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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1717, 25 January 1905, Page 14

Not so much as a grain of mustardseed has been overlooked in the showers of praise that have poured down upon the Discovery expedition since its return (writes our London correspondent). It appears that Captain Scott took out a collection of vegetable seeds in the steamship Discovery in 1901, with a view to their being found useful during his stay in the Antarctic. Some unused portions of these seeds have lately been returned to the seed merchants, J. Carter and Co., by Dr Koettlitz, botanist to the expedition, and it is surprising to find so little deterioration in the germinative power. Radish seeds produce 92 per cent.; lettuce, 85 per cent.; turnip, 96 per cent. ; onion, 71 per cent. ; mustard, 96 per cent. ; and cress, 92 per cent.; and this notwithstanding the fact that they have passed twice through the tropics, and have been exposed to the low temperature of —4O degrees Fahr. (72 degrees below freezing point). According to up-country papers, Mr Newton King, Mayor of Stratford, will contest the Pa tea seat next election in the Government interest.