116 Retrospective Criticism. 



stand the rigors of our winters unprotected, as during the last winfernot 

 a single twig was injured on plants which were standing in a situation 

 where the mercury fell as low as 12^ below zero. Although this was but 

 for a short time, yet, as not even a branch was in the least hurt by the 

 cold, we infer that if it was exposed to the same temperature a greater 

 length of timn, it would receive but little additional injury : perhaps a 

 partial damage of the young and unripened wootl, made late in autumn. 

 Plants, a few years since, were for sale in Paris, grafted on the white 

 mulberry. How would the JViorus multicaulis urow, inoculated upon 

 the Maclilra.'' Would it not be well for some of our nurserymen to try 

 the experiment.^ Plants of the Chinese mulberry are now for sale in 

 our nurseries, grafted upon the white mulberry, — Conds. 



Green-houses and Forcing-houses. — We understand N. Biddle, Esq. 

 intends erecting, the coming season, a fine range of houses, in New 

 Jersey, four or five hundred feet in length: we are happy to perceive 

 this increasing taste for gardening. — Conds. 



Art. IV. Retrospective Criticism. 



Rural Affairs. — With me, your Magazine is a particular favorite. I 

 read it constantly and with great delight, and think it a valuable work; 

 and what augurs well for its future prosperity, is the fact, that it im- 

 proves with every number. 1 have access also, to several foreign peri- 

 odicals of a similar character, which I read with much interest, and 

 from which I have gathered considerable information. As the "Ameri- 

 can Gardener's Magazine" purports to be a register of useful discoveries 

 and improvements in Horticulture and ^'■Rural .Affairs," 1 have thought 

 an increasing interest might be driven to it by touching occasionally on a 

 suliject ort which you have hitherto said nothing, and which our trans- 

 atlaniic friends are exerting thetnselves to create a correct taste for, viz., 

 "Rural Architecture." By occasionally giving plans and elevations of 

 cottages, and such houses, (so designed as to produce the most hapjiy 

 and picturesque eflfect,) as will suit the circumstances and convenience 

 of that class of people for whose l)enefit you are so cotnmendably exert- 

 ing yourselves, you will, no doubt, confer an especial favor. 1 hardly 

 need say that these are such as occupy the middle walks of life; for the 

 indigent have not the means to gratify their tastes, and the wealthy have 

 at their command the talents of those whose profession it is to design 

 and plan buildings of every description. As our country increases in 

 wealth and prosperity, so will a growing taste for rural pursuits mani- 

 fest itself in our popidalion. Every year we see individuals, vt^ho by in- 

 dustry and thrift, have acquired a moderate competency, retiring to the 

 pleasures of a country life, rather than striving in the turmoil of busi- 

 ness to obtain an overgrown fortune. And I imagine there are more of 

 this class than any other on your list of subscribers, I don't doubt that 

 yourselves, as well as many of your correspondents, have the al)ility, and 

 also a willingness to communicate the desired information. Three or 

 four such plans, in the course of a year, (or volume,) together with de- 

 signs for ornamental front fences and entrance gates, and also descrip- 

 tions of the best and most durable methods of preparing garden walks 

 would add much to the value of your already highly esteemed Magazine. 

 Should these remarks be deemed worthy of your notice, they may possi- 

 bly draw from the resources of some one whose eye they meet, and 

 thereby confer a very acceptable favor on more than, Your ObH Serv^t, 

 Camellia. — January 25th, 1836. 



