452 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



Stern embrace of the icy north, would embellish 

 walks and drives in which the air would be all but 

 frozen. A minimum temperature of 34°, a maxi- 

 mum of 50°, in the winter, would do all this and 

 secure to visitors the gay flora of the Cape of trood 

 Hope, of Australia, of the Himalayas, and of China, 

 without exposing them to greater inconveniences 

 than are felt when quitting a sitting-room for a walk 

 in the open air on a fine winter's day. As an ex- 

 ample of what the Crystal Palace then would be, 

 the iron Conservatory in the garden of the Horticul- 

 tural Society may be taken as a true example. 

 Exclusion of frost is all that is therein permitted, 

 and no one ever found the smallest inconvenience 

 from spending an hour or two in it in the winter 

 time, after however long a drive or walk. And 

 yet it is always gay with Acacias and Camellias, 

 Khododendrons, Orange trees, and the delicious 

 Tea-scented China Rose. This is what Mr. Paxton 

 proposes — and this is what the metropolis will not 

 have, if the Crystal Palace is removed. 



With respect to its summer application, since no 

 one seems to have thought of criticising that, we are 

 hardly called upon to offer any observation. Even 

 the quick- sighted reviewer in the Quarterly appears 

 to acquiesce in the absence of inconvenience during 

 summer. But we would represent that whatever 

 comfort might be found in it in cold weather, at 

 least as much may be expected during our mid- 

 summer and autumnal heats. Mr. Paxton proposes 

 to remove the whole of the glass sides of the 

 building in the summer time, the effect of which 

 would be, we presume, to cause such a continual 

 motion of the atmosphere throughout the edifice, as 

 effectually to prevent all sensation of heat. This, 



combined with the water of fountains, and the shade 

 of the climbing plants and trees that would be found 

 there, could hardly fail to produce that peculiarly 

 agreeable sensation which gives so indescribable a 

 charm to every woodland scene. 



Reports concerning the reappearance of the 

 Potato Disease have again become rife. Irish news- 

 papers, in particular, speak of unmistakeable evidence 

 having been obtained of the renewal of the " plague- 

 spot ;" and our own correspondents have, here and 

 there, announced the same fact. 



That we should see such symptoms for some 

 years to come is the least that can be expected ; for 

 a disease like that in question is not likely to dis- 

 appear as rapidly as it came on. But we are happy 

 to be able to allay such apprehensions as exist, by 

 .stating that after diligent enquiry we can hear of 

 nothing which ought to excite alarm ; and that we 

 believe the crop to be just as safe as it was last year. 



F.L S. ; Professor G. Forbes, F.R.S. ; J. G. Winter- 

 bottom, F.L.S. ; Captain R. Strachey ; Robert Wigham ; 

 D. W. H. Harvey, M.R.I.A. ; Joshua Clark ; Thomas 

 Spurgin ; Professor Asa Gray ; Sir W. J. Hooker, 

 F.R.S. ; Dr. Joseph Hooker, F.R.S. ; E. S. Gibson, 

 F.L S. ; Dr. Daubeny, F.R.S. 



Although in previous years we have had to complain 

 of the little attention given to botany by the Association, 

 or rather the neglect of botanists to make the Associa- 

 tion the medium for the promulgation and discussion of 

 their views, we have much pleasure in observing the 

 increased value and importance of the botanical 

 contributions, as compared with those of former years. 

 Of these papers we hope to give our readers abstracts, 

 as we have done in previous years, when they will be 

 enabled to judge of their value. In the other sections 

 there were several communications which, we think, 

 will be found of interest, and of which we hope to give 



a short account. 



The next meeting of the Association is to be held at 

 Belfast, under the Presidency of Colonel Sabine, who has 

 for so many years held the office of General Secretary. 

