training plants in pots, in preference to the fanciful and grotesque patterns generally in use. A decided contrast is required between the support and the thing supported, not only in strength and substance, but in form and cha

racter.

The last article is the Report of the Committee for the first half-year of the Society's existence, ending Feb. 28. 1843, from which we make the following

extracts:

"The success which has attended the exertions of those who have willingly contributed to the usefulness of the Society, becomes a forcible argument towards inducing a more generally diffused spirit of industrious exertion on the part of the whole body of members, which could only result in the attainment of the objects which we set before us at our formation as a Society, namely, our mutual instruction. In no other profession are its members so entirely dependent on each other as in that to which we belong; because, in no other profession, or scarcely in any other, is the same amount of mental exertion found to be requisite; and this circumstance, more than any other, may be regarded as the cementing bond, the point of union, which is visible in its effects, if we look around us on either hand. Mutual wants create mutual dependence; and in no way can these wants be so well supplied, in no better manner can these obligations be returned with usury, than in the opportunities afforded at meetings such as ours, in societies such as that to which we belong. This feeling of unity, a union of wants, a union of interests, a union of remedies for existing evils, a union of preventives against new ones, this unity is so universal and so apparent, that it is scarcely possible to conceive a member of our profession who can stand aloof from the common interest; and in no way can this feeling be more strongly encouraged than by societies like our own, through whose medium much of the required aid and information can be obtained. Surely, with such numerous requirements, and in a profession where so much is to be attained, no opportunity of imparting or of receiving information ought to be omitted; and the committee earnestly hope that the ensuing half-year will be characterised, not only by a more strict attention and interest in the meetings, but also by more personal and direct exertions to render them what they should be, what we trust they will be."

"One of the most important objects of our Society, and one from which the committee flatter themselves much good has resulted, is that of the naming of specimens: some idea of its importance, and a tolerable key to the amount of benefit resulting from it, may be gained from the fact that during the half-year upwards of 1220 specimens have been brought for naming; the whole of which, with a few exceptions too insignificant to be further noticed, have been named by Mr. Bevis. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on those who, in a true spirit of enquiry, have exerted themselves towards the establishment of an herbarium, for the purpose of gaining instruction in the highest walks of their profession; and such as these the committee would commend to a more extended and persevering application to their studies, assuring them that their exertions can have no other termination than their advancement in their pro

fession.

"In addition to these, upwards of 1100 species of ferns, 900 species of grasses and allied plants, and 300 species of stove plants, have been exhibited to the members by Mr. Bevis.

"The committee would venture to hope that the Society may meet with some support from their superiors in station, and thus be enabled to make one important advance which they have ventured to hope will ultimately be accomplished; they refer to the establishment of a horticultural library, for the use of the members.

"In conclusion, the committee would especially, and again, remind the members of the advantages of union of feelings and of action, in securing those interests which our Society professes to have in view: they trust that the exertions of each member may increase more and more; and, if such be the case, they confidently predict a full realisation of those high expectations of utility

and prosperity which, by their actions as well as intimations, they have ever sought to raise."

We would strongly recommend the formation of Gardeners' Societies for mutual Instruction in every part of the country where half a dozen young men have an opportunity of conveniently meeting together; but more especially in the suburbs of the metropolis, in which are to be found journeymen gardeners from every part of the United Kingdom. We repeat, that we do not know any other means likely to be so effectual in imbuing the mind of a young gardener with all that is requisite to fit him for rising to the summit of his profession. The personal intercourse and professional discussions carried on in such societies are also calculated to humanise and refine the young gardener as a man, and render him a polished and benevolent member of society generally.

The Indian Handbook of Gardening, or Guide to the Management of the Kitchen, Fruit, and Flower-Garden, in India. To which are added a Hindoostanee Vocabulary of Horticultural Terms, and a List of Plants. By G. T. Frederick Speede. With Illustrations by C. Grant. Second edition, enlarged and corrected. 8vo, pp. 602, with several lithographic plates. Calcutta, 1842. Gardening in India, Mr. Speede informs us, is considered an art that can be performed by the most ignorant labourer, and therefore books of instruction are considered useless. The Hindoo mallee, or gardener, "estimates that because he had a good crop of cabbages from a certain spot of ground this year, he shall have an equally fine crop from the same spot in the next season; and would not conceive that there could be any causes arising from this year's culture to depreciate the quality or injure the growth of the like article in the next year. Uninstructed as he is, he looks only on a cabbage as a cabbage, without reference to the variety of the species, or that one kind may be more delicately flavoured, and hence more worthy of his attention, than another: he supposes he reaches perfection when he brings before you an immense drumhead, or other large-sized description, that would require a boiler to be made especially for its reception; and he looks at you, while presenting it, with an air of triumph, little heeding that your preference would be given to the small close early York or the delicate Savoy. But at the same time he can hardly be blamed for his mistake, since we have never thought of informing him that gardening was rather to be ranked among the sciences, and that some study of the character, the habits, and the natural localities even, of divers plants, must be required to bring it to perfection. The examination and study of these form the science of gardening; and, combined with the manual labour, or that portion forming the art of gardening,' constitute what is necessary to perfection." (p. 2.) It is the object of the Indian Handbook of Gardening to exhibit the European practices adapted to India to the European employers of gardeners there, in such a manner as that they may explain them to their mallees, and thus procure an improved description of culture and produce for themselves, and ultimately for the whole country.

