In the pruning of the following Spring the laterals of two years' growth which had borne fruit are cut off close, and the young laterals which had sprung from their base (fig. 26. i), are

26

loosened from the wall and tied down to succeed them; the other laterals (k), are tied in, and the upright shoot shortened (1) as before.

Now, or before, the side shoots will have to be headed down once, or even twice, so as to increase their number, and regularly cover the wall. The extent to which this practice is carried, will depend on the height of the wall, and the distance of the trees from each other; the ultimate object being to produce a fan form, as regular as possible, of permanent wood, with no young wood thereon besides what is produced along the spokes of the fan on their upper side, at about 12 inches apart, and the prolongation of the shoots.

ART. IX. A Catalogue of Erica, in the Collection of GEORGE DUNBAR, Esq. F. R. Š. E. &c. Professor of Greek in the University of Edinburgh. Communicated by the Professor. Sir;

I HAVE sent enclosed with this a catalogue of the Erica in my possession, that you may insert it, if agreeable, in the

next, or any subsequent Number of your Gardener's Magazine. I do not suppose that more than four or five plants are wanting to complete the number; though of this I am not quite certain, as some old plants have died this Winter, and I have not yet had an opportunity of examining whether I have others to replace them. My heath-house forms the southern extremity of a range of houses, extending in all to somewhat more than 100 feet, and fronts the south. (fig.27.) It has abundance of light, as it is lighted on all sides, with the exception of about nine or ten feet of a back wall, of the height of nine feet. On the north I have a conservatory, fifty feet in length, by eighteen in breadth. (a) Next to it is a vinery, twelve feet wide, and eighteen or so in length (b): then a small stove (c), and adjoining it the heath-house. (d) The form in front and at the extremities is somewhat of the following description. (fig. 27.) The glass in front in the conservatory is

four feet and a half in height, and rests upon hewn stone, and is, with the stone, about eight feet from the surface. The whole height is rather more than fifteen feet. The back wall is of brick, of the same height as the front. The sashes, springing from both, meet in the centre, at the height of nearly sixteen feet from the surface. If you are acquainted with any person here who could take a sketch of the whole, you shall be most welcome to obtain it at any time.

I am much pleased with your Magazine, and think it contains a great deal of very useful information. If I have any information at any future time to communicate, I shall send it to you with much pleasure.

Rose Park, near Edinburgh,

5th February, 1826.

A.

1. Acuminata'

2. Acuta

3. Acutangularis

4. Aggregata

5. Aitonia

I am, &c.

GEORGE DUNBAR.

545. Arborea squamosa 347. Depressa erecta 346. Complanata

349. Setacea

348. Flexuosa

350. Aristata minima

ART. X. On the Evil Effects of a Head Gardener being lodged any where else than in his Garden.

reforming Gardener.

Sir,

By a Common Sense

I

I HAVE lately purchased your excellent work, the Encyclopedia of Gardening, and also the Gardener's Magazine, both of which are exceedingly useful, more particularly to gardeners at a distance from the metropolis. Indeed such a work as the Magazine has been much wanted of late, and I hope will be well supported by gardeners; and I am happy, Sir, that in the above works you have so well pointed out the moral and religious duties of gardeners, with almost all other acquirements belonging to their profession, to all of which I coincide with you; but permit me, Sir, to enquire whether the gardener in England, placed, as he is, in the housekeeper's room, I say, whether he can there improve himself? answer, all that he can do there, admitting it to be an improvement, is, he may read a little, play at cards, dance, and flirt with ladies' maids. But in some families of the first rank and respectability, the gardener is, as is the case at present with myself, a servants' hall inmate. Now, I ask again, Sir, as in the former case, in what way a gardener is to improve himself there? Why, if he is hail fellow, well met, with the inmates of this last apartment, his improvements are entirely out of the question; his amusements, or rather, his degradation, is hard at hand, as drinking, swearing, and low language, is as much to be found in such a place, generally speaking, as in the ale-house.

There are many gentlemen, when hiring their gardeners, wish them to sleep in the house, to protect their property in the absence of the family; would it not be much better, where there is extensive gardens, with forcing houses, &c., for the superintendant of such to be placed in or as near to them as possible? But it requires no more than common sense to see the absurdity of any other arrangement than that of a proper house for a head gardener in the garden, where at least extensive forcing of any kind is carried on: for instead of this being an expence, as gentlemen may think it to be, it will be found quite the reverse; for the man who takes delight in gardening will then be on the spot, where his chief business lies, without trusting to unexperienced