 We make no doubt that the meeting will be not only 

 well attended, as it is to be held in the month of August, 

 but that the scientific interest will be great, as on all 

 previous occasions, when the Association has visited 

 Ireland, every exertion has been made to obtain papers 

 on subjects of local interest, which have greatly contri- 

 buted to the success of the meetings. 



cation concerning l^^^^ 

 just to. glance, in passing U \ "J**£f^ 

 used to a very considerable l If ** ? 

 perfect success ; and r»l xtent > 

 off, the idea is ' Wlth 





spondent made fo*^L£?! rd » **» ^ 





»« 



- r „ ^ue Ule applied' ** 



when such a result might b P n n ^ 

 part of the country. T fef, t ^ «*** 

 he is an agent of the ii^ fe £5$ 

 recommends. ^ Wiclet^ k 



I must now bes vnn* ««—• . 

 marks by way of idffiK!*? *» 



&Hfri 



there were several point mXfc *» 

 i not «pl«»ed, may lead some ^ * "«* 



at all by the appUca^Vfeatt^ 

 machine ; but a portion of Box edrin y 



application of dry salt, while £& " 

 manufactured, and this throueh th" 

 labourer who scattered his saltW^! < ? rd( ^ 

 of his instructions, which w^ ? J£ U S| 

 from 1 1. So much for the information 1 I f++ 

 has procured concerning TreSJ^ h ** 



to 



Though the machine may notLToS: 

 the edging, as * J. W. R ;> remarks «-* 





ON THE APPLICATION OF DRY SALT 



TO WALKS. 





to the walks to destroy all (or nearly alh* 

 that the hand-weeding along the edges fc ilS* 

 I consider the recommendation to DliuvlJr 

 walk side a very useful suggestion ; K 

 some little inconvenience, labourers will« 

 heedlessness neglect frequently the most 1*11* 

 of the directions they receive ; and unfiT 



I have noticed two communications on applying dry 

 salt to walks, one by u J. W. R." in your No. of June 

 21, and the second ^y u L. L." in last Saturday's Paper. 

 These have caused me to very much regret that I 



did not touch upon this part of the subject [when I w ... 



replied to Mr. Bailey's letter on June 14. The simple some plan for counteracting their caret 



reason why I did not do so was that circumstances 

 compelled me to make a journey which curtailed my 

 time so much, that I was obliged to cut the matter much 

 shorter than I had originally intended to do. This I 

 hope will be my apology for renewing the subject, as 1 

 feel pretty confident of being able to satisfy the doubts 

 of some of your correspondents. 



With regard to the use of dry salt, it is extravagant, 

 and not always effectual. The result of careful ex- 

 periments at Trentham on this part of the subject, 

 were as follows :— That the quantity of salt necessary 

 to destroy the weeds is twice as much when put on in 

 cool water, as it is when put on boiling hot ; as in the 

 latter case the heat of the water assists in their destruc- 

 tion. And that when dry salt is used the quantity 

 required to make sure work is at least three times 

 what is necessary when dissolved and boiling; that 

 is, supposing the weather is favourable. But if any 

 quantity of rain falls before the salt is quietly dissolved 

 by dews and very gentle showers, it is not effectual, and \ 



thoroughly accustomed to a new thin* gad*' 

 salting machine, for example, they Will bhCT 

 important point, such as keeping proper .WJ 

 the edges, for instance. But if they are mk£ 





out of pure shame learn quickly to do without 4 fi 

 master can devote his whole time to watchinr ] 

 the first few days, he may do without anjiju 

 such dirty substitute, as Mr. B. recommit 

 Neither sand nor clay were ever used at Tread* 

 What Mr. Fleming calls luxuriant Daodefa* 

 probably be very small ones in Mr. Baify'jm • ' 

 well know that different individuals new the 

 in different lights. 



I will now conclude with the statement of eat, 

 which I mentioned in my former letter. 



I have made the following account from my k_ 

 ledge of the actual extent of walks at Trentbsu 

 my accurate recollection of the cost of doing iJ 

 by hand and by machine. 



