Retrospective Criticism. 333 



been grown on the old " burning system," which I am almost certain will not 

 be equalled by your chambering system for years to come. In this neigh- 

 bourhood there is a nurseryman who grows pines well. His houses were 

 built by himself and men, so that you may suppose they are not over fine, 

 neither are they. Well, Sir, I recollect seeing a Providence plant in fruit, 

 in one of the above houses, that ripened in September, 1838. In October of 

 that year the crown of the above fruit was planted. During its progress, I 

 had an opportunity of seeing it several times, and was struck by its beautiful 

 growth. The above plant produced a fruit in 1840, and was shown at an 

 exhibition on the 21st of September; and what did it weigh, Mr. Niven? 

 exactly 9i lb. Now, Sir, I will give your commodore, as you facetiously 

 term him, the benefit of your chambering apparatus, ay, and he may also 

 have the advice and assistance of the admiral of the "curvilinear fleet" into 

 the bargain, and let him try and raise a production like the above if he can. 

 Another case : I suppose, Sir, you are aware that Mr. M'Murtrie of Shug- 

 borough, who has long been famed as a pine-grower, is a decided advocate for 

 wooden houses ; and so he may, for his success with them has been great. 

 Mr. M'Murtrie has grown the Otaheite pine to 12Alb. This is something like 

 proof in favour of wooden houses, Mr. Niven, is it not ? I will give one more 

 case, and have done on this part of the subject. At Ragley, the seat of the 

 Marques, of Hertford, Mr. Brown, formerly the assistant, now the worthy 

 successor, of the celebrated Baldwin, grows pines with great credit to himself. 

 The houses at Kagley are all built of wood, got up in the most homely style. 

 Now hear some of the results of the " burning system," as practised there. 

 In April and May of 1839 Mr. Brown had a house of Providence pines ripe, 

 not one of which was under 5 lb., many of them were 7 lb., several of them 

 8 lb. : you must bear in mind that the plants producing the above fruit were 

 started at a season of the year the very reverse of favourable for the pro- 

 duction of large fruit ; yet mark the results. 



Oh, but say you, " What is an overgrown fruit ? Not better than a turnip." 

 Indeed ! Well, I, in my turn, only ask you, Sir, what is the value of a small puny 

 pine ? Is it worthy the name of pine at all ? being void of juice, or any 

 thing else to recommend it. It is often stated by those who seemingly know 

 little of the matter, that the Providence pine is not worth growing, owing to 

 its indifferent flavour. If there is any truth in this, it will only hold good 

 when the Providence pine is badly grown ; for it is an undoubted fact that the 

 Providence pine increases in flavour in the ratio of the size, proper care 

 being taken to withhold water for some time before ripening. This I will leave 

 to the judgement of any connoisseur in pines. Yes, Mr. Niven, I will leave it to 

 the judgement of yourself, being perfectly satisfied of what Ihave advanced on 

 this head carrying on the face of it the " test of truth." 



It seems, Sir, that you " feel thoroughly satisfied of the correctness, sim- 

 plicity, and economy of your system," that is, of growing small pines; " and after 

 much experience, observation, consideration, and care," &c. Now, Sir, I 

 never doubted your ability in growing small pines, nor, I believe, has any one 

 else ; on the contrary, I would be astonished, if you take into consideration 

 the system recommended in your first letter, if you could grow any thing 

 else. 



As regards the economy of the succession pit you describe in your last 

 letter, I apprehend it is rather 'questionable. " Throughout the summer 

 months a single fire at night was generally sufficient to keep up the requisite 

 charge of temperature in the chamber below." What, fire every night all the 

 summer out ! do you call this economical ? why, you are retrograding already. 

 In the chamber under your pine pit, in your " stove for various purposes," 

 we are told that once a week in summer was enough for the pipes to be 

 heated, and with your new succession pit you must have a fire every night 

 all the summer out ; and then, forsooth, this is economy ! Respecting, the 

 originality of your chambering system, do you mean, Sir, to claim it as 

 your own ? Did you never see it in operation in Ireland previously to 



