assisted by a gentle heat, which they will require to keep the leaves from falling down by the damp. After they have blossomed, I turn them out, and treat them in the same way as the seedlings, and repot them again in the autumn. I am, dear Sir, &c.

"Isleworth, Jan. 22. 1827.

JOHN WILMOT."

Amómum Plin'ii, in reply to G. R." I suspect the Amómum Plin ́ïï' of Mawe and Abercrombie, alluded to by G. R. (p. 122.), is the Solánum pseudo-cap'sicum,' a very old greenhouse shrub, bearing in winter an abundance of scarlet cherry-like fruit. The plant is very easily raised from seed, and will fruit the following season." (Mentor.) "It is now called Physalis pseudo-cap'sicum, which, when loaded with fruit, is highly ornamental among the other shrubs. Propagated by seeds, and also by cuttings, which strike freely." — (A. B.)

Preservation of Cut Flowers." For the information of your correspondent W. B., vol. i. p. 359., cut flowers may be preserved a little longer by cutting a little from the stalks every three or four days, and replacing them in fresh water, and of course clearing them each time of all decayed flowers and leaves." (A. X. Oct. 25.) —" Gathered flowers should never be crowded: if their stalks, leaves, and petals barely touch each other at the extremities, so much the better.” (Dr. D. of B. Sept.)

-

"The best Method of Packing Culinary Garden Seeds for Exportation is extremely simple, and seldom fails, if the seeds are new and well ripened. The seeds should be carefully freed from every impurity; each variety should be put up in brown paper, or, what is better, in coarse linen bags. These packages are then to be placed in wicker baskets, having covers to them. The baskets are to be hung, or placed, in a free current of air in the cabin of the vessel, which is the most eligible place for them; and if neat baskets are made use of, their appearance cannot be reasonably objected to. If destined for a long voyage, they may be occasionally carried up on deck as an airing. For large assortments, if baskets are not made use of, casks or chests may be substituted; in the tops or sides of which are perforations, made large enough to allow the escape of the heated and moist air which may generate in them, but of a size so small as to prevent the entrance of cockroaches and other vermin. Large packages cannot be conveniently placed in the cabin; and if there are no other situations equally eligible, the steerage and the after-hold is the next best. In those situations they may be stowed as close to the hatchways as possible; and as those hatchways are frequently open in fine weather, the seeds have the benefit of fresh air, and may be readily hoisted upon deck for a better airing. Large packages of seeds have less chance of escaping the baneful effects of a sea voyage than small quantities.

"The confining of culinary seeds in tin cases, glass bottles, &c., so as totally to exclude the air from them, is a certain means of destroying the vegetative properties of the seeds, and appears to me (after practical observations of nearly thirty years) to be the most effectual measure that can be taken to insure destruction and disappointment. Seeds on board ship should be kept above the level of the water, if possible; but when this cannot be conveniently done, the packages will require to be the oftener taken on deck for an airing.

"Kew, March 1827.

J. B."

The Musk Plant, A'ster argophyllus. —“I beg leave to inform R. in U. that in the summer of 1817 I was induced to give a plant of this shrub a trial in the open ground. I planted it about eighteen inches from a south wall, (which distance I prefer for it, and also plants of similar habits, instead of planting close, and training against the wall,) where it has grown most luxuriantly, and flowered abundantly. The severe frost of January 1820, during which the thermometer here was as low as 15°, it endured very

well, with the exception of its tops being killed down a few inches; and it has suffered in the same way by the frost of several winters since. "Luscombe, near Exeter, Feb. 10. 1827.

RICHARD SAUNDERS."

Cultivation of the Enothera cæspitósa and the Galárdia bicolor.—" I beg leave to recommend a plan which I have pursued for the last few years with invariable success. Both plants are extremely impatient of moisture, and therefore must be watched early in the winter. The plan pursued was the following: When the weather became cold and damp, (perhaps about November,) the plants were examined, and, if the soil was too wet, it was taken from about the roots, and light, dry soil substituted; the plants covered entirely with dry saw-dust, over which was placed a flower-pot, or a pot that is generally used for forcing sea-kale. During the winter the saw-dust was occasionally examined, lest it should be wet, which is the principal thing to attend to. About March, or when the probability of frost was over, the saw-dust was removed, and a little fresh soil put about the roots, and the plants generally covered for a short time with a hand glass, giving air occasionally.

