us (Enc. of Agr. § 2504.). This, we hope, will satisfy R. W., and we may take this opportunity of assuring him and all our readers, that every improvement or discovery, whether foreign or domestic, made since the printing of our Encyclopædias, shall regularly, as they appear, be brought forward in this Magazine, which, as we have before stated, intended as a perpetual supplement to our other works.

"Mushrooms, In answer to a complaint by S. W. R., that mushrooms grown on Oldaker's plan are frequently tough and bad-flavoured. "The manure for the beds should be in a moist state, well worked and sweated before introduced into the house for making up; the beds are made in the usual way. Let them remain till the heat is quite gone out of them, when they should be spawned and moulded up with fresh maiden earth to the depth of 35 or 4 inches, and let them stand without water till the spawn is working freely, when a good supply should be given, and the beds kept regularly moist so long as they continue to produce mushrooms. By the above treatment, they may be obtained as fine as from the old method or from the natural pastures." (G.)

Pyrolignous Acid.— In answer to G. G. of Sheffield, as to the mode of extracting this liquor from wood, we have taken the following from "Monteath's Forester,' published in 1822. The kind of coppice-wood used is chiefly the spray, or brushwood, and any species of tree or shrub will do, excepting those of the pine and fir tribes. In the neighbourhood of Glasgow, where there are extensive works for its distillation, it sold in 1819 at from 11. 2s. to 17. 10s. per ton; where there are no public works, the following apparatus may be erected, and the liquor sent to any distance in casks.

The boiler (fig. 67 a.) must be of cast or malleable iron, and should be from five to seven feet long, three feet wide, and say four feet deep from the top of the

arch, built with fire-brick. The wood is split or round, not more than three inches square in thickness, and of any length, so as to go into the boiler at the door. When full, the boiler door (b) is properly secured, to keep in the steam; then the fire is put to it in the furnace below, and the liquid comes off in the pipe above (d), which is condensed in a worm, in a stand (e) filled with cold water, by a spout (f), and empties itself, first into a gutter below (g), and from that it is let into barrels, or any other vessel; and thus the liquid is prepared. One English ton weight of any wood, or refuse of oak wood, will make upwards of eighty gallons of the liquid. There is also a quantity of tar extracted, which may be useful in ship-building. The pyrolignous acid is used by bleachers and calico-printers, and by chemists for making a transparent and very superior domestic vinegar.

Doub Grass. "Sir,-In the eleventh volume of the Asiatic Rsearches, Captain D. Richardson gives an account of what he calls the Doub grass of

India, from which it appears to be deservedly held in high estimation by the natives of that country. And it must be matter of regret to every lover of agriculture and rural economy in this country, if this valuable plant has ever had a fair trial, that it cannot be acclimated in England, where it might probably yield both profit and pleasure to all its admirers. Captain R. says, "This is probably one of the most common, useful, and beautiful grasses in this (India), or any other country, and it is held in high veneration by many tribes of Hindoos. A natural velvet carpet may at any time be formed of this elegant grass in the space of two or three weeks, by merely chopping it in pieces, and sprinkling these mixed with earth on prepared ground. In this way the banks of rivers, public roads, fortifications, ditches, garden-walks, and marginal borders, are frequently prepared in India, upon principles which unite expedition, elegance, and strength in one verdant sward, which, to people unacquainted with the rapidity of vegetation in these climes, has almost the appearance of enchantment. (See a Brussels' practice, p. 227.)-Perhaps Mr. Sinclair or some other of your correspondents can give farther information respecting grass, and the name whereby botanists distinguish it.

this

" I am, Sir, &c.

"Glasshampton Garden, near Worcester, Nov. 8th 1826."

