Nov. 17, 1855.] 







THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



7r.O 



fection his crops ; whereas, those in his neighbours 

 fields are Buffering severely, or are at any rate beiug 

 greatly retarded for the want of proper moisture and 

 nutriment. I can likewise conceive that a more general 

 adoption of this system upon the labourer's allotment 

 principle would be the means of preventing a great deal 

 of that snarling spirit of discontent so peculiarly pre- 

 valent in many of those agricultural districts where, if I 

 may so term it, both the farmers and their labourers 

 have scarcely emerged from a state of semi-barbarism. 

 I could say more on this subject, but I must not attempt 

 to trespass further on your pages at present. It may 

 be worth while, however, to add, that I am not in any 



cargo imported from the West Indies for the purpose < 

 paper making. The following communications were 

 read :— 1. Extract from a letter to Mr. EL Ktpptat, from 

 Mr. T. S. Ralph, giving some account of the poisonous 

 spider of New Zealand hlluded to above. These spiders, 

 which are met with under the low bushes which exist 

 on the sand hills along shore, build their retreat uuder 

 the branches of the shrubs close to the ground, 

 and make no regular web, but irregular galleries 

 of webbing, entangled with bits of leaves and 

 minute fragments of wood. Judging by the remains 

 of beetles' wings, their principal food appears to cousibt 



. ,'. xl _ , x P - . j of insects of that class. Their ntsts are rouud, and 



way interested ,n the results of this system beyond that | contain from 50 to 60 eggs. The young when hatched 

 u**~*t whi<-.h w ft nil nnpht tn f**l ,„ *™ -«A-^ are different in appearance from the full-grown spider ; 





c ;iiiim< need a periodical issue of A <tnrai /i story oj 

 Ferns, British and xotic. Each number contains 

 4 coloured plates executed in lithotint, and several 

 woodcuts—all for a sluUi- The execution f the 

 work is remarkably good for such a price. It would, 

 however, be advisable that more attention should be 

 paid to orth raphy. Nothochlaena is mis-spelled 

 Nothochlcena, eatanense cataaeusc, t in in ens em news. 

 This is the m< regretted because the class of buyers 

 into whose hands the work mav Ik' expected to fall, are 



interest which we all ought to feel in any undertaking 

 which may tend to promote the welfare of our country- 

 men. /. H. C, StrathHeldsaye. [Our correspondent 

 does not seem to be aware that the propriety of selling 

 Woolmer forest has long been under consideration. 

 Mr. Drummond's committee adverted to that circum- 

 stance, while they admitted its unsuitableness for the 

 growth of timber. Its revenue for the year ending 

 March 31, 1854, was 73919$. 6d., while its expenditure 

 amounted to 601 £ 19s. 4d.] 



Larch Trees.— I shall esteem it a favour if any of 

 yoar practical subscribers would kindly inform me 

 the proper distance they consider a plantation of Larch 

 Firs of about 45 years' growth should be left apart to 

 grow to the greatest profit per acre, and whether or not 

 they advise the trees being primed up. R. 0. C. t Brighton. 



Poplar Timber. — It was observed by a correspondent 

 in your paper that the * Black Italian Poplar is a valu- 

 able woud." I wish much to know in what its value 

 consists. I planted many of them about 40 years ago, 

 being then told they would be as valuable as Oak at half 

 the age. I find them very useful in repairs, and roofs 

 for cattle sheds, and such like buildings, and have lately 

 roofed one cart-house with Larch and another with 

 Poplar, each of my own planting, and time will show 

 which is the most durable. I have sold Larch of my 

 own planting for building at lOd. and Is. per foot, but 

 have not been able to get more than 6d. for Poplar. In 

 making new plantations, therefore, I have more encou- 

 ragement to plant Larch than Poplar, to say nothing 

 of the superior beauty of the former. L. (7. K. 



they are while, dotted with about six pairs of black 

 dots along the body, the legs banded with black. The 

 next stage presents a white or grey-white body, with a 

 beautiful orange coloured angulated band the whole 

 length of the back, and having smaller black bands on 

 each side. The full-grown spider is of a beautiful black, 

 the golden band exchanged for one of orange-red, and 

 as the next coats come on the red band ceases to be 

 marked at the thoracic end of the back. The female 

 has a larger and rounder body. The \m t is reputed 

 to be venomous by the natives, who will not touch one 

 on any account. Mr. Ralph had made an experiment 

 on this point by putting a lively unhurt mouse into a 

 white glass bottle with a fine katepo, and by 

 shaking had induced the spider to bite the 

 mouse ; one bite was on the tail, a second on the 

 paw of the animal ; the last it resented by biting 

 the spider, which died immediately. The mouse was 

 supplied with air, and was found dead within 18 hours. 

