110 Retrospective Criticism. 



and placing the fermenting matter over it ; but stated that the best system of 

 forcing it was, by having the plants established in pits with pigeon-holed walls 

 and wooden covers, and surrounding them with fermenting matter, as was now 

 becoming general for asparagus and rhubarb ; remarking that the principal 

 thing was to have the plants short and bushy, and that lor this purpose the 

 temperature ought never to be higher than from 55° to 60°. Mr. Stormont 

 defended the transplanting of sea-kale ; considered the old system of blanching 

 with pots preferable to boxes ; did not see how the applying of the heat to the 

 roots, instead of the top, according to Mr. Fish, would render the stalks more 

 sweet and pleasant. He also defended the use of coal-ashes for blanching ; 

 had never seen any bad effects from them, while they could be got dry when 

 earth could not. 



Mr. Judd approved of the brick-pit for forcing, but considered Mr. Russel 

 might assist nature without going to the depth of 8ft.j disapproved of 

 wooden boxes, from their liability to rot ; and stated that he had seen the 

 plant flourishing in many diversified circumstances. Mr. Russel explained, and 

 gave a description of an attempt to grow sea-kale in the highest perfection j 

 but which, after employing sea-weed, &c., to a great extent, proved a com- 

 plete failure; and remarked that many, who were very confident in their own 

 systems, would, perhaps, be less so if they had to bring their productions to 

 the com^ietition of an open market. 



Art. VI. Retrospective Criticism. 



Erratum. — In Vol. XIII. p. 572. line 16. from the bottom, for " Mr. R. 

 Langelier's pears," read " Mr. P. Langelier's pears." 



2\ans'plantlng full-grown Trees. — We plant a great many small forest trees 

 here ; and some large ones, on Sir Henry Steuart's plan, which answers re- 

 markably well. You do wrong in advocating the lopping method recom- 

 mended by Mr. Monteath ; for you will have twenty to one die by this 

 method, more than bj' not pruning at all at the time of planting. I wish I 

 could sketch trees well ; I would then send you an account, illustrated by 

 figures, of our mode of pruning, as well as of transplanting; which, I think, 

 would be of service to your readers. — James Nash. Arlington Court, near 

 liarnstaj)le, Oct. 16. 1837. 



Tlie Culture of the Vine in Pots. (Vol. XIII. p. 501.) — Mr. Grey is of 

 opinion th«t light crops of fruit are more apt to shrivel than heavy ones : my 

 experience leads me to quite a contrary opinion. If a plant does not fully 

 mature its crop when a light crop, is it likely to do so when it is heavy '? The 

 heavier the crop, the greater the imperfection, both as to bunches and to 

 colour. With respect to the expanding of the blossoms (see Mr. Grey's paper, 

 p. 501.), I perfectly agree with him, and think that much may be done at 

 the time of colouring, as grapes require a higher degree of dry temperature 

 than is generally given them. I have never observed shriveling to go to so great 

 an extent in early crops as in late ones. How is this ? — W. Brown. Mere- 

 vale Hall Gardens, Wartuiclcsliire, Dec. 14. 1837. 



Mr. Lindsays Method of ]))-opagati7ig the Conifercc (Vol. XIV. p. 444.) 

 I consider good ; but I beg to observe, that I think the summer months, 

 perhaps, the best time for cuttings, as you will observe by the following re- 

 marks : — On the 10th of July last, I put in cuttings of yi^bies Smith/fl«a and 

 MenziesH, and of Picea amabilis, Webbi««a, and grandis, which were beau- 

 tifully rooted by the 26th of October; by which time the roots were Sin. 

 long. I have put in cuttings at various periods, but find the summer months 

 decidedly the best. My cuttings were plunged in sawdust in a propagating- 

 house (north aspect), with a slight bottom heat. As the pit had been filled up 

 with leaves the autumn previous, and covered a foot thick with sawdust, I 

 had glass placed over them, with an aperture on the top. — Philq^ Frost. 

 Dropmore, Dec. 10. 1837. 



