706 Retrospective Criticism. 



absent, we feel a raelancholj' pleasure in stating that subscription papers lie 

 with the secretary and treasurer of the Society, and that we trust many will 

 embrace the opportunity of throwing a stone to the cairn of the introducer 

 of the red-flowering currant, and many other welcome contributions to the 

 gem [flower] borders and kitchen-gardens of Britain." (^Dumfries and Galloway 

 Courier, Oct. 4. 1836.) 



Hints for the Improvement of Cottage Gardening in Scotland, in four printed 

 pages, have just been distributed gratuitously by James Stewart Menteath, 

 Esq., jun., of Closeburn Hall, dated April 27. 18*36. 



The Curatorship of the Caledonian Horticultural Society's Garden, Inverleith, 

 which had been resigned by Mr. Barnett, is now, we understand, filled by 

 Mr. J. M'Nab, son of the curator of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden ; a young 

 man who is a good botanist, and possesses a scientific knowledge of his art. 

 Mr. James M'Nab has not only repeatedly visited the principal gardens in 

 England, but has made an extensive tour in North America, whence he brought 

 home several new plants, and numerous seeds. We are indebted to Mr. 

 M'Nab, for several accurate drawings of trees for our Arboretum JBritannicum. 

 Our esteemed friend, Mr. Barnett has, we understand, taken Pocock's Nursery, 

 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, in which new situation we most sincerely wish him 

 success ; and, in this wish, we are sure we shall be joined by every gardener 

 who has had the advantage of his acquaintance. — Cond, 



Leptospermum. — Some species of this Australian genus appear to be as 

 hardy as the common holly or box ; not only having stood out in the London 

 nurseries, but even in the open compartments of the nursery of Mr. Roy of 

 Aberdeen. This genus will therefore probably afford some most valuable 

 additions to our hardy evergreens. — Id. 



A neiv seedling Strawberry, said to be of a very superior description, has 

 been raised by Mr. James Wright, of Westfield, near Aberdeen. — J. W. 

 Aberdeen, Sept. 27. 1836. 



Art. IV. Restrospective Criticism. 



Errata. — In p. 35. line 5. from bottom, for " Murth," read " Murtle." 

 In p. 533. line 2. from bottom, for " accompanies," read " accompany." 

 Quercus 7Mex, Vol. XI. p. 359. last line of the page, for " Golden Grove," 

 read " Stackpole Court." In p. 553., for " Whim Castle,'^ read " Oxenford 

 Castle." 



Kensington Gardens, (p. 551.) — Your observations as to the exclusion of 

 persons from Kensington Gardens I approve of most highly; so much the 

 more so, indeed, because I myself, many years ago, had nearly got into 

 trouble by my angry remonstrances with one of the door-keepers, because he 

 insisted upon turning out of the Gardens, one Sunday, when they were much 

 crowded, a very handsomely dressed man in the full Highland costume, who 

 was quietly walking about. The fellow persisted in excluding him, not 

 because he had behaved ill (for, by his own confession, his conduct was 

 unexceptionable), but because he wore the Highland dress, and it was not 

 that usually worn. I must own that I was very indignant at this conduct. — 

 J. T. B. 'Bedfordshire. 



Taking the Girt of Trees for the Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum. ■ — • I have 

 complied with your directions in taking the circumference of the tree at 1 ft. 

 from the ground ; but I would beg leave to observe, that this gives no correct 

 idea of the general size of the tree : I mean of old trees (oaks especially), on 

 account of the large spurs generally to be found so near the ground. I think 

 3 ft. or 4 ft. high preferable. — R. I. Woburn Pat^k, Sept. 1836. 



We entirely agree with our correspondent, and with several others, who 

 have written to vis to the same effect; but, as our object, when we printed our 

 Return Papers, was more to get the dimensions of young trees than of old 

 ones, we considered 1 ft. preferable for them ; and we were afraid of creating 

 confusion, by directing the girt of full-grown trees to be taken at one place, 

 and that of young trees at another. — Cond. 



