Review of Paxton^s Horticultural Register. 185 



would be required for the same quantity of ground if spread regularly 

 over it in the usual way ; and the plants grow more vigorously by having 

 the dung under them. I consider that the broccoli or Savoy plants are of 

 great service to the working of the spawn, by shading it from the hot sun 

 and heavy rains. 



" About the middle of September, the mushrooms come up in great 

 quantities, large and fine. I have this morning (Sept. 21) gathered nearly 

 half a bushel of large mushrooms from about two poles of ground, 

 planted as above ; and have had two or three gatherings before, and expect 

 to have a good many more before the season is over." 



The method adopted in the latter article is entirely new to us : 

 we have never before read of the Mushroom Stone. The author 

 writes thus : — 



"I have no doubt but you, and many of your correspondents, are ac- 

 quainted with the mushroom stone ; but, as I have not seen it mentioned 

 in your Magazine, I send you the following account of one that was under 

 my care for upwards of two years. It was sent to Mr. Thorburn of 

 Murth, from Calabra, in Sicily, with directions to give it a little water when 

 it appeared dry, which was generally three or four times a week in dry 

 weather: and, in the course of a fortnight after 1 received it, a couple of 

 mushrooms made their appearance, which grew to be very large ; 1 think, 

 about 9 in. in diameter. They were porous beneath, in place of gill, as 

 in the common mushroom; consequently, they appeared rather to be a 

 species of boletus than a species of .^garicus. However, they were of 

 excellent flavor, and the shij) captain who brought the stone home, told 

 me that it produced three mushrooms at sea, which, he said, were very 

 fine. In three or four weeks after the two above-mentioned were gather- 

 ed, three or four more came up, and so on, for the first year. The second 

 year it was not quite so productive; and, in 1833, my successor informed 

 me that the mushroom stone was nearly exhausted. I think eight or ten 

 such stones, would supply an ordinary family with mushrooms for two or 

 three years." 



Art. II. Paxton's Horticultural Register. Edited by James 

 Main, A. L. S. In monthly numbers, 8vo. Is. each. Nos. 

 LV, LVI, and LVII, for January, February and March. 



Since the editorial department of this magazine has passed into 

 the hands of Mr. Main, it has much improved, and become very 

 interesting to gardeners. Previous to his entering upon his duties, 

 and latterly while under the direction of Mr. Paxton, it contained 

 little that was worthy of the subject of horticulture, and was de- 

 creasing in public favor, if we might judge from many circum- 

 stances. When this magazine was first undertaken, it was filled 

 with useful and excellent practical articles, and the first volume is 



VOL. II. NO. v. 24 



