332 Queries and Answers. — Obituary. 



Nutritive Properties of Elm Leaves. — In the Number for March of the same 

 year, 1839, p. 125., a notice is given by M. Poiteau of the nutritive properties 

 of the leaves of the elm, as forage for horned cattle. This is also an idea 

 contemporary with Cato the censor. In proof of it, let us look at chap. 30. 

 De Re Rustica : " Feed the cows on elm, poplar, oak, and fig leaves, as long 

 as they last." And also in this neighbourhood, perhaps from tradition, but 

 more certainly from experience, the leaves of the elm are so esteemed for fat- 

 tening horned cattle, that the trees are stripped of their leaves twice a year ; 

 and, in fact, there is here no forage nor hay which fattens cattle more quickly 

 than the foliage of the elm. We may presume that these nutritive properties 

 depend on the mucilage contained in the parenchymal tissue, and thence we 

 may conclude that the C/'lmus fulva, from. what has been said in the Gardener's 

 Magazine for April 1840, p. 231., is the most abundant in mucilage, and will 

 furnish, in its twigs and leaves, the most nutritive fodder for cattle. 



If in these and many other things modern discoveries coincide with more 

 ancient practices, there are also other subjects in which the ancient practice 

 is entirely discordant to the modern doctrine. Thus, for example, Cato 

 sowed the seeds of cupressus in soil well manured with sheep or goat dung. 

 In opposition to this, Prof. Lindley, in his excellent Theory of Horticulture, 

 p. 354., observes, " coniferous plants can scarcely bear any manure." — Giuseppe 

 ManetlL Monza, April 27. 1843. 



Yellow Glass siiggested for Plant-houses. — A hundred other comparisons 

 could be made, but let the shades of the ancient Romans repose for the pre- 

 sent, and let us turn our attention to an argument of the day. From the 

 excellent observations of the celebrated T. A. Knight, the necessity is evident 

 of letting the plants repose or grow torpid, to induce them to produce flowers 

 and fruit in season. Prof. Lindley says that " very low temperature, under 

 the influence of much light, by retarding and diminishing the expenditure of 

 sap of the growth of plants comparatively with its creation, produces nearly 

 similar effects, and causes an early appearance of fruit." This being granted, 

 and the observations of Mr. Horner of Hull and Mr. Hunt, mentioned in 

 Gard. Mag., 1841, p. 629. and 630., being borne in mind, will it not be useful, 

 in furnishing the elaborated matter destined for resting plants, to have the 

 glass of a 3 ellow colour ? — Idem. 



Art. V. Queries and Answers. 



Larch Plantations at Linley. — I propose visiting the extensive larch plan- 

 tations of the late Mr. More, of Linley in Shropshire, who, I have been in- 

 formed, first introduced this tree into our country. This gentleman, upon a 

 fortune of about 1000/. per annum, clothed a naked country with noble 

 woods, erected a spacious mansion-house, employed a considerable number 

 of labourers in various improvements, travellefi over most countries in 

 Europe, collected a valuable library, employed artists in making drawings 

 in natural history, introduced new species of forest trees and exotics, 

 was an independent member of the senate in several parliaments, and left 

 his fortune unencumbered. You will credit me that he was not a man of un- 

 necessary show and parade. (^E. Harries, Esq., of Hanwood, in Young's An- 

 nals of Agricultzire, vol. xiii. p. 100.) 



Can any of our readers oblige us with an account of the present state of 

 the larch plantations at Linley, and of the exotic trees introduced there by 

 Mr. More ? — Cond. 



Art. VI. Obituary. 



Died, on the 4th of April, at Sedbury Park, Yorkshire, William Saivrey 

 Gilpin, Esq., Landscape-Gardener, late of Painesfield, East Sheen, aged 81. 

 (JFimcs, April 7. 1843.) 



