and of Rural Improvement, during 1835. 619 



permanent character than those made for propagating the com- 

 mon mushroom) could be manufactured, or procured readily, 

 then every family might grow their own mushrooms in a box, in 

 a cellar, or kitchen, without manure or soil, or any other trouble 

 than that of merely watering the stone ; while the other mode is 

 well worth the attention of every one growing culinary vege- 

 tables. The mode of compressing aromatic herbs into cakes, 

 and preserving them closely wrapped up in paper till wanted 

 for use, practised by Mr. Lindsay, gardener to His Grace the 

 Duke of Devonshire, at Chiswick (see p. 47.), well deserves 

 imitation ; and it might be extended to dried parsley, fennel, 

 celery tops, and many other potherbs. By the use of hot 

 water in some cases, and of steam in others, as the vehicle for 

 conveying bottom heat to a superincumbent bed of stones or 

 gravel, the culture of the pine-apple has been rendered more 

 economical, and much less offensive, from its not requiring the 

 use of dung or tan. The idea of heating a bed of stones was 

 first suggested by us in 1804; and it was carried into execution 

 first at Glenfuir, near Falkirk, and afterwards at Underley Park, 

 near Kendal, the heat being conveyed to the bed of stones by 

 smoke flues. Soon afterwards Mr. Hay greatly improved on 

 the plan, by making steam the medium of conveying the heat ; 

 and, subsequently, Mr. Hay's plan has ,been variously modified, 

 extended, and improved by Messrs. Stothert of Bath ; the details 

 of which improvements, illustrated by numerous figures, will be 

 found in our tenth volume, p. 226. 



The new fruits which have been proved during the past year, 

 and found worthy of general recommendation, will be found 

 enumerated under the head of Pomological Notices, in our suc- 

 ceeding volume; as those for the year 1834 are in this volume. 

 The same remarks will apply to the lists of new culinary vege- 

 tables. 



STATISTICS OF GARDENING. 



Public Gardens. — As we have devoted an article to this sub- 

 ject which is of some length, we shall confine ourselves here to 

 a brief statement of the creations, improvements, and alterations 

 which have recently taken place, or are actually in progress, 

 relating to gardens of this description. 



Botanical and Horticultural Gardens appear to be gradually 

 on the increase. That of Sheffield, noticed Vol. X. p. 276., is nearly 

 completed, and, we are informed, looks remarkably well. The 

 Liverpool Botanic Garden is being removed to a more favour- 

 able site, and a greater extent of ground is devoted to it. The 

 Manchester Botanic Garden has undergone great alterations and 

 improvements, under the care of its excellent curator, Mr. Camp- 

 bell (see p. 488.). The Botanic Garden at Bury St. Edmunds, 



