556 



PART II. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. The Villa and Cottage Florist 's Directory ; being a familiar 

 Treatise on Floriculture, particularly the Management of the best 

 Stage, Bed, and Border Flowers usually cultivated in Britain. To 

 which are added Directions for the Management of the Green- 

 house, Hot-house, and Conservatory ; with the different Modes 

 of raising and propagating Exotic Plants : interspersed with many 

 new Physiological Observations and various useful Lists. By 

 James Main, A.L.S., Editor of the 23d Edition of Maw's Gar- 

 deners Calendar, and a Writer in various Departments of Gar- 

 dening, Agriculture, and Natural History. London, 1830. 

 12mo. 6s. 



This work is intended for practical florists ; and where the 

 author adheres to what should have been his sole object, the 

 communication of the information obtained from an appa- 

 rently extensive and long experience in the management of 

 the flower-garden, the green-house, hot4iouse, and conser- 

 vatory, we know few works that more deserve the patronage 

 of the public than this little volume. But, soaring above the 

 ambition of the horticulturist, Mr. Main has unfortunately 

 involved himself and his readers in clouds and vapours, in 

 attempting to theorise on vegetable physiology. Whilst, 

 therefore, on the first account, we can honestly recommend 

 the volume as a practical guide to the young and inexpe- 

 rienced florist, it is our duty to prevent erroneous impres- 

 sions from being made, where they are most likely to be 

 received, and to become permanent, on the minds of the 

 uninformed and credulous. It is to this portion of the work 

 that it behoves us, reluctantly, to direct the attention of our 

 readers. 



In describing the nature of bulbs, and the manner in which 

 the offsets or young bulbs are produced, Mr. Main has given 

 a kind of definition of the corculum, which, we confess, is far 

 beyond our homely understanding. He informs us that it 



