188 
naturalists’ calendar. 
those who raise large quantities of seedling timber trees to supply the trade, of 
those who are remarkable for any particular flower or plant, of the principal 
seedsmen, of the principal makers of Horticultural instruments and implements, 
not confining them to London, or its immediate neighbourhood. The prices 
also of the more common flowers and seeds with which Covent Garden is sup¬ 
plied, in the same way as we often see the price of vegetables mentioned, would 
be very desirable. In an article in your last volume, p. 593, I observe you 
speak of the Birch. I think I have discovered that the Birch unlike the Ash &c. 
never makes a good head if it is lopped. Your correspondent says the Fir should 
be felled in summer, how is it in the great Fir timber countries; I wish some of 
your correspondents could find out some use for the small poles of four inches 
diameter of the Scotch Fir. Would it be possible to make charcoal of them? 
I have heard that the charcoal of the Pitch Pine is found to destroy the flavour 
of Rum when distilled from it, and to make it perfectly good for the use of gin 
and brandy makers. A. B. 
II.—NOTICES AND ANTICIPATIONS. 
Groom’s Supebb Dwarf Blue Pea. —The very excellent character given to 
us of this Pea has induced us to give it publicity. We calculate it will be found 
a great acquisition, and well worthy of a most extensive cultivation. It grows 
about a foot high, fans very much, produces a very large crop, boils greener than 
any other sort,- is superior in flavour, according to the judgment of all who have 
tasted it: and has the advantage of being fit for use long after it has arrived at 
its full size, consequeutly continues in perfection much longer than any other. 
Philosophical Conversations ; in which are familiarly explained the ef¬ 
fects aud causes of many daily occurrences in Natural Phenomena. By F. C. 
Bakewell. 
Introduction to Geology. —Fourth edition, greatly enlarged with numer¬ 
ous plates and cuts. 
III. NATURALISTS’ CALENDAR, 
OR OBSERVATIONS ON NATURE FOR APRIL. 
April, although a very pleasant month, is generally subject to many changes. 
It is often ushered in with cold easterly winds, which tend to check vegetation, 
and prevent the losses which might otherwise be sustained by the warm, sunny, 
and showery days, stimulating the buds and blossoms to open, before the spring 
frosts are sufficiently subsided to insure the setting of a good crop of fruit. 
Amongst the multitude of plants adorning our fields and woods, may be selected 
the common Ladies Slipper (Cypripedium Calceolus) fig. 1. This is a very hand¬ 
some plant with flowers of a purple and yellow colour, growing about a foot 
high, only thriving in shady situations, not uncommon in the dry woods of Der¬ 
byshire. It continues flowering until June. The Carex pallescens (2) usually 
abounds in moist pastures, and wet shady situations, it grows about one foot 
high. The Camelina Sativa, or Gold of Pleasure (3) grows about a foot high, 
