would-be landscape-gardeners, however inconsistent with the principles of design and true taste these ideas might be. April 17.- Mr. Leyton gave an introductory lecture upon chemistry. He commenced by tracing the rise and progress of chemistry from the earliest ages. He first treated of the great progress it must have made before the time of Moses, from the curious manufactured articles mentioned in the sacred writings. He next viewed the profound depth which the Egyptians must have penetrated, into this science from the relics yet extant, and the apparent miracles which their adepts in the science were able to perform. He also touched upon the chemical improvements introduced by the Persians, the Phoenicians, the Arabians, and the Chinese. Mr. Leyton then explained, at considerable length, the false notions of the alchymists, in respect of their doctrine of the philosopher's stone; the panacea, or universal remedy, the universal dissolvent, and the universal ferment. He also showed how several useful discoveries were brought to light in the midst of these wild schemes of infatuated deception, and finished by enumerating what great men, what great discoveries, and what altered notions of philosophy, brought about the change from alchymy to a rational system of chemistry. May 1. 1837.- Exhibited. Three rose plants, from the Duke of Devonshire's villa at Chiswick, very full of buds, which had been taken out of the ground, and potted the same spring. Mr. Judd read an essay upon the preparation of the cherry tree for forcing, with hints upon the construction and general management of the cherry-house. Mr. Judd approves of the May duke variety; recommends purchasing the trees from the nursery two years before forcing them; planting them, at first, in the open ground; taking them up and potting them early upon the following autumn; plunging the pots in an open space of ground; covering them with old dung; watering them liberally during summer, and pinching off any blossoms that appear; giving plenty of air on removing them to the forcing-house, commencing at from 40° to 50° Fahr.; shading the house when the fruit are stoning; raising the temperature when beginning to colour; and using tobacco-smoke and tobacco-water for thrip, black fly, and caterpillar. A great number of members delivered their sentiments on this essay; the only objection made being to the accompanying plan; some considering that it was rather flat for early forcing; and that, as two fires were used, two small houses might have been as serviceable. Mr. Temple recommended syringing with water, scarcely so hot as the temperature of the house. Mr. Ayres disapproved of animal manure for stone fruit; which was met, and remet, by instances and facts corroborative of its favourable and unfavourable tendencies. A discussion took place with respect to clearing cherry trees from insects; washing or painting them all over with various solutions, in winter, being considered the best method; and various remedies were mentioned for the destruction of the thrip, though it was allowed no effectual mode of destroying that insect has yet been discovered. - May 15. 1837. Mr. Leyton gave his second lecture upon chemistry, and commenced by exemplifying the theory of Phlogiston, invented by Stähl, which was supported for nearly half a century by all the greatest chemists of the age. He then proceeded to elucidate its overthrow by the more rational theory of Lavoisier (after the discoveries of Priestley and Black), who established oxygen as the universal acidifying and alkalising power, as well as the supporter of life, and combustion. He then referred to the overthrow of the latter theory, by the sublime discoveries of Sir Humphry Davy in respect of chlorine, iodine, &c.; showing that the most powerful of the acids (muriatic acid) was destitute of oxygen, &c. Mr. Leyton, dividing his subject into three divisions (the simple substances, the compound substances, and the laws of decomposition and recomposition), expatiated upon the simple gaseous elements, and the peculiar compounds they form with each other. He then pointed out the remarkable contrasts effected by the combination of some of the gases, such as in nitrous and nitric acid, which are composed of the same substances as form atmospheric air, but in different proportions, showing that a greater volume of oxygen than that existing in the atmosphere is unrespirable and destroys life. He also alluded to the undisputed fact, that water is a compound of the elements of fire, and that, during the action of burning, it is actually produced; with many more chemical phenomena of equal importance. ART. V. Retrospective Criticism. ERRATA. In Vol. XII. p. 445., in the Botanical and Horticultural Tour in Lombardy, there occur several errors of the press, which I should be In page 445. line 24., for "La Casino," read much obliged to you to correct. "La Cusani;" in lines 28. and 30., for "Casani," read " Cusani; " in line 29., for" 200," read "300." In page 446. line 12., for "scopra," read "scopre;" in line 36., for "Ni strepito," read " Nè strepito;" in line 38., for "Ancor turbo," read "Ancor turbò;” in line 42., for “scorza de faggi,” read “de' faggi;” in line 43., for "Segnio," read "Segnò." In page 447. line 4., for "Sien volto," read" Piermarini;” in read "Tien volto;" in line 10., for "Piranesi," in line 23., for Villaresi," read "Villorese; lines 18, 19, and 20., for " In page 448. line 21., for "Cabrisi," read Pelagi," read "Palagi." "Cabrini;" in line 23., for " Bartolotti," read "Bertolotti." In page 449. line 8., for "via spuona," read "vix spinosa." — G. Manetti. Monza, January 4. 