blade, I find very useful for moving the soil round the rims of the pots, to clear out any obstruction that is likely to pre-s vent a free diffusion of water. 1 8 10 in smaller Sizes. 17 136 to in I well know it is an idea many people have, that it is loss of time to hoe before they have a crop of weeds; and they have encouraged their growth for a considerable time, as if they were in some fear of losing the stock of them. In good cultivation a weed ought never to be seen. I do not agree with those that tell us one good weeding is worth two hoeings: I say, never weed any crop Fig. 110. Crane-necked Hoes of the in which a hoe can be got between the plants; not so much for the sake of destroying weeds and vermin, which must necessarily be the case, if hoeing is well done, as for increasing the porosity of the soil, to allow the water and air to penetrate freely through it. I am well convinced, by long and close practice, that oftentimes there is more benefit derived by crops from keeping them well hoed, than there is from the manure applied. By keeping the surface of the earth clean, open, and healthy, nature supplies herself: it is not only the means of eradicating weeds and vermin, but through it (stirring the soil) vegetables profit in every way; they are clean, healthy, and of a finer flavour. Had not our country produced weeds, I am apt to think, we should never have thought of using the hoe, or any other fertilising tool. My rule is to hoe, fork, and stir the surface, at every opportunity, when it is in a proper state for performing these operations. Weeds or no weeds, still I keep stirring the soil; well knowing, from practice, the very beneficial effect which it has. It is attended with little trouble, and only requires to be adopted as a system. Raking the surface fine I have almost wholly dispensed with, in every department, as I have plainly seen the ill effects of it many times; and this is a season it must be much felt, particularly on all kinds of heavy soils: the heavy rains will run the surface together, and bind it so as to become caked, "livery," and "steely." [See p. 429.] By hoeing with judgement and foresight, the surface can be left even, wholesome, and porous; and three hoeings can be accomplished to one hoeing and raking. Much injury is done by raking the surface so very much, in more ways than one. It is not only the means of binding and caking the surface, but it clears the stones off as well. The earth in its natural state has stones, decayed roots, and vegetation, to keep it open and porous, and, by their decomposition, gradually to add to the earths of the soil. It also contains naturally numerous insects, worms, and moles. If the earth is sufficiently drained, either naturally or otherwise, and the surface kept open, there is no fear of suffering either from drought or moisture; and it is healthy for the animal as well as the vegetable kingdom. Bicton Gardens, June 6. 1843. ART. VI. On Laying out and Planting the Lawn, Shrubbery, and Flower-Garden. By the Conductor. (Continued from p. 445.) THE design, fig. 111., is for the distribution of a collection of herbaceous plants according to the natural system. It has been carried into execution in the Vice-Regal Gardens at Monza, near Milan, by Signor Giuseppe Manetti, the director of these gardens. To this distinguished honour M. Manetti, who has been our correspondent for many years, has been recently elevated; and the appointment appears to us to do equal honour to him and to his royal master. The ground possesses no advantages in point of form or surface, and is rather limited. If the area had been of greater extent, M. Manetti observes, the genera would have been separated from each other by a line of differentcoloured plants, such as Armèria vulgaris; but there was no room for any thing of this kind. The plants included in this collection are chiefly such as are not common in Italy. The arrangement is as follows; the spaces between the beds being turf, and the main walks gravel; the whole surrounded by a wall, except at the west end. D. MONOCHLAMY'DEE, e. Endo genÆ. 3. Amaryllideæ. 11. Cyperaceæ. F. ACRO GENÆ. 1. Filices. G. HALF-HARDY PLANTS. Jasminum heterophyllum, Erythrina Crista-gálli, Poinciana Gillièsü, Pittósporum Tobira, Siphocámpylos bicolor, Raphiólepis salicifòlia, Diospyros Kaki, Clianthus puniceus, Edwardsia microphylla, E. grandiflora, Bupleurum coriàceum, B. fruticòsum, Passiflòra cærulea, P. cærulea cærùleo-racemòsa, Escallònia montevidénsis, E. rùbra, E. floribúnda, Fuchsia venústa, F. fúlgens, F. corymbiflora, Hovènia dúlcis, Azàlea índica, Callistèmon lanceolatus, Illicium floridanum, Grabówskia boerhaaviæfòlia, Laúrus Borbònia, Seríssa fœtida, Elæágnus argéntea, Búddlea globòsa, Cytisus nubigenus, Arbutus Andráchne, A. Andráchne serratifòlia, Genísta thyrsiflòra, Ligustrum lucidum, L. nepalénse, Ceanothus cæruleus, Benthàmia acuminata, B. fragífera, O'lea fràgrans, O. fràgrans longifòlia, Pernéttia mucronata, Camellia japonica, Cneòrum bicolor, Duvaúa dependens, Podocarpus macrophyllus, &c. Monza, near Milan, July 10. 