Retrospective Criticism. 445 



indeed, the whole establishment deteriorated as a school of instruction for 

 young gardeners ; except, however, in so far as concerns their examination, 

 and the granting of certificates, which we consider to be by far the greatest 

 improvement that has been introduced since the garden was formed. 



It may, perhaps, be more conducive to the wealth of the Society, to change 

 the character of the garden from that of a scientific and useful institution for the 

 promotion of horticulture, and the diffusion of improved varieties of fruits 

 and culinary vegetables throughout the country, to one more botanical, or 

 more attractive for company at the season of exhibitions ; but we certainly 

 think that, in so far as this end is pursued, the grand objects for which the 

 institution was founded have been departed from. It is true, that whatever 

 has been done, has been done by the sanction of the council ; and, therefore, no 

 blame can attach to any individual : and it is also reasonable that the council 

 should have a power of departing from the letter of the institution, when by 

 doing so they can render it more effective for the ends in view ; viz. the dif- 

 fusion of horticultural knowledge, and improved produce. The question 

 simply is, whether the growing neglect of horticulture, and the increasing at- 

 tention to botany and general display, evinced of late years by the Society, 

 have a tendency to promote these ends or not. We think that they have not j 

 and we have felt it our duty to take the present opportunity of saying so ; 

 deeply impressed as we are with the great good which the Society has done, 

 and still continues to do, and the still greater which it might do. 



Art. III. Retrospective Criticism. 



Erratum. — In p. 393. 1. 16., for " Newersh " read " Inveresk." 

 Botanical Magazine, (p. 393.) — In the last Number of your Magazine, 

 (p. 393.), I took occasion to complain that the editor of the Botanical Ma- 

 gazine had committed what I could not but consider a fraud on the public, by 

 reducing the number of plates in each monthly number of that work from 

 eight to seven, while the price remained the same ; and that this reduction 

 had taken place, so far as I was aware, without any notice, explanation, or 

 apology, having been offered. This statement, I now feel bound to say, is not 

 correct, nor is the charge just. Due notice, I find, was given of the alteration, 

 in an address from the editor to the subscribers, printed on the wrapper of 

 the Botanical Magazine for January last, although it had entirely escaped my 

 observation, till my attention was subsequently directed to it by the kindness 

 of a friend. I will thank you to insert this in the next Number of your 

 Magazine, as I am anxious to take the very earliest opportunity of correcting 

 an error into which I have fallen, especially as it is one which cannot fail to 

 create painful feelings in the mind of the parties concerned. I will add, that 

 the explanation and the reasons given in the address alluded to, for reducing 

 the number of the plates in each fasciculus of the Botanical Magazine, are to 

 me quite satisfactory, and that I have no complaint to make against the 

 editor of that excellent work. — W. T. Bree. Allesley Rectory, Aug. 17. 1838. 

 Curvilinear Iron Roofs to Hot-houses. — " Several valuable lessons were 

 taught the gardener by the cold east winds and extreme frost of the last 

 winter, especially concerning the stove and the green-house ; yet, even when 

 the outward air was more than 20° below the freezing point, care and skill 

 protected the plants ; and, as we learn from Mr. Fowler of Temple Bar, a heat 

 of 65° was unceasingly sustained in all the conservatories heated with his 

 warm-water apparatus. Great was the devastation wrought in the superb 

 conservatories in Syon House ; in the new buildings at Chatsworth ; at the 

 magnificent green-house of the Grange, Lord Ashburton's ; at Bretton Hall, 

 Mr. Thomas Wentworth Beaumont's ; and where ranges of glass, many thou- 

 sand feet in extent, are intrusted to the custody of curvihnear roofs composed 

 of iron frames : at every contraction or expansion of the metal, crash goes 

 the fragile tenant; and, if walls could speak, we might hear woful tales of 



