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to the spaces has been altered so much as to make them illegible, unless when seen nearly from the front, and the colours of the ground and letters have been inverted (the ground being now white). This last change has been particularly detrimental, as, when the sun shines obliquely on them, the shadows of the raised letters fill the spaces between them, and turn the inscription into an illegible black stripe; it has, besides, had the effect of giving the tablets a close resemblance to the tickets on houses to let.

Among the models in the Paris collection was one which does not appear to have had a fair trial anywhere, and which, if on enquiry it should be found to be available in point of cost, appears to offer considerable advantages.

These tablets were very similar in form to the Birmingham pattern, though thicker in substance. The material was a sort of earthenware, analogous to that of which we make greybeards and pickling jars in this country. If such tablets were first fired with a hard lustreless blue enamel, and then the surfaces of the letters enamelled white, a very perfect tablet would be the result. (Civis, in the Scotsman, Dec., 1842.)

IRELAND.

Agricultural Improvement. — The following is an extract of a letter received by Messrs. Drummond, of the Agricultural Museum, from Mr. M'Leish, landsteward on one of the estates of the Marquess of Waterford, in Ireland. Mr. M'Leish, after alluding to the implements furnished by the Messrs. Drummond for the estate, consisting of sixty full sets of draining tools, with subsoil and furrow plough, and expressing himself highly pleased with their superior excellence, proceeds to say: "The Marquess of Waterford has about 40,000 acres of land in the county of Derry, on which there are about 800 tenants, but until this season there had not been anything done by them in the way of draining their land on any regular system. But, by advice and encouragement held out to them by Mr. Beresford, agent to the marquess, upwards of sixty of the tenants have been and are thorough draining on Mr. Smith of Deanston's system, and have already completed upwards of 16,000 perches (51 yards each) of drains, all filled with broken stones. Being only a few months since the principle was fairly laid down to them, they seem to embark in it with spirit; and, from the satisfaction it is giving, not only to those who have adopted it, but also to those who have been watching its effects, I have no doubt that ere long every tenant on this estate will be thorough draining. They have suffered so much from wet for the last five or six years, and now from the lowness of the markets, that they seem quite aware that, unless they try some method of improving their land, so as to be able to raise an additional quantity of grain to compensate for the low prices, they will not be able to pay their rents; so they have determined on thorough draining and subsoiling, which certainly is the first and best step, for nine acres out of ten require it. The qualities of the soils on this estate are variable, but well adapted for draining, and can be thoroughly drained with broken stones for about 57. per imperial acre on the average. The tenants here do the work at their own expense in the first instance, but, when finished in a proper manner, Mr. Beresford pays them the full amount of what it cost them, on their agreeing to pay interest for the same at the rate of five per cent per annum during the term of their lease. — Camnish, near Dungiven, Sept. 29. 1842." (Stirling Advertiser, Oct. 14. 1842.)

ART. IV. Retrospective Criticism.

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ERRATA.- In our Vol. for 1842, p. 594., line 28. from the top, for " overshot water-wheel" read "four overshot water-wheels." In p. 593., lines 1. and 33. from the top, for " Grampians" read “Ochils."

In p. 624., line 14. from the bottom, for "three thousand " read “ thirty thousand;" and in p. 625., line 5. from the top, for "destruction" read "dispersion."

In our last Number, p. 35., under fig. 1., for “Sida pulchella” read “ Plagiánthus Lampènii."

Thoughts on modern Burying-Grounds. (Vol. for 1842, p. 616.) — In visiting the country I have often regretted the very slovenly and neglected state of the churchyards. If they were judiciously planted with Irish yew, cypresses, junipers of different kinds, hollies, box, and other dark evergreens, the grass kept short, and the nettles and brambles destroyed, they would interest the spectator, and tend to keep alive a taste for neatness and decency generally amongst the poorer classes. I cannot doubt but that a great improvement would speedily take place if the public mind were roused on this subject ; and I do think it is of more real importance than may appear at first sight, and your pen would be very powerful if applied to cure this foul disease, though it may be a hereditary one. Pray give the subject that consideration which it deserves; and draw up yourself, or get some of your correspondents to draw up, a paper, comparing the general states of churchyards in the country with what they might be made by a little attention, and at an expense which the frequenters of the churches would not grudge. I think the Church Society would be very much indebted to you for such a paper, and also that they would cause it to be printed and extensively circulated amongst the clergy. If I stop in a village I generally make a point of visiting the churchyard. I like to see the names, ages, &c.; but, as I said before, it is generally accompanied with regret at seeing the very slovenly manner in which they are allowed to remain. The churchyard at Henbury near Bristol is an exception; and one of the neatest village churchyards I have ever seen is about two or three miles west of Henley-on-Thames, but I forget the name at this moment. The churchyard walls, and sometimes even the churches themselves, would be much improved in appearance by ivy being planted to grow up over them.-H. T. Dec. 5. 1842.

