316 Retrospective Criticism. 



native pine, and even correct other mistakes which the Quarterly's imagin- 

 ation seems to have led him into ; but I shall content myself with briefly 

 remarking, at present, that I have been long of opinion that they have other 

 and more valuable varieties on the Continent, for producing the fine timber 

 which we annually import from the Baltic, by the trade names of Swedish 

 crown timber, Dantzic plank, Norway spars, &c. Of all these the Norway 

 spars are the most remarkable ; for, though of small size, and apparently not 

 more than 50 years old, they are without sap-wood, clean, hard, and full of 

 resin. Can this be the Mugho pine, Lambert's P. pumilio ? We know it 

 covers the mountains of Hungary, Switzerland, and Dauphine, and why not 

 the mountains further to the north ? The Levers call it the Torch pine, 

 from the richness and red colour of its wood ; and Villars says, when culti- 

 vated in lower situations, the shortness of its stem, and other alpine proper- 

 ties, disappear ; insomuch that it cannot be distinguished from the common 

 Scotch pine. But more of this hereafter. 



" 1 am astonished to see you so much in love with the barbarous, but too 

 fashionable, practice of heading down trees by the ground, for the alleged 

 purpose of curing their stunted habit of growth. Are you not aware that 

 this practice destroys their seminal, or primary, and consequently most 

 natural, existence ; and that if a tree had not the peculiar nature of a vivi - 

 parous reproduction, it would immediately die ? Examine trees which have 

 been so treated about 20 or 50 years back, and you will already see them 

 forming the characteristic outline of their full growth, which evidently 

 implies a premature old age. Trees so treated will never acquire the size 

 and strength necessary to form great timber." — J. R. Aberdeen, June 20. 



Two Crops of Potatoes in one Season (p. 355.) is certainly ingenious, but 

 would the last crop be ripe ? I have an Irish servant, who has been em- 

 ployed all her younger days in farming in Ireland, who, on my sending 

 home some red potatoes this year, without touching them, said they were 

 not old enough, and her explanation was, they were too late planted. I 

 had some potatoes sent as a present, on which she made the same ob- 

 servation, and said that in Ireland they would put them in a warm loft over 

 the kitchen for a month or two. Having kept the potatoes dry for six 

 weeks, they became good ; when tried at first, they were waxy and watery. 

 Is not this observation worth noticing by those whose potatoes are in the 

 same state? and may not planters of potatoes take the hint and plant 

 earlier, when they wish to grow mealy potatoes, as the girl's observation 

 shows that they require a longer period in the ground to make them so, 

 than is often given them ? — Superficial, Brixton VUla, January. 



Coccus ovatus. — J. M. is mistaken, in supposing that urine and lime- 

 water will kill this insect; I am very much annoyed with it on apple as well 

 as pear trees. I have tried Mr. Harrison's winter dressing, and other strong 

 washes of soft soap, sulphur, turpentine, camphor, black pepper, tobcaco, 

 lime, and a small portion of sweet oil, and all without effect ! Last winter, 

 I whitewashed a pear tree all over with quicklime, except one branch, which 

 I dressed with sweet oil. The oil killed the greater part of the insects, and 

 at the same time, many of the buds ; but the branch is now healthy, and 

 a<rain covered with young insects. I first noticed this insect at Arley Hall, 

 in 1824, and, three years ago, I found it here on many of the pear-trees. It 

 keeps annually increasing, and is now on almost every pear and apple wall 

 tree in the garden. Two years ago, I sent a specimen of the insect to the 

 Horticultural Society of London, but have had no information from that 

 quarter regarding it. I hope some of your correspondents will have the 

 goodness to give their advice on this subject, as it is a new kind of pest, 

 which, if possible, should be got rid of. — Id, 



Exercise of Humanity in hilling Insects, — Sir, In a Nmnber of your 

 excellent Magazine, published some time ago (Vol. 11. p. 278.), mention is 