S. LAUDER."

The doub-grass is the Cynodon dactylon, Rich., Creeping Dog's-tooth grass; (Panicum dactylon, E. B. 850. Creeping panic-grass.) A. B. Lambert, Esq. (Trans. Lin. Soc. vol. vi.) first pointed out the identity of the Panicum dactylon (fig. 68.) with the doub-grass of the Hindoos. The seeds of this highly-celebrated grass in India were communicated to the Duke of Bedford, from the East Indies, by the Marquess of Hastings. The seeds were sown in the experimental grass garden at Woburn Abbey, where they vegetated readily, and 68 produced plants which flowered the second year from seed. These perfected seed in the month of October, and the plants raised from this seed the following spring differed in no respect from those the produce of the Indian seed. Sir William Jones observes, "that every law-book, and almost every poem, in Sanscrit, contains frequent allusions to the holiness of this plant; and, in the fourth Vede, we have the following address to it, at the close of a terrible incantation : ? Thee, O Darbha! the learned proclaim a divinity not subject to age or death; thee they call the armour of India, the preserver of regions, the destroyer of enemies, a gem that gives increase to the fields: at the time when the ocean resounded, when the clouds murmured, and lightnings flashed, then was Darbha produced, pure as a drop of fine gold.' Again, May Darbha, which rose from the water of life, which has one hundred roots, and one hundred stems, efface one hundred of my sins, and prolong my existence on earth for one hundred years!' (Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis, p. 292.)

Strawberries." Sir-As I prefer strawberries to almost every other fruit, I should much wish to have a small, yet choice selection; namely, two sorts for the earliest crop, two for the mainbearing crop, two for the latest crop, and about two or three for size and fancy. My object is to prolong the season for bearing as much as possible. There are two requisites which I never mean to overlook,-good bearers, and fine flavour, not merely for show, but for use, especially for the main crop. I presume March is the best time for setting the plants?-B. C."

Early Crop.-The Duke of Kent's Scarlet, and Grove End Scarlet, are both exceedingly productive, and ripen a few days sooner than the Old Scarlet, to which, however, both of thein yield in point of flavour: the Grove End is probably better flavoured than the Duke of Kent's Scarlet. The Roseberry is an excellent bearer, and the flavour is tolerably good. The American Scarlet is the latest of those deserving cultivation, with the exception of Alpines.

For the main-bearing Crop, Keen's Seedling, and the Old Pine; the Downton, although inferior to the Old Pine in flavour, merits a place in a select collection. Probably the best for size and fancy is Wilmot's Superb. To complete the selection, B. C. may add the Prolific_Hautbois and the Red Alpine. The best place to procure the foregoing plants genuine is at the London H. S.'s Garden; next to that, Mr. Wilmot's at Isleworth, or Mr. Knevett's at Turnham Green. Few nurserymen now cultivate strawberries, since so many have been distributed by the H. S. In clayey loam, March is the best time to plant; but having the ground thoroughly prepared is of more importance than adhering to a week, or even a month in planting.-(J. B., Dec. 20th, 1826.) From this communication, and Vol. i. p. 421., B. C. will be able to decide.

Improving the Alpine Strawberry; in reply to R. S., (Vol. i. p. 471.) It is not unusual to see Alpine strawberries of a tolerable size when carefully cultivated. Several attempts have failed to improve them by cross impregnation, and, although they are invigorated from seed, it does not seem to be of long duration.(J. B., Dec. 20th.)

Laying out and planting small Gardens. —" Sir-I am extremely pleased with your Magazine, and doubt not it will do much good, particularly if you continue to devote a fair proportion of its pages to the consideration of such subjects as will be generally useful to the middling classes of society, through whom they are more likely to be made generally known among the poor than by their more opulent neighbours.

"The Clergy, I doubt not, you will find powerful supporters, and they will readily communicate useful knowledge as you supply them. Permit me to request information on a subject that will be useful to thousands besides myself.

