place where they sleep, is kept perfectly dry and clean. They are attended by Indians with every possible care, - there is a cold bath on the premises, which they are obliged frequently to use, as cleanliness is considered essential to their acquiring that enormous load of fat from which the principal profit is derived. Their case and comfort seem also in every respect to be studiously attended to; and the occupation of two Indian lads will cause a smile on the countenances of my musical readers, when they are informed that they are employed, from morning till night, in settling any disputes or little bickerings that may arise among the pigs, either in respect to rank or condition, and in singing them to sleep. The boys are chosen for the strength of their lungs, and their taste and judg ment in delighting the ears and lulling the senses of the swine; they succeed each other in chanting during the whole day, to the apparent gratification of their brute audience." (Bullock's Mexico, vol. i. p. 251.)

Chinampas, improperly called floating Gardens. The description of these by Humboldt falls greatly short in singularity, to that previously given by the Abbé Clavigero; and that of Mr. Bullock falls equally short of the former: so that what was considered one of the wonders of the world thirty years ago, when it has undergone the test of close examination, comes at last to be little more than an ordinary appearance; and a chinampa in the Mexican lake, differs only from a small osier holt in the Thames, in being planted with cabbages and potatoes instead of willows. "They are artificial islands, about fifty or sixty yards long, and not more than four or five wide, separated by ditches of three or four yards in width, and are made by taking the soil from the intervening ditch, and throwing it on the chinampa, by which means the ground is raised generally about a yard, and thus forms a small fertile garden, covered with culinary vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Mexico receives an ample supply from these sources." (Bullock's Mexico, p. 176.)

CHINA.

Chinese Work on Agriculture and Gardening, entitled Tchoung-kia-pao. This work, in four volumes, begins, like that of Hesiod, with the elements of morality, and then proceeds to treat of all that is necessary to be known of the country, agriculture, gardening, laws, and medicine. This work formed part of the Chinese writings on agriculture which were excluded from the general proscription of books in the third century after the Christian era. The Chinese have a fine poem on gardening published in 1086. The author is one of the first Chinese writers, and the greatest minister that it has produced. His garden, which gives a general idea of the style of Chinese gardening as an art of taste, contains only 20 acres of land. An apartment containing 5000 volumes is placed by the author at the head of its useful beauties. On the south is seen, in the midst of the waters, cascades, galleries with double terraces, hedges of rose and pomegranate trees; on the west a solitary portico, evergreen trees, cottages, meadows, sheets of water, surrounded with turf, and a labyrinth of rocks; on the north, cottages placed as if by chance on little hills, groves of bamboos with gravel walks; on the west a small plain, a wood of cedars, odoriferous plants, medicinal plants, shrubs, citron trees, orange trees, a walk of willows, a grotto, a warren, islands covered with aviaries, bridges of wood and stone, a pond, some old firs, and an extensive view over the river Kiang. Such was the delightful spot where the author of the poem amused himself with hunting, fishing, and botany. At that time we had no garden in Europe to be compared to it, nor any man who could describe it in good poetry. Madame Dubocage translated a Chinese idyll into

verse, entitled "The Labourer," and which has the same date as this poem on gardening. The imposing ceremony of the commencement of the labours by the emperor himself in the beginning of spring is still more ancient in China. It was established 150 years before the Christian era. In the tribunals of the The soldiers in China plough, sow, and reap.

empire there is a president, superintendent, and director-general of agriculture. (Olivier de Serres, Historical Introd. to the edit. of 1804.)

ART. II. Domestic Notices.

ENGLAND.

