470 Domestic "Notices : — England. 



proves a nectarine tree. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — John J^Tilchcll, Gardener. 

 Slaptoii, near Dartmouth, Devonshire, April 21. 1832. 



A neic/i/ invented " Cooking Alembic " has been sent US by Mr. Groom, 

 of Bury St. Edmunds. The inventor originally intended it for cooking 

 potatoes ; but, after " repeated trials, he finds it may, with equal eftect, be 

 apjjlieil to every kind of vegetable." It differs from other potato steamers, 

 in draining oft' the condensed steam without allowing it to return upon the 

 potatoes, " so that no possible impurity can remain among them. When 

 we have tried it a little longer, we shall probably give a figure and descrip- 

 tion of it, together with our opinion of its merits, which, we may observe 

 in the mean time, is highly favourable. Those who imderstand how to 

 boil jjotatoes in the manner directed by our correspondent A. W., 

 Vol. VII. p. 369., need not, however, have recourse to any description of 

 steamer for cooking them. 



Art. II. Domestic Notices. 

 ENGLAND. 



A BOTAyncAL and ornamental Garden is proposed to be established in the 

 neighiiourhood of Regent's Park. A very interesting site is fixed on, in- 

 cluding that well-known beautiful green knoll, Prinu'ose Hill. The ground 

 selected contains about 20 acres. It is proposed to lay this out so as at 

 once to exhibit a highly ornamental pleasure garden, and a strictly scien- 

 tific and systematically arrangcil botanic garden. 



(ireen-houses, conservatories, and stoves w ill be erccteil ; and to these it 

 is intended to add anuiseuni,a theatre for lectures, and a library to contain 

 the principal works on botany, horticulture, and agriculture, both British 

 and foreign. In the theatre, through the spring and sunnner months, occa- 

 sional courses of lectures will be given on botany, vegetable physiology, 

 and agriculture. 



It is proposed that this undertaking should be carried into effect by a 

 ca[)ital to be raised by such as are willing to become proprietors. The 

 sum necessary for laying out and enclosing the grounil, erecting the 

 various pul)lic buildings, &c., has been estimated, in round numbers, at 

 3(),()()0/. This it is intended to raise by GOO shares of 50/. each. The 

 garden and stock to l)e vested in trustees for the proprietors, and the 

 whole arrangement to be under the management of a conmiittec, to be 

 annually elected i)y the sharclioldtis from amongst themselves, with every 

 provision, Sec, so as to give the proprietors that real and substantial con- 

 trol over the management and affiiirs of the society, which is so necessary 

 to the scientific conduct of undertakings of this nature. 



It is proposed that each sliarelioldcr, and (upon payment of one guinea 

 annually) the wife of each sliarcholdcr, should have the per])elual right of 

 access w ith their friends to the gardens, library, and lectures : tliat the 

 owner of two shares (and in the same pro|)ortion for every additional 

 share) sliould iiave the power of intro hieing four persons, and of giving 

 two perpetual |)ersonal admissions to the gardens, c'vrc. : that he should have 

 the power of nominating friends to be annual subscribers to the gardens 

 and lectures (this, it is considered, will he jiarticularly desirable to fiunilies) ; 

 and that the public i)e admitted on the same plan as the admission to the 

 Zoological (iardcns, and upon such terms, and untler such restrictions, as 

 the committee for the time being may direct. It is presumeil that a revenue 

 may be easily obtained from annual sul)scrij)tious, and from the public at 

 large, sufficient, after payment of the rent, to answer the current expenses 



