94? Qjmies and Answers. 



John.to7i's Willow, (p. 715. and 716.) — In consequence of our remarks on 

 this subject, and the communication from our correspondent at Lichfield, 

 relative to the frontispiece to the Salictum Woburneme, we have received the 

 following explanation from His Grace the Duke of Bedford : — "I have seen 

 in the Gardener's Magazine of December last a sort of controversial discus- 

 sion on what is called * Johnson's Willow,' a portrait of which I have given 

 as a frontispiece to the Salictum Woburnsnse. I will therefore state shortly what 

 are the facts respecting that engraving. In a work which was professedly a 

 monograph of willows, I thought I could not introduce it more appropriately 

 than by an engraving of the celebrated tree of that genus, so commonly 

 known by the name of 'Johnson's Willow.' I therefore commissioned Mr. 

 Burgess, so well known for his correct delineation of trees, and the author of 

 that beautiful work the Eidodendron, to go to Lichfield to take a sketch of 

 that celebrated tree. Unfortunately, the tree was entirely destroyed by a 

 storm before Mr. Burgess could reach Lichfield ; but Lady Chetwynd, who 

 resides in the neighbourhood, kindly sent him some sketches and an etching, 

 said to be an exact representation of the tree a few years before it fell. 

 Therefore Mr. Burgess certainly did not ' compile a tree,' as stated by your 

 correspondent from Lichfield. With regard to the species of willow, it was 

 undoubtedly the Slxlis. Russelhanffl, as I was personally assured by the Rev. 

 Samuel Dickenson, rector of Blymhill, Staffordshire, an excellent botanist, 

 and author of the natural history portion of Shaw's Staffordshire." — Bedford. 

 Baroi^s Court, Jan. 13. 1837. 



Destroying the Thrips. (Vol. XII. p. 495.) — The receipt for the destruc- 

 tion of the thrips on cucumber plants, given by Agronome's Nephew, Vol. 

 XII. p. 495., ought to be used with a great deal of caution. About a week 

 ago, I had cucumber plants, in boxes, in a fruiting state, and in good health, 

 in the pine pit. They were beginning to have some of the thrips appearing : 

 I applied the smoke, as stated, only for a short time, early in the afternoon, 

 and not more than half an hour under the operation, when the leaves re- 

 ceived a complete check, and never recovered ; and at the same time, upon 

 examining the leaves, the thrips were as sprightly as ever ; in consequence of 

 which I had to sow and raise plants afresh. I state these remarks, that you 

 may have an opportunity of cautioning others. — C. Pullar. Cham2non Hill, 

 near London, Nov. 29. 1836. 



The Deanston Plough and Reaping- Machine. — I am very glad to see my 

 early friend and benevolent patron, Mr. Smith of Deanston House, Downe, 

 Perthshire, so very successful in his new plough. I saw him work his reaping- 

 machine nearly twenty years ago. He is the inventor of many machines in 

 cotton-spinning and other manufactures. — J. Cuthill. Dyrham Park Garderis, 

 Dec, 1836. 



Art. VI. Queries and Answers^ 



Choice of Soil from a Common.— In selecting soil from commons or pasture 

 lands, for potting plants, making or renewing borders, or any other purpose in 

 gardening, care is usually taken to avoid that tinctured with oxide of iron. 

 If such soil, oxidised from mineral springs or other causes, be detrimental to 

 the growth of plants, to what extent is it injurious ? Or have any of your 

 readers tried artificial impregnation of soil with iron, so, as to ascertain accu- 

 rately the result ? — R. G. Bicton, near Exeter, Dec, 1836. 



The Black Irish Elm. — There is a tree with this name in the Horticultural 

 Society's garden ; but it does not seem to be known in Ireland. We have 

 written to several correspondents on the subject, including Mr. Mackay and 

 Mr. Niven, who know nothing about it. Of course, it is not mentioned in 

 Mackay's Flora Hibernica. We should be glad to get information on this elm 

 from any one; and also on the Scampston elm. — Cond. 



