314 wOnthe Ruta Baga and the Mangold Wurzel.[May

plant which is generally Supposed to rezist the inclemencies of our winters equal at least to any yet known as food for cattle; als0 a Specimen of the Mangold Wurzel*(Racine de disette) both then recently brought from the continent. The respec- tive Specimens were Sown on the Same day, and in a similar Situation. The Seedlings from both in due Season were trans- planted at proper distances, and proved equally promising till the Succeeding winter, which indeed was not remarkably Severe, but the ground in which they were planted was entirely overflowed at one period, by the waters of the Avon, Sharp frost Soon after following.

Towards last Spring I discovered the Ruta Baga evidently to decline, and at no great distance of time afterwards every. one of the bulbs were completely reduced to a putrid pulp.+

I fully expected,& priori, that the Mangold Wurzel would have been the first to give way to hard weather, under an view of competition with the Ruta Baga. But in fact I lost not a Single plant, nor Scarcely a leaf. At this time they are all in a healthy and very vigorous State, and promise to pro- duce an abundant crop of Seed.:.

Many years ago, when Dr. Lettsom introduced the Man- gold Wurzel to public notice, I began the culture, but the experiments received not the proper degree of attention, and consequently: proved abortive. Having lately resumed this culture, 1 ingline to think that, as a winter and spring food for cattle, the plant deserves all the praise ascribed 10 it by Dr. Lettsom.

Sheep, hogs, and neat cattle are fond of the leaves and root. Its easy of cultivation, Suitable to any Soil of moderate depth, not much subject to the ravages of insects In any Stage of its growth, and yields a very large crop, amounting, under ſavouring circumstances, in Some instaßces, to forty or üfty tons per acre.

Its Subordinate uses would be for the table, root and foliage, no unpleasing variety, and, the excise regulations permitting,. an elegant 4qua I'ite might be extracted trom a maximum crop, to the amount, perhaps, of two to three hundred galloas, (import Strength) per acre.

On the contünent 4 I understand a Colophony of Sugar has been extracted with a certain degreg ,of advantage, but the Chevalier d' Edelcrantz(now in Bath) informs me that, in the

* Pruſfſian Sugar Beet. + This would not have happened in a dry heaithy ſituation. + When the Bulb is ſaid to produce about 3 per cent. of its weight on tbe

average in concrete Sugar."FYhe writer has Known it to Produce a higher proportion.