Most Europeans in India, our author observes, complain of the ignorance of their gardeners; but it cannot be otherwise, since there are no schools for their instruction, such as the nurseries and market-gardens of Europe. “If every gentleman who possesses a garden were to spare a few minutes daily to instruct his gardener, and explain to him the reason of the operations he directs, much might yet be done for the advancement of horticulture, especially if that were backed by an increase of pay according as the man advanced in knowledge; for, after all, it is really too much to demand intelligence and information where it is not encouraged, or the knowledge of science from a man who is paid and treated like a common labourer." (p. 281.) We have no doubt that this work will effect the useful objects for which it is intended.

The Glazenwood Catalogue for 1843 of American and other Hardy Shrubs, Herbaceous and Greenhouse Plants, Fruit, Forest, and Ornamental Trees, cultivated for Sale by James Curtis. 8vo, pp. 26. London, 1843.

This is a priced catalogue, in which the plants are classed as American, Hardy evergreen Shrubs, Hardy deciduous flowering Shrubs and Trees, Perennial herbaceous Plants, Hardy ornamental Climbers, Greenhouse and Conservatory Plants, Greenhouse and Conservatory Climbers and Twiners, Fruit Trees, Orchard and Garden Trees and Plants, Ornamental Forest Trees, and Forest Trees for profitable Planting. In a preliminary page are the following paragraphs, which may be useful to the intending planter : —

66

In selecting the future occupants of the shrubbery, great difficulty is often felt by young and inexperienced planters, from deficient knowledge as to their ultimate height. In this catalogue, Mr. Curtis has distinguished the relative height of each individual by the initial letters of the words dwarf, medium, and tall preceding the name; and he hopes he has, by this means, rendered it easy for the unpractised improver to choose the most fitting ornaments of the fore, middle, and back ground of the scene he is about to create or adorn.

"Mr. Curtis, having had considerable experience as a Landscape-Gardener, undertakes to survey and plan estates, of large or small extent, in any part of the kingdom, for the purpose of ornamental or profitable planting. He has paid particular attention to this department of his art, and is confident there is no situation, however ungenial in climate, sterile in soil, or uninteresting in appearance, that may not be rendered ornamental in scenic effect, and profitable in its future results."

Catalogue of Plants cultivated for Sale by Robert Buist, Nurseryman and Florist, Philadelphia. March, 1843.

This is a catalogue of greenhouse and hothouse plants, hardy trees and shrubs, hardy herbaceous plants, and roses. The number of kinds in each is surprising, and exceeds that to be found in most of our British nurseries. For example, Acàcia, 27; Alstromèria, 11; Amaryllis, 52; Azalea índica, 32; Cactus, 80; Caméllia, 166, &c. The hardy trees and shrubs are not so numerous as might have been expected, being chiefly confined to sorts which are ornamental; and the same may be said of the hardy herbaceous plants. A new Catalogue of Fruits is promised in July. In an address to the public Mr. Buist says, my resources for acquiring the fruitful and floral beauties of the earth are every day increasing, which, with practical ability, shall keep this establishment, as it is now conceded to be, the first and best in the United States." The greenhouse department in his nursery has 16,000 square feet of glass.

Rural Chemistry: an Elementary Introduction to the Study of the Science in its Relation to Agriculture. By Edward Solly, Jun., F.R.S., F.L.S., Hon. Mem. Roy. Agr. Soc., Experimental Chemist to the Horticultural Society of London, Lecturer on Chemistry at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, &c. Small 8vo, pp. 169. London, 1843.

This little volume " formed the substance of a short series of articles on chemistry, which originally appeared in the columns of the Gardener's Chronicle. The interest which they excited in the readers of that journal has led to their republication in a separate and more complete form. It would have been easy to have greatly increased the size of the book; and indeed it was frequently very difficult to select, from the mass of information which exists, those facts which appeared most worthy of notice. The original object of the author was to give such an elementary sketch of the science, as should enable those ignorant of the subject more readily to comprehend the works of the various authors who have written on agricultural chemistry. As a general rule, care has been taken, as much as possible, merely to give well

established facts, or, when doubtful theories are mentioned, to state distinctly that they are more or less problematical.” (Pref.)

The great art of disseminating a knowledge of chemistry among practical men is to produce specific applications of it like that now before us, which unquestionably constitutes the best chemical book for gardeners, and which every young gardener ought to possess. We have several books of chemistry for farmers, and we trust we shall soon see one for architects and engineers, which, like agricultural chemistry, ought to combine geology. The only change which we should wish to see in Mr. Solly's book would be to have it entitled what it really is, "Horticultural Chemistry; an Elementary Introduction to the Study of the Science in its Relation to Horticulture."

The Quarterly Journal of Meteorology and Physical Science, published under the immediate Sanction and Direction of the Meteorological Society of Great Britain. No. VI. Edited by J. W. G. Gutch, M.R.C.S. London, 1843. To those who take an interest in meteorological pursuits, this journal will afford a rich treat; containing as it does a great variety of communications, extracts from different publications bearing on the subject, reviews, &c.

