AUGUST. 253 



teristics of the Alpine Flora may be mentioned the absence of plants 

 possessing narcotic or highly poisonous qualities, the marked distinction 

 of species which exist, the comparative variety of hybrids, the bitter 

 taste and astringent properties of many plants, and the disproportion of 

 stem and foliage to the luxuriance of the blossoms." 



The Alpine Rose, purple and yellow Gentian, the lilac Campanula, 

 Auricula, Anemone, Violet, and the blue Columbine flourish brilliantly 

 amid these lofty desolations. 



REVIEWS. 



Fruit Culture. No. 1. The Strawberry. By George McEwen, 



Gardener to W. B. Beaumont, Esq., M.P., Bretton Hall, and late 



Gardener to His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, Arundel Castle. 



London : Groombridge and Sons. Pp. 30. 



In our last number appeared an advertisement under the above 



heading, informing our readers that Mr. JMcEwen was about pubhshing 



the results of his practical experience in fruit cultivation, in which 



department he has achieved great results, as those of our readers who 



have visited our metropolitan exhibitions for the last few years can 



testify. 



The essay before us is a valuable contribution to practical gardening, 

 and contains instructions both for managing this really useful fruit in 

 the forcing-house, as well as for its out-door cultivation ; and although 

 on a subject which is successfully practised by hundreds of gardeners, 

 there is much in this little work worthy of being considered, if not 

 imitated, by our best growers, while to the amateur it will afford an 

 invaluable help in aiding him to force, or cultivate out of doors, this 

 fruit in perfection. The price is only one shilling. 



List of Plants cultivated and sold by Messrs. E. G. Henderson and 



Son, Nurserymen, Wellington Road, London. Spring, 1856. 

 A PERFECT volume, containing eighty-six closely printed pages, com- 

 prising lists of plants cultivated and for sale (arranged under suitable 

 headings), nearly the whole of which are described, and many of the new 

 plants very particularly so. The immense number of plants contained 

 in this Catalogue renders it invaluable as a work of reference to the 

 gardener and amateur, and it should form part of every plant-grower's 

 library, for which reason alone we advise those of our friends who do 

 hot receive it in the way of business to procure it at once. 



The Gardens of England, from Paintings and Drawings on the Spot. 

 By E. A. JBrooke, Esq. Pubhshed by T. McLean, 26, Hay- 

 market. 

 We went the other day to see the exhibition of the original oil paintings, 

 from which the tinted lithographs to illustrate this work have been 

 taken. Among some of the most striking, taken as works of art, and 

 as representing the best examples of English gardens, we may notice 



