424 Europemi Agriculture and Rural Economy. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. European Agriculture and Rural Economy, from, 

 personal observation. By Henry Colman. Vol, I. Part IV. 

 p. 285 to 384. Boston, 1845. 



The Fourth Part of Mr. Colman's Agricultural Tour has 

 been issued and contains the following Chapters :■ — XLVI. 

 General Considerations ; XLVII. Agriculture as a Commer- 

 cial Pursuit; XLVIII. Markets; Cattle Market; XLIX. 

 Falkirk Tryst ; L. The Ballmistoe Fair ; LI. The Galway 

 Fair ; LII. Smithfield Garden ; LIII. Grain Markets ; LIV. 

 Grain Market of London ; LV. The Corn Exchanges in 

 Mark Lane ; LVI. Corn Duties ; LVII. Mode of adjust- 

 ing Labor and Wages ; LVIII. The Dead-meat Market ; 

 LIX. Vegetable and Fruit Market; LX. Market Gar- 

 den ; LXI. Covent Garden Market ; LXII. General Re- 

 marks. 



The present Number contains much interesting matter, 

 particularly that relative to the Meat and Corn Markets, the 

 Forms of Business, Modes of Selling, &c. as compared with 

 our own. The Corn duties are discussed, and the Mode of ad- 

 justing Wages detailed ; but the most instructing Chapter to 

 our readers is that on the Vegetable and Fruit markets, of 

 which we give an extract so far as we have room : — 



England may with reason boast of the fineness of her fruits, especially as, 

 in this matter, she has to contend with the adverse influences of temperature 

 and climate. The country abounds in greenhouses, hothouses, conserva- 

 tories, and forcing-beds. All the appliances of art, and the highest mea- 

 sure of horticultural skill, are exerted to counteract the unfavorable circum- 

 stances under which their cultivation is carried on ; to protect plants whose 

 frail nature requires protection ; and by every possible means to stimulate 

 and bring to perfection those plants and fruits which seem to demand the 

 same assiduous and parental care as the young creation. 



Few of the country houses belonging to persons whose means allow of 

 such indulgencies, are without forcing-beds, greenhouses, and conservato- 

 ries. Many persons, whose means are restricted, with a high refinement of 

 taste, sacrificing the common pleasures of a frivolous and inferior character, 

 prefer this far higher class of enjoyments and luxuries. In these green- 

 houses and conservatories, the gayest flowers, the most precious exotic 

 plants, and the richest fruits are cultivated. Many of these conservatories, 