 2. Notice of an Esquimaux Curlew, obtained at Durris, 

 Kincardineshire, by J. L'>ngmuir, jun., Esq. 3. Memo- 

 randum accompanying a flowering specimen of Holcus 

 saccharatus [Sorghum saccharatum] exhibited to the 

 meeting. This specimen was upwards of 9 feet high. 

 The plant had been raided in a closed case in January 

 last, and was planted out when about a foot high, on a 

 warm bank in Mr, Ward's garden, where it had recently 

 developed its inflorescence. 



trust 



ity 



Garden Memoranda. 



Belvoir Cj k, the Skat o> his iaxca tub Ik-re 

 of Rutland. — Belvoir Castle o upiea a >mu ... ling 

 situation on the spur of a range of marlatone hiila, on 

 the north-eastern contiutt of the county ol Leioesi 

 shire. The Norman am- tors of the houae of Manners 



the wide domains attached 





somites 



Entomological, Nov. 5. — J. Curtis, Esq., F.L.S., 



President, in the Chair. This was a special meeting 

 called in pursuance of a requisition sigued hy certain 

 members of the Society, for the purpose of taking the 

 opinion of the Society as to the advisability of the ad- 

 mission of non-paying associates ; upon balloting for 

 the introduction of such a class of members it was how- 

 ever fouud that a majority of the members present were 

 opposed to such a step. Subsequently the ordinary 

 business oi the Society was proceeded with by the 

 secretary, who announced a considerable number of 

 donations to the library from various continental and 

 English societies and naturalists. Mr. Stain ton exhi- 

 bited several very rare moths of the family Is'octuidse 

 from Brighton, including a very fine species, Phlogo- 

 phora empyrea, new to this country, of which several 

 specimens had been caught by the sugaring process ; 

 also a specimen of Polyommatus Agestis marked above 

 like P. Artaxerxes. Mr. Newman exhibited the curious 

 Australian moth, Entometa obliqua, which had been 



Also a mass of 



Notices of fcooks. 



Mr. Septimus Piesse has collected into a handsome 

 volume (Longmans, 12rao), with numerous additions, 

 those interesting papers on the Art of Perfumery, 

 which appeared in the columns of the Gardent ■' Chro- 

 nicle some years ago. He has introduced .several wood- 

 cuts, and gives in an Appendix of about 50 pages 

 translations of a variety of foreign scientific papers 

 relating to the subject of his own volume. Much of the 

 matter is curious ; all interesting to the lovers of 

 fragrant essences, to whose favour we heartily com- 

 mend the little book. Mr. Piesse's account of Poma- 



exerciied feudal sway ov 



\ the lordship of Belvoir, and their an < ut stronghold 

 was by its natural position and strength well calculated 

 to overawe the scarcely subjugated people The 

 ancient castle was destroyed by tire about 40 years ago, 

 and the j sent Norman-Gothic castle erected in its 



place ; and it now stands no h or and n laoe 



to its neighbours, but a beautiful and picture - {ue object, 

 in a landscape replete with the characteristic beauties 



of English scenery. 



The approach from the south-east is by an avenue of 

 Beech trees, sue led by Cedars of Lebanon ; a very 

 Striking view of the castle is obtained from tlie avenue 

 The river Devan, artificially eular runs through the 

 domain, and is crossed by a ha Isorae stone bridge. 

 On approaching the castle, the road passes through the 

 wood which encompasses it ; fine Rhododendrons and 

 other evergreens border the road, and, intermixed with 

 foreet trees, produce an excellent effect. 



