Queries and A?is*wers. 185 



practical gardeners, builders, carpenters, and masons, as extensive as the 

 demand. To accelerate this important result is the great object of the Gar- 

 dener's Magazine, and also that of the Magazine of Architecture. — Condi. 



Hedges as a Barrier against Cattle. — I know none speedier or better than 

 the Canadian poplar (P. monilifera), as it forms, in a few years, an impene- 

 trable living palisade against cattle. It should be planted eighteen inches 

 apart, in double rows; and, when sufficiently grown, it may headed down 

 every alternate year. — J. Robertson. Kilkenny, Jan. 6. 1834. 



The Turin or Lombardy poplar (P. dilatata) is very available for enclosing 

 compartments for shade or shelter in a nursery or other garden, and this at a 

 cheap rate. Plants about eight feet high, placed two, or three, or four inches 

 asunder in the boundary lines, give, in the same year, useful shade and shelter. 

 They were thus employed in Wood's Nursery, Huntingdon, in 1820, and pro- 

 bably still are. Hedges of yew were also used for the same purpose, but these 

 are of low growth. Arbor vitse (I think the American) is also applicable to the 

 same object ; as is proved by a hedge of it in Malcolm's Nursery at Ken- 

 sington. It doubtless grows much faster than yew. — J. D. 



A magnificent Conservatory is now erecting at Dalkeith House for the Duke of 

 Buccleugh. — It has a dome 40 ft. in diameter, and, I am told, will cost more 

 money than was ever before laid out for a plant-house in Scotland. The 

 architect is Mr. Burns of Edinburgh ; to whom, or to Mr. Macdonald, I 

 would recommend you to apply for particulars. — H. B. Gogar, Jan. 1834. 



We should be much obliged to either of the gentlemen mentioned for a 

 description and sketches of the house alluded to. — Cond. 



Lucombe's new Evergreen Oak. — Sir, I do not recollect seeing Lucombe's 

 new evergreen oak noticed in any of your publications. I think it may be 

 well recommended to form a part in planting for ornament. It is a fast grower, 

 and assumes a handsome pyramidal appearance, considerably resembling the 

 old Lucombe oak, but, I think, with smaller leaves, which retain their ver- 

 dure throughout the winter. — T. Rutger. Shortgrove, Feb. 1834. 



We should be glad to know where this oak can be purchased ; and how, 

 where, and when it originated? — Cond. 



The Wicken Tree. — Can any of your Lincolnshire friends inform me to 

 what tree this provincial term applies ? I find it mentioned in the Gentleman's 

 Magazine. — T. Rivers, jun. Sawbridgeivorth, Feb. 1834. 



This name may possibly be corrupted from quicken tree; and quicken tree, 

 mountain ash, rowan tree, are three names for the Morbus aucuparia. — J. D. 



Splitting the Roots of felled Trees. — Sir, In reference to J. B.'s question on 

 splitting the roots of felled trees with gunpowder (p. 82.) I have found it to 

 lessen the labour considerably, by preparing them to be split afterwards with 

 wedges to the sizes wanted; and, upon the whole, I think it maybe con- 

 sidered as economical. My method was, to bore a hole, of an inch in diameter 

 and about six or eight inches deep, and to fill it up one third with gunpowder ; 

 and, after placing a reed filled with the powder down one side of the hole to 

 reach the charge, and of sufficient length to stand up a little above the top, 

 the remainder of the hole was filled up with perfectly dry sand ; after which a 

 small quantity of powder was placed on the top, in contact with the reed, and 

 some combustible matter placed over it in such a way as, on a person firing it, 

 sufficient time might be given for his escape. Another method was, to plug 

 up the hole with a wooden peg, and afterwards to make a hole on one side, 

 down to the powder, by driving down a small iron pin, or with a long gimblet 

 of small bore; on either of which being removed, the hole was filled up with 

 powder, and fired, as above ; but, as I found filling the hole with sand to be 

 equally efficacious, and more simple in its process, I finally preferred it. I am, 

 Sir, yours, &c. — T. Rutger. Shortgrove, Feb. 1834. 



Houstonm ccerulea. In answer to R. T. (p. 83*)* — Houston?'*? caerulea, 

 when grown in pots, requires to be potted in a mixture consisting of half peat, 

 one fourth light loam, and one fourth sand. The pots ought not to be over 