"I have also pursued a method of propagating the Enóthera cæspitósa, which, perhaps, may not generally be known; and it is valuable, as it enables this beautiful plant to be increased rapidly. Before the frost sets in, the plant must be taken out of the ground, all the soil shaken from it, and the roots broken in small pieces of about an inch or an inch and a half in length. These pieces must be planted in a pot of light soil, rather dry, and kept in a frame without any water throughout the winter. When the chance of frost is over, a little water may be given, when, in all probability, the roots will have begun to shoot, and it will be found that each piece of root will become a plant, that will flower the ensuing summer. -I am not well acquainted with the Asclepias tuberósa, named also by your correspondent; but may not the plan pursued for keeping Dáhlias be used with safety? Should the above be worth a place in your valuable Magazine, I shall feel pleasure in having been a contributor.

"Foxteth Park, Liverpool, March 8. 1827.

M. R."

“Asclepias tuberósa is increased by cuttings of the roots, taken from the plant about the latter end of August or the beginning of March. Plant them close round the inside of a pot in a mixture of light rich loam and sandy peat, covering them about one-fifth of an inch." Wm. Nott, Taunton Nursery.

Will Barley germinate after having been malted?

"I think it will, if

not too far advanced. I have two pots by me growing vigorously. Has the experiment been tried before, or with barley which has sprung an inch or more?"- Hordeum, Nov. 27. 1826.

Mr. Hogg's Ideas on breaking Tulips.—“I think Thomas Hogg (who, by the way, is a friend of mine,) deserves to be severely reprimanded for raising the curiosity of poor florists, by a long article on a new plan for breaking tulips, and bringing the said article to a conclusion, without affording them a single ray of light upon the subject. If he will detail his plan, and should it prove as you suppose, I think I could convince him it is impossible. J. W."-" Mr. Hogg's plan of breaking tulips is probably that of halving the bulb lengthways, and joining to it, in the way of a graft, half the bulb of a tulip already broken. It is said that a set of a red and a set of a white potato, joined together in this way, will produce variegated offspring. J. G. Hampstead."- "Mr. Hogg's effusion on breaking tulips is a paper which you should not have admitted. A. G. Perthshire." -We hope Mr. Hogg will join with us in doing penance and making compensation, by discovering his secret in next number. Cond.

Tulip Bulbs, in reply to S.-Sir: Your correspondent S. wishes to be informed why, when the incipient leaves of tulips are discernible at the season

of planting, coming from the centre of the bulb, the flower-stems, on taking them up, are found issuing from the bottom. This circumstance, which at first appears remarkable, will be found, on consideration, to be easily accounted for, by the fact of the formation of a new bulb every year at the base of the flower-stem, and consequently the disappearance of the old one. In what manner this is effected, I will presently show. This new bulb exists in the centre of the old one at the time it is planted, having been formed in the preceding year's growth, and may plainly be seen by dissecting a tulip-root in the autumn, when the entire future plant, its leaves, stem, and flower with its six petals, stamina and seed-vessel, will be found in the centre of the root, coiled up into a shape resembling that of a segar, and about an inch long, (more or less, according to the size of the root,) and at the base of this embryo plant precisely in the situation represented in your correspondent's drawing, will be found the bulb for the next year, then the size of a small offset. The old bulb, which is merely a collection of juicy coats, formed for the protection of the embryo plant which it envelopes, having sustained it with its moisture during the time of its being out of the ground in a state of rest, and having parted with its succulency to nourish the embryo plant and new bulb during their growth when planted, is found at taking-up time deprived of its moisture, and transformed into the brown coats enveloping the new bulb, now grown to its full size, furnished with a similar embryo plant and bulb for the next year, and found in the situation represented in S.'s drawing. ['This embryo bulb is formed by the returning sap, and when this is in excess, an offset, and sometimes several, will be found in addition to the principal bulb.' — (M.)]

"S. would find much pleasure in dissecting a tulip root. The coats should be removed with care, otherwise the little bulb and offsets, if any, in the interior may be destroyed. The best time for doing it is late in the autumn, as the embryo plant is then more plainly developed by the sap being in motion. I dissected a root this day, having a few discarded ones unset, and afterwards divided the little bulb, which would have been the one for planting in Nov. 1827, and by taking it close to the window, but without a microscope, thought I could perceive the embryo plant for 1828. The possibility of this will probably be doubted. A few months, however, will place the means of proving it in your reader's hands. I think with the aid of a microscope my supposition will be found correct. I am, Sir, &c. JOHN WARD."