The castle is surrounded by terraces, of which the 

 north is the most considerable and commanding. The 

 view from tiiis terrace is i xt« nsive and varied ; on the 

 north-east the richly cultivated vale of Belvoir lies 

 extended to the view. Upwards of 20 villages with 

 their church towers and Blender spires — distributed over 

 the landscape— seen from the castle, form pleasing 

 features of life and interest ; the latter not lessened by 

 the fact that the whole of these rural and peacef 

 spots are on the Belvoir estate. To the south of the 

 castle the set nery changes, the country assumes a boldly 

 undulated character, and presents rico masses of wood 

 and broad glimpses ol Grass land, the whole forming a 

 scene of striking beauty. The castle is readily acces- 

 sible to visitors, the interior arrangements are remarkable 

 for convenience and comfort, which are not always 

 sssociated with grandeur, but which, in this instance, 

 perfect taste and excellent judgment have so happily 

 united. The picture gallery has some fine examples of 

 the old masters. The Regent's gallery, the dra wing- 

 room, and dining-room are remarkable instances of 

 refined taste, conjoined with regal magnificence. 



On the south side of the castle are three terrac -, one 

 rising above the other ; the middle terrace is devoted to 

 flowers and is laid out with considerable skill and effect; 



the garden is now being replanted and the soil renewed. 

 The elevated position of the garden, with the advantages 



castle, make it a desirable 

 spot for many interesting plants impatient of the humid 



*callonia macrantha, Ceanothus 



suc- 



reared in this country by Mr. (Jxley 

 silk of the size of a boy's marble, spun by myriads of a 

 small mite of the genus Tatranychus, allied to the red 

 spider of the hot-houses. Mr. S.' Stevens exhibited 

 several interesting Microlepidoptera, from the coast of 

 Hampshire, including a new British Tortrix ; also a 

 fine series of longicorn and other beetles, sent from 

 Borneo by Mr. Wallace. He also mentioned the excel- 

 lent effects produced by immersing greasy insects in 

 camphine and beuzoine, and also in a newly patented 

 fluid sold as rectified Borneote of Petroline. Mr. West- 

 wood exhibited a specimen of the rare Velleius dila- 

 tatus which had infested a common beehive ; also speci- 

 mens of llypera Rumicis with its curious cocoon, reared 

 by Professor Henslow. Mr. Winter exhibited a speci- 

 men of the hitherto unique Eunomos Almaria ; and 

 Mr. Foxcroft a large collection of insects of all orders, 

 which he had formed in Scotland during the past 

 Summer. Mr. Syme exhibited the rare beetle Spherites 

 glabratus, found * r ~~' : ~ ir: — • ■* 8 «— K5 *° ' n " 



turns is as good an illustration of his style as a very 

 short extract will enable us to give :— 



" The name of pomatum is derived from pomum, an 

 Apple, because it was originally made by macerating 

 over-ripe Apples in grease. If an Apple be stuck all 

 over with spice, such as Cloves, then exposed to the air 

 for a few days, and afterwards macerated in purified 

 melted lard, or any other fatty matter, the grease will 

 become perfumed. Repeating the operation with the 

 same grease several times, produces real ■ pomatum; m „ 



According to a recipe published more than a century i climate of our Tallies 



a A the Urn ^iven is :-• Kid's grease, an orange rigidus, Myrtles, and other small evergreens, h 

 IcetvwZ withstood the severity of the wmter of last 



* " * - ' ' ' * season. 



