Domestic Notices : — England. 24,3 



being the great objection." In Lindley's Introd. Nat Ord., p. 257., the 

 following remark is quoted from Prince Maximilian's Travels : — " Ropes 

 are made in Brazil of a species of Bromeh'a, called Grawatha." 



On the Pruning of the Oak. — Amongst the many cultivators of forest 

 trees, some are advocates for it, and some are against it : I am of the 

 former class. In pruning forest trees, particular regard should be had to 

 their health and vigour, and not to their particular size or age ; for it is 

 evident that a vigorous tree, and full of sap, twenty years of age, may be 

 pruned with more safety than a stunted one fifteen years old, because the 

 parts cut over would heal sooner in the former one, from its being full of 

 sap, than in the latter, which was deficient in sap : indeed, the whole art 

 of pruning consists in thinning out the branches according to the size, 

 health, and vigour of the tree ; to have the tree as well poised with branches 

 as circumstances will allow ; and leaving those branches on the tree which 

 will assist the general circulation of the sap. Hence the great necessity 

 of a knowledge of physiology in pruning; and it would be well if pro- 

 prietors of plantations would duly consider the subject. It would not only 

 tend to their advantage, but would give satisfaction and pleasure to the 

 person having charge of the plantation. I am glad to see a contemporary 

 advocate of my opinion in Quercus Secundus, in Vol. III. p. 285. I short- 

 ened the roots of some hundreds of transplanted Turkey oaks two years 

 ago, and those I have taken up have answered my expectations in making 

 fibrous roots. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — Quercus. Feb. 2, 1828. 



The Double Yceonia. officinalis produces Seeds. — Sir, In Vol. VII. p. 477. 

 you allude to a remark, made by Professor Lindley in a late lecture, that the 

 double Psebnia officinalis is capable of producing seeds ; in confirmation of 

 this opinion, I beg to observe, that, in my garden, last year, a plant of Paabnia 

 officinalis rubra seeded, from which I have got three plants; the remaining 

 seeds are still in a sound state, and I am in great hopes will yet vegetate. 

 This year I endeavoured to effect the same object in Psebnia officinalis 

 carnescens ; but I did not succeed, owing, I apprehend, to the buds having 

 been injured by the severe frosts which we had in the beginning of May. 

 I am, Sir, yours, &c. — S. London, Aug, 20. 1831. 



Art. II. Domestic Notices. 

 England. 

 The Species of Plants which thrive in the smoky Atmosphere of London 

 and its immediate Neighbourhood. — In Vol. VII. p. 352., in our notice of 

 Dennis's Nursery, we remarked that a list of the plants which thrive in 

 the smoke of London would not be without its use ; and we there instanced 

 with what perfect success il^drus nigra, Aucuba japonica, guelder rose, 

 Siberian and other lilacs, broad-leaved ivy, and Gentidna acaulis throve 

 in such an atmosphere. To this list we are now able to quote the follow- 

 ing additions, from the first number of the Treatise on Planting, published 

 as No. xix. of the Farmers Seiies of the Library of Useful Knoivledge. 

 At p. 19. of this number the writer remarks: — " The elasticity of the 

 constituents of atmospheric air is so powerful, that when, from local 

 causes, one ingredient is generated in undue proportion to the others, the 

 most perfect analysis of the general air in the immediate neighbourhood of 

 the spot where this circumstance happens, cannot detect any difference in 

 the proportions of the proper constituents from that of the air of the most 

 healthy regions. The atmosphere of a crowded city, and that of an open 

 or moderately sheltered alpine region, afford by analysis the like number 

 and proportion of ingredients or elements ; but notwithstanding this, the 

 influence of the air of these two situations on vegetation is very different. 



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