THE MAGAZINE 



OF 



HORTICULTURE, 



OCTOBEK, 1848. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. Ancient Horticulhire. By S. 



The Greek " Geoporiica,'''' that is, " The Horticulturist,''^ 

 was compiled from various ancient authors, both Greek and 

 Roman, more than a thousand years ago. The compiler is 

 commonly supposed to have been one Cassianus Bassus. It 

 contains many useful observations on the cultivation of 

 fruit trees and culinary vegetables, on the sowing of all kinds 

 of grain, on the planting of pulse, on soils and manures, on 

 many branches of domestic economy, and on the weather. 

 At the same time, it is full of popular errors and superstitions, 

 puerile remarks, and absolute absurdities. 



The following extracts will give our readers a tolerable idea 

 of the nature of its contents : — 



^^ Manures. — Good soil needs but little manure. 



Manure should always be sparingly used ; for, although 

 the land that is not manured at all feels cold, still that which 

 is too much manured is burned. 



Manure should not come in contact with the roots of a tree. 



Bird manure is the best, except that of geese, and other 

 aquatic birds ; horse manure is the poorest. 



Manure should be three or four years old, that is, it should 

 be well rotted. 



Urine is good for the almond." 



" Planting of Trees. — Trees should be transplanted in the 

 autumn. The reason is this : nature never does two oppo- 

 site things at the same time ; thus, when she is busied about 



VOL. XIV. — NO. X. 37 



