358 General Notices. 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. General Notices. 



New or concentrated Manures. — The remarks by the Hon. and Rev. 

 W. Herbert are excellent. I tried some experhiients last year on the effects 

 produced by different composts on the vine cultivated in pots. I took eight 

 black Hamburg vines, and after shaking the mould they had previously grown in 

 completely from the balls, I planted two in each of the composts below. There 

 was no perceptible difference in the size or strength of the vines before plant- 

 ing. The first two were planted in equal parts of loam and perfectly de- 

 composed stable dung ; the second in equal parts of loam and bone dust ; 

 the third, in two thirds by weight of loam and one third of dressings from the 

 clothiers, called here flocks ; and the fourth were planted in 30 parts of loam, 

 as above, and wood ashes 20 parts, lime 10 parts, soot 10 parts, and salt 

 10 parts. Their rate of growth was, 1st, those in loam and dung, which 

 beat considerably any of the others in size of leaf, strength of stem, and ra- 

 pidity of growth ; 2dly, those in No. 3. compost, viz. loam and flocks ; 

 3dly, those in loam and bone dust ; and lastly, those in loam, wood ashes, 

 soot, &c. The latter grew very badly, and made scarcely any root, though 

 under exactly the same management. I regret I did not put any in pure 

 loam, to see whether there is any actual benefit to be derived from using 

 muriates and carbonates. Flocks are certainly a powerful manure, and, inde- 

 pendently of keeping the earth porous and open, they retain their fertilising 

 properties a long time. Perhaps some of your valuable correspondents have 

 can-ied this subject farther than I have done, or can throw additional light on 

 it. I will resume the experiments on a larger scale directly, and acquaint 

 you with the results next spring. — John Spencer. Boivood Gardens, June 4. 

 1840. 



Preservation of Wood. — At a recent sitting of the Academy, M. Boucherie 

 presented a memoir " On the Preservation of Timber, by a Method peculiar 

 to himself." That method consists in introducing pyrolignite of iron by ab- 

 sorption into the tissue of the wood, immediately after the fall of the tree, or 

 even while it is yet standing. This simple operation is said to be remark- 

 ably efficacious : 1st, in protecting the tree against rot, dry or humid ; 

 2dly, in increasing its hardiness ; 3dly, in developing and pi-eserving its flexi- 

 bility and elasticity ; 4thly, in preventing the cracks which result from 

 variations of the atmosphere when brought into use ; 5thly, in reducing its 

 inflammable and combustible characters ; and 6thly, in giving it colours and 

 odours at once varied and enduring. M. Boucherie laid before the Academy 

 several specimens prepared by this method, the examination of which was 

 referred to a committee. [Athenceum, May 16. 1840.) 



The most remarkable part of this process is, the impregnation of the tree 

 with the preserving substance while it is yet in a growing state. From the 

 Report in Le Temps of May 7., which a correspondent has kindly sent us, 

 it appears that the liquid is absorbed by the vital action of the tree while yet 

 growing, or when newly cut down. Whether any thing fit to be introduced 

 into general practice will be the result of these ingenious experiments, it is at 

 present difficult to say. — Cond. 



Art. ir. Foreign Notices. 

 MADEIRA. 



FUNCHAL, March 15. 1840.— I am glad to find by your letter of the 21st of 

 January, that the account of my tea plantation in the mountains of this island 



