

TTTCe 



deal resembles cellulose, and which very often con- 

 stitutes the walls of vegetable cells, namely cork. 

 The cells of cork, which are sometimes found alone, 

 and sometimes are associated with those of cellulose 

 or true woody fibre, may be readily distinguished 

 from the latter, because the cork cells are not con- 

 verted into starch by those agents which easily 

 change cellulose into starch ; and on the other hand, 

 nitric acid, which has no action on cellulose, acts 

 rapidly and powerfully on cork. In consequence of 

 these properties, there is no difficulty in separating 

 the cork cells from those of true cellulose, as they 

 exist associated together in such plants as the Potato. 

 M. Mitchekljch also shows that in some cases these 

 two substances are even more intimately connected 

 together, uniting, in fact, to form the walls of the 

 same cell, the corky matter being deposited on the 

 •utside of the cellulose ; and he imagines that both 

 ■abstances are to be regarded as having a similar 

 origin. From what he says respecting the relation 

 of these two substances, we may fairly be led to 

 ask, is it not possible that cellulose is capable of 

 being converted into cork ] 



We are not quite satisfied with the experiments 



st 



are 



more depressed in shape, almost like a skittle-ball, 



and more orange coloured. 



The stone brash and calcareous soil of this part of 

 Oxfordshire, seems to suit the Blenheim Orange, parti- 

 cularly well ; and the fruit always appears finer, aud 

 more to advantage, in its own native county than else- 

 where. 



The confectioner's shops and college kitchens in Ox- 

 ford (not bad judges !) are generally supplied with this 

 handsome and useful fruit, up to Christmas ; after which 

 time it loses its flavour, and decays. 



This part of Oxfordshire is also celebrated for its 

 Apricots. Every cottage in every village has its Apricot 

 tree, which, in a good season, will pay the rent. All the 

 finest fruit is sent to London, and « Kidlington 1 ' Apricots 



well known in Covent Garden, and command a higher 



price than those from other parts of England. Mickle- 

 well Junior. 



?i^f/!^ 





Phis must form a paste, neither too J? b *« U 

 It must be fresh made, twice da il? t d ** % * 

 sour, the nestlings will assurp.il. Il "•"•iy 



assuredly die. 



are 



which are brought forward to prove that the 

 delicate vegetable hairs and fibres are all covered 

 with a thin film of cork. It is well known that 



many fibres, such as cotton for < 

 water with great difficultv : but i 



pie, imbibe 



not follow that this is caused by a protecting film or 

 varnish of cork ; nor is the matter rendered in any 

 way more clear by the further statement that when 

 cotton has been bleached by chlorine, or exposed to 

 the action of some other powerful agent, it then 

 imbibes water with facility, because this process has 

 caused the solution of the thin film of cork, and left 

 the cellulose exposed. As it is acknowledged that 

 these fibres in their natural state always contain 

 more or less of an oily or fatty substance, which 

 would, it is evident, greatly interfere with their 

 being wetted, and as the presence of this oil is cer- 

 tainly quite a sufficient cause for the phenomena in 

 question, they clearly cannot be brought forward 

 without other evidence as any proof of the existence 

 of such a film of cork. It is plain that in many cases 

 cork is formed instead of cellulose, and no doubt for 

 some good purpose ; but it also frequently happens 

 that cork is found in large quantities and in parts 

 of plants where its presence appears to do no good. 

 It is probable that in some of these latter cases its 

 formation is the result of disease. We are very 

 glad to see that Professor Mitcherlich is continuing 

 his experiments on these subjects, and that he 



still further investigating the changes which cellu- 

 lose undergoes when it is acted on by ferments ; 

 we hope he will also extend his inquiries on the 

 formation of cork ; they cannot fail to lead to inter- 

 esting and valuable practical results. 



Old 



corner of 



THE ORIGINAL BLENHEIM ORANGE 



APPLE TREE. 



In a somewhat dilapidated corner of the decaying 

 borough of ancient Woodstock, within 10 yards of the 

 wall of Blenheim-park, stands all that remains of the 

 original stump of that beautiful and justly celebrated 

 Apple, the Blenheim Orange. It is now entirely dead, 

 and rapidly falling to decay, being a mere shell about 

 10 feet high, loose in the ground, and having a large 

 hole in the centre ; till within the last three years it 

 occasionally sent up long, thin, wiry twigs, but this last 

 sign of vitality has ceased, and what remains will soon 

 be the portion of the woodlouse and the worm. 

 Grimmett. 

 whose gar 



sat looking on it from his workshop window, and while 

 he wove the pliant ozier, has meditated for more than 

 50 successive summers on the mutability of all sub- 

 lunary substances, on juice and core and vegetable, as 

 well as animal and flesh and blood. He can remember 

 the time when, 50 years ago, he was a boy, and the 

 tree a fine full bearing stem, full of bud and blossom 

 and fruit ; and thousands thronged from all parts to 

 gaze on its ruddy ripening orange burden: then 

 gardeners came in the spring-tide to select the much- 

 coveted scions ; and to hear the tale of his horticultural 

 child and sapling from the lips of the son of the white- 

 haired Kempster. 