"When gardens are not originally laid out and planted by intelligent persons, there is little or no attention paid to the kinds of fruit-trees, nor are they so selected as to ensure a succession of fruit through the greater part of the year, and in consequence there is a short feast, followed by a very long fast. This is a tender subject for me, my predecessors having left me six large pear trees; viz. three Chaumontel, and three Swan's Egg. 1 have certainly an immense quantity of fruit, but they come in and go out nearly at the same time. An equal number of trees of different kinds, properly selected, would supply me handsomely for some months. The same judgment has been displayed in apple trees.

"If you could furnish a plan for a moderate-sized garden, and add a list of the best apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, &c., you would render incalculable service to a large proportion of persons possessing gardens.

"I should like to know the kinds of pears you would recommend for budding or grafting on standard trees, as I purpose to do so to some extent, and vary the produce of my present trees. 66 I am, Sir, &c. ZIG ZAG."

"Forest, Dec. 16th, 1826."

The following pears will succeed as standards about London: perhaps grafts of some of the sorts may not be easily procured without sending to Brussels, which, however, can be done through any London nurseryman. The selection is made chiefly from above 200 sorts, characterised by Parmentier (Hort. Trans. vol. v.) as very good, (v. g.); good, (g.); and moderate, (m.) The great value of the selection is the circumstance of all the sorts ripening as standards, at least in the climate of London. Those marked (*) we have tasted, and know to deserve the characters given by Parmentier and Mr. Braddick.

July. Muscat Robert, (m.)* Gros Muscat, (g.)
Aug. Epine verte d'été, (g.) Jargonelle, (v. g.)*
Autumn. Bergamotte Silvange, (g.) * Beurré
rouge, (g.) B. verte, (g.)

Sept. Bergamotte Paysans, (v. g.)* Rousselet de
Rheims, (v. g.)

Sept. and Oct. Fondante d'Havay, (v. g.) Bon
Chrétien d'été, (g.) *

Oct. Fondante de Brest, (v. g.) Epine d'hiver,
(g.)

Oct. and Nov. Beurré Spence (v. g.) Marie
Christien, (v. g.) *

Nov. Beurre Capiaumont, (v. g.) B. Crappaux,
(v. g.) B. d'Aflighem, (v. g.) Marie Louise,
(v. g.) Napoleon, (v. g.) Urbaniste, (v. g.) *
Dec. Beurre Diel, (v. g.) Pastorale, (g.) Présent
de Malines, (v. g.) *

Winter. Josephine, (v. g.) Poire Canning, (v.g.)
Dec. and Jan. Gloux Morceaux, (v. g.)* Roi de
Rome, (g.)

Jan. Bezi Vaat, (v. g.) Louise Bonne, (g.) *
Jan. and Feb. Passe Colmar, (v. g.)* P. C. gris,
dit Précel, (v. g.) *

Feb. and March. Orange d'hiver, (m.) l'Incommunicable, (m.)

March. Duchesse de Mars, (g.)

March and April. Gros Romain (m.) Berga

motte de Pâques, (m.)* Beurré Rance, (v. g.)*
April. Fondante Batave, (g.) la Favorite, g
April and May. Muscat Allemand, (m.) Bezi de
Caissoy, (g.)

May and June. Bergamotte de Pentecôte, (g.)*
Ramelier, (m.)

With respect to the plan of a garden, so much depends on situation and local circumstances, that we fear we could be of little use to our correspondent, unless we had the data and desiderata of his case; but we shall consider what can be done, and we invite our contributors to do the same. We may take this opportunity of stating, that we can at any time refer such of our readers as may desire it, to contributors, or good practical gardeners, who would be happy to be employed at a moderate charge to give plans for gardens, or to lay out grounds in any part of the country.

A selection of dessert apples, cherries, plums, &c. for a small garden is much wanted. We could supply it from the published lists; but as we could not add much to what is already in our Encyclopædia, we would rather see it done by some experienced gardener. We should like to have lists for the Orkneys, Cornwall, and all the intermediate climates: Mr. Robertson of Kilkenny can supply us for Ireland. We have given the above list of pears without hesitation, because, the good sorts being mostly new, we, through our friends Mr. Braddick and Mr. Oldaker, know as much about them as many practical gardeners. The knowledge of French and Flemish pears is but in its infancy; in proportion as it spreads, the enjoyments of the dessert will be increased and prolonged.

