lletrospective Cnticism. 699 



hot plates." We should think sloe leaves would answer much better 

 than hawthorn leaves, on account of the prussic acid contained in the 

 latter. 



Art. VI. Retrospective Criticism. 



Corrections for the EncyclopcBdia of Gardening. • — Varieties of 'Phms syU 

 v'estiis, $ 7042. 2d edit. There can be no doubt that Pinus maritima and 

 P. sylvestris are distinct species. Some thousands of acres of the former 

 have been sown in France, during the last fiftj' years ; and there is no in- 

 stance in which they have run into any thing like the latter species. Nature 

 has given them quite different habitats : the Pinus maritima grows on the 

 sea sand, and the P. sylvestris on high mountains. The former attains 

 its maturity in from 35 to 50 years, while the latter requires from 80 to 

 120 years. The wild pine can live on calcareous soils, though it does not 

 thrive on them ; while the maritime pine absolutely refuses to grow on cal- 

 careous soils, and when planted on them invariably perishes in a few years. 



The Cones of the Wild Pine (§ 7040.) are not fit to gather in the December 

 of the year in which they flower, but in the December of the following 

 year ; that is, eighteen months after their appearance in May. 



The Vindster (§ 7047.). It is extremely probable that this is our Pinus 

 maritima, and your figure (669. 5.) confirms me in this opinion; which 

 other researches had long since given me. In the Pays Bas, the Pinus 

 maritima is known under the name of Pinaster. If there is any difference 

 between the two trees, it must be merely that between varieties. 



[P. Pinaster and P. maritima are very distinct in the arboretum at Kew, 

 and in Lambert's 'Phms ; but it does not follow that what is called Pinus 

 maritima, on the sea-coast of France and in the Netherlands, may not be 

 our Pinaster. — Cond.] 



Norway Spruce. (§ 7058.). The common French name of this tree is 

 Epicea, not Sapin, which is applied only to the silver fir. 



IVie common Oak (§ 7070.). Among the differences in quality to be 

 found in the two varieties, or, as I believe them to be, species, Q. peduncu- 

 lata and sessiliflora, there is one in favour of the last, which has been fully 

 confirmed in France ; this is, that it will grow in shallow, dry, gravelly soil 

 a great deal better than Q. pedunculata ; and also that its wood is more 

 firm, close, and heavj', and otherwise of better quality for fuel. 



Pyramidal Oak. A variety of Q. pedunculata, altogether remarkable and 

 well worthy of being mentioned, is the Q. p. fastigiata, Chene Cypres, or 

 Chene Pyramidal [the peaked cj'press oak o^Hort.Brit., and there considered 

 as a distinct species]. It is a native of the mountains of Portugal, and, 

 according to some, also of the Pja'enees. It is an upright, narrow, closely 

 twigged tree, like the Lorabardy Poplar, which renders it peculiarly fit for 

 forming avenues to have an effect analogous to the latter tree, and, at the 

 same time, to produce much more valuable timber. 



The Tauzin Oak [Q. Tauzin of Hort. Brit.]. A European oak, also 

 worthy of being mentioned, Q. Tauzin, a native of the south of France. 

 It is neither a beautiful nor a large ti'ee, but it is remarkable for having 

 running roots, which throw up suckers, and it grows in the very worst soils 

 in France ; for instance, in the Landes de Bordeaux. Its wood is more 

 esteemed for fuel than that of Q. pedunculata and sessiliflora. Its bark is 

 very thick, and is considered the best of all the species for tanning. — 

 M. Vilmorin, Paris, June 21. 1831. 



Principles and Conduct of the Conductor. — Sir, Methinks it is a pity that 

 " A Well-wisher to Horticulture" should have said (Vol. VI. p. 720.) that 

 " care and assiduity scarcely secure permanent situations." If he speaks 

 from the practice of frequently changing his own gardener, he has sufficient 

 reason to fear the publication of anything that has a tendency to make his 



