In the formation of gravel paths it surpasses every thing that I have ever seen used, for protecting gravel against the unsightly casts of worms, as well as greatly preserving it from foul weeds, as couch, &c.; even, besides these excellent qualities, it forms an exceedingly clean surface for laying gravel upon, more particularly desirable in cases of scarcity of gravel, for over it a coat of gravel of 2 in. in thickness will make a good path, and, in usual cases, retain its colour for three years, when a slight coating of new gravel, carefully incorporated, will restore its appearance. For this purpose it should be spread equally over a good layer of stone rubble, broken smaller, rather than larger, than those used for mending roads on M'Adam's principle, to the thickness of 2 in., which will be found to settle down to about 1 in. Thus used, I have found, on taking up paths four or five years after their formation, that its quality was but little, if at all, diminished.

One other instance of its utility I will mention, perhaps of scarcely less importance than either of the preceding; which is, in the formation of basins for fountains, &c.; embellishments universally admired, but in too many instances altogether omitted in gardens, in a great measure from the heavy expense attending the formation of them according to the best and usual mode. This article, however, at least in the vicinity of towns lighted with gas, and in a neighbourhood where good clay can be procured at a reasonable rate, opens, if properly applied, a means by which these luxuries may be_enjoyed. It must not be thought that, in speaking of gas-lime thus favourably, I attempt to impress the idea that basins made according to the mode I am about to mention are entirely equal to those of masonry; but I merely wish to assert, and that from experience, that basins of almost any extent, and of great durability, may be made to vie with those of masonry in elegance, simply thus: Where the basin is required, excavate the soil in accordance with the depth and outline of your desired basin, allowing an equal space every way to receive a thickness of at least 6 in., when settled, of gas-lime, bottom and sides, and 15 in., not less, in thickness of well-puddled clay, which may be lined, according to the circumstances of the place, with a single layer of brick or stone, merely to prevent any accidental perforation of the clay, and finished with a coping of turf neatly laid, or masonry. You thus, by the use of gas-lime between the natural soil and the clay, exclude worms, and, almost without exception, the roots of trees, &c., from the clay for an almost indefinite period.

I have, according to this manner, directed the construction of one or two basins, under very disadvantageous circumstances with respect to soil and situation, with the most perfect success, and, as compared with other modes, at an almost nominal expense.

I also find that gold-fish thrive as well in basins so formed, as in those where gas-lime is not used.-W. H. B. Oxford, June, 1842.

Kiln-dust as Manure.- Never having found any mention made of kiln-dust as manure, and having seen in one or two establishments plants, more particularly dahlias and pelargoniums, grown very excellently in soil manured with this article, which is simply the incipient shoot and roots which have been protruded by the malting or germination of the grain afterwards broken off by the drying and turning (see Encyc. of Cott. Arch., p. 402.), I here beg to notice that it is, as far as I can understand, well worthy the attention of cultivators; and, although I have not a sufficient knowledge of its merits, expense, &c., to speak in detail, in all probability many of your experienced correspondents may, and will kindly communicate the same through the medium of your magazine.-B. H. W. June, 1842.

[The powerful effects of malt-dust as a manure are noticed in our Encyc. of Ag., p. 335. 2d ed.]

A simple and good Mode of packing the Pistons of Hand-Syringes. I am doubtless not the only gardener who has many times, when using a handsyringe, especially when much force has been required, had a sharp dash of water on the face, or chest, or other part of the body, from its upper orifice while refilling the cylinder, owing to the packing admitting a portion of the

water to pass the sucker while ejecting its contents. This was so frequently my case, and that also after having the syringe more than once newly packed, that I felt resolved on adopting, if possible, some means of preventing it. The first means applied after depriving the sucker of the whole of its packing, was simply by replacing it with a strip of sponge, cut to fill the space allowed for the packing,, where it was secured by a single tie of thin copper wire. This, upon trial, I found to answer its purpose so well that I have applied no other remedy, and, from its cheapness and simplicity, I think it worth recording. I have now used a syringe so packed daily for about five months, free from the unpleasantness above mentioned. - W. H. B. Oxford, June 3. 1842.

