Liiterary Notices. 695 



and moisture, which, in Persia, arises from the very nature of 

 the chmate and mode of cultivation, is easily obtained in his 

 bed, " by throwing a sufficient quantity of water into the 

 vault beneath the wattled work, to cause, b}^ means of a strong 

 heat, a constant and great exhalation," &c. The stems of 

 the melon-plants he would train on a trellis elevated 2 or 3 

 inches above the soil. 



We have now, we think, given a general idea of Mr. Smith's 

 mode of growing cucumbers and melons; but, in order to 

 adopt it with facility and success, the work itself will require 

 to be referred to. Our own opinion is, that the mode is 

 excellent, and particularly adapted for amateurs in small gar- 

 dens. Rhubarb or sea-kale might be beautifully forced in the 

 vault ; and by a very little management, pelargoniums might 

 be kept in the adjoining frame, if it were not thought neces- 

 sary to force asparagus or grow mushrooms in it. The book 

 is very modestly and sensibly written, and we have been very 

 much gratified by its perusal, and by a passage in the dedi- 

 cation to his master, in which Mr. Smith expresses " the 

 deep veneration and respect which have been inspired by the 

 general good feeling" which has been exercised towards him 

 " during a long servitude." It cannot be too deeply impressed 

 on the mind of every master that he has it in his power to 

 render not only the individuals who are his servants, but their 

 wives and families, comparatively happy or miserable. Again 

 we recommend this work to all cucumber and melon growers. 



Art. II. Literary Notices. 



A Journal of Bola7i2/ha.s been commenced by Dr. Hooker. 

 It is to be published in quarterly numbers in demy octavo; 

 each number is to contain eight plates, of which four are to be 

 coloured : price 75. 6d. It is, in effect, a new series of the 

 far-famed Botanical Miscellany. 



A new edition of Miller's Gardejier's Dictionary, to appear 

 in monthly quarto parts, is in preparation. Who the editor 

 is, is not mentioned, but the list of contributors contains 

 twenty-four names, eminent in botanical or horticultural 

 science ; almost the whole of whom are, or have been, con- 

 tributors to this Magazine. 



A Catechism of Gardening., for the Use of Village Schools and 

 Cottagers. We observe a first part of a contribution of this 

 title, by a friend of ours, in the November number of the 

 British Farmer's Magazine. When the treatise is completed, 

 it will be sold in a detached form. 



Y Y 4 



