GarJetiitig, and Cultivation gcneralli/, in Belgium. 341 



liable to be entirely stripped of their foliage by the larva ; and 

 it would be worth while, even then, to catch as many of the 

 perfect beetles as possible, in order to diminish the invaders of 

 the next year's crop. The beetle is, however, very cunning; 

 for no sooner is it approached, than it turns to the under side of 

 the stalk, and, if disturbed, drops down, and feigns death. I 

 have found the best thinu; to use was a green jjauze bajij-net 

 held under the plants, which were then shaken, and the insects 

 fell into it. 



Crioceris 12-punctata Linn, is another species of the same 

 genus, which is also found upon the asparagus. In this country, 

 however, it is extremely rare. 



Art. II. Remarks on the State of Gardening, and of Cultivation 

 generally, in Belgium. By John Maddison. 



The want of capital is severely felt amongst all classes in Bel- 

 gium ; not that this country is poor, or that there are not many 

 rich individuals inhabiting it, but because the property of each 

 individual with a family is so cramped, that he can hardly be 

 said to be the master of his own money. Amongst gardeners, 

 and the mercantile classes, this appears to be one of the greatest 

 drawbacks to their improving their fortunes : because, should a 

 gardener, for instance, marry a woman with some money or 

 land, if he should happen to have a family, and his wife should 

 die before him, he, as the husband, by the laws of the coun- 

 try, can only take a share of his wife's property, as one of his 

 own children ; that is to say, if he has three children, he can only 

 have for his share a fourth part, as soon as the children come of 

 age ; at which time each child has a right to demand his part of 

 his mother's property. So that a man with a large family has 

 innumerable drawbacks to prevent him from increasing his 

 capital. The law of division of property, at first sight, appears 

 to be just; but, in reality, it is more injurious than any law of 

 entail ; because, let a child be as great a vagabond as possible, 

 he has still a right to his share ; and, if he Is not satisfied with 

 that share, he has a right to insist that the property should be 

 sold, and the produce be equally divided. Instances of this are 

 occurring every day ; and it is rare to meet with an old establish- 

 ment of plants which has remained in the family for many years. 

 This may be considered as one of the many causes why plants are 

 so cheap on the Continent, where sales are continually occurring: 

 another great reason is, that almost every gentleman, more or 

 less, sells or exchanges his plants, or pays his gardener partly 

 in plants, or allows him to sell his plants. Again, fine old trees, 

 which, in England, are so much the ornaments of estates, and 



z 3 



