138 
REVIEWS. 
system may be made subservient to the shelter of the roots of ordinary greenhous 
and stove-plants cultivated in pots. We have seen some contrivances of tli 
nature in the neighbourhood of London. The pot holding the plant to be shade<! 
is set in a saucer or shallow flat pan, having a hole in the bottom immediate]! 
beneath that of the pot, so as not to interfere with drainage. The saucer employci 
must be sufficiently large to leave a space round the pot to be filled with eart 
In this the Lycopodiums are to be planted, and will soon envelope the sides of tl 
pot, and effectually shield it from the sun ; and, moreover, when all the pots on 
shelf are treated so, these plants will spread from one to another, and constitute| 
living carpet of the most enlivening green. 
In some instances the same end is answered by having about two inches of sc 
spread on the shelf itself before the pots are placed, and the Lycopodiums plante 
in it. In this way they grow still more luxuriantly, and soon spread to fill in 
any vacancy caused by the removal of a plant, or any alteration in the position 
the pots. And besides affording shade to the pots, it helps to maintain a greatj| 
regularity in the moisture of the atmosphere. i 
We have no doubt that many other methods of shading pots might be resorfi 
to with propriety and success. That it is beneficial to do so, every one who h 
inserted a plant with its pot in a vase, filling up the vacuity between the two wii 
moss, or plunged it in a bed of ashes, must be convinced : the soil would be kel 
more evenly moist, without saturation — a condition always to be aimed 
Plants rarely succeed well when they are exposed to sudden extremes of droiigi; 
and humidity during their growing time ; and the excessive watering which tj 
copious evaporation constantly proceeding demands, contributes also to wa! 
together the particles of earth, deprive it of its nutritive properties, and impej 
the needful circulation of fluids throughout its bulk. ; | 
REVIEWS. 
The Lady^s Country Companion ; or, How to Enjoy a Country Life Rationally, By M,- 
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 duln(|i 
of the country — its inconveniences, and the want of society and amusement. This work, frji 
the pen of the widow of the late well-known Mr. Loudon, is written expressly for the purposejif 
showing how enjoyment and pleasure may be experienced by observing nature, and occupyi; 
the mind with rural pursuits ; and how inconveniences may be lessened or prevented throug li 
little forethought and management. It forms a handsome thick duodecimo volume, divided ii) 
six books, containing letters on the House, the Garden, Domestic Animals, Rural 
Country Amusements, and Country Duties ; and “ is intended principally for the use of lads 
who have been brought up in town, but who, from circumstances, have been induced to reside i 
the country.” From the extent and variety of information which the volume exhibits, we n|^ 
safely recommend it to the perusal of aZ/— satisfied that no lady, however well versed in 
matters it treats upon, can read it without finding much useful instruction pleasantly convey] - 
