Retrospective Criticism. 489 



us, are sufficient, in the opinion of Mr. Don of Forfar, to " constitute a 

 distinct species, which might with propriety be termed Pinus horizontalis." 

 An accurate knowledge of these two species or varieties (be they which 

 they may) is of the highest importance to all engaged in the pleasing occu- 

 pation of planting, and must also prove interesting to the mere botanist. 

 As J. G. intimates his intention of recurring to the subject at a future 

 period, I would suggest that his next communication should be by all 

 means accompanied with botanical figures of the two kinds of Scotch 

 pine, and with a more full and detailed account of their distinctive differ- 

 ences. Yours, — B. Coventry, Feb. 1 5. 1832. 



One of our most intelligent correspondents, A. G., Perthshire, speaking 

 of the article referred to by B. on the Scotch pine, in a provincial news- 

 paper, says : — " Of the Scotch pine, like the other species of forest trees, 

 there are numerous subvarieties ; and the timber, as well as the external 

 appearance, of what some term Pinus horizontalis is different from that of 

 the commonly cultivated Scotch pine ; but, as this variety or species bears 

 little seed, its culture has hitherto been limited, compared with other more 

 prolific seed-bearing varieties, of which a practised eye can easily detect 

 several in every Scotch pine plantation." (Dundee, Perth, and Cupar Adv., 

 March 8. 1832.) 



Mr. Pearsons Treatise on the Fig. (Vol. VII. p. 325,) — Mr. Pearson 

 says he has seen very little about the cultivation of fig trees in your Maga- 

 zine : now, I ask him if he thinks what he has written about them will give 

 what he terms a sluggish or ignorant gardener the least information about 

 figs. I think what he has written on figs is like washing without 

 soap ; as he has said nothing from which the reader will be able to draw 

 any general information on the subject. Mr. Pearson takes no notice of 

 the management of fig trees in a hot-house, but makes a great din about 

 some trees that he has on an old stable wall : the one part of his writing 

 also contradicts the other, as he first says that the fig is an aquatic, and in 

 the same sheet tells us he lost a crop in a wet season. His method of 

 pruning is simple enough, as every cabbage gardener would know that he 

 should take out wood which was getting above the wall. I can guess the 

 reason Mr. Pearson's fig trees require so much water. From the descrip- 

 tion he gives, I should suppose them to be a hundred years old ; and in 

 that case, the root of the fig being very tenacious, the soil must be so com- 

 pletely exhausted, that his trees will have little other nutriment but water. 

 The trees, from being old, and covering a great space of wall, will be natu- 

 rally of humble growth, making short-jointed wood, which is always most 

 fruitful in fig trees. If, however, Mr. Pearson had trees eight or ten 

 years old, planted in a well-prepared border, under his management, and 

 gave them the quantity of water he gives the trees at Ormiston Hall, he 

 would have no fruit, as the trees would send forth luxuriant, spongy, and 

 unfruitful wood. I have seen trees of this description which required to 

 be kept very dry, and ringed in the bark, to humble their growth, and 

 bring them into a bearing state. With regard to fig trees in the open air, 

 after the winter covering of fern or spruce fir branches is taken off in April, 

 I would prune them ; examining the branches closely, so as to leave in 

 the wood which has most fruit in it, which is known by the leaf and fruit- 

 bud being seen at the same joint; and would never shorten any but where 

 bottom wood is wanted. Fig trees in hot-houses, however, require different 

 treatment ; as what fruit they show on the last year's wood they drop off, 

 and only ripen their fruit on the wood made the same season ; the object 

 in pruning them is, therefore, to leave such branches as are most likely to 

 push forth fruitful wood, which invariably springs from short spurs of three 

 or four joints. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — John Smith, Journeyman Gardener. 

 JBeaufront, near Hexham, Jan. 21. 1832. 



Many years since, a fine old fig tree occupied one face of a tall wall in 

 the garden at Hardwicke House, near Bury St. Edmunds. Parallel to the 



