Qiieries and Ansuiei's. i.'j'j 



Eiici/clopcedia of Agriculture 1 have been lately perusing, with much 



pleasure, the new edition of your Encyclopcedia of Agriculture. — Before you 

 publish another edition, you ought to get more correct information from 

 this colony, which is becoming a much more interesting country than you 

 seem to be aware of. It is certainly the most prosperous part of the British 

 dominions. — Alexander M'-Leay. Sydney, March 13. 1837. 



The Manchester Botanic Garden. — Your correspondent Mr. Thomas of 

 Prestwich remarks that our garden has " a remarkably flat surface." I 

 consider it a raised uneven platform in the centre of an extensive plain, 

 which, in clear weather, is seen bounded on the east b}' the huge hills of 

 Yorkshire, and on the south by the agreeable undulations of the hills of 

 Cheshire. The view from the terrace walk in front of the range is varied and 

 delightful. — A. C. Manchester, August 13. 1837. 



The Yew and the Small-leaved Elm. — In your Arboretum Britannicum, you 

 seem to doubt whether the yew and the small-leaved elm are natives of 

 Britain. These trees are both found (the latter in abundance) buried deep 

 in the bogs of Somersetshire, which I think conclusive evidence of their being 

 both indigenous. I have also found the remains of our common small- 

 leaved elm in the foundations of Roman villas. This elm will sometimes 

 ripen its seed in this country ; and I can point out at least one variety which 

 nmst have been so produced. — Samuel Hassel. Littleton, near Somerton, 

 August 1. 1837. 



The Fiingi of the Oak. — In your history of the oak in the Arboretum 

 Britannicwn, you notice my discovery of C/redo Quercus in this neighbourhood, 

 which I conclude you had from the Rev. Mr. Berkeley, to whom I have sent 

 all the J^ungi I have collected ; and I also conclude that he has furnished you 

 with notices of all the others, which he might have received either from me 

 or his various correspondents. In your last number of the Arboretum, under 

 the hornbeam, you say Sphae^ria fimbriata and carpinea on the leaves have 

 not been observed in this country. S. fimbriata is very abundant in this 

 district, especially on the Norfolk side of the river ; and I have sent Mr. 

 Berkeley a great number of specimens : indeed, I could, if necessary, send 

 him any number. It is published in the English Flora, and also in his (Mr. 

 Berkeley's) first fasciculus of specimens, which came out, I think, in the 

 early part of last year. — Daniel Stock. Bungay, August 4. 1837. 



Art. VI. Queries and Anstoers. 



Two Villas at Stanmore. — Can you, or any of your readers, inform me if the 

 following description, translated from the original edition of Piickler Muskau's 

 Letters, be real or imaginary ? It is many years since I passed through the 

 beautiful village of Stanmore on my way to Cashiobury ; and I certainly do 

 not recollect any villa at all striking. — J. A., Chester, Jidy, 1837. 



" We setout this morning early, unfortunately a very wet day. At ten miles 

 from London, we already began business in the pleasant village of Stanmore, by 

 seeing two villas and a large park. The first villa was in the Gothic style 

 throughout, with ornamental pointed tile roofs ; a style in which the English 

 architects are v^x-^ fortunate, and which, I may almost say, is their favourite. 

 The interior was most delightfully arranged in the same style, yet perfectly 

 habitable and comfortable. Even the doors in the walls which surround the 

 kitchen-garden had painted old windows above them, which had a striking 

 appearance amongst the flowering shrubs. The small flower-garden was also 

 laid out in Gothic-formed beds, ornamented by gravel walks ; and the effect 

 was very good. 



" The second villa presented a very different appearance; it was in the Italian 

 taste, with large vases in front, in which, instead of flowers, were seen small 

 pumpkins, and yellow and green scooped-out oranges, towering upwards. 

 Somewhat too many wooden and white-painted statues adorned, or rather 

 disfigured, the garden ; amongst which was a lion in the attitude of suddenly 