Martin's Thames and Metropolis Improvement Plan: the Object being to supply the Metropolis with pure Water; to embank the River Thames and preserve the Sewage; to improve the Navigation below London Bridge; and to connect the Port of London with the Inland Railways. Pamph. 8vo, pp. 52.

1842.

66

London,

There are a great many original and ingenious ideas in this work, and Mr. Martin deserves great praise for his perseverance in keeping the subjects treated of before the public. One of the objects is, the improvement of the drainage of the metropolis, and preservation of the sewage for agricultural purposes." The subject is one which we have been attending to since 1829, as will appear by our Volume for that year, p. 690., and the Builder for March 1843, p. 45., from which we extract the following paragraph: — Might not the whole of the aqueous parts of the common sewers be returned to the country as manure, in mains of pipes, in the same manner as the water is brought in, and the solid part sent out in cakes like oil cake? This might be done by intercepting the matter contained in the sewers at different points, separating the solid from the fluid parts by filtration and compression, and forcing off the latter along cast-iron main pipes, by steam, or by previously forcing it to the summit of a tower. From the mains of liquid manure, conducted along all the principal roads, farmers and market-gardeners might be supplied with the liquid, exactly as houses are at present with pure water. Viewing this mode of getting rid of the water of the sewers as the converse of the mode of introducing clear water, all the requisite details for carrying it into execution will readily occur to any practical person. might be tried at first on a limited scale, say along the Hammersmith Road, as far as Hounslow or Slough."

It

Having mentioned the Builder, we take this opportunity of repeating (see p. 81.) our strong recommendation of it to such of our readers as have relatives or friends connected with the building arts. It interferes with no other publication, and it is calculated to have an excellent moral, as well as professional, influence over a body of young men who probably amount, in Éngland alone, to fifty or sixty thousand. Young gardeners cannot do better than associate with young carpenters, when these are like themselves of good moral character, and readers of scientific and moral works like that just recommended. The knowledge of geometry and architecture, which a carpenter requires to enable him to rise in his profession, entitles him to the same rank in an intellectual point of view with the gardener, though the science of vegetable culture and carpentry are as different as mathematics and chemistry.

The Emigrant's Hand-Book of Facts, concerning Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Cape of Good Hope, &c.; with the relative Advantages each of the Colonies offers for Emigration, and practical Advice to intending Emigrants. By Samuel Butler, Esq., Author of the "Hand-book for Australian Emigrants." 12mo, pp. 240, and two maps. Glasgow and London, 1843.

The subject is discussed in three chapters: British America, Australasia, and Africa and South America. The purpose of the work is, not to advise or persuade to emigration, nor to recommend one colony in preference to another, but simply to state the history and conditions of the different colonies, leaving to the reader to choose for himself.

"We have," says the author, "no partiality for one more than another-no desire to give an undue preference; or to depreciate one colony at the expense of another. This has been too much practised; and several valuable colonies have been seriously injured by unjust statements made, and unfounded prejudices created, regarding them, for the benefit of others possessing in no way superior advantages. Our object has rather been, by detailing facts, to give the intending emigrant ample means to guide him in making a proper selection for the scene of his future exertions. Emigration, the removal from the scenes around which all our affections have hitherto been concentrated, is a matter of grave importance, and one which ought to be deliberately and seriously considered; and the choice of the colony which the emigrant is to make the scene of his future home is equally entitled to careful and deliberate consideration.

"The labouring man, in so far as emigration depends on his own exertions, is, in the mean time, in a great measure restricted in his choice among the British colonies to Canada or the other provinces belonging to Great Britain in North America. The expense even of a steerage passage to Australasia puts it far beyond his power to seek any of these colonies, however strong his desire may be to do so. Indeed, Canada has been emphatically called the 'Poor Man's Home;' and, in the extended regions there belonging to Great Britain, the sober and industrious labourer or mechanic is certain of having his labour duly rewarded. We do not certainly hear of such ample fortunes being made in Canada as have been realised in Australia; but we have suf ficient evidence to show that, after a very short residence in any of the British North American provinces, the exertions of the labouring man, if steadily and soberly pursued, will lead to comfort and independence."

The work may be safely recommended as the best guide to emigrants recently issued from the press.

ART. III. Literary Notices.

DECANDOLLE'S Prodromus, vol. viii., we are happy to observe, is announced by Mr. Pamplin for publication in August or September next. Mr. Pamplin also has on sale a few beautiful engraved portraits of the illustrious author of that work. We had the honour of being introduced to Professor DeCandolle in Paris in 1828, and can vouch for the fidelity of the likeness.

In Jameson's Journal for April 1843, there is a sketch of the Writings and Philosophical Character of the late Professor DeCandolle of Geneva, by Dr. Daubeny, Professor of Chemistry and Botany at Oxford, which is extremely interesting and instructive.

A Treatise on the Management and Cultivation of Forest and Fruit Trees is in preparation by John Smith, Gardener and Forester to the Marquess of Bute.