ART. II. Domestic Notices.

ENGLAND.

THE Exhibition at the Horticultural Society's Garden, on May 14th, was attended by upwards of 5,500 persons, including the queen, and 13,582 persons were present on June 11th; by far the greatest number that has attended these exhibitions at one time. We enter into no details, because these are given in the gardening newspapers, to which we refer once for all for whatever relates to the meetings of societies, either metropolitan or provincial. In general, we intend in future to omit the publication of all matters of a temporary nature, or that derive their chief interest from being immediately made known, and confine ourselves to matters of solid and permanent interest, the publication of which a week sooner or later is of no consequence. Of whatever is new and of a permanent nature, in the gardening newspapers, or in any other gardening publication, we shall transfer the essence to the pages of the Gardener's Magazine, sooner or later.

The Fountains in St. James's Park, and in Kensington Gardens. - In the Gardener's Chronicle of June 18., a writer who signs himself Ortolano has, with true artistical feeling, assigned the reason why a fountain now being erected in St. James's Park is objectionable; and we notice the subject, because his reasons apply with equal force to a fountain which has been recently set up in the river (as it is called) in Kensington Gardens. The water and scenery in that part of Kensington Gardens where this fountain is placed is in a style of what may be termed commonplace nature; but the fountain, which is placed in the middle of the river, consists of a series of circular cast-iron basins, arranged on a vertical axis one above another, exactly like an old-fashioned dumb waiter. The cast-iron axis rises abruptly from the water ; and the whole, which may be 10 or 12 feet high, is painted white. Any thing less in accordance with the surrounding scenery it is difficult to imagine. We have often, when passing this fountain, asked ourselves whether it be possible that Lord Lincoln, and the other Commissioners of Woods and Forests, can approve of it: and, if they do not approve of it, how it happens that such a hideous object, or indeed any object intended to be ornamental, could be put up without their knowledge and approbation. If this fountain had risen out of a base of rock work it would have been less hideous, but still liable to the objection of being altogether incongruous to the scene in which it is placed. A single bold jet from a mass of rock in such a scene we hold to be admissible, but by no means either a jet or a drooping fountain from sculpture or regular architecture. The most appropriate fountain which could be introduced in this part of the water in Kensington Gardens is what we suggested in our Volume for 1841 (p. 331.), viz., huge masses of rock in the form of a source, placed where the mock bridge now stands, from which the water might trickle down in streamlets. We say this kind of fountain would have been the most appropriate; because, being at the upper end or commencement of the river, or rather lake, it would have indicated how it was supplied, while no violence would have been done to the character of the

scenery. Instead of exhibiting a source of this kind, and disguising the termination of the lake by one or two islands, an attempt is made to keep up the character of a river by building three arches as a termination, the commonplace resource, in cases of this kind, in the infancy of the natural style of laying out grounds, but long since rejected by every modern artist of cultivated taste. Altogether, the termination of this piece of water is so bad in itself, and so ridiculous when contrasted with the real bridge within sight of it, that we think it will be instructive to exhibit its absurdity by sketches, which we intend sooner or later to do. The fountain at present only plays occasionally; but, if a rocky source were substituted, the supply of water might easily be so regulated as to flow throughout the whole of that portion of every day during which the gardens are open to the public.-Cond.

Kensington Gardens." As it appears that the public have not closed with the project of disposing of the site of the kitchen-garden at Kensington so readily as was expected, I beg to offer the following remarks on this most objectionable plan, in the hope that, before it be too late, the present government may be disposed to reconsider the subject.

"There are two points on which the planners of this scheme deserve some credit; and, as they are the only points deserving of commendation, candour requires their being noticed: the one is, the making of a kitchen-garden at Windsor worthy of the place; the other, the projecting of a road to connect Bayswater and Kensington, which will be a considerable public benefit. All the other bearings of the subject I hold to be worse than bad-to be discreditable to those who drew the plan, and even more so to those who adopted instead of repudiating it, as they ought to have done.