Ross Horticultural Society. The ninth exhibition of this distinguished and increasing institution, took place on the 26th of July. This being the last show this year for flowers, a full meeting was expected, and it was realised in the The room on the attendance of upwards of 250 subscribers and their friends. opening was not so much crowded, in consequence of the heat experienced at the previous meeting; a succession, however, of subscribers kept entering till a late hour, and the interest never flagged, and the removal of the plants was postponed The collection at the door from the an hour at the request of the company. public much exceeded any previous meeting; also the sale proceeds, (except the Autumn first show,) and upon the whole this was the most numerously, and best attended meeting, since the society was established. The ground stand was probably never better filled with choice and splendid varieties of hot-house, green-house, and hardy plants, and the mass of foliage and flowers was singularly Several very large well-bloomed specimens of the double unique and beautiful. and single oleander, blue, and white campanula, towering above their compeers, with the purple, blue, red, and white hydrangea, contributed much to the group, and were universally admired. The stage of carnations, piccotees, and dahlias, contained about 300 flowers, and were, for the season, very fine; and those selected by the censors on the prize-stand, were fully equal to those bloomed in a favourable season. Mr. Miller, of Bristol, exhibited his new seedling, double dahlia, which for size, colour, and form, surpasses any yet grown, and is richly entitled to the distinguished name he has given it of George the Fourth. splendid specimen must be in great request next season, by the admirers of this beautiful Autumnal flower. The stage for balsams and cockscombs, exhibited for prizes, produced very fine specimens. The fruit-table was laden with upwards of five dozen plates of specimens; the gooseberries were very fine, but not equal to those exhibited last year, as proved by the scales, for some then weighed nearly 20 dwts., and none now exceed 17 dwts., which was attributed to the continued drought. (Gloucester Journal, August 5.)

This

Hereford Horticultural Society. On July 21st, the third exhibition of this society took place in the great room of the Shire Hall. The display of flowers There were equalled the former ones, and the show of fruit was excellent. several plates of gooseberries, all of the finest sorts; also peaches, nectarines, &c. &c. ; but owing to the unpropitious season, not a single vegetable was sent for exhibition. (Gloucester Journal, July 29.)

Yorkshire Horticultural Society. The summer meeting of this society was held at the Star and Garter Inn, Kirkstall, on July 19th, Norrison Scatchard, Esq. of Morley, in the chair. After a few introductory remarks relative to the meeting, he observed, that owing to the late excessive drought, the show of flowers was The prizes awarded were very small, but that the show of fruit was very fine. During the meeting a fine specimen of the Yucca Gloriosa, or very numerous. Adam's needle, the stem of which was said to be upwards of 10 feet high, and having upwards of 600 flowers upon it, was exhibited by the gardener of Messrs. Backhouse, of York. A fine specimen of the tulip tree, from the garden A fine plate of last year's of T. B. Pease, Esq. was exhibited by Joseph Moor. apples, in an excellent state of preservation, was exhibited by the chairman, who

explained, at some length, the method of preserving them. (Leeds Mercury, July 22.) At the Meeting of Sept. 6th, above twenty prizes were given away to gentlemen's gardeners, and nearly as many to market gardeners and nurserymen.

The Hampshire Horticultural Society met at Southampton on the 4th of August. The display of fruits, particularly melons, grapes, apricots, and figs, was very fine. Captain Rainier presided. (Salisbury Journal, August 12.)

The Cambridge Horticultural Society have held several meetings in the course of the season, and awarded various prizes for fruits and flowers.

The Lancaster Pink and Ranunculus Show was held June 23d. Twenty prizes were awarded for pinks, 18 for ranunculuses, 7 for fruits, 5 for roses, 3 for greenhouse plants, and 4 for geraniums. The first prize for pinks was taken by Mr. Hargreaves, for Mary Anne; the second by Miss Dalton, for Cato. Grapes, melons, and strawberries obtained prizes; the best pine-apple was shewn by Miss Towers, and the first prize for geraniums taken by Mrs. Machreth. Mr. Saul.)

(Com. by

Thirty

The Lancaster Carnation and Fruit Show was held July 20th. prizes were awarded for carnations, 12 for piccotees, 2 for seedlings, 2 for green-house plants, 2 for hardy plants, and 7 for fruit.

The Manchester Carnation Show, was held July 19th. awarded for carnations, 16 for piccotees, 6 for stove plants, 6 for green-house Forty prizes were plants, 7 for hardy plants, 8 for dahlias, and 37 for fruits. Preston Pink and Ranunculus Show, June 21st 1826. awarded for pinks, 15 for ranunculuses, 4 for roses, 4 for green-house plants, 5 for hardy plants, and 12 for fruit. Among the hardy plants, were Coreopsis tinctoria, and Cytisus nigricans. (M. S.)

Eighteen prizes were

The Preston Carnation and Fruit Show was held on July 19. Twenty seven prizes were awarded for carnations, 12 for piecotees, 8 for green-house plants, 7 for hardy plants, and 13 for fruit.

The York Carnation Show was held July 18th. Twenty-five prizes were awarded for carnations.