"Sheffield, Jan. 8. 1827.

102

Several other Answers to the query of S. have been received; one by Thomas Butler, Esq. was accompanied by a drawing, (fig. 102.), in which may be seen the embryo flower of the current year, with the embryo bulb at its base. Mr. B. informs us that he cultivates at his residence, Cornwall Cottage, Hackney, nearly 500 of the most choice varieties of tulip, and that he intends figuring all the finest sorts in cultivation in a periodical publication, to be commenced in March next. We have seen the drawings which he has prepared for this work, which are equal to any thing of the kind.

Mr. French, (p. 120), an accurate and intelligent observer, says " what is by people in general called the tulip root, is nothing more than the bud, or embryo of the plant placed on the proper root; when this bud or bulb shoots into a plant, other buds or bulbs, sometimes one, and sometimes more, are formed at the base of the leaves, as in other herbaceous plants having buds or bulbs, and as in deciduous trees. The curious part of

the process is, that so large a bulb should be formed annually on so small a root; and if any method could be devised by which the tulip could be flowered in water in the same manner as the hyacinth, so that the various changes it undergoes might be observed as they take place, it certainly would be most interesting." (Harlow, Jan. 29.)

The Bread Fruit Tree. (E. of G. § 6014, and fig. 534.), being nearly allied to the fig, may it not prove as hardy as the fig? Has it ever been tried against a wall in the open air in a dry soil? Plants are now to be had in abundance at seven guineas and a half; ten years ago, there was scarcely any plants to be found, and one I know of, was sold at twenty guineas. It is since dead, but I have heard of a plant somewhere in the county of Durham which has ripened fruit. (R. S. April 2.)

We recommend this subject to whoever is disposed to risk seven guineas and a-half for the gratification of horticulturists, and for the chance of the honour of being the first to add the bread fruit to the list of our half hardy fruits. We should not be at all surprised at our correspondent's conjecture proving true; there are many stove and green-house plants, that gardeners never think of exposing to the open air; judging from the country they come from, their unfitness for our climate is taken for granted, and the idea of giving them a trial is out of the question. Those plants of tropical climates which are hardy, or half hardy, have been discovered to be so more by accident than design. We would recommend trying every house plant in the open air, and repeating the trials, even in the event of want of success in the first and second instances. Even an indigenous plant, kept in a hot-house during summer, would be very likely to die if exposed to the open air in a pot during the succeeding winter. The plants to be tried should be put out in the beginning of summer, turned out of the pots into poor and very dry soil, and sheltered from the east and north. We do not place much confidence in what is called acclimating, by gradually inuring and by raising successive generations from seed. Starving in poor dry soil, for one year, before putting out, is perhaps as good as 30 years' acclimating. Any plant from a hot climate, which will not endure the climate of Britain, in the first or second year of its introduction, will not either itself, or in any future generation of its offspring from seed, become hardier, or at least nothing like sufficiently hardy for this purpose. Indian cress, kidney beans, dahlias, and potatoes have been raised in this country from seeds saved here for many years, but it cannot be proved that they are in the slightest degree hardier than when they were first imported.— Cond.

ART. VII. Obituary.

DIED in March last, Mr. John Harding, Agricultural Bookseller, St. James's Street, an amiable man, and the first London bookseller who made a separate department of works on gardening, agriculture, field sports, and rural affairs in general. His extensive and valuable stock, it appears, (Part IV.), are to be sold by auction.

On Monday, April 2., Mr. Shepherd, of Sunbury, and on the same day, about the same hour, Mr. Andrews, of Vauxhall, both market gardeners, who have been for many years noted for bringing the earliest grapes to Covent Garden Market, and both eminent and extensive cultivators of grapes and pine apples. Both raised themselves from the condition of serving gardeners, to that of tradesmen of considerable property, and both are succeeded by healthy and vigorous widows and sons.

382

PART IV.

ADVERTISEMENTS CONNECTED WITH GARDENING AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

TO FLORISTS AND ADMIRERS OF THE
FINER FLOWERS.

H. DUNN respectfully

an

nounces to Florists and others, that he will have the honour to submit to them by Pub. lic Auction about the middle of the present Month, of which due notice will be given, all the truly valuable and well selected TULIPS of the late THOMAS ANDREWS, Esq., Coggeshall, Essex; and as the Collector's taste and judgment are so universally known, as well as that no expence has been spared in forming this collection, the Auctioneer feels a confidence in as

suring the Public that it will be found when in bloom to answer the most sanguine expectations of those who may attend the Sale, there being many of the finest varieties exclusively in this

Garden.

