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29— 18406. | 
THE GARDENERS' 
CHRONICLE. 
9 
not grow. I state this merely as a fact which has fallen 
under my own notice ; as to the cause, Lown 1 can form 
n0 conjecture, but would be gratified with the opinion 
of your readers on the subject.— Quercus. 
The Vestiges.—A vehement private letter from a 
gentleman has called my attention to an article in your 
Paper of the 11th inst., which had not attracted it, and 
in which the writer has stated, that “The Dean of 
Manchester has created new Narcissi.” Most of your 
readers will understand that the writer used the expres- 
sion figuratively, and that you did not mean to attribute 
to me any real creative powers or pretensions ; but the 
writer has introduced the words ina review of a book, 
which contains not only a multitude of errors, but much 
very objectionable doctrine ; and, amongst other things, 
expresses a reliance on Mr. Crosse’s asserted creation of 
new animaleula from inanimate matter ; and the inju- 
dicious expression in this review has raised the indigna- 
tion of a gentleman who (it seems) demonstrated the 
fallacy of Mr. Crosse’s pretensions, and now fancies that 
Some similar mystifieation is attributed tome. It cer- 
tainly surprises me, that any sensible man should not 
have clearly seen that nothing of the sort is attributed 
tome. Dr. Hill asserted, that by supplying a Holly 
abundantly with salt and lime, its seeds would 
e constrained to produce plants with variegated leaves, 
If the assertion be true, the person who shall so compel 
the production of plants with variable leaves, is no 
More its creator, than he who by cultivation obtained 
double scarlet Dahlias in the process of generations, 
instead of the dingy single wild flower of Mexico. It 
is, however, necessary to be very cautious not to use 
loose expressions on such subjecis, which may become 
& stumbling-block to persons who have not a clear un- 
derstanding of the subject, and whose minds are 
clouded by prejudice. T have not read the “ explana- 
tions” of the author of the “ Vestiges,” &e. There was 
much reprehensible matter, mixed with much shrewd- 
ness and truth, in the original work ; but I beg to wash 
my hands of all connection with it. At the same time, 
although the asserted production of new animaleula in 
the course of some experiments by Mr. Crosse proved to 
fallacious and untrue, I must deny that there was 
anything atheistical in the substance of the assertion as 
lunderstand it. It was not said that a man could 
create an animaleule according to his own will ; but 
that when he blended certain. substances together, ani- 
malcules previously unknown made their appearance 
according to God's will. The experimenter would be 
no more the creator of the animaicula, than the priest 
Who married a couple of human beings would be the 
Creator of their first-born, Itis stated in an old book cal- 
ed the «Gentlemen'sRecreations;"that if you tie two sods 
face to face together and throw them into a pond, it will 
Stock it with cels. This is very absurd,and about as true as 
T. Crosse’s way of making animalcules ; but the pro- 
Pagator of that foolish tale had no thought of arrogating 
€ power of creating eels. We know nothing of the 
mode in which Almighty God originally ereated either 
inert, or vegetable, or animal bodies, nor of the manner 
in which He is at all times creating the individuals that 
arise by generative reproduction,and we probably never 
shall acquire any insight into that mystery ; but of this 
We may all rest satisfied, that whatever insight we may 
acquire into the wonderful ways of Almighty God by 
His bountiful permission, will be granted by him for 
and it becomes vinegar ; and thereupon he finds certain 
in it di by a mi pe, which 
Would not have existed if he had drunk the wine 
d not made vinegar of it. The man who makes 
te vinegar does not pretend to be the ereator of 
de minute eels, e is, I hope, like myself, a 
vout Christian, and acknowledges the wonderful 
wisdom of Almighty God, whose 
Will can replenish the things which seem mos 
habitation with an infinity of living beings too 
to be discovered by the natural sight of man, 
d regard to the Narcissi which I am said to have 
wee I have created them so far only as the farmer 
© manures his field creates the additional grains of 
NE in each ear that it produees, and the improved 
n» c Stios that spring from them ; excepting that such 
With 
Nar, Brains of Wheat have been seen before, and such 
Domus in some cases have not, because the same ex- 
m nents had not been made. I brought together two 
of Aen of different aspect, and the produce is a plant 
Obtai ird aspect, and whoever does the same thing will 
cans, na like result 3 not that we are creators, but be- 
whioh Uc is the will and disposition of Almighty God, 
name I have brought to light to the glory of his holy 
Tho f and not in presumptuous arrogance of his might. 
