zine will learn but little that is new in our remarks. But as our notes will be in comparison with the state of gardening in our own country, they may in this respect possess more of interest.

We have on several occasions spoken of the benefits to be derived from the visits of gardeners to the gardens of their neighbors such intercourse liberalizes the mind, and destroys those prejudices which are apt to spring up with those who are constantly confined to one spot. If such advantages spring from local visits, how much must be gained by the inspection of the gardens and the state of gardening in a foreign country, standing high in the improvement of Horticultural science. In such light do we view the results of our tour; having already made our readers acquainted with gardening in our own country, by annual visits to the principal gardens and nurseries, it now remains for us to compare it with that of other countries, and so far as possible, from the difference of climate, soil, and local circumstances, to ascertain in what particulars we are deficient, or in what we excel, and by such comparison to show in what manner those branches may be improved in which we would attain a high degree of cultivation.

Mr. Loudon has stated that much of the benefits to be derived from travelling depend upon the preconceived notions of the traveller; "he may have conceived an idea that what he has to see will surpass everything in his own country; or he may have conceived a contrary idea, and that the only benefit he can derive from seeing other countries is to make him thankful for his own. Both extremes are to be avoided, and the traveller should, in the first instance examine and describe all the particulars of a country as a botanist would examine and describe a plant. The description of the country, or of the practices of any particular art in it, being completed in his mind, he may then compare it with those of other countries, marking the resemblances and differences. In doing this he should be particularly careful in applying the terms good and bad to the practices or people of any country; because those terms in by far the greatest number of instances are merely relative." We have quoted these remarks because they express so correctly the ideas which

should guide the traveller in visiting a new country, and judging of entirely new principles or practices in art. Mr. Loudon let nothing escape his attention, and his liberal and enlightened mind always took a broad and comprehensive view of things, which he ever endeavored to record impartially and without prejudice. It is from this fact that his notes of travels, both at home and on the Continent, always possess so much of originality and interest. It will be our aim to make our observations in the same spirit.

Our Tour occupied about two months; during that period, we visited part of England, Scotland, and France. We left Boston on the 1st of August, and landed at Liverpool on the 12th, and proceeding through the Midland Counties we arrived in London, where we remained about two weeks; from thence we left for Paris, by the way of Brighton, Dieppe, and Rouen. Finishing our business there, which occupied three weeks, we returned to London about the 26th of September, which we finally left, early in October, for Liverpool, by the way of Chester. From thence we proceeded to Glasgow and Edinburgh, making a rather rapid tour to the latter places, and arrived again at Liverpool October 17th. On the 19.h we left for Boston, having been absent three months.

The climate of England is so unlike our own, that in the growth and cultivation of many fruits and plants, scarcely any comparison can be made. Around Liverpool, and to the north, the weather is cooler, and much more humid than around London; and fruits which ripen well on standards near the latter city will not succeed well as far north as Liverpool. This is also the case in Scotland, where, from the moisture and coolness of the climate, we understood few pears or other fruits, except apples, could be produced, except on walls. France possesses a climate more like our own; with moderately dry and hot summers and cool winters, and vegetation is rapid as with us.

Having thus given some idea of the objects of our tour, and the results which our readers may expect, we shall commence with our descriptions of Gardens, &c., in our next. Owing to the great length of our Retrospective View of Horticulture for 1844, we have not been able to find room for any further remarks at this time.

ART. III. Plan and Description of a Cucumber or Melon Pit, heated on the Gutter System. By R. Glendenning, F. H. S., &c., and author of various Treatises on Gardening Subjects.

THE improvements which have recently taken place in England in the construction of Hot water apparatus is very considerable, but the application of this element as a means of communicating heat to beds and pits, which has been usually obtained by fermenting materials, is perhaps a new era in Gardening, and although this system is as yet only in its infancy, it is destined to supercede the use of all kinds of dirty fermenting substances, which corrupt the purity of the atmosphere.

The accompanying plan of this system as applied to Melon Pits, will at once show its applicability and economy, and as I am now engaged in erecting a great number of them in various forms, I may at some future opportunity favor my transatlantic friends with plans exemplifying other applications of this mode of heating.-R. Glendenning. London, Oct. 1844.

The annexed engravings, of the plan alluded to by Mr. Glendenning, represent a range of cucumber or melon pits,

heated on the now prevalent system of open gutters of hot water: Mr. Glendenning informs us that this mode of heat

ing is admirably adapted to cucumber pits, and all other purposes for which bottom heat is required. It has been tried in the garden of the Lon

don Horticultural Society, and found to answer well.

The Boiler by which the pipes are heated is one of Burbidge & Healy's, which is now much in use in the vicinity of London. They are of cast iron, and constructed so as to be readily heated with a moderate quantity of fuel. These boilers may be imported of the manufacturers, London, at fair prices, and we should like to see them tried by some zealous amateur. Boilers heating one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet of 4 inch iron pipe, can be bought for three pounds ten shillings sterling, (about eighteen dollars.) We visited the extensive manufactory of Messrs. Burbidge & Healy and saw all the different sizes, and, from a hasty inspection, we should pronounce them one of the most economical boilers as regards

fuel that has been in- Plan of a cucumber or melon pit heated by hot wa vented. In a future

ter circulating in iron gutters.

number another of our London correspondents will have more to say relative to these boilers, and the iron Tanks of Messrs. Burbidge & Healy.

The following is Mr. Glendenning's description of the pit:

a An arch in the back wall, in order to allow of the setting of the boiler.

b Boiler.

c Smoke flue carried through the back wall into a chimney in a high wall at the end of the pit.

d Cast iron gutters for the circulation of hot water in the chamber.

e Stop cocks for the purpose of shutting off the water so that one division of the pit can be worked without the other.

ƒ Hot water pipes for the purpose of warming the atmosphere of the frame, as shown in the Section at p. 18.

g Cast iron gutters for hot water as shown in the plan d.

h Hot water pipes as shown in plan f.

i Flue from the boiler to the chimney.

k Soil in which the plants are grown.

1 Slate covering the heated chamber in which the soil is placed.

m Ground level, the pit being sunk about two feet.

ART. IV. On the Cultivation of Lettuce, so as to produce successive crops the year through. By J. W. RUSSELL, Newton, Mass.

As lettuce is more or less used in every family, the mode of obtaining it in the greatest perfection, throughout the year, in regular succession, may not be unacceptable to a portion of your readers.

Lettuce is grown in considerable quantities for the market, and fine heads may be obtained nearly the winter through; in the months of December and January, owing to our severe weather, it cannot be grown as large as it can in the climate of England, without too much care and expense; but later, when hot-beds do not suffer from extreme frost, it may be had in the greatest perfection. Notwithstanding lettuce may

be found in the market of such excellence, few individuals, except market gardeners, understand its cultivation during the winter, and on this account many gentlemen are deprived of this desirable vegetable during that season, when it adds so much to the luxury of the table.