Select Gooseberries." I have many large and good sorts of gooseberries; but the following kinds are the most useful, and I consider the number sufficient for a small garden. "ISAAC OLDAKER." Alcock's Duke of York; rough red, large and fine.

Rumbullion; small yellow, used for bottling.
Keen's Seedling; rough red, grows dwarf.
Warrington; rough red, grows upright.
Lancashire Lad; rough red, very large and
fine.

Cheshire Lass; rough white, early and large; the best I know for gathering green for tarts, as it comes earlier to a size sufficient for that purpose than any other gooseberry.

The whole of our correspondent's desiderata, and to practical readers and contributors.- Cond.

especially the lists of fruits, we recommend

Dissecting Leaves." Sir-I wish to be informed by what process leaves can be dissected. The general method is by keeping them under water; but I imagine there must be some quicker method of decomposing the green part. I have lately seen very perfect specimens both of leaves and flowers, or rather parts of flowers. I have the honour to be, &c. "Rectory, Milton Bryant, Woburn, Bedfordshire.”

"J. F. MANSFIELD."

The most beautiful specimens of dissected leaves which we have seen were prepared by Mr. Crowe of Kensington, (p. 232, and part iv.); but as he makes it an object of profit, he declines

entering into the details of his process. Dutrochet discovered that hot nitric acid rendered fragments of plants transparent, and dissolved the cohesion of the cellular tissue; but we have had several experiments on leaves made with this and other acids, and also with alkalies, without having been able to come to any useful conclusion with reference to handsome skeletons. As these experiments are still in progress, we may report on them at some future time. In the mean time, the answer of an eminent botanist, to whom we put our correspondent's query, is-patience and common water. - Cond.

New Garden." I am making a new garden at present; the soil is a very strong clay, being part of a field which was well fallowed, and bore an excellent crop of wheat, and hay crop afterwards. There is one very good spot of improved soil to some depth, but the next is strong red clay, approaching to till. Lest trenching should bury the good below, I think of forming the space into beds, six feet wide, with trenches of the same breadth, and then crossing the beds one or two years, and fallowing and green cropping the trenches for the same time, and afterwards reversing them. Do you approve of the plan? "W. M."

"Argyllshire, Jan. 28th, 1827."

The plan is undoubtedly good, as far as respects the soil; but unless it is confined to the interior of the compartments, it must interfere with the completion of the garden as a work of design and form, which in our eyes would be great drawbacks to enjoyment. As nothing satisfactory can be done with a kitchen-garden till the permanent surfaces and lines, such as those of the walls, walks, borders, and fruit-trees, are laid out and fixed, and as this cannot be done while our correspondent's fallowing operations are in progress, we think we should prefer what is called ridgetrenching, or trenching and mixing top and bottom together, (Enc. of Gard. § 1870-1.); but we should be glad to hear the opinion of some of our readers on the subject.

-Cond.

Amaryllideæ.- -"Sir-Perhaps some correspondent of your valuable Magazine will have the goodness to inform me of the particular culture necessary for the Amaryllis vittata. It has, I understand, never flowered in any garden of this neighbourhood, although planted in the compost generally recommended, and kept with every attention in a good greenhouse. One instance I am acquainted with, where it has failed nearly sixteen years. I have referred to your excellent work, the Encyclopædia of Gardening, but it more especially treats of the Guernsey Lily, which flowers in autumn; I more particularly request information concerning Amaryllideæ in general, and what the treatment is which deters and promotes their flowers. I am, Sir, &c. "Catton, Jan. 31st, 1827." "JOSEPH GROOM."

A Whitewash for Walls and Flues" I shall be obliged to any of your correspondents who will inform me of a proper composition for washing the walls and flues of hot and greenhouses have repeatedly done mine over with whiting and strong size; but in a few weeks it comes off, and is a great nuisance when walking round, by soiling the clothes.

