Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Agriculture, Chemistry, Lecturing

    Written to imitate an illiterate Hampshire farmer, this letter by Cowslip describes to his correspondent, Veather, a visit to the 'Polly Ticnic' in London, where he heard a lecture by Dr Ryan 'On the food of plants'. Explains how plants 'zucks up their nourishment for all the world like a sponge', and 'gits a good bit out o' the air'. Expects his correspondent will 'stare' when he learns that plants eat such substances as 'Zillicur', 'Potash', and 'Fosforric' acid for food.