And in the following Month the equally fine collection of Ranunculuses, Geraniums, &c. &c. N. B. On the Day of the Tulip Sale, and after the Tulips, a Single-horse Chaise, a very neat Four Wheel Pony Chaise, and an excellent Finger Organ, late the property of the same Gentleman.

Saffron Walden, 1st May, 1827.

EXHIBITION OF TULIPS.

H. GROOM, Florist, WAL

worth, respectfully informs the Nobility, Gentry, and Public in general, that his superb Collection will be in Bloom during the Month of May, and may be viewed every Day from Nine o'clock till Six, Sundays excepted. Admittance 18.

H. G. also begs to state that he will have a great variety of Ranunculuses and Anemones in Bloom during the Month of June, which may be viewed every Day from Nine o'clock till Six, Sundays excepted. Admittance gratis. CURVILINEAR METALLIC HOT.

HOUSES.

CURTIS'S BOTANICAL MAGAZINE. In numbers, price 3s. plain, and 3s. 6d. coloured.

THE NEW SERIES of this

beautiful Work which commenced on the 1st of January last is strongly recommended as the cheapest and most accurate Botanical Pub lication to those Ladies, Gentlemen, and Gardeners who wish to become scientifically acquainted with the Plants they cultivate. on the 1st Day of every Month, each Number It is published containing Eight accurately coloured Plates of rare, interesting, or beautiful Plants, with amProfessor of Botany in the University of Glasple Descriptions, by DR. HOOKER, the Regius

gow.

cal Magazine, MR. SAMUEL CURTIS, of GlazenThe Proprietor and Conductor of the Botaniform those who wish to possess the former Series wood, near Coggeshall, Essex, also begs to inof this Work, that the whole, (containing upwards of 2700 coloured Plates) or any portion of it, may be had at his Warehouse at ProspectRow, Walworth, or of the Publishers, and that for the convenience of Purchasers he bas had them done up in neat Boards, so that the current Number and a Volume of the old Series can be delivered together Monthly, or as often as desired.

TO HORTICULISTS AND OTHERS.
TO BE SOLD BY PRIVATE CONTRACT,

A HIGHLY valuable and de

sirable FREEHOLD ESTATE, (Landtax redeemed,) situated in the Garden of Kent, and a Half Miles from Maidstone, and Thirty on the Bank of the River Medway, about Two of Fruit, Hops, Lucerne, Meadow, and Arable from London, containing about Eighty Acres Land, together with a Farm-house, and all necessary Agricultural Buildings.

For particulars apply (if by letter postage paid) to Mr T. P. CHARLTON, Grove Cottage,

JONES and CLARKE respect-Loose, near Maidstone, Kent.

fully beg to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry that (in addition to the work of their usual and approved construction) they have recently commenced the manufacture of CURVI LINEAR METALLIC HOT-HOUSES upon

AGRICULTURAL, FARMING, AND BO-
TANICAL BOOKS.
Preparing for Sale by Auction,

a new and improved principle; and they flatter THE entire Collection of Books

themselves that the reasonable terms upon which they are enabled to offer them to the Public will ensure them that liberal share of patronage and support which they are so anxious to merit.

Metallic Hot-house Manufactory, 55 LionelStreet, Birmingham.

TO BOTANISTS.

TO BE SOLD,

upon the above Subjects, forming the AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY of the late

MR. JOHN HARDING,
AGRICULTURAL BOOKSELLER, ST. JAMES'S-STREET,
LONDON,
which will be sold by Auction by Messrs. STE-
WART WHEATLEY and ADLARD, on Monday,
May 14th, and following Days, at their Great
Room, No. 191 Piccadilly, London. Catalogues

A FINE Copy of that scarce may now be had gratis, upon application, post

Work, Ludwig's ECTIPA VEGETA. BILIUM, being Impressions of 200 Plants, done in coloured Printer's Ink, with Descriptions in Latin and German. Price 51. To be seen at No. 184 Fleet-Street.

paid, to the Auctioneers, to Messrs. HARDING and LEPARD, Pall Mall, East, or LONGMAN, REES, and Co., Paternoster-Row, or from all Country Booksellers through the medium of their London Agents.