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system may be made subservient to the shelter of the roots of ordinary greenhouse 
and stove-plants cultivated in pots. We have seen some contrivances of this 
nature in the neighbourhood of London. The pot holding the plant to be shaded, 
is set in a saucer or shallow flat pan, having a hole in the bottom immediately 
beneath that of the pot, so as not to interfere with drainage. The saucer employed 
must be sufficiently large to leave a space round the pot to be filled with earth. 
In this the Lycopodiums are to be planted, and will soon envelope the sides of the 
pot, and effectually shield it from the sun ; and, moreover, when all the pots on a 
shelf are treated so, these plants will spread from one to another, and constitute a 
living carpet of the most enlivening green. 
In some instances the same end is answered by having about two inches of soil 
spread on the shelf itself before the pots are placed, and the Lycopodiums planted 
in it. In this way they grow still more luxuriantly, and soon spread to fill up 
any vacancy caused by the removal of a plant, or any alteration in the position of 
the pots. And besides affording shade to the pots, it helps to maintain a greater 
regularity in the moisture of the atmosphere. 
We have no doubt that many other methods of shading pots might be resorted 
to with propriety and success. That it is beneficial to do so, every one who has 
inserted a plant with its pot in a vase, filling up the vacuity between the two with 
moss, or plunged it in a bed of ashes, must be convinced : the soil would be kept 
more evenly moist, without saturation — a condition always to be aimed at. 
Plants rarely succeed well when they are exposed to sudden extremes of drought 
and humidity during their growing time ; and the excessive watering which the 
copious evaporation constantly proceeding demands, contributes also to wash 
together the particles of earth, deprive it of its nutritive properties, and impede 
the needful circulation of fluids throughout its bulk. 
REVIEWS. 
The Ladxfs Country Companion ; or, How to Enjoy a Country Life Rationally. By Mrs, 
Loudon. With an Engraving on Steel, and Illustrations on Wood. Longman & Co. 
Persons who have been long accustomed to a town life are wont to complain of the dulness 
of the country — its inconveniences, and the want of society and amusement. This work, from 
the pen of the widow of the late well-known Mr. Loudon, is written expressly for the purpose of 
showing how enjoyment and pleasure may be experienced by observing nature, and occupying 
the mind with rural pursuits ; and how inconveniences may be lessened or prevented through a 
little forethought and management. It forms a handsome thick duodecimo volume, divided into 
six books, containing letters on the House, the Garden, Domestic Animals, Rural Walks, 
Country Amusements, and Country Duties ; and " is intended principally for the use of ladies 
who have been brought up in town, but who, from circumstances, have been induced to reside in 
the country." From the extent and variety of information which the volume exhibits, we may 
safely recommend it to the perusal of all— satisfied that no lady, however well versed in the 
matters it treats upon, can read it without finding much useful instruction pleasantly conveyed. 
