486 Retrospective Criticism. 



directly the contrary. It delights to lay itself open to enquiry ; and is not 

 satisfied with its conclusions, till it make the road to them broad and 

 beaten : and in its application it preserves the same character ; its whole 

 aim being to strip away all technical mystery ; to illuminate every dark 

 recess ; and to gain free access to all processes, with the view to improve 

 them on rational principles." According to those explanations, then, it 

 cannot be supposed that either yourself or your readers can be indifferent 

 to the diffusion, or the obtaining, of a knowledge of science; or that you can 

 prefer empirical to scientific knowledge. But if you agree with me in 

 thinking that what an ingenious author has said is just, viz., " That all 

 discussion is the touchstone of truth, and is constantly necessary to pre- 

 vent indifference, and to shake the overgrown influence of authority ; and 

 that by it whatever falsehood there may be in doctrines will be made to 

 disappear ;" you will give this an early insertion. In that case, as many 

 of your readers may not have seen my book, or it may not be convenient 

 to refer to it, I will, in your next, state certain principles, with exemplifi- 

 cations for discussion. I beg to add that I am the more desirous of thus 

 establishing the truth, because I am confirmed in the opinion, that my 

 notions of the principles and laws of nature, which constitute the science 

 of horticulture, are correct, by the repeated experiments and constant ob- 

 servation of the thirteen years which have elapsed since the publication of 

 my book ; and because, believing that my former publication was neglected 

 from its not being sufficiently intelligible for the generality of practical 

 gardeners, I am about republishing the substance of it in a more simple 

 form ; that is, by question and answer, so as to form a Horticultural Cate- 

 chism. This being the case, as I should be sorry to publish any thing as 

 true that I did not believe to be incontrovertibly so, if it can be proved 

 that I am in error, I will willingly submit to correction. I am, Sir, yours, 

 &c. — Joseph Hat/ward. Weymouth, Radipole, May 11. 1832. 



Planting Knolls in preference to Holloius. (Vol. VII. p. 413.) — Sir, If I 

 am not much mistaken, you have laid down a rule in regard to planting 

 knolls, in preference to hollows, which will not be found agreeable to the 

 rules you profess to follow, viz. those of nature ; wood being much more 

 likely to establish itself in moist and sheltered hollows, than on dry and 

 exposed elevations. But I do not mention this merely because I consider 

 it a deviation from your general principles, but from the authority which it 

 would seem to give for defacing one of the most beautiful objects under 

 heaven, the green knoll. I will not say that knolls should in no case be 

 planted ; because where they are numerous, a darker covering to some 

 would make the beauty of the others " beautiful exceedingly;" yet, with 

 that exception, I would submit* it as a rule, to spare 



" The rapturous charms of the bonnie green knowes, 

 Ilk spring to be deckit wi' bonnie white yowes." 



I am aware, however, how impossible it is to lay down minor rules, which 

 would not in some instance of practice be subversive of the general 

 principle that ought always to be observed in any attempt at ornamental 

 planting, viz. to heighten the character of the scenery. However poor 

 the situation may be, great improvements may be made in it by strictly 

 following this principle. Are the dells insignificantly shallow ? They may 

 be deepened to the eye, if not in reality, by clothing their sides and sum- 

 mits with lofty trees ; but remember to spare any little grass-green emi- 

 nence which half bestrides the dell. Are the ridges and undulations tame ? 

 You may give them a bolder character by crowning them with wood : but 

 take especial care that it shall not appear to have been set on, like an ill- 

 made wig, upon the head of its owner. With regard to the outlines of 

 woods, those most adapted for picturesque effect may be found in sinuous 

 bays and jutting peninsulas, in isles and islets, with their coves and creeks. 

 You will object to a single tree forming an islet ; but 1 could not forego the 



