Catalogue of Works on Gardening, ^c. 645 



" We see, therefore, that the mere knowledge of the geological formations 

 of a country does not afford the data for determining the nature and pro- 

 perties of the soils in the manner required for practice. Speculative writers, 

 indeed, have maintained that a knowledge of geology is not only eminently 

 useful to tiie practical farmer, but even necessary to enable him to distinguish 

 soils, and adopt the suitable means of improving them. It is surprising that 

 such statements should be hazarded. The farmer, as all experience shows, 

 can distinguish soils by their agricultural characters much more certainly and 

 readil}' than the geologist can by their geological ; and it does not appear in 

 what manner geology can give that knowledge to a farmer which can enable 

 him to cultivate and improve his land. The farmer, it is manifest, must 

 regard the soil which he has to till, not in its relations with a whole district, 

 but with reference to its own characters and fertility. He may find the soil, 

 not only of a single farm but of a single field, varying in every degree ; and it 

 will be necessary that he adapt his management to these variations, whatever 

 be the geological formation in which he may be placed. It were greatly to 

 be desired, indeed, that the practical farmer would acquire a knowledge of 

 geology, and learn to read a portion of that marvellous history which is 

 written on every rock and mineral bed around him. Such a knowledge 

 would give a charm to rural pursuits, and connect a liberal and interesting 

 study with the observations of daily life ; yet such a knowledge, however 

 excellent, will not enable the farmer to discriminate soils better for the ends 

 of practice, much less enable him to cultivate them with greater skill, which 

 is knowledge he must derive from agriculture, and not from geology." (p. 45.) 



With a view to the immediate application of knowledge to practice, we 

 entirely agree with Professor Low, No chemical analysis or geological section 

 of a soil would induce us to take a farm on the strength of the data they 

 afforded ; but, if we saw or had a list of the plants either indigenous or 

 cidtivated which grew on the soil, we should offer rent for the land without 

 the slightest hesitation. But we have already stated this in the Encyclopcedias 

 both of Agriculture and Gardening. Nevertheless we readily acknowledge 

 that it would add to our confidence in the productiveness and improvableness 

 of a soil, and perhaps lead to improvements that we do not even contemplate, 

 to know that it contained a considerable proportion of lime and other alkaline 

 earths and mineral salts; and we think the importance of this kind of know- 

 ledge, in connexion with that of the analysis of plants, has not been over- 

 stated by such agricultural chemists as Professor Johnston and others, though 

 this knowledge may not yet be in such a state as to be available by the rent- 

 paying farmer. There is a very short method of improving the agriculture of 

 England, if landlords would agree to it : that is, granting 2l-years' leases, and 

 requiring at least half the rent in kind, or kind's value; but for this the land- 

 lords must first be visited by such a degree of poverty as will render a greater 

 income from landed property necessary, or such a degree of liberality as will 

 induce them to treat their tenantry as independent m,en, and not, as at present, 

 as a set of political slaves. 



Illustrations of Indian Architecture. By Markham Kittoe, Esq. Parts IX. to 

 XVII. inclusive. Oblong 4to, Calcutta and London, 



Our notice of this work in our Volume for 1840 will show the favourable 

 opinion which we have of it. The numbers before us increase in interest as 

 they proceed; they abound in a great many curious specimens of Indian 

 design, which are calculated to assist the inventive powers of the artist not 

 only in Indian architecture, but in architectural composition generally. They 

 are particularly rich in specimens of parapets, and what are called jali, or 

 stone trelliswork. Many of the latter designs afford excellent hints for 

 flower-gardens. 



We are sorry to find that the talented and industrious author of this work 

 was in bad health in Calcutta, in December, 1841; he was then about to 

 depart for Europe, with the intention of finishing the work in London. We 