"To the north and west of Kensington Palace is the ground in question, a strip to the north forming a paddock used by the inmates of the palace, and a longer strip running quite from the Kensington Gate to the Bayswater Road, forming, in the whole, between 30 and 40 acres. The plan is to let the whole front along the Bayswater Road, including, I believe, part of the paddock, for building sites, and running a wide road down the centre of the old gardens, to divide the ground on each side into blocks of about an acre each, to be let to individuals for 99 years; that is, this invaluable piece of ground is to be jobbed out in the ordinary manner practised by individuals who have a few acres adjoining a watering place, to make the most they can of their land. Is this consistent with the dignity of the crown of England? Is the raising the beggarly sum, necessary to make the garden at Windsor, to be attained by the alienating for ever (for, disguise it as they may, this is the real truth) of such a piece of ground? Let any one see the manner in which the promenade in Kensington Gardens is attended, and see the plans and extension of buildings on every side, and say whether government is not called on, as a sacred duty, to do any thing rather than, in the manner here intended, to sacrifice even an acre which can be devoted to the public health and amusement? There is a cardinal point which should be carefully attended to in the management of the parks. No individual should be on any pretence allowed to establish an interest in them. We have just seen a nuisance removed from Piccadilly, and the private residences in the Regent's Park are perhaps the only blots in that beautiful enclosure, whilst the conditions entered into with the possessors are a serious bar to improvement, and the pecuniary return is wholly unworthy notice.

Having now expressed my opinion on the plan, I beg to suggest a better mode of laying out the ground. The road might be carried quite along the west side, leaving all the open space possible. A necessary space of private ground, but fenced with open pallisade, should surround the palace and leave it isolated; the remainder should be laid out in choice and ornamental shrubbery and flower-garden in a plain way, and properly secured from injury by the public. The paddock I would leave as it is, if an equivalent cannot be found elsewhere; only, instead of the brick walls, open palisades should be substituted, and a communication made from the N. w. corner of the Ken

sington Gardens to the s. w. one. If this plan be adopted, the public will have a delightful addition to the garden, and the inmates of the palace have the satisfaction of seeing that the ground is devoted to public use and enjoyment, instead of their being annoyed by the smoke and inconvenience of private dwellings which are to close it in upon the north and west. With respect to the raising the money, has parliament ever refused a grant for Windsor? We think not; though some grants might have excited observation from their enormous amount in proportion to their objects: the stables and kennels, for instance. If it be deemed necessary or expedient to alienate any portion of the crown land for the purpose, it should be done at a distance, and not so near the heart of London. A farm in Hampshire or Staffordshire is of no moment, if the full value be obtained for it; whereas, if a site like this be lost, it can never be regained.

"There is one more suggestion which may be made: a row of villa houses, contiguous, with a mere open space of a few feet, might be built on the extreme boundary facing the palace, and opening to the road, but without garden or ground. There is no question that this plan might answer, and would not be very objectionable. A depth of 50 ft. would realise some money; though I should prefer having the whole site clear, especially if there are hopes of purchasing ground to the west, which I have heard are entertained.

"I must now conclude, earnestly calling on members of parliament, more especially those connected with the metropolis, to stir themselves, and prevent the government thus carrying out the provisions of a legacy left them by their predecessors." (W. in Gard. Chron. for 1842, p. 380.)

Immense Shaddock-On Thursday, the 12th inst., a very fine shaddock was gathered by Edward Spicey, in the hall garden at Chippenham Park, weighing 2 lb., and measuring 18 in. in circumference. (Camb. Chron. and Journ., May 28th, 1842.

SCOTLAND.

The Botanical Society of Edinburgh is in a prosperous state, and accounts of their proceedings appear from time to time in the gardening newspapers, which is the reason that we no longer enter into details, conceiving that these papers are perused by every one at all interested in practical botany and gardening.

Of the Caledonian Horticultural Society we may make the same remark, and which is applicable also to all the Scotch provincial societies.

