254- Answers to Queries, and Queries. 



entering into the details of his process. Dutrochet discovered that hot nitric acid rendered frag- 

 ments of plants transparent, and dissolved the cohesion of the cellular tissue; but we have had 

 several experiments on leaves made with this and other acids, and also with alkalies, without having 

 been able to come to any useful conclusion with reference to handsome skeletons. As these expe- 

 riments are still in progress, we may report on them at some future time. In the mean time, the 

 answer of an eminent botanist, to whom we put our correspondent's query, is — patience and 

 common water. — Ootid. 



New Garden. —" I am making a new garden at present ; the soil is a very strong clay, being 

 part of a field which was well fallowed, and bore an excellent crop of wheat, and hay crop after, 

 wards. There is one very good spot of improved soil to some depth, but the next is strong red 

 clay, approaching to till. Lesttrenching should bury the good below, I think of forming the space 

 into beds, six feet wide, with trenches of the same breadth, and then crossing the beds one or two 

 years, and fallowing and green cropping the trenches for the same time, and afterwards reversing 

 them. Do you approve of the plan ? " W. M." 



" Argyllshire, Jan. 28th, 1827." 



The plan is undoubtedly good, as far as respects the soil ; but unless it is confined to the interior 

 of the compartments, it must interfere with the completion of the garden as a work of design and 

 form, which in our eyes would be great drawbacks to enjoyment. As nothing satisfactory can be 

 done with a kitchen- garden till the permanent surfaces and lines, such as those of the walls, 

 walks, borders, and fruit-trees, are laid out and fixed, and as this cannot be done while our cor- 

 respondent's fallowing operations are in progress, we think we should prefer what is called ridge- 

 trenching, or trenching and mixing top and bottom together, (Enc. of Gard. § 1870 — 1.) ; but we 

 should be glad to hear the opinion of some of our readers on the subject. — Cond. 



Amaryllidece. — " Sir — Perhaps some correspondent of your valuable Magazine will have the 

 goodness to inform me of the particular culture 'necessary for the Amaryllis viltata. It has, I 

 understand, never flowered in any garden of this neighbourhood, although planted in the compost 

 generally recommended, and kept with every attention in a good greenhouse. One instance I am 

 acquainted with, where it has failed nearly sixteen jyears. I have referred to your excellent 

 work, the Encyclopaedia of Gardening, but it more especially treats of the Guernsey Lily, which 

 flowers in autumn ; I more particularly request information concerning Amaryllideas in general, 

 and what the treatment is which deters and promotes their flowers. I am, Sir, &c. 



" Cation, Jan. 31st, 1827." " Joseph Groom." 



A Wldtewash for Walls and Flues — " I shall be obliged to any of your correspondents who will 

 inform me of a proper composition for washing the walls and flues of hot and greenhouses. I 

 have repeatedly done mine over with whiting and strong size ; but in a few weeks it comes off', and 

 is a great nuisance when walking round, by soiling the clothes. 



" A subscriber and well-wisher, M." 



r What" is the best Method of Packing Seeds for sending to countries across the Line, as to the 

 East Indies, New South Wales, &c. ? to both of which parcels of seeds are almost daily sent, and 

 seldom without disappointment. The general method is to pack them in tin cases, to which some 

 object, as the metal is more apt to get heated than wood. Also which is the best part of the ves- 

 sel to have them stowed in ? Some say if they are placed below the level of the water, not a seed of 

 them will grow. This is a subject that is very little known, and one upon which it is not easy 

 to obtain correct information. You will render a great service to the public in general, if you can 

 give the desired information, and the earlier the better, as many will be sending seeds abroad in 

 the spring, especially if the expected emigration to Canada take place. 



" London, Feb. 8th, 1827." " A Constant Reader." 



Worms in the Buds' — " Sir — I am at a loss to know if the American blight, (p. 49.) is the same 

 disease with which the fruit-trees under my care have been suffering for the last six or seven 

 years, and which I will endeavour to describe. As soon as the buds open, on moving any of the 

 leaves, may be seen one or more small green worms placed in the heart of the bud : at first, they 

 are not larger than the point of a pin, but gradually increase to about three quarters of an inch 

 in length, and thick in proportion. Being placed in the centre of the bud, I cannot discover 

 whether they are actually engendered in the bud or not. Soon after the insect makes its appear- 

 ance, the buds affected assume a brownish colour, having a small hole at the side ; but whether the 

 insect enters the bud at first by the hole, or perforates it afterwards, 1 cannot find out. I am inclined 

 to think the latter is the case. Their effect when they spread over the tree is most destructive, 

 stripping it entirely both of leaves and blossom, and thus rendering the fruit-tree an object most 

 unseemly to look upon, at a season when it should be most ornamental. I have tried several plans 

 to destroy them, such as lime-water, soft soap, tobacco-water, &c. &c, with little effect, the in- 

 sects being so enclosed in the bud, and wrapt in the leaves, that there is no getting at them. If 

 any of your numerous correspondents can point out a way of exterminating this most destructive 

 enemy to'fruit-trees, they will greatly oblige your constant reader, David Taylor." 



" Belmont, near Aberdeen, Feb. 1th, 1827." 



Roses. — "lam desirous of trying this season a variety of experiments in budding Roses, par- 

 ticularly the double yellow, and I would be glad to see in your work instructions for budding in 

 the French or scollop manner of spring budding. — [These w iU be found P.192.] I should also be 

 obliged by information as to the best manure for rose trees, &c, on a stiff brick clay, of which the 

 soil in this neighbourhood chiefly consists, the ^effect of rotten tan on such a soil, mixed or not 

 with lime, the effect particularly of wall-dust on it, also of bones, ground or unground. 



" Bath, Feb. 6th, 1827." " Christopher Crabstock."' • 



Galardia bicolor, Asclepias tuberosa, and (Enothera cmspitosa. — " I should be glad if any of 

 your correspondents would point out the best methods of cultivating and keeping through the 

 winter the three above-mentioned plants, having had very poor success with them myself. 



" Manchester, Jan. 5th, 1827." " A Constant Reader and Subscriber." 



Soap Suds.' — " Sir — As my employer is a bleacher, I can command a large supply of soap suds ; 

 I should therefore be glad to know what are the qualities of soap suds ? how far useful as a gar- 

 den manure ? whether suitable for vine borders, and what time of the year is best to use them ? 



" Old Base/ord, Jan. 13th, 1827." „ _ « E. M. Mathbr." 



