FOREIGN AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



applied to a soil containing no phosphoric 

 acid, but artificially supplied with salts of 

 ammonia, will also be found to act benefi- 

 cially; in this case it is not the ammonia, 

 but the phosphoiic acid of the manure, 

 which is of importance. Or, if in place of 

 applying a mixed manure, such as we have 

 imagined, to these two soils, we were to take 

 simple chemical manures — say phosphate of 

 lime and sulphate of ammonia, we should 

 piobably find, that upon the one soil the 

 phosphoric salt was the best manure, whilst 

 upon the other the salt of ammonia would 

 produce the best effect. It is plain, then, 

 that the value of these different elements of 

 manure must depend on the wants of the 

 plant, and on the capabilities of the soil. 



The conclusion, therefore, to which M. 

 Payen arrives, namely, that the mineral 

 manures, consisting chiefly of phosphate of 

 lime, and containing little or no organic 

 matter, are of comparatively trifling value, 

 and that they act so slowly as to be of small 

 profit to cultivators, is perhaps rather too 

 sweeping a condemnation. Undoubtedly 

 they will not supnl}^ the place of ammonia, 

 but at the same time they are valuable ma- 

 nures, and on certain soils the cost of their 

 use is amply repaid, especially when they are 

 emplo3'ed in conjunction with animal or ain- 

 moniacal manures. In the composition of 

 artificial manures, M. Payen fully admits 

 the value of sulphuric acid as a solvent of 

 phosphate of lime; and he insists strongly 

 on the great practical value of charcoal when 

 associated with rich animal manures. 



In concluding his report, M. Payen well 

 observes, that there is one thing wanting 

 which would be a very great aid to the cul- 

 tivator, and that is, that all artificial ma- 

 nures should be designated by plain and 

 simple names, expressing their real nature, 

 and that their exact chemical composition 

 should be honestly stated, as their purclia- 

 sers would be no longer deceived by m3'ste- 

 rious names, or misled by vexatious uncer- 

 tainty as to the real value of the manures 

 the)' buy. On this point there can be no 

 doubt as to the evil, though the remedy may 

 not be quite so clear. Perhaps the best ad- 

 vice which can be given is this — buy only of 

 respectable dealers, and do not be deceived 

 by cheap manures; if you are tempted by 

 what is termed a bargain, you are pretty 

 sure to sufler in the end; good manure is 

 well worth its tn'iv market value; the trash 

 which dishonest dealers sell you is often not 

 worth having as a gift. — Gard. Chronicle. 



-•fTER Garden in the Crystal Pa- 

 — Shall we keep the Crystal Palace? 



says " Denarius." What is to become 

 of the Crystal Palace? asks Mr. Paxton; 

 and the same questions are daily put by 

 thousands of voices, less powerful but not 

 less earnest. As yet no answer has been 

 given, and probably no answer will be given 

 till the public has more generally expressed 

 its own opinion. Let us then endeavor to 

 point out to those who do us the honor to 

 read our columns in what way this question 

 strikes us. 



" Denarius" believes that the building 

 may be applied to various scientific uses, 

 that it may become a great gallery of sculp- 

 ture, a winter garden filled with fountains, 

 and groves of Orange trees, a gymnasium 

 where science and art may unite in friendly 

 contest, where schools and lectures would 

 naturally arise, and where periodical exhi- 

 bitions would be held of silk-weaving or 

 cotton-printing, and the manufactures 

 which give their names to the great City 

 Corporations, the Goldsmiths', the Iron- 

 mongers', the Mercers', the Dyers', &c. 

 •' If the place," he says, " were recognized 

 as a receptacle for plants and shrubs, it 

 might be expected that in a very short time 

 it would be well furnished with public do- 

 nations. Proceeding with the development 

 of this idea more in detail, it may be pointed 

 out that the nave and the aisles 48 feet wide, 

 would give a space of 10 acres independent- 

 ly of the galleries, which would give in ad- 

 dition, walks exceeding a mile. Thegrotnid 

 floor might be used for plantations and 

 sculpture, the galleries for potted flowers 

 and smaller works of statuary ; but care 

 should be taken to consider the promenade 

 as the chief feature, and not to occupy too 

 much space Avith the collections. The pub- 

 lic would desire to have walks among flowers 

 and plants — not flowers and plants with 

 some walks. This last kind of treatment 

 belongs to Kew and Chiswick, and the Re- 

 gent's Park. Spaces at the extreme sides 

 of tlie building might be kept vacant to be 

 applied to various public purposes, such as 

 periodical exhibitions of agricultural pro- 

 duce, colonial raw produce, machiner}', per- 

 haps models of objects claiming patent 

 rights, manufactures, and fine arts." 



These ideas he, however, as Ave under- 

 stand him, only off'ers as " supplementary 

 to the great object of a winter garden;" 

 and we are bound to say, that we doubt the 

 wisdom of carrying them out, even if it 

 were possible. 



Mr. Paxton, Avhose pamphlet we reprint 

 in another column, entertains different 

 He would have a garden or park, and 



