General Notices. 5 1 



Smith, and probably other writers also, seem to consider it almost an axiom 

 that those plants which increase numerously at the root are more or less 

 barren in seeds ; and this view has many facts to support it, and seems 

 consistent with our usual experience in physiology, where we witness that 

 a particular appropriation of energies to one part of a plant leaves the 

 other parts impoverished ; a doctrine very familiar to the cultivators of 

 fruit. The view also harmonises with a beautiful economy frequently ob- 

 servable in nature, which, while it effects all needful ends, does nothing 

 superfluous. 



We will name two illustrative instances, to set our young friends think- 

 ing. iVasturtium sylvestre, which increases abundantly by its suckers, has 

 its seeds " very sparingly perfected ; " and V. amphibium, a plant increasing 

 at its roots most prodigiously, has its seed-pods usually small and abortive. 

 We have cited these instances from Smith's English Flora, but could supply 

 some from our own observation. Smith, in his English Flora, vol. iii. p. 1 95., 

 says of the iVasturtium amphibium, " This plant is noticed by the cele- 

 brated M, Chateaubriand, in his account of England, for its wonderful 

 powers of increase by root. He observed it in the river near Beccles 

 [Suffolk], where he long resided as an emigrant ; and his rather florid 

 description has excited wonder and curiosity in many, who daily, perhaps, 

 pass over without regard several no less interesting works of their Creator." 



Instances not a few, refractory to the above view, can also be cited : as 

 one, we may name the strawberry, which increases numerously by its pro- 

 liferous stolones, and also plentifully by seeds. It applies strictly, never- 

 theless, in the case of annual and biennial plants, which, being devoid of 

 all radical means of increase, have this defect compensated by their astonish- 

 ing seminal fecundity. The Canterbury bell-flower, Virginian tobacco, 

 Indian corn, and annual sunflower, are familiar examples of this arrange- 

 ment. 



Some plants which produce splendid flowers are more or less difficult 

 of cultivation. Not so -Lathyrus grandiflorus. Almost the only condition 

 on which its ,'perfect success depends is early removal. This should be 

 performed as soon as ever the herbage begins to turn yellow, which is at 

 the close of August, when the plant is at rest. Removed at this time, 

 autumnal growth has the good effect of so establishing it, as to enable it 

 both to resist the winter's frost, and to blossom the succeeding summer. 

 When removed, as it usually is, at any time between February and May, 

 it receives such a check to its growth, which is then going on, that one, 

 and sometimes two, summers are gone before it acquires sufficient vigour 

 to blossom. — J. D. 



Horticulture. 



.Mr. Seymour'' s System of training Peach and Nectarine Trees. (Vol. I. p. 130. 

 and Vol. II. p. 295.) — We have been favoured with two communications on 

 this method of training the peach, &c; and an account of the trees under 

 Mr. Seymour's own management, as they appeared last summer. " It is 

 impossible," says the writer, "for the pen to do the trees justice ; nothing 

 but a personal view can suffice. The health and regularity, the profusion 

 of flowers which covered the mother branches from the stem to the 

 extremities, were truly astonishing. One tree, a Bourdine peach, attracted 

 particular notice; it extended 47 ft. on a 10ft. wall, and its branches were 

 literally covered with bloom on every part. Since the time I saw it, I have 

 understood from Mr, Seymour that he has thinned off from this tree 3540 

 green fruit, leaving an ample crop to come to perfection. As the process 

 has already been described in your Magazine, it is unnecessary for me to 

 repeat it here ; but I may add that it is entirely Mr. Seymour's own, he 

 never having had a hint, verbal or written, on the method, from any 

 one. The tree in the garden of the Horticultural Society at Chiswick, 

 . said to be trained according to Mr. Se)-TOOur's system, is not a fair sped- 



E 2 