"A subscriber and well-wisher, M."

What is the best Method of Packing Seeds for sending to countries across the Line, as to the East Indies, New South Wales, &c. ? to both of which parcels of seeds are almost daily sent, and seldom without disappointment. The general method is to pack them in tin cases, to which some object, as the metal is more apt to get heated than wood. Also which is the best part of the ves sel to have them stowed in? Some say if they are placed below the level of the water, not a seed of them will grow. This is a subject that is very little known, and one upon which it is not easy to obtain correct information. You will render a great service to the public in general, if you can give the desired information, and the earlier the better, as many will be sending seeds abroad in the spring, especially if the expected emigration to Canada take place.

"London, Feb. 8th, 1827."

"A CONSTANT READER."

Worms in the Buds." Sir-I am at a loss to know if the American blight, (p. 49.) is the same disease with which the fruit-trees under my care have been suffering for the last six or seven years, and which I will endeavour to describe. As soon as the buds open, on moving any of the leaves, may be seen one or more small green worms placed in the heart of the bud: at first, they are not larger than the point of a pin, but gradually increase to about three quarters of an inch in length, and thick in proportion. Being placed in the centre of the bud, I cannot discover whether they are actually engendered in the bud or not. Soon after the insect makes its appear. ance, the buds affected assume a brownish colour, having a small hole at the side; but whether the insect enters the bud at first by the hole, or perforates it afterwards, I cannot find out. I am inclined to think the latter is the case. Their effect when they spread over the tree is most destructive, stripping it entirely both of leaves and blossom, and thus rendering the fruit-tree an object most unseemly to look upon, at a season when it should be most ornamental. I have tried several plans to destroy them, such as lime-water, soft soap, tobacco-water, &c. &c., with little effect, the insects being so enclosed in the bud, and wrapt in the leaves, that there is no getting at them. If any of your numerous correspondents can point out a way of exterminating this most destructive enemy to fruit-trees, they will greatly oblige your constant reader, DAVID TAYLOR."

"Belmont, near Aberdeen, Feb. 7th, 1827."

Roses." I am desirous of trying this season a variety of experiments in budding Roses, particularly the double yellow, and I would be glad to see in your work instructions for budding in the French or scollop manner of spring budding.-[These will be found p.192.] I should also be obliged by information as to the best manure for rose trees, &c., on a stiff brick clay, of which the soil in this neighbourhood chiefly consists, the effect of rotten tan on such a soil, mixed or not with lime, the effect particularly of wall-dust on it, also of bones, ground or unground. CHRISTOPHER CRABSTOCK."

"Bath, Feb. 6th, 1827."

Galardia bicolor, Asclepias tuberosa, and Enothera caspitosa." I should be glad if any of your correspondents would point out the best methods of cultivating and keeping through the winter the three above-mentioned plants, having had very poor success with them myself. "Manchester, Jan. 5th, 1827." 66 A CONSTANT READER AND SUBSCRIBER.".

Soap Suds." Sir-As my employer is a bleacher, I can command a large supply of soap suds; I should therefore be glad to know what are the qualities of soap suds? how far useful as a garden manure? whether suitable for vine borders, and what time of the year is best to use them? "Old Baseford, Jan. 13th, 1827." "E. M. MATHER."

Movable Cucumber bed." Is there such a thing to be purchased as an iron bottom, on which to place a cucumber frame and mould, and, having done so, to support this frame and mould by props, and apply the dung underneath instead of at the sides? Such an arrangement, I think, would save gardeners a good deal of trouble, as the dung would never need to be worked, and less dung would suffice than by applying linings; but perhaps some of your readers have tried something of the kind. THOMAS HAWKINS."