life nai I believe to be that in vegetable and even animal 
than He types originally created were very much fewer 
Specie, € forms now existing, which haye been called 
Which wy human wisdom 3 and that the variations 
Varion nd branched out since the creation in the 
Interni Kinds are in some cases now capable of easy 
in othe xture, in some cases reunite with difficulty, and 
they ae have departed so widely from each other, that 
Toots, TER be reciprocally fertilised. Many bulbous 
fyen ox have been increased during a long successio 
ing seca. offsets, become absolutely incapable of bear- 
3 and it is not more strange that plants, which 
ia different soils and climates have diverged from the 
original form of the first created individual, should re- 
fuse to bear seed by the one which has departed most 
widely, and yet produce it readily by another, which 
still agrees with it in some most important points. By 
approaching them, we give those which God permits to 
intermix an opportunity of so doing, and in this we do 
all to the glory of the Almighty, as well as to the solace 
and gratification of mankind ; and, by observing which 
can, and which cannot intermix, we obtain some clue 
to correct the erroneous divisions which the imperfect 
science of man has established, of things which were 
not created separate by the Allwise.— W. Herbert, Spof- 
forth, July Y5. [We are much concerned to find that our 
learned and highly valued correspondent should have 
become the object of attack from some wrong-headed 
person. But, alas! such is the inevitable fate of emi- 
nent men. Noone of sound mind ean have read the 
review in question and supposed that the expression 
in question ean have been used in an irreverent or in- 
fidel sense.] 
Large Araucaria imbricata at Dropmore.—The fol- 
lowing is the height and dimensions of the finest speci- 
men we have of this noble tree, whieh is supposed to 
be the largest in Europe :—height, 22feet 6inches; 
diameter of branches near the ground, 10 feet 6 inches; 
4feet from theground, 12 feet ; 10feet from ditto, 10 feet ; 
14 feet from ditto, 8 feet 3 inches ; girth of stem near 
the ground, 2 feet 10} inches; 5 feet from ditto, 2 feet. 
September 1840, height, 14 feet —April 1844, 20 feet. 
e tree has made a rapid growth this season, and 
promises to get a foot higher or more before autumn ; 
it is about 16 years old, and has never had the least 
protection ; it stands in rather an exposed situation, on 
a raised mound, in which the tree delights. The soil 
is loam, with a small portion of very inferior peat, and 
the plant has never been watered even in the hottest 
seasons we have had. A wet subsoil is certain death 
to the Araucaria in very wet seasons. A plant here, 
Tom a cutting, made a leading shoot in the year 1833, 
and is now 19feet 6inches in height, and has every 
appearance of making a splendid tree.— PAilip Frost. 
Plant Cleaning.—Instead of smelling salts to wash 
flowering plants, why do you not recommend guano and 
quicklime, pounded together and dissolved} The mix- 
ture makes an excellent and cheap wash, and you would 
notknow itfrom smelling salts. A small smelling bottle 
was filled with the above, freshly pounded, and presented 
to a lady, who pronounced it to be good Preston salts. 
The colour is exactly the same. The ants in the Cu- 
eumber and Melon frames do not like it, but the 
Cucumbers and Melons do very much. I have kept 
my suceulents well dosed with the above mixture, and 
nd the effect perfectly wonderful. — A Constant 
Reader. 
