Domestic Notices. — Eiigland. 53 



by Government for the hot-houses, the herbaceous ground, and the more 

 select things of the botanic garden, the arboretum and fruticetum might be 

 scattered over the whole of the remaining part of the Regent's Park. The 

 advantage of so scattering the collection of trees and shrubs would be, 

 the ample space for each species to assume its natural form and size ; or, at 

 least, more space than has hitherto been allowed in any arboretum about 

 London. If Government would be somewhat liberal, and the Zoological 

 Society and London University cooperate amicably, something might be 

 produced worthy of these bodies and of the metropolis. 



Women and Boys foj- weeding and sweeping. — Sir, In thanking you for 

 your favourable opinion (Vol. III. p. 246.) of this place, allow me to say that 

 the taste displayed is entirely that of ni}' employers ; and that the order 

 and neatness is greatly owing to their liberality, in allowing Mr. Nash and 

 myself to take on, at our discretion, such women and boys as we may find 

 necessary for keeping down the weeds, and sweeping up decayed worm 

 casts, and the like. I am, Sir, &c. — James Linn. Bromley Hill, Kent, 

 Feb. 23. 



Peach and Nectarine in one Fruit. — Dear Sir, I hope the following 

 communication, though only curious, may not be unworthy a place in the 

 Gardener's Magazine j for any deviation from the regular course of nature 

 may lead to knowledge, not altogether useless, to the experimentalist, as 

 well as to the practical man. A Royal George peach tree, cultivated in the 

 garden of the Rev. Mr. Howman, of this place, has produced rather a large 

 fruit, three parts of it being peach {a), and one part nectarine {b), quite distinct 

 in appearance as well as flavour. This was undoubtedly occasioned by the 

 pollen of the latter being conveyed to that of the former ; but why was it 

 not mixed ? In the stone there is but very little difference ; but I have 

 preserved it, and intend planting it. I have 39 



made a drawing of it, and herewith send a 

 sketch copy. (fig. 39.) A nectarine tree stands 

 about 5 yards from the peach tree. — We have 

 been building 'a seed-room with hollow walls, 

 and have no doubt of its answering both as a 

 preservative against dampness, as well as a pro- 

 tection from frost. — Flowers that are gathered, 

 and cannot be examined immediately, may be 

 saved by putting them between blossom paper, 

 wetting each layer : they must have no pressure. 



Dear Sir, yours, &c. — G, Fenn, jun. Beccles, \ ^^ ,s i 3«^' 



Sept. 1827. 



Awning for a Tulip Bed. — Sir, Mr. Saul has described (Vol. III. p. 418.) 

 a very neat awning for a tulip bed ; but though it is a great deal cheaper 

 than that of Mr. Maddocks, to which he alludes, still it is beyond the 

 reach of a number of persons who grow tulips ; and as it is, in my opinion, 

 a great addition to any pleasure when it is also a cheap one (for we should 

 not pay too dear for our whistles), I shall describe to you the covering I use. 



Down the centre of my bed I stick in a row of long sticks, forked at the 

 upper extremity, such as Mr. Saul uses for supporting his gooseberries 

 (Vol. III. p. 421. _y%. 162,), and which are sold about London for holding up 

 clothes-lines. Down each side of the bed I also stick rows of the same sort 

 of supports. The middle row I keep about 7 ft. high, and the side rows 

 about 6 ft. high, and the distance between the rows is generally about 10 ft. 

 In the forks of the sticks I lay, along the bed, poles, generally young ash 

 trees, which are sold in abundance at Brentford and Uxbridge. I then take 

 common garden mats, sew two together, end to end, and spread them across 

 these rods, so that they may hang equally down on each side of the bed. 

 If the wind is likely to be very high, 1 have a parcel of hooked sticks of the 

 same shape as those used by Mr. Saul for hooking down his gooseberries 



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