Queries and Answers. 373 



A short criticism, which we have too long neglected, and although on 

 another subject, bears sufficiently on the question just asked to merit in- 

 sertion here. — Cond. 



Salt as Manure. (Vol. II. p. 1.) — There are many conflicting opinions 

 on the merits of salt as a manure, and whether it is a manure or not. Has 

 there not been a want of discrimination in the different experiments? Are 

 there not some plants and flowers, say hyacinths, tulips, and several other 

 bulbous-rooted flowers, and many others, which thrive and grow more 

 luxuriantly near the sea, with a soil and atmosphere impregnated with saline 

 matter ? It is said that Portsmouth and Portsea produce the finest 

 broccoli : perhaps a judicious application of salt would, for these plants, 

 be found beneficial, more particularly on chalky soils, and an inland situ* 

 ation. Does not experience show that it is improper to manure light land 

 with light compost, and vice versa ? The farmers in the hundreds of Essex 

 manure with chalk, to neutralise the saline qualities of the soil. If so, 

 would not a proper application of salt on chalky lands be of essential 

 benefit, and even on some other lands ; and should it not be applied some 

 length of time previous to the plants being planted, or the seeds sown ? for 

 I think it will be found evident, that salt applied after the foliage appears, 

 will be prejudicial, if not destructive: I have used it, but never to any 

 advantage. — Charles Baron. Saffron Walden, Feb. 7. 1827. 



In relation to this subject, it merits notice here, that, at a meeting of 

 the Cupar Horticultural Society, on the 25th of April last, a prize was 

 given to Mr. William Smith, for leeks. These leeks, according to the Fife 

 Herald of May 3,, in which the show is reported, " were of an uncommon 

 size ; indeed, none of a similar size had before been shown at the meetings 

 of this Society. Mr. Smith mentioned that the ground upon which the 

 leeks were produced had been manured with common salt. The salt must 

 be strewed upon the ground when the seed is sown ; for, if applied after 

 vegetation has commenced, it will destroy the plants." — J. D. 



Thinning and Pruning Plantations. — In Mr. Alexander Gordon's in- 

 teresting remarks [on some gardens and country residences in Leicester- 

 shire (Vol. VII. p. 421.), mention is made, in high terms of commend- 

 ation, of the system of thinning and pruning successfully adopted in the 

 management of the plantations at Prestwould. Practical facts, such as 

 these, are what are still much wanted, and your correspondent would 

 confer obligation on many of your readers, by giving them, through the 

 medium of your Magazine, full particulars of the " regular and systematic 

 method of thinning and pruning, from the original planting to the full 

 perfection of the timber, to which he alludes." — J. H. M. Woodfield, 

 Dec. 1831. 



What is the best Work on laying out Villa and other small Residences, and 

 its Price? — W. Seymour. Palace Gardens, Bishopthorpe, March 26. 1832. 



Answer. — Hints for laying out Town Gardens and Suburban Villas, from 

 one Perch to a Hundred Acres in Extent. London, 181 1, 4to. The price, 

 we believe, was originally 48s., but the work is now very scarce. We shall 

 begin a series of designs for laying out gardens and pleasure-grounds, in 

 our next Number. — Cond. 



A Catechism of Gardening. — I wish you would draw up a small work, 

 to teach the schoolmaster gardening ; and also another elementary one, 

 to put into the hands of the school children. — J. S. M. Dumfries-shire, 

 April 26. 1832. 



In Bavaria, there is Hazzi's Catechism of Agriculture and Horticulture, 

 which is taught in the public schools to the whole of the population. We 

 do not see why there should not be, not only a similar catechism in this 

 country, but one for every particular trade. This was attempted some 

 years ago by Sir Richard Phillips ; but his Catechism of Agriculture was 

 ten times too dear. Works of this kind should be as cheap as religious 



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