19 
further evidence of the truth of Mr. Johnson’s opinion on the 
subject. Weak sets, close planting, and the usual method ol 
moulding up into high narrow ridges, we repudiate as practices 
which are the offspring of ignorance, perpetuated by the habit 
of the thoughtless. 
•J30 Forsyth’s Composition. The name of Forsyth is so well 
known to fruit growers; and his composition, his pruning, train- 
ing, and mode of renovating fruit trees, so frequently referred 
to, without much knowledge of their merit, that it may be gra- 
tifying to our readers to know something more of the man ; 
and also useful to be made acquainted with the leading features 
of his practice. 
Forsyth was a Scotchman, employed for several years by 
Miller, in the Chelsea Botanic Garden, whom he ultimately suc- 
ceeded as curator. This situation he held about fourteen years, 
and was then chosen to superintend the Ro}al Gardens of Ken- 
sington and St. James's, Whilst so engaged he received a 
pecuniaiy grant from Parliament, for his improved mode of 
renovating fruit trees, by the excision of diseased parts, heading 
down weak and decrepit trees, and the application of his com- 
position to all wounds thereby occasioned. Much of Forsyth’s 
practice has been approved by his successors; and every one 
that is interested in the growth of fruit should be acquainted 
with his composition, the preparation of which, for several 
years, was not disclosed to the public. 'I bis composition may 
truly be said to have been, at the time it was made known, as 
much esteemed for curing the cuts and bruises of maimed trees, 
as Marshall’s Cerate ever was for its healing virtues on the 
human body. It having been considered by the Commissioners 
of the Land Revenue that Forsyth's composition could be ad- 
vantageously applied to broken trees, in the Royal Forests, a 
representation to that effect was made to the House of Com- 
mons, and twelve gentlemen, headed by the Marquis of Aber- 
corn, were appointed as commissioners to make inquiry whether 
the composition in question was efficacious for the purpose of 
restoring the bark to injured oak trees ; and preventing or cur- 
ing injuries and defects in timber, arising from the cutting or 
breaking off ol limbs or branches. Forsyth had, for several 
years, employed it in the Royal Gardens at Kensington, where 
its effects were shown to the commissioners ; this proved satis- 
250. ACCTARIUM. 
