690 Queries and Answers. 



may ; for I think the proper culture of potatoes a much more important object 

 than others seem to do. — R.Loiundes. London, Sept. 20. 1835. 



Art- VII. Queries and Ansxvers. 



Public Evening Reading-Rooms in Towns and Villages. — Will you, or any 

 of your readers, suggest the cheapest and best design and mode of execution 

 for a public reading-room, to be opened only in the evenings, and on Sundays 

 and holidays, for all persons whatever to walk into and read, paying at the rate 

 of a penny a night ? It appears to me that it would ultimately be a very great 

 public benefit, if one or more of such rooms were established in every town 

 and village throughout the country. The benefit would consist in improving 

 the character of out-door workmen, who, from the low rate at which they are 

 paid, are unable to have a fire in their lodging rooms, and are therefore obliged, 

 either to go to bed, or to go to the public-house, or, what is perhaps, in one 

 point of view, worst of all, to get married. It is very natural that persons so 

 circumstanced should wish to spend then* evenings in societ}^ : and, if they have 

 no relations, what can they do, at present, but either go to the public-house, 

 or get married ? Now, by opening warm comfortable rooms, with a moderate 

 supply of books and newspapers, society might be enjoyed, and the mind and the 

 habits improved ? Perhaps, in most cases it would be desirable rather to alter 

 an old building, so as to produce such a room, than to build a new one ; but, 

 if some of your correspondents, architects, or builders, will take the subject 

 into their consideration, I have no doubt they will throw light on it. I trust 

 that when Mr. Buckingham next brings his bill into the House of Commons, 

 for parish libraries, gardens, &c., he will not lose sight of this subject ; and I 

 think, also, that it would not be unworthy of the consideration of the Poor 

 Law Commissioners. — J. A. K. London, Sept., 1835. 



Outline of a Botanical Tour. — I think it would be gratifying to many of your 

 readers, if you were to give occasionally an outline of a botanical tour, some- 

 thing like a skeleton of your own tours (say from London to Southampton), 

 stating the distances, and each gentleman's place, with a memorandum of what 

 is most meritorious in his collection, hardies, hot-houses, &c. I am sure that, 

 in travelling, I often pass by places that it would afford me great pleasure to 

 see, without knowing it. Or a great town may be taken as a centre. I am 

 sure that your correspondents would have pleasure in sending you the 

 necessary data : I can at least answer for myself. It would also be useful, if 

 it were added, whether the places are permitted to be shown generally, or on 

 particular days. — M, March, 1835. 



Inserting the Levels of Plans. — Would it not be a very great improvement 

 of plans, such as that in p. 388., if the levels could be inserted, calling the low- 

 est point J or, what would be better still, the height of the lowest point above 

 the sea? — J. Phillips. Castlemacgarrett, Oct. 14. 1835. 



Chatsworth Arboretum, (p. 303.) — In plot 26. i?osaceas, why is i?6sa omitted ? 

 Is there no rosarium within the pleasure-garden or arboretum ? Why is 

 JPicus omitted among t/rticeag (p. 395.) ? It is very handsome in summer, grow- 

 ing luxuriantly ; and it is quite as hardy as many which have found a place in 

 the list; such as Ten6n"«, Magnolia grandiflora, jLaurus, Punica, &c. Am I to 

 suppose all the parts of the plan marked y to be kept grass ? — Id. 



The most profitable Age for cutting Oaks. (p. 437.) — In answer to the 

 query, as to cutting down oak timber, I recollect being present, and hearing 

 Mr. Larkin give evidence at the East India Shipping Committee in 1814, 

 1815, or 1816. He said, in the most favourable situations, the Weald of Kent, 

 for example, the most profitable time to cut oak is at 90 years old ; as, though 

 the largest scantling was at 130, the increase in those 40 years did not pay two 

 per cent. — Id. 



The Female Black Italian Poplar (P. vionilifera). — In your remarks on 



