Review of Loudon's Gardener's Magazine. 147 



their foliage, are all, — all, objects of admiration ; and even in win- 

 ter, how interesting to the lover of nature is even the beautiful ram- 

 ification of their leafless branches ! When our shrubberies can be 

 filled with mountain laurels, rhododendrons, azaleas, and such truly 

 splendid shrubs, shall we let the dazzling beauty of the tulip, or the 

 splendor of the camellia satisfy us ? Should we give all our atten- 

 tion to the latter, to the entire exclusion of the former? We sin- 

 cerely hope not ; and we would again, as we often have, invite 

 our readers to give more attention to the subject. 



Floriculture is, at the present time, the most flourishing depart- 

 ment of gardening in England. Dahlias and heartseases are 

 some of the greatest articles of commerce. The establishment of 

 two floricultural societies in London has been eminently useful in 

 spreading a greater taste for these flowers. Great importations of 

 Ghent azaleas and French roses have been made within a few 

 years. A large number of hybrid plants have been lately produced 

 in English gardens. 



The most fashionable house plants, at this time, are the Orchi- 

 daceffi. Many new species are imported every year, and their cul- 

 ture is becoming much better understood than heretofore. There 

 is scarcely a collection of plants of any notoriety, but what includes 

 a large number of them. 



In horticulture, the coiling system of vines first brought to notice 

 by Mr. Mearns, and which we have often spoken of, has attracted 

 more attention than any other subject. Its merits are, however, 

 not yet considered much by practical men. So far as we have 

 heard, from those who adopted the system in our vicinity, the same 

 has been the result. The London Horticultural Society, owing to 

 pecuniary circumstances, has given up the cultivation of culinary 

 vegetables. This is much regretted, as the quality and value of 

 all newly introduced plants was then ascertained and reported in 

 their Transactions, and from them, became generally known, and, 

 consequently, brought into cultivation, by the agency of seed stores, 

 where every thing can be procured. A method of "compressing 

 herbs into cakes, and preserving them closely wrapped up in paper 

 till wanted for use, has been practised by Mr. Lindsay, gardener to 

 his grace the Duke of Devonshire, at Chiswick." The conductor 

 observes, that it well deserves imitation, and might be extended to 

 parsley, fermel, he. Our transatlantic friends are behind the age 

 in some things. The Shakers, in the New England States, have, 

 for years, pursued this practice, and carry on a considerable busi- 

 ness in the article of dried herbs. 



Botanical and horticultural gardens are on the increase in Eng- 

 land. Some new palm-houses are contemplated. The Earl of 

 Mountnorris has sent a collector to New Zealand, in the hope of 

 discovering some new ligneous plants in the mountainous parts of 



