Review of ComstocVs Treatise on the Culture of Silk. 149 



a reform in this matter. Considerable business is stated to be done 

 between the EngUsh and American seedsmen. 



The state of gardening in various countries, occupies a consider- 

 able space. In France, a taste for gardening is on the increase ; 

 nurseries have increased, and the intercourse between the seedsmen 

 of France and Britain, and also America, has greatly increased. 

 M. Vilmorin &; Co. are the greatest seedsmen in Europe. The 

 export of bulbs from Holland has greatly increased within a iew 

 years. In Belgium, the king has introduced " extensive ranges of 

 houses and pits," into the garden attached to the palace of Lacken, 

 near Brussels. In other foreign countries, nothing very remarkable 

 appears to have occurred in the science of gardening. A taste for 

 its pursuit is generally on the increase. 



In this country, gardening is noticed as " making rapid progress." 

 The horticultural societies are mentioned, as well as " two garden- 

 ing magazines," and other journals of agriculture. Little yet, 

 however, seems to be known of the actual state in which garden- 

 ing exists in this country. Some gardens are said to belong to 

 wealthy merchants in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, which 

 information was gathered from our magazine. But Boston, with its 

 vicinity, is not mentioned. The conductor anticipates among the 

 citizens of the western world, municipal gardens, parks, pleasure- 

 grounds, and hot-houses, the common property of the towns, 

 which will rival those of the European aristocracy." We indeed, 

 expect much ourselves : but we are afraid that it will be many 

 years before such anticipations are realized. We hope, before the 

 next annual view of the progress of gardening shall appear, that 

 the conductor will have gathered more information respecting its 

 advancement in the United States. 



A long article on laying out Public Gardens and Promenades, 

 also by the conductor, occupies many pages. 



Art. II. A Practical Treatise on the Culture of Silk, adapt- 

 ed to the Soil and Climate of the United States. By F. G. 

 Comstock, Secretary of the Hartford County Silk Society, and 

 Editor of the Silk Culturist. 1 vol. 12mo. pp. 108. Hartford: 

 Wm. G. Comstock. 1836. 



Although the subject upon which this work treats, may not 

 come precisely within the limits of our Magazine, still we cannot 

 omit to notice h, under the present state of public excitement, in 



