312 Foreign J^otices. 



ni'ulity of the air varies, then the external membrane is not humid 

 enouifh to perform its funrtions. 



Messrs. Edwards & Colin have studied, according to their j)rinciples, 

 the effect of the different kinds of hunn'd soil on germination; and, 

 finally, they have determined the effects of air saturated \vith vapor on 

 vegetation, and have arrived at the result, that this is the condition of 

 the air the most favorable for almost all plants. 



In confirmation of this view, they have cited the observations made 

 at Havana, by M. De la Sayra, and the practice of the stoves in England; 

 where, by saturating the air with vapor, pine apples are obtained, of 

 the weight of eight pounds. (L^E'cho du monde savant, April 12, 

 1837, translated into the Gard. Mag.) 



Ch-apes ripened loithout the Sun's rays. — The following fact will 

 prove that grapes may attain their full size, and become perfectly ripe, 

 without receiving the immediate rays of the sun, if the vines on which 

 they grow receive the sun's necessary warmth: — On the south side of 

 the Orphan Asylum, at Oranienburg, there is a vine of the white gut- 

 edels, which is partly trained over an outer casement of the boys' sleep- 

 mg room, so that the window cannot be opened. In the spring of last 

 year (1836,) a fruit-bud of the vine found its way through a chink in 

 the window, not wider than a single straw, and grew well. Although 

 confined to the narrow space between the inner and the outer window, 

 in which not a single ray of the sun penetrated throughout the whole 

 year, the grapes continued to increase in size, and kept pace with those 

 on the same vine in the open air, and ripened when they did, in the 

 month of October. The bunch consisted of about fifty grapes, of a 

 tolerable size, and particularly sweet. As this may be interesting to 

 others, as well as useful as a reference, I wish to make it known to the 

 lovers of gardening generally. {Garten Zeitung, translated into the 

 Gard. Mag.) 



Zinc Labels. — Zinc is the only fit ingredient for labels, whether to be 

 used in the ground or in pots. A sheet of zinc is easily cut, by the gar- 

 dener, with strong scissors, into labels of whatever size he may want. 

 If the zinc is greasy, the labels should be steeped for a minute or two 

 in diluted nitric acid. The following receipt for making ink for writing 

 on the zinc was communicated to me by a gentleman who was in the 

 habit of using it, and I have found it indelible. Take verdigris in powder, 

 1 part ; sal ammoniac in powder, 1 part; lampblack, half apart; water, 

 ten parts. Mix carefully in a mortar; keep the inkin a bottle, well corked. 

 It must be well shaken before the pen is dipped in it. {Herbert's Ama- 

 rylliducece, p. 411.) We have before (vol. II, p. 153,) stated our 

 opinion of the great utility of these labels over all others; and we are 

 happy to be seconded in our opinion by so expei'ienced an amateur as 

 Mr. Herbert.— Cone?. 



Art. II. Foreign Notices. 

 ENGLAND. 



Open spaces for the Exercise and Recreation of the People. — " Mr. 

 Hume," in the House of Commons, March 9, "moved a resolution, 

 that in all enclosure bills, a provision should be made for leaving an 

 open space sufficient for the purposes of exercise and recreation for 

 the neighboring populations. He proposed that this should be one of 