Windsor Carnation Show, July 21. Mr. Gould, of the Royal Gardens, Windsor, carried off the first prize; and Mr. Wilmer, Nurseryman, Sudbury; Mr. Humber, of Gerrard's Cross; Mr. Kelner, of Windsor; and Mr. Weedon, gardener, Hillingdon; took the remaining 4 prizes. The judges were Mr. Lovegrove, and Mr. Hansom, florists of Windsor. (Communicated by J. P.

Burnard, Esq.)

The Uxbridge Carnation Show was held July 12. The first prize was taken by Mr. Gould, the second by Mr. Bagley, the third by Mr. Kelner, the fourth by Mr. Wilmer, and the fifth by Mr. Smith.

Mr. Hogg, Florist, Paddington, has perhaps the most complete collection of carnations and piccotees in the world. He has printed a catalogue of them on a single sheet, which may be sent by post, in which they are arranged as British, French, and German sorts. Some of the latter, especially the piccotees, are of great rarity and beauty.

At the annual Melon Feast held lately at Southampton, the gardener of Lord Rodney obtained the first prize; making the one hundred and forty-third, which, during twenty-six years' service the same individual has gained, amounting in all to 150l.

Gooseberry Shows. Our obliging correspondent, Mr. Saul of Lancaster, informs us that this year has been a very unfavourable one for gooseberries. Mr. Broaderton of Cheshire, informed him, that his heaviest berry this year weighed only 22 dwts.; whereas, last year, he had one that weighed 31 dwts. ; the greatest weight he has heard of this season is 23 dwts.

Brighton Athenæum and Oriental Garden. The Committee feel it incumbent on them to state to the Shareholders of this Institution, the progress which they are now making in its establishment. The Forcing-house, which has been for some time erecting, is now completed; and many valuable plants have been removed into it. The grounds have been formed into a garden, which is so planned as to fit it for the erection of the Glass Conservatory, whenever the Committee have the means of carrying that desirable and splendid object into effect.

The building of the Athenæum is commenced, and from the progress which it is making, there is no doubt it will be completed during the summer. The Committee will anticipate no observations on this building, confident, that when finished, its beauty and convenience will be duly appreciated by all who see it. A Library is now forming upon an extensive scale: many of the Shareholders and Subscribers having promised to contribute the loan of books, for the accommodation of the Institution, thereby forming a central point for valuable works, to which all may have access, and without the necessity of the Institution, in the first instance, incurring any expense. (General Frederick St. John, Chairman.)

Tulip Beds. Mr. Saul sends us a section (fig. 91.) of a tulip bed, which has just been put into his hands by an extensive tulip grower in Lancashire, and which he thinks it may be useful to publish at this time, as tulips are generally planted in November. The

advantage of this number is, that sixteen tulips may be supported by four rods, each rod being placed in the centre of four tulips, and a piece of leaden wire turned round the rod, and reaching to each of the stems, &c. (fig. 92.) The bulbs are planted about six

inches apart every way, and from two and a half to three inches deep. (Lancaster, August 20.)

the height of the plant, from the ground to the summit, is twelve feet six inches; the flower stalk is nine feet six inches. About forty-seven panicles grow out of

the stalk, each of which is eighteen inches or upwards in length; with between twenty and thirty flowers on each panicle. The flowers are bell-shaped, white, with purplish stripes on each petal; they hang downwards, have a little odour, but not very pleasant, and remain in bloom about three weeks." Mrs. Marshall's Yucca flowered in her green-house, August 4. The plant is about fourteen feet high; it is twenty years old, and has flowered three times. The flowers, which on each successive blooming are larger than at the former, are bell-shaped, on a stalk about three and a half feet high, and project from it in a conical form. (See p. 458.)

Koelreuteria paniculata, like many other exotics, has bloomed remarkably strong this year, in consequence of the wood having been so well ripened last year. We have seldom two such dry warm summers in succession. Specimens of the flowers of a tree at Ham House, Essex, were sent us, and a description of the tree by Mr. James Loudon, gardener there. It is between thirty and forty feet high, with a trunk nearly one foot in diameter, and twelve feet from the ground to where the first branches protrude. The branches form a conical head, thirty feet wide at the base; which, on the 8th of August, was completely covered with bright yellow blossoms, to the admiration of every body who saw it.

There is a Constantinople Nut Tree, (Corylus Colurna), at Ham House, forty feet high, the trunk about three feet and a half in circumference, and clear of branches to the height of fourteen feet; the branches form a flattened cone, above fifty feet wide at the base, and heavily laden with nuts.