The Edinburgh Botanic Garden has had bequeathed to it the interesting and valuable herbarium of the late Dr. Archibald Menzies (see p. 240.), which was chiefly formed in the course of his voyages round the world with Vancouver, and other circumnavigators. - Cond.

IRELAND.

A Farmer's Gazette and Journal of Practical Horticulture, we are happy to observe, is commenced in Dublin, the department of rural affairs edited by Edmund Murphy, A. B., landscape-gardener. A more competent editor could hardly be found either in Ireland or England, and if the paper be properly supported, we feel confident it will do much good. The paper is published weekly at 4d., which very low price the proprietors bind themselves either to reduce, or to give more for money, by enlarging the size of the paper, as soon as the circulation shall have increased so as to cover the actual expense of publication. The Farmer's Gazette of June 4th, now before us, contains a number of appropriate extracts from agricultural and horticultural publications, and an account of a visit to an experimental ground for trying the effects of Dr. Sir James Murray's oxygenated fertilisers, by Mr. Murphy. "The experiments," Mr. Murphy says, " have been conducted in total absence of every thing like science and accuracy." - Cond.

ART. III. Retrospective Criticism.

THE Subscribers to Donglas's Monument. (p. 296. to 301.) — In p. 299., for "Mr. Park, Paris Street, Exeter," read " Mr. Clark, Paris Street, Exeter." In p. 301., for "Messrs. Law and Co.," read "Messrs. Low and Co." In p. 298., for "Cairnmore," read "Cairnsmore," and for "Wm. Ross, Cardoness," read" Wm. Sinclair, Cardoness;" for " Adam M'Marran, Kirbuchtree," read" Adam M'Morrine, Kirouchtree;" for "Alexander M'Marran," read "Alexander M'Morrine;" for "Ewing Glover," read "Eben. Glover;" and for "Wm. Maxwell of Cardon," read "Wm. Maxwell, younger, of Cardoness." In p. 300., for "Mr. Smith, in a letter from Worcester, 67 6s.," read "Mr. Smith, in a letter from Worcester, 6l. Os. 6d." Add to the list," M. Saul, Esq., Lancaster, 5s.,” and “R. Tongue, Esq., Forton Cottage, near Lancaster, 5s." How the last two names came to be omitted in the List of Subscribers we do not know. The care of the list was committed to a clerk, and he is not now in the country to give any explanation. — Cond.

ART. IV. Queries and Answers.

THE Twining of Plants.- Might I trouble you, or some of your intelligent correspondents, to favour me with a scintilla of information respecting the laws that regulate, or influence, the twining of plants. It has been assumed that solar attraction was the agency directing that mode of growth, and that such as were natives of the northern hemisphere had a tendency from east to west; and if we confine our attention to the hop, the honeysuckle, the black bryony, &c., such an assumption might remain valid: but if we take, for example, the Convolvulus sèpium, a plant well known to be indigenous, the above doctrine no longer holds good, as that plant invariably twines from west to east, in the same manner as the scarlet runner, and many others.D. B. June, 1842.

Bridgeman, Kent, Wright, Lappidge, Eames, Meikle, Parkyns, the Author of "Monastic Remains," and the Authors of the "Epistle to Lord Lowther" and of the "Elements of Modern Gardening."-We shall be greatly obliged to any of our readers who can give us any information respecting these landscapegardeners, or their descendants. — Cond.

ART. V. Obituary.

DIED, in the end of May last, at an advanced age, David Falconer, Esq., of Carlowrie, near Edinburgh. This gentleman, who enjoyed a moderate fortune, was a most zealous and successful cultivator of botany and horticulture. He had for many years in his garden at Carlowrie an excellent collection of herbaceous plants, which was extremely rich in some of the genera, particularly Iris, of which he had doubtless the best collection in Britain. Various enquiries by Mr. Falconer after rare species of different genera will be found in our earlier Volumes, particularly Vols. IV. V. and VI., and we hope some correspondent will favour us with further details respecting an individual so much esteemed both as a man and a botanist. Cond.