548 Retrospective Criticism, 



it is true that there are a sufficient number of hardy ornamentally flowering 

 plants to render a garden beautiful throughout the year. But, v/ere J's. taste 

 to become universal, it would go far towards paralysing the eiForts of those 

 whose exertions are employed in bringing into notice the varied display which 

 nature, in different climates, affords to the admirers of Flora; and our flower- 

 gardens would become less attractive, in proportion to the loss of variety which 

 they would sustain. By such a system, and almost by the same kind of rea- 

 soning, it may be asked, what use is there in introducing the almost numberless 

 exotics which are now to be found in the various collections of which this 

 country can boast ? But, waving this question, and confining ourselves to the 

 flower-garden, which, in the present day, is embellished with such a splendid 

 display of beauty by the assistance of the pit or cold frame, I must confess I 

 should be sorry to see anything like a retrograding system take'place, and even 

 on the supposition that our hardy flowering plants are equally beautiful with 

 the more tender kinds; and, if" variety is charming " almost in every thing, I 

 think it may be truly said to be so when exhibited in the flower-garden. 



That the advantages to be derived from a pit or cold frame are not con- 

 fined merely to grov.'ing the tender kinds of flowering plants, may be exemplified 

 by the numerous kinds of hardy annuals which can be brought forward in pots, 

 so as to flower in the open ground at a much earlier period than when sown 

 in the usual way. Cuttings, also, of many of them, if struck in the autumn, 

 may, by this means, be preserved, and will make an early display in the spring : 

 in short, the advantages which are to be derived from this kind of artificial 

 means are numerous, and need not be here detailed, as the lovers of Flora will 

 always appreciate them in proportion to the enthusiasm they possess for in- 

 troducing into their gardens the greatest possible variety. 



J's. taste may be quite appropriate for those who have not the means of 

 extending their sphere of operations in floriculture ; but I should regret to see 

 it established among those who have it in their power to exercise a portion of 

 their property and influence in this way. The result of such a taste would be 

 to deprive many persons of the pleasure which they now enjoy in the antici- 

 pation of enlarging their collections to the extent they may desire : besides, 

 if such a taste were to become general, the nurserymen and florists might well 

 exclaim that their " craft was in danger." Indeed, were the subject to be 

 carried out in all its bearings, it would be seen that most serious evils would 

 be the result.— T. Rufgcr. Portland Place, July 11. 1835. 



Roivland's Metallic J'Vire. (p. 435.) — In ansvi'er to your statement, that the 

 wire, of which I sent you specimens, was not sufficiently strong to bear the 

 zinc labels, I have to inform you that the specimens of wire which I sent were 

 of the thinnest sort; and, moreover, a part of them were only of lead, which I 

 sent, that you might see the difference in strength between the metallic wire 

 and the common lead wire. I should have applied a stronger wire, and of a 

 larger size, to suspend the zinc labels. With this, you will receive ] lb. of 

 Nos. 12. and 1-1. to replace that which was broken ; and this, you will find, will 

 be effectual. Messrs. Warner have a supply of all sizes. I may here remark 

 how each size is used. Nos. 20. and 1 8. are for securing vines, &c., in the 

 houses; No. 16. is for tying up flowers, such as pinks, carnations, &c.; Nos. 14. 

 and 12. are for trees against the wall, or railing; and Nos. 14. and 8. are for 

 attaching number labels, or using for any purposes that require strengtli. 

 You have only to flatten the end of the wire before you place on your number, 

 &c., and, when the wire is cut to a proper length, to bend the other end round 

 your tree, &c., and, pierce a small hole in the label, and suspend it by a thinner 

 size; or one end of the wire may be pointed and inserted in the earth. — W. 

 A. Rowland. Chester, August 4. 1835. 



Destroying the Scale on Pines, (p. 186.) — 'I have referred to V. 430., as 

 directed by Mr. Dall, in p. 323,, and find that he was right in saying, that 

 the same ingredients recommended by me for the destruction of the white 

 scale had been used by him som.e years previously. At the time I wrote ray 

 remarks I was not aware of the existence of Mr. Ball's paper ; and it certainly 

 was my impression, that the method I detailed was discovered by Mr. V/ilson : 