1837. Grafting Oranges on the Pomegranate. - The American Consul at Malta will write to you to confirm the fact I mentioned in my paper on the influence of the stock on the graft, that oranges are ingrafted on the pomegranate, to give the flesh a red hue. The practice is common in Sicily and Malta.-J. Mease. Philadelphia, July 28. 1837. Grafting the Plum on the Fig, &c. (Vol. XII. p. 52.) — There are axioms in horticulture, which have been inculcated by the poets of antiquity, by which it was established, that the graft will grow on any tree chosen, provided the bark of the stock resembles that of the graft; and I remember having read in a work written on horticulture by Abu-Zacaria, an Arabic Spaniard, of grafting the vine on the plum, the peach on the willow, the rose on the pomegranate, and the almond on the vine: but what made me laugh the most heartily was, that, when the vine is grafted on the broom, the grapes are bitter. You know that we were for a long time governed by the Spaniards; and, in leaving their superstions behind them, it is natural to suppose that they also left these admirable maxims in horticulture. There is little doubt but that what I am about to relate to you is a superstition left by the Spaniards. You know that, in Italy, the greater number of the houses in the country front the south, and are generally covered with vines and other kinds of fruit trees, which (as may naturally be supposed) are of the best kinds. Mice and rats abound more near the houses than in the fields; because they find food there without much trouble; and, as soon as the fruit begins to ripen, they do exactly as I would do myself; that is, they eat as much as they can of it. To prevent this mischief, the peasants prune their vines or other fruit trees on the vigil of the Annunciation, that is, the 24th of March; hoping by so doing to obtain a curse on these poor animals from the Virgin, and a blessing on the vine, and by this means to preserve its fruit. Do you think that, because the vines are pruned on the vigil of the Madonna, the mice refrain from tasting them ? Yet the good peasants (though not all of them, as there are some who laugh at it) believe in this practice, and continue it, attributing a failure in the crop to their sins! Among the gardeners, there are some, and those not few in number, who persist in doing what their fathers did before them, who still believe that the moon has a great deal of influence on vegetation; and who still stand with a watch in their hand waiting for the time of the full moon in March to sow the seeds of the violet; but there are, I believe, no longer any who believe that, if the pith be taken out of a branch of a fruitful tree, that branch will produce fruit without seed.— G. Manetti. January 4, 1837 Encyclopædia of Agriculture. I have been lately perusing, with much pleasure, the new edition of your Encyclopædia of Agriculture. Before you publish another edition, you ought to get more correct information from this colony, which is becoming a much more interesting country than you seem to be aware of. It is certainly the most prosperous part of the British dominions. — Alexander M'Leay. Sydney, March 13. 1837. -- The Manchester Botanic Garden.· Your correspondent Mr. Thomas of Prestwich remarks that our garden has "a remarkably flat surface." I consider it a raised uneven platform in the centre of an extensive plain, which, in clear weather, is seen bounded on the east by the huge hills of Yorkshire, and on the south by the agreeable undulations of the hills of Cheshire. The view from the terrace walk in front of the range is varied and delightful. A. C. Manchester, August 13. 1837. The Yew and the Small-leaved Elm.- In your Arboretum Britannicum, you seem to doubt whether the yew and the small-leaved elm are natives of Britain. These trees are both found (the latter in abundance) buried deep in the bogs of Somersetshire, which I think conclusive evidence of their being both indigenous. I have also found the remains of our common smallleaved elm in the foundations of Roman villas. This elm will sometimes ripen its seed in this country; and I can point out at least one variety which must have been so produced. Samuel Hassel. Littleton, near Somerton, August 1. 