Catalogue of Works on Gardening, Sfc. 509 



depth, and the front (b, d) even with the surface, as shown in 

 the figure. The shading by lines shows where the seeds have 

 brairded; and the proportionate thickness of the plants, in the 

 different depths, is shown by the darkness or lightness of the 

 shade produced by the width or nearness of the lines. 



The ^Lolium perenne L., or common rye grass, alone, has 

 risen the whole breadth of the frame ; but, after it has passed 

 the middle, the thickness of the plant decreases more than one 

 half. The Pose and ^4grostes, which have very small seeds, 

 will not bear more than a quarter of an inch of cover; and from 

 a quarter to half an inch appears the proper depth for the other 

 sorts. Hence, instead of using the common harrow for cover- 

 ing grass seeds, the surface should merely be ruffled by a bush, 

 or some implement in imitation of one, and well rolled. 



Stirling, July 16. 1842. 



REVIEWS. 



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

 Rural Architecture, fyc, lately published, 'with some Account of those 

 considered the more interesting. 



The First Annual Report of the Metropolitan Improvement Society. Pamph. 

 8vo, pp. 7. London, 1842. 



We have frequently in this Magazine, and in the Architectural Magazine, 

 suggested the necessity of a metropolitan council, committee, or board, to 

 suggest and superintend public improvements, which have hitherto, with the 

 exception of some parts of the city property and the crown lands, been sub- 

 jected to the caprice of individuals, or at least been devised with a view to 

 partial rather than general interests. We are therefore glad to see the es- 

 tablishment of a Metropolitan Improvement Society, the success of which has 

 been even greater than we anticipated. 



According to the report before us a deputation from the committee of the 

 Society have had an interview with the prime minister, who " stated that his 

 own opinions coincided with the views of the deputation ; that he certainly 

 considered it desirable that in the place of a committee of the House of Com- 

 mons an efficient board should be appointed to institute proper enquiries, and 

 take a broad and comprehensive view of the whole subject. He further said 

 that, regarding the object as a most important one, he did not think the con- 

 sideration of a mere trifling expense should stand in the way, and he should 

 probably not hesitate to propose such a grant as would be sufficient to render 

 the enquiry effectual. 



" Some objections were naturally raised to any interference with plans of 

 improvement that had already received the legislative sanction ; considerable 

 progress having been made in negotiating for and purchasing property on the 

 different lines. The committee, however, feel extremely anxious on this 

 point. Plans which would have been far more satisfactory to the public have 

 been sacrificed to a spirit of mistaken economy, while those which are now 

 being carried into execution are most faulty and inadequate. Viewing the 

 paramount importance of the subject, and that the opportunity, once lost, can 

 never be recalled, the committee are still using strenuous exertions to call the 



