1 84- Queries and Answers. 



The Value of green Vegetables as Manure was strikingly proved by me in 

 the spring of 1833. I had a trench opened of sufficient length to receive six 

 sets of potatoes; under three of these sets I placed green cabbage leaves; but 

 the other three had nothing but the soil. When the crop was dug up, the 

 plants over the cabbage leaves yielded about double the produce of the 

 others. — J. D. Parkes. Dartford Nursery, Jan. 1834. 



Artificial Lawns. — In answer to Mr. Thomas Woodcock, we have com- 

 piled the following from the writings of Mr. Sinclair. The finest English 

 lawns, we are informed by Mr. Sinclair, who had more experience, as he had 

 more science and skill, in this department, than perhaps any man of his time, 

 with the exception of Mr. Lawson, are composed of the following grasses, — 

 Festuca duriuscula, Festuca ovina, Jgrostis capillaris and vulgaris, Avena 

 flavescens, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Poa pratensis, 

 iolium perenne var. tenuifolium, THfolium repens and minus. If these seeds 

 be sown in April, on a soil thoroughly drained, well pulverised, and properly 

 consolidated by the roller previously to sowing, they will produce a beautiful 

 lawn in two months ; and by frequent mowing, in the course of a year, it will 

 be undistinguishable from one of old turf. — Cond. 



Variegated Plants, (p. 80.) — Sir, Your correspondent Mr. Rutger wishes 

 for information as to variegated plants ; how variegations are produced, and 

 their uses, if any, in ornamental scenery. Being far from partial to such 

 plants, I am ill qualified to comply with his wishes; but, with your permission, 

 will do my best. The origin of variegation has, doubtless, been in some 

 caprice of nature. Many persons attribute it to disease; in which opinion I 

 am inclined to concur. 1 have never heard of any authenticated plan by 

 which variegated seedlings could be insured, nor which could induce a self- 

 coloured plant to bear variegated leaves. Grafting or budding is the only 

 means with which I am acquainted for perpetuating or multiplying variegation, 

 except in the case of a variegated species ; as, for instance, Aiicuba japonica. 

 Next, as to the use of variegations in ornamental scenery, I consider it very 

 limited. When introduced into landscapes, on a large scale, they tend to 

 destroy all repose, and to fritter away effect. The situation to which I think 

 them best suited is the verge of a shrubbery flower-garden, where, if judi- 

 ciously placed, they may harmonise with the gay tints of the flowers, and con- 

 nect them with the more sombre hues of the surrounding shrubs. Variegated 

 evergreens are useful in a winter garden, serving, in some measure, to com- 

 pensate the eye for the deficiency of flowers during winter; and in small 

 groups of shrubs on a lawn they might, if placed with judgment, be an acqui- 

 sition. Most nursery catalogues furnish the names of approved variegated 

 shrubs ; but by far the handsomest, in my opinion, is the golden-edged holly. 

 I saw, at the Clapton Nursery, while conducted by Mr. Mackay, variegated 

 sycamores, and a numerous assortment of variegated shrubs. I believe 

 Mr. Mackay paid much attention to them; but, not having been lately at 

 Clapton, I do not know whether Mr. Low keeps up the collection. I am, 

 Sir, yours, &c. — Calycantlms. Hastings, Feb. 1834. 



Our correspondent has evidently a painter's eye, and we invite him to 

 become a contributor on the subject of landscape-gardening; a department of 

 the art which it is one of the great objects, of this Magazine ?o render 

 familiar to the young gardener. We are convinced that there is no other 

 mode of increasing the picturesque beauty of country residences, in con- 

 junction with their gardenesque improvement, than that of diffusing a taste 

 for picturesque beauty, and a knowledge of the means of producing it among 

 practical gardeners. The time for employing landscape-gardeners at high 

 prices is, in a great measure, gone by ; as is also that of employing high-priced 

 architects. A taste for the beautiful in nature and art is spreading widely 

 among practical men and the middle classes of society ; and we trust that in 

 another generation these two classes will act reciprocally upon each other, so 

 as to create a demand for beauty of every kind, and more especially in land- 

 scape-gardening and architecture everywhere; and to produce a supply among 