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Our readers will find a great many remarks on cemeteries and churchyards, both at home and abroad, in the Notes of our Tours, but we fear little good will be done till the clergy can be induced to take up the subject; which, happily, in various places they are now doing. The formation of public cemeteries, which are in general kept in a very superior manner to what churchyards are, will contribute to the same desirable end. - Cond. Roots and Tops of Trees.- Although Mr. Barnes has of late given some very useful information on this subject, still I may be allowed to make a few remarks on what he says about orange trees in your Vol. for 1843, p. 24. He observes: "I purposely keep their heads from growing this season to any extent, because they should make themselves properly strong at bottom first of all." By this are we to understand that if trees were allowed to make large tops, that would prevent them from making roots? If so, it is against the received opinion, nay, the fact, that roots of trees extend accordingly as their branches do; for, if otherwise, how is it that those who understand the culture of vines do not prune them the first summer or two after they are planted, but allow them to grow wild, if I may say so, solely with the view of encouraging their roots? Mr. Crawshay, the celebrated horticulturist, always adopted that plan with his young vines; but, as Mr. Barnes mentions that he has "a great deal to say some day on the culture of the vine," perhaps he will then throw more light on the subject. —J. Wighton. Cossey Gardens, Jan. 6. 1843.

Lime-water for killing Worms. --I hardly know what you consider a fair trial of lime-water for a lawn infested with these pests; but I have tried it so often, and so long, that I give it up. You say, after the worms have come above ground, do so and so; why, my good Sir, that is the very point at issue between us. I cannot make them come up; the last time I tried, not one out of fifty showed their faces. The truth is, we are ignorant of the

habits of these groundlings. At certain times they lie so deep in the earth, that all the lime-water you could apply to them would not make them come forth; and, unless you do that, you do nothing. I believe at this very time, if I were to pour hogsheads of lime-water on my lawn, I should not kill any worms worth notice - S. T. April 20. 1842.

As

Saul's Potato-Planter, &c.—I think but little further can be added to the account of the potato-planter and its uses given in p. 40. The plan has been tried in planting the winter potatoes in the fields; and, as an experiment on it, last season, a field was divided into parts; one half was planted by the plough, and the other half by the planter. The manure having been put into the ground, and covered up by the plough, the potatoes were planted by the planter fig. 4. (given in p. 41.), and the ground was then harrowed over. soon as those potatoes made their appearance above ground, their foliage looked more luxuriant and stronger than those set by the plough, and when taken up had a more abundant produce, and well repaid the owner for the extra labour. As I before stated, it may be done by boys or aged persons, and would prove a benefit to the working classes, as it is highly desirable that every means should be used to prevent persons being sent to the workhouse; and there is no doubt that, if employment could be furnished, it would be to the advantage of the farmer, and a great pleasure to the labourer to work for small wages rather than be forced into the workhouse. As a proof of this, there are here, at the present time, farmer's labourers working for 8d. per day and their victuals, who have wives and three or four children to support out of this small sum; but who are quite satisfied with this rather than go to the workhouse: they have also rent to pay out of this small sum, as well as supporting their families, Bad as this may appear, I am sorry to say that many of the families of the Irish farmer's labourers are in a far worse condition, as may be seen in a work lately published in 2 vols. by Mr. Bins of Lancaster, who travelled through Ireland. It is entitled the Beauties and Miseries of Ireland, a work well worth being read by every thinking man of the present time.

I shall close by giving an account of an extraordinary crop of potatoes grown by Mr. Hodgson of Poulton le Fyld. At first sight it may appear as if not true, but it is a fact. In May last he cut into sets 20 potatoes, and planted them, the produce of which, when got up, was no less than ten bushels and a half, or three windles, as it is called here, which is 720 lb. This produce, I think, is worthy of recording in the Gardener's Magazine.-M. Saul. Garstang, Dec. 29. 1842.

ART. V. Queries and Answers.

KENT, the Landscape-Gardener.-At the end of one of your Magazines, you ask for information respecting (among others) Kent the landscape-gardener. I find this extract in the notes I made when reading Hunter's Deanery of Doncaster, a most learned and valuable local history. I cannot at this distance of time recollect whether I extracted the whole or only the most important part of what related to Kent.

"The family of Kent, who have been numerous in the parish of Rotherham, and have produced several clergymen, may seem to have a claim to William Kent, the artist, who did so much to improve the public taste in gardening. Vertue says he was a native of Yorkshire; and the following entry in the Parish Registry of Rotherham agrees well with the time of his birth. 1684, March 27. bap. William, son of Richard Kent.'" (Vol. ii. p. 13.) In looking for this memorandum, I found also the following extracts, which may not be uninteresting to you.

64

Repton.... was accustomed to say that the groups of oaks, thorns, yews, and other trees were more picturesquely combined at Langold than at any other spot in the country." (Vol. i. 299.)

Langold is near Rotherham, and is now the property of H. Gally Knight, Esq. M. P., a gentleman who inherits the fine taste of his predecessors. "Aston still exhibits evidence of the favourite employment of Mr. Mason.” (Vol. ii. p. 168.) If I remember right he was vicar of Aston.