"Haw, near Gloucester, Jan. 18th,"

Home-made Wines." The time for making wines from our summer fruits being approaching, and wishing to possess some more certain rule for ascertaining the gravity of the fermenting liquor than I have yet had, and at the same time not being willing to purchase an expensive saccharometer, I beg to know whether Mr. Allen, (Gard. Mag. vol. i. p. 93.), has attended to the suggestion of making such an instrument at 10s. or 12s., and, if so, where it can be obtained?

Norwich, Jan. 30th."

"A Provincial Horticultural Society is very much wanted in shire); but we do not know how to set about establishing one. or any of your correspondents, would be thankfully received. "Fazeley, Jan. 12, 1827,"

"N. S."

this part of the country, (StaffordA hint how to proceed from you, "C. F. W."

ART. VII. Obituary.

Died in June last, Thomas Andrew, Esq. of Coggeshall, Essex, an enthusiastic and skilful florist, who succeeded in collecting most of the finest foreign and British varieties of florist's flowers. Notwithstanding an extensive business as an attorney, he contrived, the greater part of the summer, to spend from ten to twelve hours a day among his flowers. Having built a handsome house, laid out the grounds with great taste, and got together an astonishing assemblage of tulips, ranunculuses, anemonies, and geraniums, he was called suddenly from his family and friends, in his fifty-fourth year, to their great grief and irreparable loss. *

On the 28th of January, William Griffin, Esq. F.L.S., H.S. of South Lambeth, many years a distinguished cultivator of bulbs, and from whose collection various plants have been figured in the Botanical Magazine and Botanical Register.

On the 9th of January, Mr. James Niven, a native of Pennicuik, near Edinburgh. He was bred a gardener, had a good education, and a natural taste for botany, which he studied for two years in the Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, under the then curator, we believe, Mr. Menzies. He came to England about 1796, and had the advantage of being employed at Syon gardens, under the late respected Mr. Hoy. In 1798 he was recommended to, and engaged by, George Hibbert, Esq. of Clapham, then one of the most ardent lovers and cultivators of plants, to go out to the Cape of Good Hope as that gentleman's resident collector. He accordingly proceeded thither, and, during a residence of five years, his unwearied exertions in exploring that extensive field for botanical research collected and sent home numerous new plants, as the botanical records of that period, and his name plant, one of the Proteaceae, fully testify. During this stay, he not only made himself master of the Dutch language, but also of the Caffrarian, which latter acquisition was not only particularly useful in the prosecution of his own business, but also valu. able to the settlers, and even the governors of the colony.

Mr. N. returned to England in 1803, and, after a short stay of only three months, was re-engaged to return to the Cape, in his former character of botanical collector, for a company of amateurs in Europe; including the late Empress Josephine of France, Mr. Lee of Hammersmith, &c. On this second visit he remained out nine years, and, though he never lost sight of the chief object of his mission, yet he had difficulties to encounter, and embarrassments to contend with, which quite deranged his intended excursions into the interior. The Caffre nation was on bad terms with the new masters of the settlement, and, in the necessary military measures undertaken by the British forces to check the encroachments of these barbarians, Mr. N. was compelled to accompany the troops as a guide and interpreter, and as such, though of signal service to General Craig, he had to submit to all the inconveniences and privations incident to the life and duties of a soldier! and, though he received no special reward for this service, he attracted the notice of the general, and received from him many marks of his approbation and regard, as well as that of every officer and inhabitant of the colony.

On his final return to England, he relinquished his botanical and gardening pursuits, and went into business with his brother, at his native village of Pennicuik, where he died about the age of fifty-two. He was a most affable and friendly-hearted man, hospitable to strangers, and kind to all about him. His wife died at the instant her husband's corpse left the door of the house, leaving five orphans! — (J. M.)

Early in February, Alexander Henderson, Esq. nurseryman, and a few years ago Lord Provost of Edinburgh; an excellent private character, and the first British gardener who has filled the situation of first city magistrate.

The flowers have been placed under the judicious management of Mr. Baron, of Saffron Walden, and will be sold in bloom next summer, on a day that will be noticed in our advertising department.