Sinclair on the Planting of Forest Trees. 207 



are outlines from copper, and would have been much more convenient if 

 given as woodcuts along with the text. The book might then have been 

 sold at a third of its present price. 



As we are desirous of introducing all the best works on rural architecture 

 to our readers, with a view of improving their taste, so we have considered 

 it right to guard them against a work which, in our opinion, only mystifies 

 the subject on which it professes to treat. 



Anon, [presumed to be by Mr. Sinclair, of the New Cross Nursery, F.L.S. 

 and H.S., Author of Hbrtus Gramineus Woburnensis, &c. &c] : Four 

 Numbers on the Planting of Forest Trees, forming Nos. 19, 20, 22, and 

 23. of the Farmer's Series of the Library of Useful Knowledge. 8vo. 

 London, Baldwin and Cradock. Nos. 19, 20, 22. 1831 ; No. 23, 1832. 

 6d. each. 



A glance through these numbers has enabled us to aver confidently that 

 they form an important present to every one possessing predilections for 

 planting. " Present," we have said, and this is proper; for, thanks to the 

 Society for the DhTusion of Useful Knowledge, so valuable a body of 

 information on planting has never before been attainable for the incon- 

 siderable sum of two shillings. 



The writer divides planting into forest-tree planting, ornamental or gar- 

 den planting, and orchard or fruit-tree planting. The four numbers here 

 noticed only relate to the planting of forest trees ; the other two divisions 

 will be treated of in numbers to be subsequently published. Forest tree 

 planting is treated of in eight chapters. The first exhibits the personal and 

 national advantages resulting from judicious planting; and this subject is 

 incidentally resumed in the beginning of the fourth chapter, where are some 

 such striking remarks on, and selected proofs of, the profitable application 

 of human labour to soils far from the best for purposes of planting, as 

 will lead the political reader to exclaim, Heavens ! why are our poor 

 suffering for want of employment and comforts ? The second chapter is 

 on physiology, the third on the modes of propagation, the fourth on the 

 fittest soils and sites, the fifth on the preparation of soils, the sixth on the 

 culture and management of plantations, the seventh on the statics of the 

 products of plantations, and the eighth and last consists of " an enumer- 

 ation of the different species of forest trees, as well those of large growth, 

 as those of under-growth for coppice wood, ornament, or shelter. Their 

 generic botanical characters, their natural soils, mode of propagation, and 

 the uses to which their timber is more generally applied." 



This last chapter, which occupies four pages of No. 22. and the whole of 

 No. 23. is, in our estimation, the more popularly useful one, because it 

 places before the planter desirous of variety, rich lists of hardy trees and 

 shrubs eligible for his purpose, of which he has hitherto, through ignorance 

 of their existence, their characters and attributes, been unable to avail him- 

 self. This part of the Treatise on Planting becomes, in consequence, what 

 has long been wanted, a means of informing those not already familiarised 

 with the contents of our British nurseries, of what numerous appropriate 

 species and varieties of hardy trees and shrubs await them, as the progress 

 of planting shall arouse them to procure and apply them. 



Notwithstanding our preference of this part of the treatise, as being the 

 more popularly tangible portion of the work, it is but justice to assert that 

 the seven preceding chapters are rich in information on their respective 

 subjects. The positions advanced and facts supplied seem to have been 

 well considered and appropriately disposed. We commit, however, nearly 

 all these to the attentive perusal of some able correspondents, severally 

 versed in the respective branches of the subject, and who may feel disposed, 



