General Notices. 



45 



When the tulip-bed is prepared, this apparatus is used to take out the 

 earth, after which the bulb is placed in the hole; and then, by press- 

 ing the spring, the earth is discharged on the bulb from the machine 

 with the greatest ease. This apparatus is so simple, and so easily worked 

 that I think it might answer for a variety of horticultural purposes, by 

 having it of different sizes, for the transplanting of different things. I re- 

 main, Sir, yours,&c. — M.Saul. Sulyard Street, Lancaster, October 7. 1831. 



We have not had an opportunity of trying this instrument, but it pro- 

 mises to be an excellent one for the purpose proposed, and it certainly 

 merits the attention of those who study the exquisite, or what the Ger- 

 mans call the aesthetik, in floriculture. The French have a transplanter, 

 calculated to effect the same object; but not with such nicety, because 

 it wants the spring. Our readers will find the French transplanter figured 

 Vol. I. p. 268. — Cond. 



A cheap Awning for Beds of Tulips, Ranunculuses, tyc. — Sir, The kind of 

 awning of which I now send you a sketch ( fig. 24.) and description is 



quite a cheap one, and is much used by the Lancashire tulip-growers. It 

 consists of a few uprights and rafters, and a piece of canvass which is fixed at 

 a, and extends to b b. A strong roller (c) is fixed to the edge of the can- 

 vass ; a cord is fixed to the roof, under the canvass, and brought round the 

 roller c, and over the canvass to a pulley at d, so that by drawing the cord 

 e, the canvass is rolled up by the roller c. By the use of a similar cord on 

 the other side, running in a distinct pulley at d, either side of the awning 

 may be pulled partly or wholly up, as circumstances may dictate. I am, 

 Sir, yours, &c. — M. Saul. Lancaster, Sulyard Street, Oct. 16. 1830. 



Accommodating half-hardy Exotics to our Seasons. — Sir, From the ob- 

 servations I have made on early-flowering plants placed against south walls, 

 I am decidedly of opinion (where fruit is not the object) that we are in 

 error ; and that, instead of their being planted against a south wall, with the 

 idea of their receiving the sun in the winter and spring months, thereby 

 forwarding them unduly, all early-flowering plants should be placed against 

 north walls ; as it must be quite clear to persons acquainted with such 

 plants, that the grand object is to retard their blooming as much as possible 

 until the season is sufficiently advanced for them to expand without the 

 liability of being destroyed by frost. As a proof of the correctness of 

 what I state, had that fine plant of Wistaria Consequawa in the garden of 

 the Horticultural Society been on a north wall instead of a south, the 

 bloom would not have been destroyed by frost, as was the case last year. 

 Camellias also ought to be retarded as much as possible, as it is well known 

 that the first sharp wind or frost will spoil the beauty of the blossom. 

 I have had a fine plant of the striped camellia bloom beautifully the last 



