arising from the presence of the dark skins of the 
seeds. 
“ Ernca saliva, Garden Rocket, has an acrid and bitter 
taste, exhaling a strong, disagreeable smell when bruised. 
It is stimulant and antiscorbutic; the seeds are very acrid, 
and produce blisters when bruised and applied to the skin. 
“ RAPHANErE.—To this tribe belong two well-known 
garden plants—the Sea-kale and the Radish. Sea-kale 
(Crambe maritima) is a native of the sea-shore and cliffs of 
the south and west coasts of England; and for centuries 
before it was known, as now, at the tables of the great and 
wealthy, it was an object of special regard in the humble 
dwellings of the south-coast fishermen. Clambering up the 
cliffs, and swinging themselves, by means of Topes, over 
precipitous heights, they encountered any amount of danger 
to obtain, in spring, the tender, shoots of that delicious 
vegetable as they were just emerging from the sand and 
shingle in which they grew. The root of C. Tatarica, called 
Tartar bread, peeled and sliced, is eaten in Hungary, with 
oil, vinegar, and salt. Wild Radish ( Raphanus raphanis- 
trum) is very plentiful among corn; it is often mistaken for 
Charlock, by which name it is not unfrequently called, but 
from which it is easily distinguished by its white and some¬ 
times purplish flowers. Linnaeus attributed a disease with 
which the common people in Sweden were attacked to the 
seed of this plant being ground along with the com, and 
then eaten; but there is no reason for supposing that the 
plant possesses any deleterious properties ; on the contrary, 
it has been shown that it is perfectly harmless, and has been 
recommended as a nutritious food for domestic animals. 
The roots of R. maritimus, the Sea-Radish , are said to be 
preferable to Horse-radish. 
“ In treating of this great family of the Cruciferee, we have 
only noticed those tribes which furnish subjects of interest 
as regards their properties and uses; the others^ in which 
we find no such subjects, we have passed over.” 
GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, August 18, 1807. 
QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 
BEES IN NUTT’S HIVE, 
“ My stock of bees, hived the 16th of May in Nutt’s col¬ 
lateral hive, have not yet (August 1st) commenced their 
operations in the glass above, although the combs appear to 
have quite filled the centre box. Can you tell me what 
should be done to encourage them to ascend, as I begin to 
fear I shall have no honey this year? There are three 
circular holes, one inch and a half in diameter, for com¬ 
munication.”— Amateur. 
[Your centre box being filled with combs and honey, it is 
not very probable that the bees, now that the season is pretty 
well over, will need a glass super. They are the best judges 
of their own requirements, and no “ encouragement ” will 
avail anything. In many of Nutt’s hives the centre box is 
larger than is desirable, at least in second-rate localities; 
and why should the family be expected to take possession 
of useless space beyond it ? We obseiwe that some of our 
correspondents advocate large hives, on the principle that 
the greater the capacity of the hive the more honey is to be 
taken from it. It is all very well to think of such in the 
immediate neighbourhood of the moors, with two honey 
harvests in the year, but these are exceptional cases. In 
general it is best to be satisfied with hives or boxes of 
moderate capacity. In winter, with diminished numbers, a 
large habitation is not essential. In the spring it w r ill tend, 
undoubtedly, to retard, or sometimes prevent swarming; but, 
at the same time, its effect is to indispose the bees to take 
possession of a super or side box as early as is desirable, 
and thus the prospect of a good harvest to the proprietor is 
diminished rather than increased.] 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Abusive Attack^ (P. H. D .).—We have seen the remarks you 
allude to, and it is quite possible that they refer to the work you mention. 
We are not at all surprised at the jealous feeling, but we are surprised 
that a man who never wrote an original work in his life should have 
the impertinence and folly to make use of such language. His own 
work to which you allude is little more than a paraphrase and copy of 
Endlic tier’s Enchiridion. 
t 
Fining Wine (G. B.). —Gelatine, which maybe bought for 3d. or 4d, 
an ounce, is quite as useful as isinglass for this purpose. 
Melon Leaves destroyed (W. C.). — Red spider, we conclude 
from your description, has been your enemy. The air of the pit has 
been too dry, too hot, and too little ventilated. Moisture, shade, air day 
and night, with sprinklings of flowers of sulphur, would have saved you 
from disappointment. 
Names of Plants ( Spphia ).— 1. Polysttchum acrostichoides. 2. 
Polystichum acuminatum, a forked variety of No. 1. 
Club Root (A. B. C.). —We are making some inquiries about this 
disease of the Cabbageworts, and will let you know the result probably 
next week. 
Erecting a Greenhouse (TY.),—You will find estimates and plans 
in our manual, “ Greenhouses for the Many.” 
1< lowers for Greenhouse, &c. (A Constant Reader ).—If you will 
consult our last two volumes you will find copious lists of plants for 
each month in the year. In your case have Balsams, Fuchsias, scarlet 
and other Geraniums, along with Begonias, for autumn, September, 
and October; Chrysanthemums for November; Camellias, Epacrises, 
Cytisuses, Coronillas, and bulbs, on to spring, and as many of the things 
lrom the lists as you can find room for. It will be time enough to put 
your Violets under glass in the middle of October. The whole culture 
has been frequently given. Write to the publishers of the work you 
mention. 
Gypsum as a Manure ( Timothy Steward).—' The quantity per acre 
.or your Lucerne should be two cwt. Be sure and apply it during damp 
weather, it being all the better if the white powder sticks to the leaves. 
Vou may apply it now to your Lucerne, but to Clover in the spring. We 
cannot answer your question as to the price of Lucerne, it so varies with 
quantity and locality. 
Autumn-sown Annuals (W. M'Gowan). —We shall devote a page 
to this subject shortly, and in time for this season. The principal con¬ 
ditions are, a west aspect, sheltered from the north and east winds, but 
not soaded in the least, the soil to be light, dry, and not to be dug on 
any account, merely stirred with a hoe to the depth of two inches, and 
to be free from the seeds of weeds. 
Double U iiite Geraniums (J. D. V.). —The value of a new Gera¬ 
nium cannot he fixed without a knowledge of the habit of the plant, 
lliose who have faith in the suuerior qualities of their seedlings exhibit 
them at public shows. A seedling taking a prize at Chiswick, or at the 
s . 1 iir “- °. r Crystal Palace Shows, is sure to sell well generally ; 
and it it is a florist’s liower, and receives a prize at one of their Meetings 
in bt. Martin s Hall, London, it will be run after principally by florists. 
