18^ Domestic Notices : — Scotland' 



Needles. [A specimen of this plant was exhibited at the Linnsean Society on 

 Feb. 7. It was sent, with the above communication, to Mr. Lambert by Sir 

 W. Symonds.] 



The Jersey Cabbage, or Cow Cabbage [see Vol. XII. p. 441. and 630.] 

 grows frequently to the height of from 13 ft. to 14 ft. The Earl of Lauderdale 

 has a specimen 13 ft. 6 in. high. Mrs. Whitley has also specimens from 12 ft. 

 6 in. to 13 ft. 6 in. high, procured for her in Jersey by Sir W. Symonds. 

 {Sir W. Symonds to A. B. Lambert, Esq.] 



Echeveria gibbifldra, a beautiful and rare little plant belonging to the order 

 Crassulaceae, is now finely in flower here in the green-house. — John Ward. 

 White Knights, Dec. 21. 1836. _ 



Said's Seedling Apple, of which a coloured engraving has been sent us, is 

 said to be a good variety either for the kitchen or the table. It displays a 

 great deal of colour, red and yellow ; is somewhat ribbed, like a melon ; and is 

 said to be produced in clusters. Mr. Saul informs us that it is in season in 

 November. We hope he will send scions of it to the Horticultural Society, 

 in order that it may be fairly tried by competent judges. — Cond. 



A novel Method of making young Trees of the Swan Egg Pear bear Fruit. — 

 Being in the garden of Wadley, the seat of Thomas Mills Goodlake, Esq., 

 near Faringdon, I observed some trees of the above named sort, standards 

 with their bark beaten to pieces. On enquiring the cause, I was much 

 amused on being informed by the gardener, Mr. Pill, that, the trees not 

 bearing, he had been advised by a neighbour to give them a good thrashing ; 

 which he did about three years ago, by taking a stick and beating the trunks, 

 or stems, as long as he was able; since which time they have borne abundantly. 

 I saw them last summer loaded with fruit. — G. M. Faringdon House, Fa- 

 rhigdon, Berks, Nov. 24. 1836. 



Gourds, in Sussex, are grown of extraordinary size. One weighing nearly 

 40 lb., and measuring 4 ft. in circumference, was this year produced in the garden 

 of a cottager at Portslade, and is now in the possession of J. Borrer, Esq., of 

 that village. {Neivs.^ 



The Tunstall White Wheat, I have just learned from a friend of mine, is 

 superior in quality to either the Hicklings or the golden drop wheat. The straw 

 is stiif, and not so high by 9 in. or 1 ft., as that of any of the sorts of 

 wheat in general cultivation. The plants are very productive, and the grain 

 is a great favourite with the millers. — Samuel Taylor. Whittington, Stokeferry, 

 Norfolk, Dec. 23. 1836, 



SCOTLAND. 



General Improvement. — The commercial spirit has, in all ages and countries, 

 been one of the most powerful instruments of civilisation and of liberal 

 opinions. It is well known, that some of the greatest public characters and 

 best men, both of France and England, are at once landed proprietors and 

 manufacturers ; and we are happy to see the same thing taking place in Scot- 

 land (our native country), a characteristic of which was formerly said to be 

 *' pride and poverty." " When in the west of Scotland, lately, we heard of a 

 baronet who is building, on his own estate, a handsome cotton-mill (which 

 will cost, as near as may be, 20,000/.), as the best inheritance he can leave to 

 his second son. The eldest, as heir, is already provided for ; and the father 

 remarks, very justly, that the law, army, and navy are now next to nothing ; 

 that fighting men, in times of profound peace, have few opportunities of 

 acquiring either fame or fortune ; that the crop of clients has been greatly 

 thinned by the progress of moral cultivation ; and that, though sinecures still 

 exist in the church and state, he has no wish to see any connexion of his 

 battened on the public in the capacity oifruges constimere nati. With these 

 views and feelings, he has determined to set up his son as a cotton-spinner ; 

 and, though some may blame, the many, we suspect, will applaud, an example 

 which bids fan- to become contagious up to the point of inducing many to go 

 and do likewise." {Dumfries Couriei-, Dec, 1836.) 



