378 On the Cultivation of 



houses, with the idea of reaping a full crop (only see the method 

 of giving air, b), would be like the fruitless labours of Sisyphus, 

 who was condemned to roll up hill a large stone, which cease- 

 lessly frustrated his efforts by rolling back again. 



In short, the great objects in the formation of forcing structures 

 are, providing the capability of preserving an abundance of heat, 

 whether derived from the sun externally, or from the ignition of 

 fuel through the kinds of internal apparatus already mentioned ; 

 the means of facilitating its escape at the highest part of the 

 house ; and plenty of transparent surface, with the power, how- 

 ever, of rendering it partially or absolutely opaque at pleasure. 

 If these conveniences are provided for the gardener, it is his 

 own fault if his plants do not succeed 5 and if they do not, as 

 it must be through his ignorance or injudicious treatment of 

 them, on him should rest the blame. 



I have offered these observations from an honest desire of 

 palliating an evil which I am unable to remove ; namely, that 

 springing from the misunderstanding which too frequently arises 

 between gentlemen and their gardeners, from the former requir- 

 ing and demanding of the latter those results which (from the 

 means afforded) it is morally impossible for them to produce. 



Ville parmi les Collines, April, 1834*. 



Art. XI. Brief Observations on preparing the Ground for Planting, 

 on Pruning, and on the Cultivation of Trees for Timber. By 

 Mr. George Burton. 



It has been contended by some, that a well-prepared soil and 

 good culture occasion a too hasty growth, and, consequently, 

 the deterioration, of timber ; and, by others, that the fibre of the 

 wood is strengthened by a vigorous growth, and that the best 

 culture will, with a suitable soil, give the best timber. Now, 

 neither of these opinions is entirely correct ; for, when the 

 ultimate bulk of a tree is compared with that produced in the 

 first twenty years of its growth, it is of little consequence, per- 

 haps, to the converter [the manufacturer of the rude tree into 

 forms fit for the use of the carpenter, &c], if it is sound, whether 

 it grew quickly or slowly, nor will that be enquired after ; and the 

 best culture does not affect the growth of the plant, perhaps, beyond 

 that period, as the cultivated ground is then filled with roots, and 

 the plant must thenceforth depend on the substratum for its 

 support. I speak here particularly of the oak. But there are 

 two points which make it desirable that a plantation should grow 

 rapidly in its infant state : the first is, the satisfaction which the 

 proprietor derives from seeing it thrive, as also from drawing a 

 quicker return of profit by the earlier cutting down of the 