The enclosed pleasure ground about the castle is ot 



limited extent; one broad walk reaches round the 



caatL, , 



stable, dairy, &c. A very pretty flower garden is 



situated at the foot of the glacis, but separated by a 



belt of evergreens ; the flower beds are laid out on turf, 



and are devoted to the usual bedding plants in summer, 



and in the autumn are filled with spring blossoming 



plants ; an edging of Crocus, followed by Hepaticas, 



double Primroses, SciUas, Hyacinths, and ^arcissus in 



successive rows occupy one set of beds, while in other 



beds are massed SciUas, Hyacinths, double Lilac Prim- 



. roses, and Hepaticas. A portion of the garden is de- 



1 voted permanently to plants calculated to render a 



garden say at a cheerless season -the bright 



Pernettias, hardy Ericas Daphnes, the 



blooming Jasminum, the old Sangmnaria canadensis, 



& ,. _:^- Hellebore, Anemone appe- 



white wine, boiled and strained, and at last Bprinkled 

 with oil of sweet Almonds. 1 The author, Dr. Quincy, 

 observes, that * the Apple is of no significance at all in 

 the recipe,' and, like many authors of the present day, 

 concludes that the reader is as well acquainted with 

 the subject as the writer, and therefore considers that 

 the weights or bulk of the materials in his recipe are 

 likewise of no significance. According to ancient 

 writers, unguent, pomatum, ointment, are synonymous 

 titles for medicated and perfumed greases. Among 

 biblical interpreters, the significant word is mostly ren- 

 dered 'ointment;' thus we have in Prov. xxvn. 9, 

 'Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart ;' In Eccles. 

 ix. 8, ' Let thy head lack no ointment' Perfumers, 

 acting upon their own or Dr. Quincy's advice, pay no 

 regard to the Apples in the preparation of pomatum, 

 but make it by perfuming lard or suet, or a mixture of 



spermaceti, and oil ; or some of them are all 



berried 



winter 



Power, , .pec,,™, „ r **-»*. ruhp*, < »nd » £ ^ ^ . P ^ impOTtat lhil , ? » ,„„ J-,^-",'^; '£ 



normal >^___ r _ x . , 



Hamlet Clark a new British Hydrophorus. Letters were 

 read from Mr. Allis and Mr. John Hogg, F.K.S., 

 On the occurrence of vast numbers of moths during the 

 preceding season, notwithstanding the severity of the 

 winter, and also a note from Mr. Haliday on the British 

 Ink Uall fly. 



LiNNiBAN : Nov. 6.— The President in 

 H. Deane, Esq., was elected a Fellow, 

 donations to the library and museum were announced, 

 including an extensive collection of the dried plants of 

 &e Upper Himalaya and Thibet, presented by Drs. 

 Hooker and Thomnson. Mr. T. S. Ralph exhibited 



the chair. 

 Numerous 



spe 



nipson 



gather 



kar-ta-po),or poi>onous spider of New Zealand, to 

 *ith their nest, and microscopic preparations ot their 

 skin. Mr. Westwood presented a specimen of the 

 internal densely interlacing fibre of the fruit of a species 

 of Luffa. called tha Trnw#d ftmird ! it had formed part of a 



sider in the manufacture of pomatum, Ac, is to start 

 off with a perfectly inodorous grease, whatever that 



grease may be." 



And then he goes on to tell how all sorts of pomades, 

 from Circassian cream to bears 1 grease, are to be made. 

 Good housekeepers may thus learn how to dispense 

 with the perfumer's shop. 



Books on Ferns multiply, as might be expected from 

 the growing taste for these beautiful and easily culti- 

 vated plants. Mr. John Sowerby has commenced a 

 work on The Fern Allies, that is to i^y Eqmse turns 

 Lycopods, ftc, upon the plan of his Ferns of Grea 

 Britain, to be completed in about 6 parts at 3*. a par 

 coloured, and 3.. 6 d. partly coloured M'. JohMon is 

 the author of the letterpress. *e have the first part 

 before us and can say that it forms a very gpod 

 ment to the other work just mentioned, and is 

 Lrf«l information. We also see that Mr. Lowe has 



which covers the ground with its graan com- 



The elegant little Saxifrages 

 minor, Aubrietia deltoides, 



An 



alpestn^, 

 pact foliag 



Se ' Primrose, Orobua vermis, Arabia verna, witn 

 a profusion of bulbs, render the garden gay at a very 

 early season. It is held desirable here to secure every 

 hardy and early flowering plant ; such plants from the 

 prevailing fashion of bedding for summer decoration aw 

 bnt too often excluded from ordinary gardens, 

 ooenine in the wood on the hill side exhibits >me 

 splendid specimens of Silver Fir ; towards th« bottom 

 of the slope flower beds are laid out. 

 divinities are arranged on pedestals about thegar^,, 

 and elegant vases assist in its embellishment. Acoem 

 ts obtained to the lower garden by a flight of •^« te JJ 

 on one side, guarded by a stone balnstrad^ «™nted 



step 



Statues of heathen 



by vases, ana on tne oiner oy 

 full of I picturesque summer house. En tern 



by a walk called the Duke's Walk (whn 



the wooded hill 



