Callow on the Culture of Mushrooms. 213 



distinguished has been compressed into a very small compass. Thus, in 

 apples, the following line — 



846 Oslin p.y roundish 2 T 1 Aug. Sept. 



signifies that the Oslin is a pale yellow apple, of a roundish figure, of a 

 middling size, used for the dessert, of the first quality, and ripening in 

 August and September. To these abbreviations a few useful remarks have 

 often been added in a separate column. 



In the former edition, a number of fruits, both of hardy and of tender 

 kinds, were comprehended which are here omitted ; such, for instance, as 

 bilberries, hawthorns, brambles, oranges, guavas, and the like. They have 

 now been left out for several reasons. By far the greater part, although 

 eatable, are not fit for cultivation as fruit ; such as hawthorns, brambles, 

 and whortleberries, which ought only to be found in an enumeration of 

 trees and shrubs ; others can scarcely be considered eatable at all, as 

 viburnums and many of the American grapes ; and a third class is cul- 

 tivated in this country for the flowers rather than the fruit, as the orange 

 tribe. But what has chiefly caused the omission of the latter, and of 

 other tender fruits, has been that in the present state of the gardens 

 there are no means of cultivating them, with a view either to fruiting or to 

 distribution. To this there is only one exception in the purple guava,. 

 or Psidium Cattleydnum, which occupies a permanent situation in one of 

 the vineries, where it bears abundantly. 



In conclusion, it is due to Mr. Robert Thompson, who has the charge of 

 the fruit department in the garden of the Society, to state that the value 

 of this catalogue, whatever it may be, is principally due to his assiduity 

 and pomological knowledge," 



We have no hesitation in saying that this is by far the most valuable 

 work which the Society has published ; indeed, we should not be far wrong 

 if we were to say that it is worth all their other works (seven 4to volumes 

 of Transactions} put together. It is, in short, the attainment of the most 

 important office for which the Society was called into existence. As the 

 Society gives away scions and cuttings of fruit trees and shrubs freely to 

 all nurserymen, it will now be their fault, or that of their customers, if the 

 best varieties of every hardy fruit are not soon substituted for the bad or 

 indifferent sorts now in general use, all over the temperate climates of both 

 hemispheres. 



Callow, Edward, Gardener upwards of thirty years to the late Lord 

 Glastonbury, and afterwards to the Hon. and Rev. George Neville 

 Grenville : Observations on the Methods now in use for the artificial 

 Growth of Mushrooms, with a full Explanation of an improved Mode 

 of Culture, by which an abundant Supply may be procured and continued 

 throughout every Month in the Year, with a degree of certainty which 

 has in no instance failed. 8vo, pp. 46, 1 pi. Fellowes, London, 1831. 

 Is. Qd. 



It is easy, the author observes, to grow mushrooms in the autumn, when 

 the atmosphere is congenial to their growth ; but for summer and winter 

 produce, the delicate habits of the mushroom require a nicety of manage- 

 ment which few have been able to attain. That they have hitherto been 

 found delicate things to force, and that to obtain them at all seasons has 

 been a matter of some uncertainty, those who are best acquainted with 

 raising them well know. Mr. Callow, having succeeded in obtaining 

 winter and summer supplies of mushrooms in great quantity, at little 

 expense, and subject to no uncertainty, " is induced on that account to lay 

 before the public the result of his experience." The uncertainty in cold- 

 beds has arisen from the want of bottom heat, and from damp ; and the 

 uncertainty in houses warmed by fire flues, may be attributed to the arid 



P 3 