Autumn-planting Potatoes. — The following Table 
shows the comparative results of autumn and spring- 
planted Potatoes. The variety with which the experi- 
ment was made, is the Sage-leaved Kidney—a kind 
much esteemed here (Isle of Thanet) ; the only fault 
being its smallness in dry summers. This objection 
may, however, be obviated by planting in autumn. All 
the three different plantings were taken up on the 24th 
of June : 
a |a & |a E] s 
E ls Ju IR aln z ‘a ERI 
B legis Josie «fis as [B9 
s feels el B E. | 93 (8s 
lagos | cens 8293 2. 28 Si es 
-HEEIEHEHETIEEH RES (23 
Planted. [25/23 ERIE Be) $4 | Sa (gs 
o |9o|5 €*|88|»o M RB RR 
bo | bors ld o| čo [i o JEH 
fe SeS u2] a £ ag Jan 
583S d $ E Cpi s 
> RE | p o 23 
4 |4 d 4 EB |Z? 
| 
| 
Oct, 30, 1845..| 16 | 11 | 97 | 65 | 12 oz. |£1b.1202 4 Ib. 42. |6 ft. 
Tan, 30, 1846..] 20 | 11 [118 | 65 | 9 oz.|3Ib. 6oz. 21b. 80. 6 ft, 
Mar.30,1846.| 23 | 9 |137 | 51 |. 6 oz.I21b. 4oz. IL 1b. 607.6 ft. 
The experiment was made with the view of ascertainin; 
what advantage could be gained by early planting. 
The piece of ground being the open quarter of the 
garden.—J. M. 
Gardeners.— Will you be kind enough to give the 
much-needed information on the following point, which 
will tend greatly to prevent the many disappointments 
with which gardeners meet who advertise for situations. 
If a lady or gentleman reply to an advertisement, 
desiring the advertiser to call at a given place on a 
given day and hour, it often happens that to accomplish 
this the advertiser is put to much expense, I know a 
case in which the advertiser had to go some 20 or 30 
miles, and because he would not accept the place the 
gentleman did not consider himself obligated to pay any 
expenses. Now, it is very vexing to be called upon, as 
above, and after all to be told by the party that they 
are already suited. Such ungentlemanlike practices 
come hard, not only on real pretenders but on real 
ardeners ; and your advice, as to whether) advertisers 
are entitled to any remuneration for their trouble and 
expense, will greatly oblige many of yonr subscribers as 
well as—An Old Reader, [No general answer can be 
given to this. Each case will rest upon its own merits, 
We do not conceive that any law exists to enable a 
ardener to recover his expenses. No doubt many 
shabby things are done to gardeners as well as others, 
We should not ourselves choose to put a poor man to 
71 | expense without reimbursing him.] 
Bees.—My No. 3 hive swarmed on the 5th June, and 
the bees were hived, after they had twice changed their 
ground. Oa the 6th, the swarm returned to the stock 
Supposing from this circumstance that they had lost 
their queen in the process of hiving, particularly as they 
had also been transferred from a straw hive to a box, [ 
waited patiently for the proper interval to elapse ere a 
second swarm would issue, which took place on the 
14th, after an interval of nine days; this confirmed me 
in the idea that the queen had been lost; but on the 
24th June finding other means ineffectual to transfer 
the stock from whence these swarms issued to a box, I 
proceeded to stupify the bees, imagining that as the 
first swarm had come off on the 5th, almost if not quite 
all the brood left by the old queen would have left 
their cells. However, I was somewhat surprised to find 
three-fourths of the combs full of brood, and still more 
surprised to find two royal cells (out of six) occupied, 
one by a larva, and another by a princess, perfect 
in all her proportions, and apparently ready to 
leave her cell. I offered her to the parent stock in 
their new habitation (the box), but she was rejected, 
and in an hour or two found on the ground ; I next 
offered her to the bees in my unicomb hive, fearing that 
in the very difficult task of locating these latter they 
might have lost their chief, but here, too, she was re- 
jected, being found at the foot of the post in the morn- 
ing, and she died in about an hour afterwards. A 
second live queen was found on the following day walk- 
ing about the combs of the old hive, which had been re- 
moved to a room ; as this lady had not recently come 
from a cell, I offered her to the parent stock, and, as I 
have not seen her since, imagine she has been accepted. 
