Qiie?'ies and Ans~ders. 5 i 9 



however. It is only fair to Mr, Wilson to confess that the error originated en- 

 tirely with myself, and that I never heard him claim the discovery as his own. 



My opinion, that the removal of the white scale before applying the ingre- 

 dients is essential to success, remains unaltered ; for I have known insects 

 which had been overlooked found upon the plants several weeks after the 

 application of the dressing, and, apparently, as vigorous as though they had 

 never been meddled with. If, then, these insects could live and thrive with 

 the ingredients intended to destroy them sticking to their backs, the remedy 

 of Mr. Dall cannot be effectual. As bearing upon this point, I may mention 

 that Mr. M'Murtrie, who used the same remedy as Mr. Dall, with the addition 

 of a little camphor, had recourse to the brushing process. (V. 57.) — J. B. W. 

 July 13. 1835. 



Qicanothus coUhius. — In the list given in the Arboretum Britannictim (p. 125.) 

 of seeds introduced by Douglas in 1826 and 1827, you mention Ceanothus col- 

 linus as not having vegetated in England. We now write to inform you that, 

 amongst other seeds which we received from the London Horticultural Society, 

 in or about the year 1827, was a packet of C. coUinus, two of which s' eds 

 vegetated ; and, though one of the plants died, the other has done sc well 

 with us, that it flowered last year, and vi^ill shortly be in flower again. — Jo/m 

 Pope and Sons. Handsworth Nursery, near Binningham, August 8, 1835. 



Coiling of Vines. — It is a pity to see with what rancour any new subject is 

 discussed; as if vituperation and aspersion were essentials in the elucidating of 

 a new theory. No one, I presume, would doubt Mr. Mearn's statements as 

 to his individual success : but the question resolves itself into this : — Is the 

 plan worthy of universal adoption, and is it likely to supersede the common 

 modes now in general use ? Its simplicity and accessibility will I'ecommend 

 a trial : I have given it one to the extent of thirty pots of the old and young 

 wood, and both together ; but I confess I have not succeeded to my utmost 

 wish. — R. Glendinning, Bicton, August 22. 1835. 



Art. V. Queries and Anstve?". 



THE2)roper Age at tvhich to cut down Oalc Trees. — '' A proprietor of Timber 

 Trees in Kent and Hampshire " enquires (p. 437.) "whether anything has been 

 published that would enable him to determine, with accuracy, the proper age at 

 which to cut down old oak trees ?" Does he mean to ask the period at which 

 oaks shall have come to their maturity, and are no longer improving as tim- 

 ber trees ? or does he mean at what age oaks should be cut down, so as to 

 make the best return in point of profit ? In either case it is not easy to give 

 a precise categorical answer. To -take the first case, it should be remarked, 

 that oaks, like all other trees, vary exceedingly in their growth, according to 

 soil, situation, &c. Consequently, seme will com^e to matunty much sooner 

 than others, and will attain, in a given time, to a much larger size. No one 

 fixed period, therefore, applicable to all, or even the generality of cases, can, 

 as I conceive, be accurately determined, at which these trees shall have arrived 

 at perfection, as this must differ according to circumstances. Without lay- 

 ing down precise rules, a practised eye will be able readily to decide when a tree 

 is "ripe for the axe ; in other words, when it has .come to its best. There will 

 be no longer any vigorous shoots in the extremities (in woodman's phrase, 

 " no twig,"); but instead, a curling or crinkling of the spray or terminal branches, 

 with scarce any perceptible growth : dead branches or small arms will oc- 

 casionally be seen towards the top, &c. ; and, above all, there will be a tight- 

 iiess, — a contraction of the bark on the stem of the tree; i. e. the bark 

 ceasing to expand will, of course, no longer exhibit those light red or yellow 

 perpendicular streaks in its crevices, which ar,e a certain proof of its expansion, 

 and of the consequent growth of the wood beneath. If the woodpecker has 

 been busy about a tree, it is a sure indication that it is time, and more than 

 time, to fell it ; for this bird never attacks a perfectly sound tree, though often 



