122 The yoitrnal of Forestry. 



closely approach these measurements, and having been all planted since 

 1845 they clearly prove its rapidity of growth in the British Isles. No 

 statistics are given of the growth of taxodium in Ireland, but our impres- 

 sion is, that it is a faster grower there than in either England or Scotland^ 

 and that larger trees of it than the above are to be found in that country, 

 where some of the newer conifers make extraordinary growth, and are 

 seldom cr never injured by the severity of the climate. 



An essay, entitled Manual of Agriculture, including the Application 

 thereto of Chemistry, Geology, Botany, Animal Physiology, and Meteorology, 

 byEichard Henderson, Coldstream, is a well-digested epitome of the sciences 

 of chemistry, geology, botany, animal physiology, and meteorology, as 

 applied to the art of agriculture ; in the tillage and fertilizing of the 

 land; drainage ; crops, and their proper rotation ; stock-breeding and 

 feeding, &c. ; all matters of the very greatest importance to farmers 

 in the present state of farming, which cannot be carried out with the best 

 effect and greatest profit without a thorough knowledge of the scientific 

 principles upon which every operation in the art of agriculture is 

 founded. 



On the Tree Mallow, Lavatera Arhorea, as ati Agrirnltural Plant for 

 Cattle-feeding, Papermah'ng, and other jmrjooses, by William Gowrie, 

 Eait Lodge, Trinity, Edinburgh, is an interesting account of the energy 

 and perseverance displayed by Mr. Gowrie in introducing this native plant 

 to the notice of the public, and those who are likely to be largely bene- 

 fited by its extensive cultivation as a valuable food and fibre producing 

 plant. Mr. Gowrie has tried so many and varied experiments with the 

 plant, that there can be no doubt of its thorough adaptability to cultiva- 

 tion, and itsexceeding luxuriance and productiveness in exposed parts of 

 our coasts, where no other cultivated plant of its altitude is able to rear 

 its head against the blast, thereby aflFording a highly remunerative return 

 from land, which has hitherto been totally unproductive. He also recom- 

 mends it as quickly producing excellent shelter for young plantations 

 exposed to the sea-breeze, " it being peculiarly adapted for aff'ording pro- 

 tection to the young trees before these attain sufficient size to shelter one 

 another. "When thus employed it is advisable to sow the mallow seeds in 

 nursery drills, or beds, towards the end of June, so that they may not 

 flower next year, and transplant them as soon as they are 4 to 6 inches 

 high, where the forest trees are to be planted next spring. For succession, 

 another planting of like-sized mallows should be made in July or August 

 following, to remain green, and so maintain the shelter after those first 

 -planted have seeded and been harvested. Afterwards the seeds that will 

 get scattered annually, even with careful harvesting, will suffice to keep 

 up a sufficient succession as long as the sheltering aid of the mallows 

 may be needed." Seeds of the plant have been distributed this spring 

 throughout the length and breadth of Great Britain, from Shetland in the 

 north to Devonshire in the south, as well as to various places in India, 

 South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Nova Scotia ; so that 

 it is satisfactory to know that we will soon be able to learn to what extent 



