630 Queries a7id /hiswers. 



said it was the frost that had frozen the sap, and a strong wind, rising at 

 the time, of course split the tree ; others said that a tree always split most 

 when it had grown on wet ground ; and another said that trees always 

 lagged most when they had grown on high and dry ground, exposed to 

 the strong west wind; and, in the end, " ne dicam dolo" [if 1 may speak 

 the truth], 1 thought that they, like myself, knew very little about it. I 

 therefore take the liberty of asking my uncle Agronome, or some other of 

 your numerous correspondents, what is the real cause of the lag in timber. 

 I am. Sir, yours, &c, - — Agronome' s Nephew. Near Bewdley, August 25. 

 1833. 



What is the most profitable Mode of treating a Plantation of young Oak 

 Trees, whose Stems are severally from 3 in. to 7 in. in Diameter ? — Sir, I 

 hope that some correspondent will be kind enough to inform me what is 

 the most profitable mode of treating a plantation of young oaks, of, say, 

 about 3 in. to 7 in. on the side [diameter]. I wish to know whether I 

 should cut them down for bark (which is 8/. a ton), and keep them as 

 coppice trees for cutting down for bark at from fifteen to twenty years' 

 growth, and reserve some of the trees; and at what distance the reserved 

 ones should be left, so that, from the whole, a part of coppice and a part 

 of permanent trees may be derived : or, if I should let them all stand to 

 eome to useful timber ? Does any cultivator of oaks approve of laying 

 down branches from the old stools to increase the number of stools for 

 coppices ? and, if he do, at what time of the year should this be done ? Or 

 does he prefer planting young trees for that purpose ? I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 — A Reader. 



Are the Elms in the Champs Ely sees, Paris, of the same Sjjecies as those in 

 St, James's Park, London ? — If they are, how does it happen that the 

 former bear abundance of seed every year, and the latter very seldom ? — 

 H. A. Broivne. Camberwell Grove, .June 16. 1833. 



The Species of Hawthorn from South America, similar to the British Kind, 

 only an Evergreen (about which Mr. Samuel Taylor enquires in p. 4G6.), 

 I have no doubt, is the Cratae^gus stipulacea ; which was received by Mr. 

 Young of Taunton, from the late Mr. R. Barclay of Bury Hill, under the 

 specific name of mexicana. When struck from cuttings (and it strikes freely 

 on a north border, under a hand-glass), it makes a very dwarfish bush ; 

 but, when budded on stocks of the common hawthorn, I have known it 

 attain the height of 5 ft. to 7 ft. the first year after the budding, producing 

 pendent lateral shoots all the way up the leader ; and so forming a very 

 ornamental plant, but not one calculated for fences, as it is nearly or quite 

 spineless, and slender in its growth : nor does it always ripen the extremi- 

 ties of the shoots sufficientl}' to enable it to resist our winters unhurt. I 

 have no doubt Mr. Young would be happy to furnish Mr. Taj'lor with 

 plants of any size, at a very moderate price, — Henry Laundy. Wood- 

 bridge Nursery, Sej)t. 2, 1833. 



An Enquiry for the most perfect Mode of cultivating the Chimondnthus 

 frdgrans, and the Green-house Kinds of Azalea. — I should esteem it a great 

 favour from any correspondent, would he inform me of the best methods 

 that I could pursue in the culture of Chimonanthus fragrans, both in the 

 ground and in pots ; the best soil, situation, the different modes of pro- 

 pagation, &c. I have had it frequently in pots, both in a loam and peat 

 soil, but it has always died with me. I observe, when planted out in the 

 spring, the snails are remarkably fond of it. I should also like to be 

 informed of the best mode of culture of Azalea indica and its different 

 varieties ; and also of A. sinensis ; as to the best soil and situation, and as 

 to shade or sun ; whether they should be kept in the green-house or out 

 (luring summer, &c.; the best time for cuttings of them striking root; and 

 whether bottom heat is necessary, &c. I have grown my plants in peat 