But nearly a century has elapsed since Kempster fell, 

 hke a ripened fruit, and was gathered to his fathers 

 He lived m a narrow cottage garden, in Old Wood- 

 stock, a plain, practical, labouring man; and with his 

 bees and flowers around him, and his " glorious pride » 

 m the midst of his little garden, he realised Virgil's 

 dream of the Old Corycian :-« Et regum equabat opes 





BRITISH SONG BIRDS. 



(Cage Bird-*, No. 9.) 



No. XXV. — I have, perhaps, been rather * short," 

 and rather abrupt in my earlier directions for purchasing 

 birds, either males or hens, for the purposes of breed- 

 ing. I have a great objection in the general way to 

 recommend any particular dealer by name ; but I may 

 safely caution people as to where they should not deal ; 

 and this it is my duty to do.* 



Studiously avoid, all ye who go to buy good song 

 birds, such u Babel " shops and wire-workers, such 

 Pantheons and Bazaars, as sell parrots, macaws, mon- 

 keys, dogs, &e. The shrieks, hideous outcries, and 

 "unknown tongues" in which these horrible creatures 



momentarily hold converse, would effectually destroy 

 the value of any u song" bird. 



I have often remonstrated with the (so-called) bird- 

 dealers, for keeping so heterogeneous a collection of 

 brute beasts ; but their answer has been, always, to the 

 effect that — " ladies ' cannot live ■ without dogs, parrots, 

 aud such like ; they will give any price for them." This, 

 alas, is too true. We all know it, but too well ! 



It may be said, that nearly all the bird-dealers in 

 London have these animals on sale. I admit it, 

 and greatly is it to be regretted. All young birds, aye, 

 and even some older ones, will copy these strange noises ; 

 and the worst of it is, they invariably become stereotyped 

 in their memory. Therefore, let me again raise a 

 warning voice, and caution my gentle readers against 

 all dealers in the above monstrosities ; urgently recom- 

 mending the more extensive practice of private breeding. 



The principal time for the arrival of canaries from 

 Norfolk and Yorkshire, is just before Christmas. They 

 are then sent up in vast quantities, and are, for the 

 most part, lively, healthy, and in good song. With the 

 knowledge of this fact, it will be desirable to call from 

 time to time at the dealers, and purchase your birds 

 before their sweet voices shall have been contaminated 

 by foul contact with the wretched parrots, macaws, pugs, 

 poodles, &c, as aforesaid. I often marvel what sort of 

 people those can be, who select such animals as these 

 for their constant associates I Mais chacun a son gout ! 



The reason why I have recommended all hens intended 

 for the nursery, to be at least two years old, is this :— It 

 often happens that young, and consequently inex- 

 perienced birds, lay their eggs irregularly, and when 

 laid, they will sit for a few hours only, and then incon- 

 tinently desert them ; preferring, naturally enough, the 

 company of their playfellows to the heavier cares inse- 

 parable from incubation. All this* ends in disappoint- 

 ment, and therefore it is better to run no such risks 



Whenever you observe these acts of neglect and 

 want of motherly feeling, take it for granted that the 

 birds are perfectly unfitted for the purpose of breeding 

 and remove them at once. You will then introduce 

 others older and less giddy, in their places. They will 

 speedily find mates after the month of April, especially 

 it a little bruised hemp-seed be scattered on the floor. 



To enable you readily to catch any bird you] may 

 require procure a circular hoop-net, of strong strin L 

 Tim should be made deep, and fastened on a circle of 

 stout wire the f whole being affixed to a wooden pole 



• tf ? 2 f- 2! lenS , th ; the bird ma y then b * secured 

 without the slightest fear of any injury to the plumage 



A quick eye, and a skilful movement of the hand (to°be 

 acquired by practice), will make a prisoner of any 

 one of the inmates m a few seconds. 



Canaries have, on the average, three broods a year • 

 some, however, will go to nest four and even five times 

 a year, if permitted. It is unwise to be thus covetous 

 for the parents are weakened by so much close confine- 



first fiddle » in feeding the V o, li 

 ^' only. Shefpplcc^^^ 011 ^ 





kne is quite to be 



otium cum dignitate. 



3 



advisabL 



•ft 



h ^i?™TJ^™ * *"?**?*£ St 



S 



*k 





navrag taken up a smal quantity mwT we 

 of the birds' open months &$££ "J. * I 

 every two hours, until the birds feed theZ!,> 

 they will soon do. Occasionally, hold tl, " 

 and you will observe that they reco<mi<* L' 

 will peck at it ; and tasting the fiK, $ 

 scholars in "finding the way to their moS^* 



No young birds should ever be removed" *. 

 fully nursed by their parents, until theva^^S 

 weeks old ; and their food should be cha^Jr**^ 

 They should then be placed in separate £ "H 

 in a warm room, where there is a fine sbaP* 

 ready to act the part of " tutor." At' tfi **" 