The extent of gravel walks in Trentham girtiai 

 pleasure grounds is about 9 acres. The east ik. 



weeding was 



is liable to do considerable damage. The heavy rains, 

 and especially thunder-storms, wash it off the walks in- 



BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCE -I t™* ° f 1^° ^ T d ^^f^sarenotperfecfly 



MENT OF SCIENCE A ^ VAJNOJlj - J true inshape, and furnished with a slight channel on 



The 21st meeting of this Association was held this 



year at Ipswich, during the week commencing July 3d. 



From the time it was announced that the Association 



was likely to visit Ipswich, it was anticipated, on account 



of its vicinity to London, and the presence of so large a 



number of foreigners at the Great Exhibition, that it 



would be an unusually large meeting. This anticipa- 

 tion was rendered almost a certainty, when it was 

 announced that Prince Albert would visit Ipswich, for 

 the purpose of attending the meetings of the sections 

 IJiese expectations, however, were not at all realised • 

 and although the meeting was not deficient in scientific 

 interest, h was amongst the smallest the Association 

 ever held Several reasons maybe assigned for this. 

 In the first place the meeting was held too early in the 



year for many of Us members to be present ; neither 

 the courses of instruction in the Scotch or foreign 

 universities or those m the medical schools of Lond<fn 

 terminate till the end of July. I n this wav most of the 



ana .London professors wen 

 attending ; end even Dr Royle, the general's'eTre'tary, 



e mav 



c A 1 j t ; «»***. iu mis way most of the 



Scotch and London professors were prevented from 



™n "*. ; u^ C ^ Dr ; R ° yle ' the general seei 

 could not be present. In the second place, w b , Jiav 



was just one ... mwk Association should visit, yet 



™ 1 *. t^ ly when Grounded by an 

 population, have generally failed to afford a 





each side, it is almost certain to be washed into the 

 edgings, whether of turf or Box. 



Of the two— "J. W. R.V mode is the best ; but 

 allow me to remind him that the machine does all that 

 his method does, namely, " it clears off the smallest 

 weeds, moss, &c, adds to the solidity of the walk, and 

 if the operation is well done during dry weather, in 

 spring, it is done for the season." And it does more, in 

 that the boiling salt water destroys thoroughly the 

 seeds, as well as the existing weeds, which cold water 

 (will not do so completely. Then, as I mentioned 

 before, there is a saving in salt of one-half, and a per- 

 fectly even distribution ensured, and I think, " J. W. R. " 

 will allow that the labour of distributing water by 

 means of a carefully contrived machine will be less than 

 with a rose watering-can. Then, again, the machine 

 renders the operator more independent as to what sort 

 of weather succeeds bis operation : the cold water is 

 slower in its execution, it goes quietly to work, and 

 requires a day or two, at least, to make sure of weeds of 

 any size ; but the effect of the scalding water is 

 instantaneous, and if a thunder-storm 

 occur in an hour afterwards I 

 no fear of resuscitation takin 



• •• 



• • • 



man at 



boy at 8s. , 5 boys at 65. ... 



• •• 



<t« 



£ s. i. 



12 



118 



2 10 



£U 





Weekly cost of labour 

 Two-thirds of the year, or 36 weeks, average... 



The cost of cleaning by machine- 

 Cost of machine V21. 10a., iucerest oa this 



amount at 7 per cent. 



The machine may be worked by a stout 

 lad, worth about 8s. or 9*. per week in 

 this locality ; but to leave plenty of 

 marpin, we will say a man instead of a 

 lad, 28 days at 2s. 



6 tous of coals, at his. 



7 tons of salt, at 155. 



Ml 



017 * 



• • a 



• ■• 



2 15 • 



3 

 5 5 6 





* • • 



• •» 







This will be found to agree very nearlr 

 statement in your leading article of May 3d. 

