Hints for Improvements. 353 



Art. VI. Hints for Improvements. 



PLANTED Cemetery at Liverpool. — We have heard something of a very 

 remarkable cemetery, which has been formed at Liverpool, and planted by 

 Mr. Shepherd: we should be much obliged to Mr. Shepherd, or to any 

 other gentleman in the neighbourhood, who would send us a full account 

 of it, accompanied by a plan and a list of the trees. No gardens want dress- 

 ing so much as those of" churches. If we could purchase 500 acres of the 

 poorest possible dry soil within twenty-five miles of London, we would lay 

 it out as an arboretum and place of burial for all sects and parties, and, were 

 it not for the church, we should say for the metropolis. A railroad and 

 locomotive engine might convey corpses thither once a day, and company 

 at all hours. Those who had near relations buried in the arboretum, should 

 be free of it for seven years ; all others should pay a shilling each. The 

 requisite chapels for different sects would serve as ornamental buildings ; 

 the poor soil would become enriched and the trees would thrive ; and at 

 half the burial fees now taken the establishment would pay. — Cond. 



The Establishment of a Fund for the Relief of poor Gardeners and their 

 Widows, as proposed by Mr. French (Vol. V. p. 729.), is a good idea, and 

 deserves support. I have recommended that London should be fixed on as 

 the situation for a central society, and there should be agents in the prin- 

 cipal country towns ; or that it should be an understood thing, that the 

 secretary of every provincial horticultural society should be in communica- 

 tion with the secretary of the central society. As few gardeners belong to 

 other benefit societies, most of them would readily join this one, and I also 

 think it would be handsomely supported by honorary members who are 

 friends to gardening, and by nurserymen and other commercial gardeners. 

 I hope this matter will not be lost sight of by my brethren, and offer my 

 hearty thanks to Mr. French for having thrown out the suggestion. I am, 

 Sir, &c. — James Rollins. Liverpool, Jan. 7. 1830. 



A Substitute for Glass in Hot-houses. — Dining, a few days since with a 

 scientific friend, he, previously to our summons to the dining-room, enquired 

 if I would like a peep into his vinery. Replying in the affirmative, and that 

 it was a hobby of mine, we entered it.. My attention was more caught with 

 the contents of the house than the materials of its structure ; but on his 

 informing me that there was not a foot of glass in it, I looked up, and not 

 perceiving any difference from glass in the light or colour, I did not know 

 what he meant. On closer examination, I found that the whole of his 

 vinery was lighted with a vegetable production from Russia, which I think 

 my friend called Tout [Talc ? a mineral, however], and described it as 

 answering every purpose of glass. No hail storm, nor even the stroke of a 

 hammer,, can break it ; fire has no effect upon it, and it may be cut with a 

 pair of scissors. He considers it cheaper than glass, and he has sent me 

 a sheet of it, which peels off into several sheets of thinner substance. I 

 intend to try it myself in my next vinery, so fully am I satisfied of its advan- 

 tages. I am, Sir, &c. — G. G. Birmingham, May 16. 1829. 



Rides of Horticultural Societies. — Sir, Allow me again to suggest that 

 advantages of some importance might be derived from a compilation, or 

 rather an abstract of the rules of the numerous horticultural societies, the 

 proceedings of which you publish. By making known the best regulations, 

 and pointing out those which are defective, new institutions might be formed, 

 which would promise more beneficial results than many now seem calcu- 

 lated to effect ; the competition might be more fairly arranged by classing 

 more accurately the individuals who compete ; medals ought to be con- 

 fined to the best productions, the treatment of which is detailed ; market- 

 gardeners should be excited to rivalry, and cottagers and manufacturers 



Vol. VI. -— No. 26. a a 



