Queries and Answers. 237 



to, p. 45., the first was usually started about the first of January, and the next 

 in April. — Robert Wilson, gardener to W. Grey, Esq. Norton, March 6. 1S41. 

 Transmission of Cuttings by Post. — In p. 88, I observe a note respecting 

 the transmission of cuttings by post, wherein it is recommended to wrap them 

 in tin-foil. I consider the employment of this substance quite unnecessary ; 

 for the only danger is that of the cuttings being broken, should the letter be 

 crushed or doubled across its length, and against a force that would effect this, 

 the tin-foil would afford but little if any resistance. — D. Saul, Lancaster^ 

 Feb. 1841. 



Art. IV. Queries and Answers. 



Preventing Hares and Rabbits from injuring the Bark of Trees. — A corre- 

 spondent in p. 96. enquires whether there is any preparation which will 

 prevent hares and rabbits injuring 3'oung trees. I have used very extensively 

 a mixture of soot and milk, and found it very successful. The soot and milk 

 should be well mixed together till they are of the consistency of paint, and 

 applied with a brush to the stems of the trees when the weather is dry. I 

 have used it for some years in the plantations here, where previously the ash 

 trees, even of considerable size, were much gnawed by the hares and rabbits. 

 The black colour which remains upon the trees for two or three years is of no 

 consequence in a plantation, though it might be objectionable in a pleasure- 

 ground or shrubbery. — W. Leveson Goiuer, jun. Titsey Place, Godstone. 



To prevent the Ravages of Hares and Rabbits on Forest Trees, (p. 96.) — 

 To one gallon of coal tar add 3 lb. of hog's lard, increasing it to any extent, 

 applying it with the hand or a painter's brush (the former I consider best) to 

 the height of 4 or 5 feet. This will prove an effectual remedy, such being 

 their aversion from tar, that, were a circle drawn round a tree at a small distance 

 fi'ora it, they will rarely or never enter it. I need not add, this will not in the 

 least injure the trees. — John Fish, Colney House, Hertfordshire, Feb. 12. 1841. 



Felling resinous Trees. — What season do you consider the best for cutting 

 down the timber of the spruce fir, Scotch pine, and other resinous trees ? — 

 W. L. Goiver,jun. 



We should say any time in the course of the winter months, the sap being 

 then in a comparatively dormant state. In Sweden, and in the Alps and 

 Pyrenees, resinous trees are felled during summer as well as winter, not 

 because it is the best season, but because it is the most convenient one. See 

 Arb. Brit., vol. viii. p. 2135. We shall be glad to hear the opinions and 

 practices of practical men in Britain on this subject. — Cond. 



Painting Vines with Clay. (p. 9G.) — Allow me to ask Mr. Fish whether 

 painting vines with clay, soft soap, and sulphur, is a cure for the curl, as well 

 as a preventive of the hatching of the eggs of insects ? — JV. Wilson. Brag- 

 den Gardens, Northuviberlayid, Feb, 15. 1841. 



Art. V. Biography of the late Mr. William Beattie, F.H.S. 



From the commencement of the Gardetier's Magazine it has been usual to 

 notice individuals who have distinguished themselves in the profession, and to 

 offer some tribute of respect to their memory when they have been removed 

 by death from the sphere of their usefulness, to the regret of their friends and 

 of those who have either benefited from their advice, or profited by their in- 

 struction ; to few could such a mark of respect be offered with more propriety 

 than to the late William Beattie, F.H.S., who, for a long series of years con- 

 ducted the gardening and foresting departments, as well as the improvements 

 generally, on the extensive estates of the Right Honourable the Earl of Mans- 

 field, at Scone, near Perth. I have long expected that some of his pupils 

 more competent than myself would have performed the task which I have 