1837. The Fungi of the Oak. In your history of the oak in the Arboretum Britannicum, you notice my discovery of Urèdo Quércus in this neighbourhood, which I conclude you had from the Rev. Mr. Berkeley, to whom I have sent all the Fúngi I have collected; and I also conclude that he has furnished you with notices of all the others, which he might have received either from me or his various correspondents. In your last number of the Arboretum, under the hornbeam, you say Sphæ`ria fimbriàta and carpínea on the leaves have not been observed in this country. S. fimbriata is very abundant in this district, especially on the Norfolk side of the river; and I have sent Mr. Berkeley a great number of specimens: indeed, I could, if necessary, send him any number. It is published in the English Flora, and also in his (Mr. Berkeley's) first fasciculus of specimens, which came out, I think, in the early part of last year. - Daniel Stock. Bungay, August 4. 1837. Two Villas at Stanmore. — Can you, or any of your readers, inform me if the following description, translated from the original edition of Pückler Muskau's Letters, be real or imaginary? It is many years since I passed through the beautiful village of Stanmore on my way to Cashiobury; and I certainly do not recollect any villa at all striking. J. A., Chester, July, 1837. "We setout this morning early, unfortunately a very wet day. At ten miles from London, we already began business in the pleasant village of Stanmore, by seeing two villas and a large park. The first villa was in the Gothic style throughout, with ornamental pointed tile roofs; a style in which the English architects are very fortunate, and which, I may almost say, is their favourite. The interior was most delightfully arranged in the same style, yet perfectly habitable and comfortable. Even the doors in the walls which surround the kitchen-garden had painted old windows above them, which had a striking appearance amongst the flowering shrubs. The small flower-garden was also laid out in Gothic-formed beds, ornamented by gravel walks; and the effect was very good. "The second villa presented a very different appearance; it was in the Italian taste, with large vases in front, in which, instead of flowers, were seen small pumpkins, and yellow and green scooped-out oranges, towering upwards. Somewhat too many wooden and white-painted statues adorned, or rather disfigured, the garden; amongst which was a lion in the attitude of suddenly rushing forth, and meant to inspire terror, but in vain. In like manner, a Cupid, in the branches of a tree, was threatening to shoot his arrows at the passers by." (Briefe ciners Verstorbenen, vol. iii. p. 205.) The Gothic villa alluded to in the above letter was built by Dr. Hopper; the other by Mr. Orme, the printseller of Bond Street, after he had retired from business; a proof that familiarity with fine pictures does not always improve the taste. Cond. A fine Elm, in a field close by the road leading towards Woburn Sands, and about half a furlong from Woburn, was struck by the electric fluid on Thursday last (Aug. 24.), “and the bark stripped from the top of the highest branch down to the root. The strip appeared very narrow at the top, and gradually increased to about 8 in. in breadth near the bottom, where the electric fluid entered the earth. Another elm, near the residence of Capt. Hoare, in the parish of Waverden, was also struck, and split from top to bottom, the rent towards the bottom penetrating about a foot into the solid part of the tree." (Morn. Chron., Aug. 28.) [We should be glad to know from any of our readers in the neighbourhood of Woburn, whether there were any pines or firs in the immediate vicinity of the elms, and of equal height; and whether these escaped unhurt? Our object is to confirm or disprove the hypothesis, which states that resinous trees (resin being a non-conductor) are less liable to be struck with lightning than broad-leaved trees. - Cond.] ART. VII. The London Horticultural Society and Garden. JULY 18. 1837.- Exhibited. Balsams, dahlias, Gnaphàlium exímium, Nepénthes distillatòria, Oncídium papílio, Erica bruniades; Clerodendrum fràgrans, double; Amaryllis sp., Pimelea hispida, Alstromèria pelegrina, Catasètum luridum, Gardoquìa Hookeri, and Alstroemeria psittacina; from Mr. Dunsford, gardener to Baron Dimsdale. A collection of heartsease, pinks, and two picotees, from Mr. Thomas Hogg. Peaches, nectarines, grapes, a new green-fleshed melon (Windsor prize), and two dwarf crimson coxcombs, from Mr. P. Flanagan, F.H.S. Peaches and nectarines, from Mr. Errington, gardener to Sir P. G. Egerton, Bart. Apples of 1835 and 1836, from Lord Wm. Fitzroy. From the Garden of the Society. Phacèlia tripinnatifida, Quisquàlis índica, Combretum purpureum, Lychnis Bungeana, Lilium japonicum, Gília tenuiflora, Alstromeria pulchella, Chelòne nemoròsa, Spiræ'a ariæfòlia, Philadélphus Gordonianus, P. grandiflòrus (from Mr. Gowan), Chinese, Noisette, and garden roses; dahlias. A Awarded. A silver Knightian medal to Mr. Errington, for nectarines. silver Banksian to Mr. Flanagan, for Grapes; and to Mr. Dunsford, for Catasètum lùridum. Aug. 1. Dr. Henderson in the