322 Retrospective Criticism. 



have shown a degree of dilatoriness and indifference which we hardly ex- 

 pected from our countrymen. Two of the Return Papers have been sent 

 back without the dimensions of a single tree or shrub having been inscribed 

 on them ; though we know that, in one of the places, there are a number of 

 remarkably fine trees and shrubs. The excuse given in this case is, that 

 there have been few trees planted there for the last twenty years, &c. The 

 other place contains some very fine oaks ; but " the Return Paper was laid 

 aside, and escaped" the gardener's " memory;" and when he found it again, 

 by accident, he considered that there were not any trees or shrubs under his 

 care " that merited particular notice." We cannot help contrasting this with 

 the zeal and activity which we have experienced in England and Ireland, as 

 well as on the Continent, particularly in Germany. There are many fine 

 places in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, including the Botanic Garden, Dal- 

 keith, Moredun, the Whim, Woodhouselee, Pennycuick, Duddingston, Gogar, 

 Saughton Hall, Craigie Hall, Pinkie, &c., &:c. , from which we are still expect- 

 ing information. Should any of the Return Papers we sent have been mislaid, 

 or have miscarried, fresh ones may be obtained from Mr. Lawson, or recourse 

 may be had to the form given in the Number of this Magazine for December 

 last ; that is, in Vol. X. p. 382. — Cond. April 30. 



The Auckenboivie and West Plean Horticultural Society, in their prize list 

 for 1835, offer seven prizes for those cottage gardens which shall be most taste- 

 fully laid out and neatly kept during the season. We observe, also, that the 

 greater number of the prizes offered to cottagers are garden implements or 

 instruments, or articles of household furniture ; a number, also, are books, 

 and some are plants or seeds. The cottager who gains the greatest number 

 of prizes during the season is to have a wheelbarrow. Besides the prizes to 

 be given from the funds of the Society, a number of individuals have offered 

 articles, stating what they are to be given for, as prizes. There cannot be a 

 more useful mode of disposing of any duplicate books, or prints, or superfluous 

 pieces of furniture, or spare plants, than this. 



The Stirling Horticultural Society, in their prospectus for 1835, offer a great 

 number of prizes ; and, among others, one for the best collection of dried 

 specimens of British plants. They have an excellent library ; and the books 

 are circulated among the members on a plan which insures their prompt re- 

 turn. We have sent to this library, a copy of the first volume of our Archi- 

 tectural Magazine, from which the young gardener who has a taste for land- 

 scape-gardening and garden-architecture may learn the fundamental principles 

 of design in all the graphic arts. — Cond. 



Art. hi. Retrospective Criticism. 



The Management of the Government Plantations in Hampshire. — In your 

 April No., p. 163., my name is introduced as being engaged in the manage- 

 ment of the government enclosures. In justice to the proper parties, I beg that 

 you will do me the favour to correct the error. My writing to you was induced 

 by the pleasure I have often felt at the many successful methods pursued un- 

 der the direction of the government surveyor, Mr. Robert Turner; and, so 

 far am I from wishing to detract from the thanks due to him, that I have long 

 since promised to make the process known to you, with the concurrence and 

 aid of that gentleman. You will please to give this insertion, as it is my 

 anxious wish that the public should justly appreciate so important a practice 

 of rearing timber, and bestow their commendations upon those with whom it 

 originated. — William Bridgeiuater Page. Southampton, April 18. 1835. 



Further Note on Double Crocuses, (p. 137.) — In London and Wise's 

 translation of Liger's Retired Gardener, ed. 1706, p. 443., it is stated that 

 " some of them (crocuses) are double." In Pass's Hortus Floridus, part 3. 

 pi. 7. d., two crocuses are figured. — " 1. Crocus arg. striato polyphyllo flore," 



