302 Retrospective Criticism. 



intended for an experimental farm in Gloucestershire; where, we understand, 

 every thing is to be conducted with a strict adherence to the Scottish system 

 of husbandry. 



Besides many other articles of minor import, the commission included four 

 ploughmen, nine horses, six carts, eight sets of cart and plough harness (com- 

 mon), Smith's subsoil and green-crop ploughs, harrows, draining-implements, 

 sowing-machines, Drummond's reaping-scythes, &c. 



From what we have heard from judges, the various specimens are such as 

 to do no discredit to the spirited establishment from which they have issued. 

 A notion appears to be prevalent that the horses might have been heavier, 

 but it seems ordinary farm horses were wanted. We consider such an out- 

 fit as an honour conferred on the district, in as far as its practical farming and 

 manufacture of agricultural implements are concerned; and while we hope the 

 whole may reach the place of destination in safety, we wish every success to the 

 truly patriotic object. 



This important commission having been completed, the ploughmen, with 

 their charge, under the superintendence of a young gentleman from England, 

 set out in travelling order for Carlisle, Manchester, and Warrington, and ex- 

 pect to perform the journey, which is nearly 400 miles, in about twenty days. 

 (Stirling Advertiser, March, 1839.) 



Art. IV. Retrospective Criticism. 



The Horticultural Society. — [Since the publication of our paragraph on 

 this Society in our March Number, p. 145., we have received three letters, from 

 the last of which we make the following extract, because it principally con- 

 cerns ourselves.] 



" You and many others strongly advocated a paid secretary this time nine 

 years, and I think you have by this time been pretty well served by your fa- 

 vourite idol. I have neither time nor inclination now to look over documents 

 in my possession; but I well recollect that you, in particular, strongly recom- 

 mended Dr. Lindley as the fittest person to conduct the affairs of the Society, 

 as a paid secretary"; and, of course, you are of this opinion still, when you could 

 satisfy your conscience by what you said of those who have the management of 

 the Society's affairs, in the Gardener's Magazine for March, p. 145. A large 

 share of the credit or discredit of the management or mismanagement of what 

 has been done or undone for the Horticultural Society since 1830 lies at your 

 door. There now exists a strong feeling against the proceedings of the Society 

 in the minds of many influential persons, and I make no doubt but their whole 

 proceedings must come to a crash. — S. April 6. 1839. It does not follow that 

 because we entertained a certain opinion at a certain time we are bound 

 never to change it. In the present case, however, we see no reason for doing 

 so. We still think a paid secretary the best ; as, if such a secretary does not 

 do his duty, the remedy is in the hands of the council. — Cond. 

 I The Analogy between Plants and Animals. (Vol. XIV. p. 411.) — Errata. 

 Page 413., fourth line from the bottom, for " the collar," read " the root " ; 

 p. 41 5., what is said respecting slow and quick grown timber is right in the case 

 of the Coniferae, but the reverse as regards oak and other deciduous trees ; 

 p. 417., second line from the top, after the words " most part," add " like some 

 animals ; " and, ninth line from the top, after the words " of the same," add 

 " or nearly allied." — J. M. March, 1839. 



Erratum. — In p. 193., bottom line, for " in flower at Natale," read "in 

 flower at Christmas." 