If the first swarm (on the 5th) had nota queen with 
them, how came they to persist in swarming, though 
they were roughly treated sufüeiently to induce them. 
twice to shift their ground, and ultimately to fly nearly 
half a mile? And if they had the queen, how did it 
happen that she returned to her old hive on the follow- 
ing day (the 6th), and actually commenced laying eggs 
in the royal cells? For the young queen found on the 
24th must have proceeded from an egg laid as late as the 
8thJune,and the larva of course later. I may mention that 
during the interval of nine days between the issue of the 
two swarms, the bees were in a state of great agitation ; 
night or day it was difficult to approach them ; particu- 
larly at night, they incessantly ran about the front of 
the hive and around it ; and at an approaching footstep 
they were quite on the gui vive. The weather was 
beautiful during the whole time. Concerning the period 
at which queens commence laying drone eggs, I find 
the translation of * Huber” has a foot-note to the effect 
that the period of 11 months is liable to modification by 
the state of the atmosphere; but my No.2, which in my 
letter published by you on 6th June, I caleulated, 
according to * Huber,” would produce drones about the 
18th June, actually swarmed on that very day, and no 
drones were with it, nor did any make their appearance 
till the 20th, thereby remarkably verifying Huber’s 
theory. With respect to an autumn brood of drones, 
Huber states that such does sometimes take place to 
the amount of about 60; but I cannot discover that 
he anywhere leads us to suppose that this is preliminary 
to the production of royal eggs, or of swarming.—E. S., 
Wigtonshire. 
Preserving Rhubarb.—In addition to “ preserving it 
with sugar like Raspberries,” Rhubarb can be very 
successfully and agreeably preserved—in bottles as 
green Goosebersies are—peel the stalks and cut them 
into pieces as for a tart, and then treat them as if they 
were Gooseberries. Rhubarb bottled thus gives us ex- 
cellent tarts and pies at Christmas. It can also be 
dried as Angelica, and makes a very agreeable dried 
preserve. Have any of your corresporidents ever tried 
dried Strawberries? they are very good, and the 
abundant crop of this year will give material to expe- 
riment on.—4 House-keeper, and “ one whom a garden 
makes happy.” 
The Thomas Brown Tulip.—I am induced to offer 
a few remarks upon the manner in which an old variety 
has been palmed upon the public asa new m com 
o 
having been duped to a certain extent. e mas 
Brown Tulip, said to be a seedling from Polyphemus, 
aby t b 
has been p wo celebr: ulip growers 
from the south, who have seen it in my collection, as 
well as in that of every other grower in this neighbour- 
hood, to be nothing more than Polyphemus. I did ex- 
pect that the time had gone by when old varieties should 
beagain brought forward as new ones. "There wants 
a radical change in the system. It is very annoying to 
buy an old sort for a new one. Now, if it is said that 
it is different, and I have not got the right one, then I 
maintain that things have been sold not correct to 
name. There was atime when this would have an- 
swered well. I allude to the period when in Shakspeare, 
Edmund Kean, and Garrick (all one variety), there was 
a difference of upwards of 5/. per root. It is high time 
for growers to catalogue their aliases, and let us have a 
new era in florists’ flowers ; and if a seedling does not 
1 | differ from the parent, let it not be sold out as a new 
variety. There are at the present time no less than 
12 seedlings raised from Pearson’s Alexander Polyan- 
thus, which have merged into the parent; few at the 
present time having a plant that can be said to be of 
the genuine stock.—John Slater, Florist, Cheetham- 
hill, near Manchester. 
Arboriculture.—It would be well to call attention to 
the fact, that the Spruce Firs have suffered, and may 
now be suffering, from the recent continued drought. 
For many miles round this place they are as brown as 
they can be not to be quite dead, and I assume that the 
dry season has been the oceasion of this appeaxance. 
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