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Tankersley Park.—“ Before 1654, Lady Fanshawe, speaking of Tankersley Park says: I found.... the country plentiful and healthy, and very pleasant, but there was no fruit in it till we planted some, and my Lord Strafford says now, that what we planted is the best fruit in the North.""" Hunter adds: "The

fact which Lady Fanshawe notices, that before her time there was no fruit in this part of the country, is curious: but perhaps the statement is to be taken with some qualification. I find Dr. Berrie cultivating strawberries at Hodroyd before this time. The Fanshawes were great gardeners. Sir Henry Fanshawe had a curious garden at Ware." (Vol. ii. p. 303).

Tankersley is about half-way between Sheffield and Barnsley, westward of the road. Hodroyd is 5 miles N. E. of Barnsley. I am inclined to think that Lady Fanshawe's account is more literal than Hunter seems disposed to think. The old accounts of the great families might, perhaps, if properly kept, throw some unexpected light on points like thesc. - Thomas Wilson. Crimbles House, near Leeds, Oct. 9. 1842.

An evergreen Larch has been discovered in his plantations by a gentleman in the neighbourhood of Carmarthen; and he is anxious to know if any of our correspondents have seen or heard of an evergreen larch. He also wishes to know,

Whether the Larch can be propagated by Cuttings. To this question we answer, that every ligneous dicotyledonous plant whatever, that produces a shoot long enough to have two or three buds on it, can be propagated by cuttings; because every such plant, when wounded into the soft wood, has an inherent power of healing that wound; because the healing process consists in the protrusion of granulated matter from the upper lip of the wound; and this granulated matter protrudes roots when placed in favourable circumstances. If, then, the cutting be cut directly through where it has been wounded, immediately below this granulated matter, and planted in sand, roots will be produced from the granulations. It is true that the process is much more rapid and certain in some plants than in others, but in all it will take place, if the operation of cutting into the soft wood is properly performed on the lower part of a shoot still growing, but just beginning to ripen its wood, and the cutting afterwards carefully planted in sand, and kept in a state of uniform temperature and moisture. In many cases the cutting may be taken off at once, without waiting for granulations; in others, it may be ringed or notched immediately under a bud; in some cases, a slit may be made vertically through a shoot where there is a bud or joint, and the slit kept open by a wedge till it has granulated on the edges of the wound. It may then be cut off across the joint, or rather towards its lower extremity. Roses, rhododendrons, azaleas, arbutus, and a great many trees and shrubs that are commonly propagated by layers, may be increased in this manner, as Mr. Cooper, late of the Epsom Nursery, but now possessor of the Brixton Nursery, has abundantly proved; and we should think it the most certain mode with the evergreen larch, making the slit an inch or two in length, through the lower part of the shoot, in the month of July, when it is just beginning to ripen. There are a great many other modes of applying the principle, not only to shoots containing woody matter, but even to leaves, many of which, from the common cabbage to the orange, if wounded at the lower extremity of the petiole before the leaf has quite done growing, will granulate, and, when planted, produce roots. See this matter treated in detail in the Suburban Horticulturist. Cond.

THE

GARDENER'S MAGAZINE,

MARCH, 1843.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

ART. I. The Principles of Landscape-Gardening and of LandscapeArchitecture applied to the Laying out of Public Cemeteries and the Improvement of Churchyards; including Observations on the Working and General Management of Cemeteries and BurialGrounds. By the CONDUCTOR.

THE circumstance of being employed by the Directors of a Cemetery Company at Cambridge to form a plan for their guidance in arranging the ground, and in working and managing the cemetery afterwards, led us to study the principles on which all the arrangements connected with cemeteries are, or ought to be, founded, and the following pages contain the general results of our enquiries. The subjects discussed are:

I. The Uses of Cemeteries.

II. The Laying out, Planting, and Architecture of Cemeteries, with a view to these uses.

III. The Working and Management of Cemeteries.

IV. Certain Innovations suggested, relative to the Selection of Ground for Cemeteries, and the Mode of performing Funerals, &c.

V. A Design for a small Cemetery on level Ground, of moderate extent, exemplified in a cemetery now being formed at Cambridge, illustrated by a plan, sections, and an isometrical view.

VI. Design for a Cemetery on hilly Ground, with an isometrical view. VII. The present State of the London Cemeteries, considered as cemetery gardens.

VIII. The Improvement and Extension of Country Churchyards, illustrated by plans.

IX. A List of Trees, Shrubs, and perennial herbaceous Plants, adapted for Cemeteries and Churchyards.

I. THE USES OF CEMETERIES.

As, to know the best mode of applying the principles of design to any particular object, it is necessary to know the purposes for which that object is intended, we shall commence by considering the uses for which cemeteries or burial-grounds are required.

The main object of a burial-ground is, the disposal of the remains of the dead in such a manner as that their decomposition, and return to the earth from which they sprung, shall not prove injurious to the living; either by affecting their health, or shocking their feelings, opinions, or prejudices.

A secondary object is, or ought to be, the improvement of the moral sentiments and general taste of all classes, and more especially of the great masses of society.

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