192 Obituary. 



generally and so extensively cultivated, as to form, at this season, one of the 

 leading articles ; and, from the strenuous competition, many fine early varieties 

 are to be observed, from the natural ground, almost superseding the forcing of 

 it after this period. Of early cabbages we have had as yet but few ; but, when 

 we consider the early season, it is extraordinary to observe them of such 

 excellent quality and at such moderate prices. Of broccolis the supply has 

 been limited within the last two or three weeks, the later varieties having 

 already been forced into the market by the extreme mildness of the season. 

 It is only on the retentive soils that any can be preserved for the present and 

 ensuing months. It has been heretofore usual to have an abundance up to 

 the time for early cauliflowers in May and June. Radishes from the open 

 ground are plentiful, allowing but little opportunity for the disposal of the 

 forced, which has been our usual source of supply during the months of 

 March and April. A great many run coleworts have been brought to market 

 during the last month, so that a large surface of soil must have been cleared, 

 which will, I think, render our supplies during the months of April and May 

 rather short, unless peas should be furnished at a much earlier period than 

 usual, which, from the continued improvement in the sorts now generally cul- 

 tivated, and the openness of the weather, may be confidently anticipated. I 

 have heard of many being already in bloom, which is extraordinarily early. 

 Considerable fears are entertained for the crop of fruit, owing to the pre- 

 cocious state of the season, many of the early varieties of pears and plums 

 being already in full bloom. Of all other articles the supplies have been 

 generally good ; and from the river having been uninterruptedly open, potatoes 

 have come to hand in tolerable abundance, and at prices little varying from 

 the former report. Our stock of apples continues good, with a promise of 

 regular supplies for some time to come, which will of course supersede the 

 necessity of importation ; a few cargoes only have been brought in, the duty 

 of 4s. per bushel almost excluding the commoner varieties. Of American apples 

 we have had a large importation, from time to time, during the season, some 

 few of excellent quality, the greater part in bad condition. The Newtown 

 pippin is at all times a tender apple, and requires to be picked carefully and 

 packed very securely, to insure a chance of success in getting it here in good 

 condition. — G. C. 



Art. IX. Obituary.. 



Died, at New Cross Nursery, Deptford, March 13., Mr. George Sinclair, 

 F.L.S., H.S., &e., nurseryman, in the forty-eighth year of his age. Mr. Sin- 

 clair was many years gardener to the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey, 

 and conducted there, under the direction of Sir Humphry Davy, an extensive 

 series of experiments to determine the nutritive powers of the British grasses 

 and herbage plants. It was there also that Mr. Sinclair composed the Hortus 

 Gramineus Woburnensis, a national work, which embodies the results of the 

 experiments alluded to, and is the most important of its kind that ever was 

 published. Mr. Sinclair was also the author of various other publications 

 or articles, the last of which, we believe, was the Treatise on useful and orna- 

 mental Planting, published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Know- 

 ledge. In the history of British agriculture, the name of George Sinclair will 

 hold a conspicuous station in all future times, as the introducer of a new and 

 improved system of laying down lands in grass. Mr. Sinclair had a consider- 

 able knowledge of chemistry, and was a good vegetable physiologist; hence 

 all that he wrote bore a character of scientific enquiry, as well as of prac- 

 tical skill. As a man, few stood higher in our estimation ; and it may be 

 truly said, that he was esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. His 

 early death, we believe, may be chiefly attributed to the profound grief which 

 preyed on him after being suddenly bereaved of an only daughter, who died 

 in April, 1833, about the same time that Mr. Sinclair lost his father and his 

 uncle. (See IX. 512.) 



