402 Culture of Nerium oleander splendens. 



The notice alluded to by our correspondent (Gard. Mag. 

 323.) is a translation from a note by the distinguished French 

 agriculturist, Yvart, given in an edition of the Theatre 

 d' Agriculture d'Olivier de Serres, Paris, 4 to. 1804-, vol. i. 

 p. 171. It coincides with the Agricultural Chemistry both of 

 Chaptal and Sir H. Davy, and with our own observation and 

 opinion. Salt may stimulate both arable land and pasture, 

 without being a manure, or, in other words, a food for plants. 

 We shall, however, be happy to see Mr. Collyns's pamphlet 

 on the subject, to make known his experience to our readers, 

 and to change our opinion on conviction. 



We shall also be particularly obliged to our correspondent 

 for suggestions as to cottage medicine from indigenous or com- 

 mon plants ; and we think it might be useful to point out the 

 native plants fit to cook with common food as spices or con- 

 diments ; such, perhaps, as crow garlic, Alliaria officinalis, 

 wormwood, &c. &c. Might not the tender tops of common 

 clover, thorns, elms, &c. be rendered palatable by such means ? 

 and would not a decoction of common hay tea, which is known 

 to be very nourishing, be rendered palatable by something 

 easier or more universally to be got at than salt or sugar ? We 

 do not mean that these things can ever be either profitably or 

 agreeably used as food, but we should like to know what could 

 be made of them in seasons of great dearth, and in the unin- 

 habited regions encountered by emigrants. — Cond. 



Art. XVI. On the Culture of Nerium oleander splendens. 

 By Mr. James Reeve, Gardener to G. F. Evans, Esq. and 

 Lady Car berry, at Laxton Hall, near Wandsford, North- 

 amptonshire. 



Sir, 



Permit me to send you a description of a plant of the Ne- 

 rium oleander splendens, which I have succeeded in flowering 

 in a superior manner this season, and which I trust you will 

 approve as being worthy a page in your interesting Magazine. 



A cutting was sent me from Brighton, in a letter by post, 

 in July 1823, which I immediately struck in water. — After it 

 had taken root, I potted it in a light composition, and kept 

 the pot standing in water. It was my object not to suffer it 

 to flower, or form any head, till it attained the height of two 

 feet, or two feet four inches: and thetefore, during its growth 

 to that size, I continually disbudded, observing at least to leave 

 four buds nearest the top for the purpose of forming the head. 



