Lists of hardy Fruit Trees and ShniBs. 1 IT 



ago by some of our highly respectable agrarian societies, the Bath adn 

 West of England Agricultural Society, or the Highland Society of Scot- 

 land, for instance. We have our experimental gardens for the advance- 

 ment of horticultural science ; but what is this compared with agri- 

 culture in a national point of view ? Dust in the balance. The expe- 

 rimental farm at Padua is a most interesting spot, and many curious 

 and important facts have emanated thence. Not long ago I had much 

 pleasing conversation M'ith that veteran agriculturist Sir John Sinclair; 

 and this question I particularly urged : but he does not now take an 

 active part in the business of the Highland Society ; and my principal 

 object was the result of some experiments I had made with the Phormium 

 tenax, and the cultivation of the Z)]psacus fuUonuni, or fullers' teasel. — 

 J. MurrciT/. Carmarthen, Ajjril 2. 1830. 



If experimental farms were, in their nature, good for much, we suspect 

 it would not be a question of doubt at this time of day. We should 

 like to be made acquainted, by our much esteemed correspondent, with 

 some of the useful facts which have emanated from the experimental 

 farm at Padua, or indeed from any other farm in any other country. How- 

 ever, by all means let us have an experhnental farm : the rich may spend 

 their means at least as well in that v/ay as in any other. — Cond. 



Exhibitions of Foreign and Domestic Animals. — Sir, As the public much 

 approves of exhibitions of animals, would it be a useless plan for some 

 of our agricultural societies to adopt an established show of foreign do- 

 mestic animals suited to each county ? For example : Yorkshire to adopt 

 the horse; Cornwall the ass, as it sends mules to the West Indies; the 

 coal districts the same animal, as great numbers are employed by the retail 

 dealers ; Herefordshire, horned cattle ; Wiltshire, the sheep ; Wales, the 

 goat, an animal frequently taken to sea for the sake of its milk, and kept 

 in stable yards for the benefit horses receive from the smell of them; 

 Berkshire and Hampshire, swine. It was by the introduction of foreign 

 horses that we were enabled to boast of the superior excellence of ours ; 

 and, no doubt, inattention to the original stock will diminish their value. — 

 J. M. June, 1830. 



Art. V. Lists of the finest Varieties of iLardy Fruit Trees and 

 Shrubs recommended for Cultivation in a select Garden, in the 

 Midland or Southern Counties of England. Copied from the 

 third and concluding Volume of the Pomological Magazine. . 



Of these Lists it is observed by the editor of the Pomological Magazine 

 (Pref , p. v.), that, being " only formed for select gardens," all doubtful or 

 second-hand varieties are excluded. It will be foimd that a great many 

 common varieties are also omitted : this has always been done advisedly, 

 and because newly raised kinds ought to displace them. For instance, 

 among cherries, not a single " Heart " is quoted, because the Elton of Mr. 

 Knight is much superior to them all. It is possible that persons in trade 

 may say that varieties have been introduced which are inferior to others 

 more commonly cultivated for sale, and even that many are not to be pro- 

 cured. To enter into separate arguments upon all such questions would 

 be equally useless and unsatisfactory. In making the selection, no other 

 object has been had in view than the public service ; it is founded upon the 

 experience, not only of the editor, but of the most competent judges of 

 fruit in this country ; and it will be for the public to decide in whom they 

 will place their confidence. It may only be observed, that a nurseryman's 

 not possessing a variety is no proof that it is undeserving the character 

 that may be given of it, although it may be an evidence of his own want of 



