■ To prevent bleeding at the lungs : Take a hoptoad, and lay it on a hot shovel, and while 

 it is broiling, hold your face over the steam, so as to get the smell and the scent good, and 

 the blood will soon stop, &c. &c." 



Should any of your West Town correspondents try this experiment, I should like to know 

 the result, for I have not tried it myself. 



Respectfully, John Qcill. 



Cincinnati, Feb. 15, 1856. 



Hunt Botanical Garden. — Mr. Editor : In the December number of the Horticulturist, I 

 find an article on the Hunt Botanical Garden, and am desirous of making a few remarks in 

 reply. 



Although there is now no prospect of success, yet I feel as one personally called upon to 

 give an opinion on the subject in reply to the before-mentioned article. 



Far from being agitated by contentious feelings, I could not overlook the words, " the 

 plans are both pretty pictures, well executed oii. paper, but each wanting in generalities." 



Certainly, such matters ought to be closely looked into, and guided by the opinions of men 

 who have had actual experience in, and possess a thorough knowledge of, the subject to be 

 investigated, and all sensible men would be pleased as well as profited by a well-founded, 

 well-directed criticism ; but, it requires more self-conceit than I would like to be possessed 

 with, to assume such unquestionable authority as is expressed in that article. 



I must confess that I am ignorant of what is meant by " wanting in generalities," or 

 where, and to what extent, " misapplied utility" has made itself apparent ; as others, who 

 are well informed respecting it, have not discovered any serious misapplication, and I enter- 

 tain considerable doubt as to my friend being more successful, were he to undertake an 

 examination with more leisure. A picture maybe judged at a glance — this claims no merit 

 as such — but a plan of so different a nature and purpose, that it oftentimes requires a com- 

 petent person a day or more to give a correct opinion of it, and calls for mental acquirements 

 difi'erent from those available to the author of that article, although his knowledge and 

 qualifications may be, and are, very valuable in their proper place. 



Although it is not an easy task to delineate with sharp lines what a botanical garden 

 should be, to answer the wishes of so many, and the purposes indicated by its name, it is 

 more than likely that, with a love for the profession, fifteen years' uninterrupted practice, 

 and facilities to see, compare, and examine, on the continent of Europe, one should know 

 sometliing of what a botanical garden should embrace, and what experience I have had 

 here is sufficient to inform me what the Hunt Botanical Garden should have been, had not 

 an ill-tempered wind swept it from the map of Long Island. 



I perfectly agree with your correspondent, that it should be adapted to the wants of this 

 great nation, notwithstanding that, with a fair recollection of what has transpired in the 

 cause of horticulture within the last ten years, and a moderate estimate of what will yet 

 follow, I believe I have been little or nothing out of the way. 



It would require too much space in your valuable journal, neither would it be interesting 

 to your readers to enter into details, describing the various departments as laid down on 

 that picture, but my friend may xest assured, that, considering its location, formation, and 

 area (Hi acres), the plan comprises all that is desirable to have. 



"Nooks" are very pleasant and attractive acquisitions in all sorts of pleasure-grounds, if 

 properly situated and sheltered, but I should have little hope of complete success were I to 

 denote their exact position on a plan where the ground has but few or no trees left ujider 

 which to seek shelter. I prefer rather to form, first, the principal features of the ground, 

 after having completed the grading, planting, etc., the most appropriate spots for 

 etc., will suggest themselves, and in each case with certainty of success. 



