78 M'^Nab on Hardy Evergreens. 



panied by historical, topographical, and critical Illustrations." Part I. 



4to, with 17 splendid Engravings on Steel. To be completed in 12 Parts, 



price 45. each. 



This is a highly finished work as far as the engravings are concerned, and 

 certainly no publication of the kind was ever produced at so low a price. 

 There are two views given in a quarto page, each 5 in. by about 3i in. ; and 

 there is, on an average, about a page and a half of description to each plate. 

 The defect of the work is, that these descriptions are much too short, and 

 that they are historical and laudatory, without being at the same time de- 

 scriptive and critical. Such descriptions, indeed, as we should wish to see 

 accompany these elegant plates, could only be made on the spot by an 

 artist of taste. But if they included the gardens and grounds, and were 

 made by an acute observer and honest man, they would have a powerful 

 effect in improving the taste of country residents. Without them, the work 

 is still of the greatest value as a collection of engravings of the finest country- 

 seats in the world ; and being so remarkably cheap, we recommend it to all 

 who can afford to indulge in this description of luxury. 



Plantation Journals ; containing Tables for every Department connected 

 with the Business of Planters, and forming a complete Diary for the 

 Year. London, 1830. Letts and Son. 21, 2s., each Table to be half- 

 bound. 



Mattheiv, Patrick : A Treatise on Naval Timber, Marine, and Arboricul- 

 turine ; to which are added. Critical Notes on Authors who have recently 

 treated the Subject of Planting. Edinburgh. 8vo. 



We have just received this goodly volume, and shall look into it in time 

 to prepare a critique for our next Number. 



M'Nab, William, A.L.S. C.M.H.S., &c.. Associate of the Medico-Botanical 

 Society of London, Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Garden of 

 Edinburgh, &c. : Hints on the Planting and General Treatment of Hardy 

 Evergreens in the Climate of Scotland, &c. 



Evergreens, Mr. M'Nab observes, are much more sparingly cultivated in 

 Scotland than good taste would dictate. One of the reasons is, certain 

 erroneous opinions respecting their treatment, which it is his object to cor- 

 rect. - He is " quite persuaded, that the chief cause of failure in the culti- 

 vation of these most ornamental plants proceeds from the uncontradicted 

 promulgation of certain instructions regarding the season and manner of 

 planting." The seasons recommended by most authors are, " early in au- 

 tumn or late in spring, that is, in August or September ; or in the end of 

 March, in April, or early in May." Five out of six nurserj^men will tell 

 you, " spring or autumn ; or, perhaps, early in autumn, or late in spring," 

 Practical gardeners will give the same answer. Examine a nurseryman's 

 books, and you will find that the greatest number of orders have been 

 recorded in April and May, and the next greatest number in August and 

 September ; " very few are sent out at any other time ; all showing that the 

 general feeling is, that spring and autumn are the best seasons for planting 

 evergreens." Mr. M'Nab's experience has taught him, that evergreens of all 

 kinds may be planted at all seasons of the year, with nearly equal success, 

 except from the middle of June to the middle of August. He prefers,however, 

 " late in autumn, winter, or very early in spring ; that is, any time from the 

 middle of October till the middle of December, always provided that the wea- 

 ther and the ground are favourable : that is, supposing there is no frost, no 

 drying wind, nor much sunshine, and that the ground is not too much satu- 

 rated with wet, either from continued rain, or from the nature of the soil. 



