70 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



the temperature which existed at the bottom of a cistern of water that was five 

 feet below the surface of the ground, he carefully sealed up a bottle of Onion 

 seed which he had just received from Madeira, and after having it securely cased 

 in brown paper, the package was then deposited at the bottom of the cemented 

 cistern. On the first of November the seeds in this bottle were sown, as well as 

 the contents of other bottles which had been kept in the usual sealed way in an 

 airy and cool warehouse during summer. Of the seeds of the latter bottles from 

 about one-tenth to one-fifth came up of some, but of one not a single plant sprung 

 up. The seeds preserved in the buttle immersed in water came up admirably, 

 and as quick as new seed. 



[Some of our correspondents have, on several occasions, referred to the diffi- 

 culty of preserving seeds when obtained in remote parts of the world from this 

 country, but any facility of immersion, &c, being at hand, either before com- 

 mencing a voyage, or during the passage, in ship's tanks, &c, it is highly proba- 

 ble that seeds having a more uniform temperature may be brought here with 

 perfect safety. — Conductor.] 



On Edging for a Walk. — For several years I have had the following mentioned 

 kinds of plants for edging to walks, and they combine neatness with beauty; 

 they have been admired by all who have seen them : — Erica herbacea, and its 

 varieties, grow about four inches high, and are easily kept compact ; mine are six 

 inches in breadth, and they commence blooming about the middle of January, in 

 warm situations, and continue one mass of bloom lor several months. Floweiing, 

 too, at so dreary a season in winter, it is a very interesting object to have in view 

 from the dwelling, or frequented walk. Erica cinerea, with it several varieties, 

 also makes a very interesting and pretty edging. When out of bloom it has a 

 neat and pleasing appearance : they bloom from July to the end of the summer. 

 Menziezia polilolia alba blooms dwarf, when four to six inches higli, and its 

 beautilul pearl-white flowers produce a veiy pretty effect ; it begins to bloom in 

 June, and continues to the end of the season. There are others of the Menzi- 

 ezias, as purple, rosy-red, &c. ; also several others of the Kricas which are also 

 suitable for the purpose, but the three named kinds are what I possess, and have 

 so adopted. I have sandy peat to grow them in. Clericus. 



A Midland County. 



On obtaining bottom heat by theTank system. — I have read about, and seen 

 a good deal, of the new mode of obtaining bottom heat by the tank system ; and 

 although it may be all that is desired where the plants are confined in pots, and 

 plunged in some mateiial, &c. ; also the soil in which they grow is not made wet 

 by the damp arising from the water in the tank, but where the roots of the 

 plants, as is usually the case with melons, cucumbers, &c, have to grow in the 

 soil into which the moisture from the tank is allowed to pass, I am confident it 

 is injurious. I have found that the lower portion of the soil is so saturated by 

 it as to become soddened like soft clay, and this increases upwards in proportion 

 to the period the heating of it is continued, and the plants growing so circum- 

 stanced become sickly. The gaseous products of fermenting matter, as used in 

 the old mode of obtaining bottom heat, is a very different thing in its operations 

 and nature, as used for bottom beat, and very much superior to the heated water. 

 And as to the use of the tank system to heat the space of a greenhouse, it is very 

 unsuitable for such a purpose, more especially so as heat is only required in the 

 dull cold months of late in autumn and in winter. For a plant stove, it will 

 serve well by proper management. 



Essex, February 14, 1844. A Practical Man. 



Laws of Gardens. — The few following remarks may prove beneficial to seme 

 of your numerous readers, and perchance save them many useless and unpleasant 

 differences either as landlords or outgoing and incoming tenants. Annual roots 

 and flowers planted in a garden may be removed by any tenant, and so may 

 young fruit-trees and shrubs in the garden or nursery of a person to whom the 

 same has been let for the purpose of sale or trade — 2 East's Reports, page 88. 

 But unless a garden or orchard, or other laud, has been so let as nursery-ground, 