1843. (To be continued.) ART. VII. Botanical, Floricultural, and Arboricultural Notices of the Kinds of Plants newly introduced into British Gardens and Plantations, or which have been originated in them; together with additional Information respecting Plants (whether old or new) already in Cultivation : the whole intended to serve as a perpetual Supplement to the "Encyclopædia of Plants," the "Hortus Britannicus," the "Hortus Lignosus," and the "Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum." Curtis's Botanical Magazine; in monthly numbers, each containing seven plates; 3s. 6d. coloured, 3s. plain. Edited by Sir William Jackson Hooker, LL.D., &c., Director of the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew. Edwards's Botanical Register; in monthly numbers, new series, each containing six plates; 38. 6d. coloured, 3s. plain. Edited by Dr. Lindley, Professor of Botany in the University College, London. Paxton's Magazine of Botany, and Register of Flowering Plants; in monthly numbers; large 8vo; 2s. 6d. each. 8673. ZI CHYA Leguminosa. villosa Lindl. hairy ப or 3 su R Swan River 1841. Bot. reg. 1842, 68. A very pretty free-growing species of this genus, which succeeds best in a mixture of loam and peat not broken fine, and with the pots well drained. "It is easily increased by cuttings, or by seeds which are produced freely when the plants get large." (Bot. Reg., Dec. 1842.) 1976. AMICIA 17668 zygómeris Bot. Mag. 4008. 2136. LATHYRUS nervòsus Lam. nerved pr 3 su B South Brazil 1840. D CO Bot. mag. 3987. A greenhouse plant with blue flowers and glaucous leaves. It may be planted out in summer, when it will flower in the open border. (Bot. Mag., Dec. 1842.) [3996. pubescens Hook et Arn. downy Apr 3 my P.B South Brazil 1840. D co Bot. mag. A hardy greenhouse plant, with trailing stems of 2 or 3 feet long, and clusters of purplish blue flowers. The whole plant is covered with a soft silky down. (Bot. Mag., Feb. 1843.) 2837. ACACIA 24647 biflòra Paxt. Mag. Bot. vol. ix. p. 221. spectabilis Benth. A beautiful species with glaucous leaves, and erect racemes of deep yellow balls of flowers. Introduced from the Swan River by Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, and Co. of Exeter. (Bot. Reg., May, 1843, Misc.) 2072. INDIGO FERA [reg. 1843, 14. m Bot. stachyodes Lindl. long-spiked or 6 s L.C North-east of India 1839. Cr The seeds of this plant were collected at Bhotan, in the north-east of India, 4000 feet above the level of the sea. It forms a handsome greenhouse shrub, flowering nearly all the summer, and it is increased by cuttings of the young wood. (Bot, Reg., March, 1843.) Dósua Don Dosua or 6 8 Pk Nepal 1840. Crm Bot. reg. 1849, 57. This is a very pretty species of Indigófera, with abundance of deep rosecoloured flowers mingled with the leaves. It appears almost hardy enough to stand in the open border, and there is no doubt that in Devonshire and Cornwall it would be quite hardy and very ornamental. It grows best in a rich soil. (Bot. Reg., Oct. 1842.) Rosacea. Spira a fissa Lindl. This hardy shrub, which was supposed to be new, flowered in November, 1841, and proves to be the same as the Spiræ a argéntea of Mr. Bentham. As, however, there is another Spira a argentea, this plant will probably retain its specific name of físsa, which alludes to the appearance of the leaves when young, as they seem to be split up into numerous coarse teeth. (Bot. Reg., Jan. 1842, Misc.) Sievérsia elata Royle. A hardy herbaceous plant from Nepal. The flowers are large and handsome, and they are produced in panicles of three or four flowers each. (Bot. Reg., July, 1842, Misc.) Combretacea. 1203. COMBRE'TUM 10200 grandiflòrum Paxt. Mag. Bot. vol. ix. p. 169. alpéstris Gard. Bot, mag 3990. mountain ப or 20 su S Brazil 1841. C 1.p This very distinct and elegant species of Fúchsia was found by Mr. Gardner, during his last visit to the Organ Mountains. The flowers are of the same shape as those of F. coccínea, but they are smaller, and the sepals are of a bright rose colour, with dark purple petals. The leaves are very handsome, being entire, with a long point, and densely pubescent; the margins are slightly revolute; and, in the old leaves, the margin, midriffs, and large veins are dark red. (Bot. Mag., Feb. 1843). spléndens Zucc. splendid B or 6 su S.G Mexico 1841. Cr.m Bot. reg. 1842, 67. The flowers of this species bear considerable resemblance to those of F. fúlgens, but they have much shorter tubes; and the stamens, which project a good way beyond the mouth of the corolla, have large pale yellow anthers. "When very young, the foliage and lengthening branches are quite hoary with down. It is a native of Mexico, where it was found 10,000 feet above the level of the sea; so that it is probable it will prove the hardiest of its race." (Bot. Reg., Dec. 1842.) GODE TIA grandiflora Lindl. large-flowered O or 2 j.au Pk California 1838. S co Bot. reg. 1842 This is a very handsome annual, with very large flowers of a peculiarly delicate texture, which bear some resemblance to those of G. rosea-álba, but are much handsomer. The plant formed a bush of about 2 ft. high, and is well deserving of cultivation; but, unfortunately, no seeds were saved of it. (Bot. Reg., Nov. 1842.) 1360, PLERO'MA • Melastomaceæ. Benthamidnum Gard. Mr. Bentham's [400 or 6 au.0 P Brazil 1841. C p. Bot. mag. |