chair. Dr. Lindley read a copy of an address which had been delivered to Her Majesty by the Duke of Devonshire, requesting her royal patronage, which was accorded. A paper was read “ On a simple and effective Mode of killing the Red Spider, Green Fly, Thrip, and Scale, without injury to Plants." It merely consisted in putting the pots or plants into a frame, well closed, and then laurel leaves, well bruised, between them; when, in the course of one hour, the whole of the spiders and flies would be destroyed by the odour, which, of course, is that of prussic acid; while the thrip and scale would be destroyed in about eight hours; the night time being most favourable for the experiment. For a house 20 ft. by 12 ft., two bushels of leaves would be sufficient. It is known to entomologists that a bruised leaf of the common laurel, put into a pill-box, along with a humble bee, will kill it in a few seconds. As there is a good deal of prussic acid in the leaves of the peach and nectarine, when these trees get their summer prunings, perhaps some use might be made of the bruised leaves, by laying them in melon-frames, in which the plants were infested with the red spider; or the acid might be procured, and the plants watered with it in a diluted state; after which the frame should be shut closely up. Exhibited. Stanhopea insígnis, Zygopétalon rostràtum, Gongòra atropurpùrea, and Acropèra Loddigèsü, from Mr. P. N. Don, gardener to J. Bateman, Esq. Stanhopea insígnis var., and Cattleya críspa, from Mr. Paxton, gardener to the Duke of Devonshire. Twelve varieties of Verbèna, Oncídium sp., Campánula frágilis hirsuta, Tacsònia pinnatistípula, and Clárkia élegans var., from Mrs. Marryat. Stanhopea insígnis, from Mr. Pratt, gardener to W. Harrison, Esq. Dahlias from J. Salter of Shepherd's Bush. Picotees and roses, from Mr. F. Hogg of Paddington. Roses from S. Hooker. Strawberries from the Rev. W. Cobbold, Vicarage House, Selborne, near Alton. A collection of heaths, Campanula Carolìni, Cleome sp., Nymphæ'a cærùlea, Clerodendrum speciosíssimum, &c., from Mrs. Lawrence. A dianthus, a seedling petunia, and an orchideous plant, from Mr. J. Moore, gardener to the Misses Garnier, Wickham, Fareham, Hants. From the Garden of the Society. Lupinus ornàtus, mutábilis, and lùcidus; Lilium longiflorum, Godètia rubicúnda and vinòsa, Màdia floribúnda, Málope grandiflora; Phlóx acuminata, and seedlings; Bartònia aurea, Clématis Hendersoni, Caprifolium hispidulum, Matricària grandiflòra, Digitàlis; from Mr. Bevan. Roses, dahlias, royal duke cherries, grapes; Windsor scarlet-fleshed melon, 3 lb. 14 oz.; planted out Feb. 15. cut July 29. Awarded. A large silver medal to Mr. Paxton, for Cattleya crispa. A silver Knightian to Mr. Kedding, for Oncídium carthaginense var.; and to Mrs. Lawrence, for heaths. A silver Banksian to Mr. Hooker, for roses; to Mr. Pratt, for Stanhopea insígnis; and to Mr. Hogg, for carnations and picotees. Aug. 15.-Read. A paper "On the Culture of the Ranúnculus, by Mr. Wm. Dunsford, gardener to the Hon. Baron Dimsdale. Exhibited. Erica cerinthoides, Ewerana, ampullàcea rùbra, Bowiedna, &c.; Cychnòches Loddigèsü, and Poinciana pulcherrima; from Mrs. Lawrence. Gooseberry pippins of 1836, from Sir Henry Rycroft. Vánda multiflòra, Myánthus deltöìdes, Astélma exímium, Amaryllis Sweétü, dahlias, stocks, and China asters, from Mr. Dunsford, gardener to the Hon. Baron Dimsdale. Hybrid melon, from Mr. J. Duncan, gardener to J. Martineau, Esq. Balsams, marigolds, and morello cherries, from Mrs. Nichols of Hammersmith. Seedling and other dahlias, from Mr. J. Salter of Shepherd's Bush. Túrnera trioniflora, Peristèria péndula, Acropèra Loddigèsi, Pancràtium Amáncaes, Epidéndrum ciliàre, Lantana Séllowi, Vallòta purpurea, and dahlias, from Mr. Glenny. Black Hamburg grapes, balsams, and three vars. of heaths, from J. Alnutt, Esq. Oncidium Lanceanum and Eulòphia guineensis, from J. Bateman, Esq. A collection of dahlias, from Messrs. Chandler. Otaheite, or Anson's pine, green-fleshed melon (Hampton Court), early Cantaloup melon, black Hamburg and muscat of Alexandria grapes, white spine and black spine cucumber, from Mr. P. Flanagan, gardener to Sir T. Hoare, Bart. Varieties of Indian corn, from P. A. Browne, LL.D. Erica Ewerana, exímia, jasminiflòra var. Lee's tricolor, ampullàcea, &c., from Mr. J. Fairburn of Clapham. Roses and dahlias, from Messrs. Paul and Son of Cheshunt. Dahlias, from Mr. Mountjoy of Ealing. Model of an apparatus for preserving fruit from the attacks of wasps and other insects, from Mr. Masters, gardener to Lady Maria Finch, Bexley Abbey, near Maidstone. From the Society's Garden. Quisquàlis índica, Enothèra Drummondi, Petùnia violacea supérba, Diplopappus incanus, Physiánthus undulàtus, dahlias, and gooseberries. Awarded. A silver Knightian medal to J. Bateman, Esq., and to Messrs. Paul, for the Oncídium Lanceànum. A silver Banksian to Messrs. Paul, for roses; to Mr. Flanagan, for cucumbers; to Mrs. Lawrence, for Erìca Ewerana; and to Mr. Alnutt, for Erica ampullàcea. |