448 Queries and Aiiswers to Quej-ies. 



small crown, is it the Ripley ? Waiting an early answer from J. H., or any 

 other of your valuable correspondents, I am. Sir, &c. — C. F. W. Urayton, 

 near Fazeley, July 15. 1828. 



Large Oxen. — Soon after leaving Taganroz, many ploughs were at work, 

 and a most extraordinary effect they had, being drawn by ten oxen, looking 

 in colour and size not unlike elephants. {Captain Jones's Travels in Nor- 

 way, Sfc.) What breed is this ? — Rusticus m Urbe. 



The Psidium Cattleyaxinm (p. 278.) appears well adapted for the climate 

 of the south and west of England ; is its fruit as good as that of the com- 

 mon Guava of the West Indies ? where can plants of it be had ? how is it 

 most expeditiously propagated ? at what price are the plants to be had? 

 and what are its favourite soil, and best mode of treatment? I should wish, 

 if possible, to introduce it into this neighbourhood. — W. Hamilton. Ply- 

 mouth, Aug. 6. 1 828. 



Myrica cerifera. — Why is not the culture of the Jiyrica cerifera en- 

 couraged here as it is in the Netherlands, with a view to the manufacture 

 of its wax, by some of our agricultural or horticultural societies ? Surely 

 the substitution of this odoriferous wax (of our own growth) for the un- 

 savoury tallow of Russia, if practicable, is highly desirable. Our climate is 

 certainly as favoui-able as that of the Netherlands, or the vicinity of Berlin, 

 and suitable soil may be naturally found, or artificially created. I should 

 wish to see hints as to its culture, proper soil and situation, age at which it 

 comes into bearing, and length of time each plant continues productive, 

 from the pen of some of your practical correspondents. — Id. Aug. 6. 1828. 



Norwegian Fruit. — Captain George M. Jones, in his Travels in Norway, 

 Sweden, S)'c., says, that at Sabrofoss, on the river Langen, near Kongsberg, 

 in Norway, he found on the banks of the river some deHcious wild white 

 and red berries, not unlike small grapes, ripe about the middle of August. 

 What are they? — Rusticus in Urbe. July, 1828. 



Preservation of Apples, Sfc. — At Glenshamma the inhabitants prepare 

 apples to keep by skinning, quartering, and half-baking them. They have 

 a shrivelled appearance, but retain their flavour, and will keep any length 

 of time. Might they not be so prepared in this country for sea? and may 

 we not be able to discover some mode of preserving green peas, French 

 beans, and broad beans for winter and spring use ? Some mode, I mean, 

 that could be adopted on a large scale. — Id. 



Champignons. — Captain G. M. Jones, in his Travels in Nonvay, Sfc, 

 when at Sweaborg, in Finland, mentions that, just as he was about to em- 

 bark, a boat landed, which was manned from the fort, and laden with a 

 species of champignon, which the crew had been sent to collect. They 

 appeared of that description called toads' cups, and which in England are 

 considered as rank poison; yet they said they picked and eat them without 

 ever having experienced a single instance of any ill effects. What were 

 they? — W. 



Beans or Peas imported from foreign Parts are always worm-eaten, whereas 

 those grown and used in the same country are free from worm. {New Yo7-k 

 Newspaper.) What can be the reason of this? — A. R. August 6. 



Temperature at Petersburgh. — The greatest degree of heat is 27°, and 

 greatest cold33°,Reaum. How are cucumbers, lettuces, melons, &c., brought 

 to perfection in the winter there? We may learn much from Russian 

 gardeners. — Rusticus in Urbe. 



Siberian Rice. — In Russia a kind of rice is used which grows in Siberia, 

 and is more succulent than that of America. It may be useful, and I am 

 desirous of enquiring about it. — Rusticus in Urbe. 



