Annual Increase of Trunks of Timber Trees. 527 



Art. V. Design for a Floixier-Garden. By E. B. Lamb, Esq., 

 and the Conductor. 



The accompanying design (yfo-. 93.) was made for a particular 

 situation on the side of a steep hill, forming part of one of the 

 finest villas in Kent, in the autumn of 1835. It has been, we un- 

 derstand, since carried into execution ; but whether with accuracy 

 or not, we have not yet had an opportunity of judging. The 

 situation is a level shelf of turf, about 162 ft long, and about 

 40 ft. wide : it occurs about midway up a very steep hill, which 

 faces the south-east; it is on a level with the lawn on which the 

 house stands ; and is altogether a very desirable situation for a 

 flower-garden. To give an idea of the steepness of the ground, 

 it may be stated, that the walk marked " Lower Terrace Walk " is 

 upwards of 6 ft. above the level of the platform of turf on which 

 the beds are placed; so that the entire figure is seen at once from 

 this walk. The upper terrace walk is above 10 ft. higher than 

 the lower one ; and from this, also, the flower-garden is seen as a 

 symmetrical whole. 



The dotted line which includes the flower-beds indicates a 

 wire fence about 18 in. high, for excluding hares and rabbits. 



We regret we did not take a sketch of the flower-beds which 

 were on this platform at the time when we were consulted as to 

 remodelling them ; as they would have shown, in a striking 

 manner, the difference, not between accident and design, be- 

 cause accident has no pretension and is sometimes fortunate in 

 the production of the picturesque; but between a design exhi- 

 biting mind, and one exhibiting no mind. 



Art. VI. Facts relating to the annual Increase of the Trunks of 

 Timber Trees. Communicated by John F. M. Dovaston, Esq., 

 A.M., Oxon., of Westfelton, near Shrewsbury. 



In the year 1831, at the suggestion of my congenial, and now lamented, 

 friend, the late learned naturahst, John Clavering Wood, Esq., of Marsh Hall, 

 the circumference of several trees here were taken on the 21st of December, 

 and registered, with an intention of girting them on that day each successive 

 year, and noting the annual increase. This was continued for the three fol- 

 lowing years; and then, through mere inattentive indolence, discontinued. 

 Before, however, I exhibit, as you request, my schedule of those four years, 

 and the present (August, 1836), it will be quite necessary that I be allowed a 

 few observations explanatory, as also after such exhibition. Why these par- 

 ticular trees were chosen, I have no recollection, as they are neither the 

 largest, healthiest, nor most beautiful : perhaps they were favourites, and the 

 choice was capricious. I much lament we did not fix upon specimens of the 

 great multiplicity of young and vigorous trees ; especially the very numerous 

 lusty oaks of some sixty years, whose joyous arms and thriving bark are de- 

 lightsome to the eye and heart : but so it is, and so to my task, which is of 

 some difficulty j for, by labouring at brevity, I may tumble into obscurity. 

 They were all girted with a fine waxed thread, at 5 ft. from the ground 

 (except where otherwise noted), and a horizontal notch cut on the east side 

 (generally), where so girted. Now, it may seem very easy to take the circum- 



