Domestic Notices. — England. 233 



broken ground, and ruins. We have "seen several specimens at his house 

 in Kensington, and we think he might be advantageously employed by gen- 

 tlemen about to execute pieces of water, cascades, rock-work, and ruins, 

 to form models of what was. intended, as guides in the execution of 

 the work. Every one who has had any thing to do in the way of imitations 

 of rude nature on a large scale, knows how difficult it is to convey ideas to 

 workmen by drawings of such scenes. Models like those made by Mr. 

 Crowe would remove every difficulty, and as objects for a private 

 museum, models of remarkable estates, such as Blenheim, or Alton 

 Abbey, or of one's own estates in different parts of the empire, would 

 possess great interest. (See Part IV.) 



Spanish Hoe. — " Sir, I send you herewith a Spanish hoe (Jig. 64. and 

 see p. 106.), which I do not find mentioned in your Encyclopaedia of Gar- 

 dening, and of which I beg your acceptance. I^~"\ 64 

 find it a most useful and powerful implement ; it 

 is generally made of three sizes, the one sent 

 herewith being the middle size, the larger is used 

 for planting, the smaller for hoeing, and goes 

 nearer to delicate and small plants without injur- 

 ing them, than any hoe I have met with, and in 

 the hands of a skilful gardener, would, I believe, 

 be a much more efficient tool than any of the pre- 

 sent hoes now in use in this country ; it is used with a handle about nine 

 inches long, but the largest size with a long handle would, I conceive, be a 

 most admirable and expeditious instrument for hoeing turnips, yellow beet, 

 &c. &c. 



" If, on trial, you think as favourably of it as I do, you may, perhaps, in- 

 dulge your numerous readers with a figure of it in your useful Magazine ; 

 in the prosecution of which, I wish you every possible success, and remain, 

 Sir, &c. Mentor." 



" November 20. 1826." 



Cheap and efficacious Manure. — Raise a platform of earth on the head- 

 land of a field, eight feet wide, one foot high, and of any length according to 

 the quantity wanted. On this first stratum of earth, lay a thin stratum of 

 lime fresh from the kiln ; dissolve or slack this with salt brine from the 

 rose of a watering pot ; add immediately another layer of earth, then lime 

 and brine as before, carrying it to any convenient height. In a week it 

 should be turned over, carefully broken, and mixed, so that the whole mass 

 may be thoroughly incorporated. This compost has been used in Ireland ; 

 has doubled the crops of potatoes and cabbages, and is said to be far 

 superior to stable dung. James Reed. 



Bristol, No. 14. Broad Street, December 13. 1826. 



The Uses to which Salt may be applied is a subject which has lately at- 

 tracted a good deal of attention in the country newspapers, and some of 

 the magazines ; the following are extracts : 



Extirpating Thistles and other Weeds by Salt. This application of 

 salt has been recently brought into notice by Mr. Sinclair, of New Cross, 

 Surrey, in his notes to Holdich's Essay on Weeds, (p. 67.), and in the Far- 

 mer's Journal, (Dec. 18. 1826.) Having stated in the former publication, 

 that it would destroy thistles, and in the latter, that it is employed to do so, 

 he gives us proofs, by relating the practice of some cultivators in Oxfordshire. 

 The following is the substance of his letter. Carduus acaulis, and plants 

 of similar habits of growth, as Plantago, Leontodon, Rumex, &c, are ef- 

 fectually destroyed by the application of a little salt to the crown of the 

 stems, or centre of the spreading leaves, in quantity sufficient to cover the 

 space occupied by a half-crown piece, and at the same time consolidating 

 the salt upon the spot to which it is applied by one pressure of the foot. 



