34 Catalogue of Woi'ks on Gardening, S^-c. 



most of the London nurseries ; indeed we might almost say of an)' of them, 

 except those of Hackney and Fulham The truth is, that land and labour are 

 so much higher in the neighbourhood of London than they are in the pro- 

 vinces, that the metropolitan nurserymen, now that the prices of all plants 

 have fallen so low, cannot afford to grow complete collections. The public 

 are gainers by this change in price, and it matters little to them whether they 

 buy in town or country ; and the nurserymen, as a body, are no losers, because 

 orders which a London nurseryman cannot execute from his own grounds, 

 he can always, by means of such catalogues as those now before us, execute 

 by procuring the plants from his friends in the country. The formation of 

 collections in so many places throughout the country cannot fail greatly to 

 increase the growing taste for trees and shrubs, which are the only permanent 

 and independent (we mean comparatively independent of care and culture) 

 ornaments of parks and pleasure-grounds. 



By comparing these three catalogues with one another, it will be found that 

 each contains several articles that are not in either of the other two, and 

 hence from the other two each may be enriched. 



Art. IV. Catalogue of Works on Gardening, Agriculture, Botany, 

 Rural Architecture, &;c., lately published, tvith some Account of those 

 considered the more interesting. 



Rustic Architecture. The picturesque and pleasing Appearance of rough 

 Wood, Thatch, &c., when applied as the only Decorations of rural Build- 

 ings, illustrated by 42 zincographic Drawings, consisting of Plans, Ele- 

 vations, Sections, and Perspective Views ; the Doors, Windows, Chimney 

 Shafts, &c., drawn geometrically to a large scale, with a Description and 

 the estimated Cost of each Design. By T. J. Ricauti, Architect. Printed 

 for, and published by, the Author, at his Office, No. 26. Foley Place ; and 

 to be procured through any Bookseller. London, 1840. 

 We have repeatedly and strongly recommended this elegant and useful work 

 to our readers. The sixth and last part, now before us, brings it to a con- 

 clusion, and we can safely say that we think no gentleman who purchases it 

 will be disappointed. The total number of plates is 42; and each is carefully 

 described, with estimates and other details, as noticed in the titlepage. 



The British Almanack; and the Companion to the Almanack for 1841. ]2mo. 

 Price 45. 



Among the various matters in the Companion, interesting to the British 

 gardener, the first we shall notice is an act past in August last, empowering 

 the Duke of Marlborough to raise 25,000/. on mortgage, for the purpose of 

 repairing Blenheim Palace; and also to cut down and sell timber at the rate 

 of 1000/. a year, for the purpose of paying the interest of the money borrowed. 

 We trust the present duke will exhibit more taste in laying out this money 

 than his predecessor, who, independently of allowing many parts of the place 

 to go to decay, ruined the effect of the pleasure-grounds by covering the 

 surface too uniformly with trees and shrubs. The first grand step in the im- 

 provement of Blenheim will be to undo great part of what has been done. 



Chap. XIX. is on public improvements, and is written with the usual taste 

 and knowledge which have for several years past characterised this part of the 

 Comioanion. The London cemeteries are described, and one is noticed as 

 in progress at Winchester. Several public schools are noticed ; and engravings 

 given of the Camberwell National Schools, and of Lady Owen's School, 

 Goswell Road. Both are very handsome, and it is not a little gratifying to 

 see schools keeping pace with churches and theatres. 



The Derby Arboretum is noticed with discriminating taste and judgment. 



