h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So a relatively modern relatively enlightened middle-eastern(ish) king, in the middle of a major war, who was guarding a plant for purposes of prestige not because of its cash worth?

The thing that confuses me is if something is prestigious it isn't also available for the masses - unless it's a nationalist symbol like the English Rose, the Welsh Leek or the French Lily.

It sounds as if you're talking of Prussia, but what they grew there I don't know. And Prussia was always at war with somebody.

Was it something like ornamental broccoli ?


*awaits klaxon*

Oh, I just remembered what this is about.

Do you know the answer?

Yes, I know it. I am right about Prussia. The king was Friedrich der Große if that helps.

Well, carry on and answer the question..

Oh, but maybe somebody else will find out now.

They are not supposed to look it up.. If you know the answer, put post it

Is Prussian Blue derived from a plant? I'd always assumed it was an azo dye.

B

Ah, yes, you're right, B'el. Points for Friedrich and for Prussia, but let them figure the rest out themselves

Don't worry, I will.

I should've made a "No Germans" rule

Oh, but that wouldn't be fair, seeing as most QIs can only be solved if you're from the UK and have been raised there.

And they'd have guessed where it was right away, anyway.

After all your clues about it not being a country anymore, and you being German, it was logical to think of Prussia. Well, for me it was.

Of course, but it threw a lot of people off track

To recap:

I'm still looking for what he was growing, and why he was growing it.

Extra points available for naming the major war he was involved in at the time, and telling me what his honour guard was selected for.

Sorry for going off topic, Mala

Your ...'How To....' is on the <./>FrontPage</.>


Congratulations

I don't know what war it was, but he must have invaded Saxony on his way:

"Sachsen ist wie ein Mehlsack, egal wie oft man draufschlägt, es kommt immer noch etwas heraus."

Height? Weren't they all very tall men?

And I assume that the plant didn't produce blue dye?

Ben