Ni 



i 



begin quite piano ; their early notes beiai 

 cording." Like the mind of a child, they ST 

 the earliest impressions ; and readtly copy » ■*' 

 whatever they hear. Hence, the great wLL 

 putting them out to a good" preparatory schod-T 

 them up in the way they should go, and imi J£ 



that^the saying of the " Wise Man," applies tittle 

 , ...... ... 



feathered race. 



very ignorant we remain in things that ; ouS 

 universally ^ understood 1 William Kidd I 

 Hammersmith. * 



*, 



NOTES OF A TRAVELLEIU.No.X7L 

 Chinese Azaleas and Azalea Gardes.- 



the Azalea grounds described in my last letter! 22 

 five miles north of Shanghae, is another nursery tfc* 

 contains a collection of plants very similar 

 mentioned at page 5 of the current volume. One pfe 

 however, was in bloom here at the time of mr t^ 

 which I must notice. It was a specimen of Glw» 

 sinensis, in a dwarfed state, growing in a pot The!* 

 was evidently aged, from the size of its stem. I; t» 

 about 6 feet high, the branches came out from the <■ 

 in a regular and symmetrical manner, and it had alii 

 appearance of a tree in miniature. Every one of tm 

 branches was now loaded with long racemes of paUt 

 lilac blossoms. These hung down from the 

 branches, and gave the whole the appearance of i U 

 fountain. 



There are some more Azalea gardens to the wM 

 of Shanghae, which I also visited, but as thej&nnA j 

 like those just noticed, I shall not describe tin fen 

 In all these gardens, the Azalea is propagated mtj 

 and extensively. Layering is the common metboi a- 

 ployed, but grafting and striking from cuttings ire lit 

 resorted to with success. During the hot mm 

 months, both young and old plants are shaded fir« tb 

 mid-day sun. Most of these new kinds which I « 

 been describing flower early, that is, in Mard« 

 April ; the section to which the A. variegaia bete 

 flowers in May. After the flowering season hisp» 

 the weather is generally moist, owing to a change ii » 

 monsoon. It is at this period that the plants m 

 most luxuriantly, and form their young wood, iad ft 





lis." The provincial name for this Apple is still 

 anpster s Pippin f a lasting monumental tribute 



«Kem _ 



and inscription to him who first 

 whence it sprung. 



There are said to be several 

 but the fact is (though contrary 



or.'ced 



vary according to the stocks upoa which they are 

 ; those grafted on free stocks are much finer 

 ind narrower than those on Crab stocks, which 



ment and the later offspring are seldom healthy 



When your canaries have laid their eggs, they are 

 subject to constipation, and should have speedy relief 

 rh,s is best afforded by the introduction of plantain and 

 lettuce seed for about a couple of days. This, however 

 should be given sparingly when there are any youn„' 

 birds in the room, as it is quite unsuited to their tender 



%2 JSat also are chick - weed > and other *™*r5 



on to Uth WhX 7 aftei * SittiDg <fc the heat of sura ™r, 

 on the 12th), the hen commences top rocewrfhatchinfr 



* My readers will remember, that in No XVTir t „ .• 

 them emphatically against buvin* hr^. 7 , c * utIoned 



people in the .tree' f he necSf for h; . •> ^ ^ 



an additional confirmation 1 K J/£ '" ha8 *«? receive ' i 

 read aa follow.:-" A ladv in ?& J , i"^- ot A P ril 5 - we 

 forS,.,/,™ a man in LTrlet]- a St^^" Phased. 



growth is completed and the wood ripened ™|I 

 fine summer and autumn which follow. These n*t* 

 Azaleas are exposed to severe colds during thef* 

 At this season the thermometer (Fahr.) often m* 

 within a few degrees of zero, and the weather «» 

 unlike that which we have in England. 



The Azalea is indigenous to China, and is »w« 

 on every hill side, like the Heath of our m a* 

 About Hong-Kong and Canton it is only t*w £ 

 wild state high up on the sides of the mountain*,^ 

 1000 to 2000 feet above the level of the sea, u 

 tude 25° north, in the province of Fokien, J ■ 

 with in less elevated situations, that is J fr ? m 1 ^ (fc y 

 feet high ; and when we reach Chusan, in to" ^ 

 north, we find it growing plentifully on the i lojr 

 of all the hills, and never, or at least ^JJ^J 



elevation. 



We 'thus see how plants, * bi ffSZ 

 le temperature of one part of me ^ > 









indicated are evidently those in whicti h _ ^ 



* 



home. Aii wno nave wcu iu. »"~ . 



, ...... i mi -:j~„ onri WOW 



i nember 



f* 



Dow beautitui tne nm ww* — •- -^ 

 the mouths of April and May, when the az ^ 

 in bloom. Every hill was a garden gay J ^ 

 planted and reared by the hand ol sw ^ k 



Before I saw these hills, I thought » otniu |^- 



those gorgeous W^ 



more magnificent than 



Azaleas at our flower-shows, and certarn^ 

 merely at individual specimens, many o ^ 



we find in a Btate of nature. Bu 

 rears with no sparing hand ; her c* 

 brilliant, and she is not confined 





Nature pljj ^ 



._« ore Cl 



greenho 



& 



, 