 Davidson, Weston Shiffnal, Salop. l* e »? 

 obliged to curtail this a little for reasons 

 Davidson will doubtless understand,] 



\tt^t^ ^ thGUgh the loca % 

 tne lintish Association =k„.,u ._-.^ J . 



our seaport towns, especially when surrounded bv 

 agricultural population, have generally faded ^ » 7 

 Urge number of working members to the Association 

 and Ipswich was no exception to this rule Thl ™ .*' 

 iog assembled this year Lder thf pr^nly Tthe 

 ttS J2ffc£° *-*» des'ervedTfs honou 



machine does the work with 



ft 



in the place of his birth. 



were to 

 should have 

 place ; and as the 

 . ,, , the smallest possible 



quantity of the salt, accidents to the edgings are 

 rendered most unlikely. With regard to its use in the 

 case of Box-edgmgs, there is no danger if care is taken 

 to keep a few inches farther away than from turf, as 

 •he roots of Box extend into the gravel, and generally 

 very near the surface. b } 



With regard to « L. LV inauspicious experi- 

 ments I can only suppose that he must have been ehher 

 unfortunate or somewhat injudicious in his selection of 

 weather, as he has met with the same rest. Hn both 

 instances ; one would imagine that a sharp Tow " m „ ' 

 have swept the greater part of his salt h!to the S 





leavi 



Dresidenta nf *i^ • The { 0,,ow5n g gentlemen were 



BRITISH SONG BIRDS. 



(Cage Huds, Xo. 22.) 



No. XXXVIII.— On reviewing what :to «■ 

 on the nightingale, I feel sati «fi * U* ^ , 

 importance has been omitted. More w» 

 the careful step-by-step method I "^^JjJi 

 discussing the habits and food of the ow^ 

 speaking at much length on the F°P« "J* 

 general treatment,— I have gone over » ^ g 

 ground which need not be gone oyer, «• , 

 The warblers to a certain extent, be . obsj- 

 one family ; and much that c™*™*™^ 

 the whole tribe.-I come, next in order, »r 



black-cap. ■< .. :„»i 1P verv** 



We are, at this time of wnt.ng, w *> ^ ,J 

 summer ; and this is just the time ^ 



Not that his song » ' # 

 ; but because most thet^ 



Amongst the members of^f^ W. Cubkt, Esq. 

 Natural history se^n? jf tr^Hnff U * 

 representatives of the science of botenv r ^ r nT° 8 

 ton, F.R.S. ; C. J. F. Bunbury, F R S • vS' ?f, '" g - 

 M.RI. A. ; D, Lankester, S&WffcSj 





.utuxecrop. me tact of the burnt weeds having a 

 slovenly appearance, and of the expense altogether befn* 

 equal to hand-weeding, argues that the disease musf 

 have been allowed to become very bad indeed bS 



omeT TT atte 7 te ?- , Th,S i8 the conclnsSl sIk u d 

 come to, unless, indeed, there be some natural influences 



m the neighbourhood of our county town, which produce 



™£ ; v :; Ie,y d,ffering from *«• ^served it , «&£ 



parts of the country. Seeming grounds for such 

 inference are given by the same* party in h L 



an 



muni- 



black-cap's song. 



now, than it has been -, w ~~~rr- , e ] aW s « 

 been silenced by the heat wd ^"JV j *i 

 which seem to rule the habits of n*^ i 

 mer birds at this season. Hence, « ^ 



distraught Our ear, too, is mow deW ^ j 

 Accustomed as I am to range«i , 



seventh day of the week ^^ „f the J*J 

 connected wi th the « Natural His or; ^^ 



under my observation. 



_ ke tny 'church; W 'V 



Le ! Worshippers in ever} be"" tba t p«* 



8 w «t.oerdUI from *• ""'fJ LTbird iW** 

 •Mid the youufc grass ; ana iu throirs ^^ 



Lipht pinioos in the Mnihine, » ,, thiBgS ii*" 

 Gold «howeM upon (treen tree.. 



necessarily 

 Sabbath days, 



" The woodr I ma 







