346 
ON THE GERMINATION OF SEEDS. 
known. This happens in consequence of their fraternal intercourse 
with each other, from the custom of the juniors passing from one cele¬ 
brated place to another in pursuit of their business, and from their 
general character as reading men. This character gardeners have long 
enjoyed; and since gardening periodicals have been set going by the 
indefatigable Mr. Loudon, literary gardeners and gardening have very 
much increased. That such periodicals are serviceable to mankind in 
general, is undeniable: and though their contents are neither always 
new nor excellent, yet, among other things, they go far to answer the 
question at the head of these remarks; not, indeed, by the insertion of 
voluntary admissions of failures in practice by the unsuccessful prac¬ 
titioners themselves, but by the criticism of neighbours and tourists, 
whose communications, if candidly and courteously written for the sake 
of professional truth, are sure of a place in those periodicals. 
Criticism on what is done, or omitted to be done by others, has often 
a snarling, carping kind of aspect, and too frequently gives offence to 
the parties or places pointed at, more especially in matters of taste. In 
this affair, every man has what he calls his own, and should certainly 
be allowed to enjoy it undisturbed, provided he does not impose it on 
others, or trump it forth as the acme of perfection. Censure on the 
want of space, or of high keeping in gardens, is much oftener caused by 
the want of means, than by the want of either taste or of propriety. 
Such circumstances are not legitimate objects of criticism ; but on 
principles of practice, or of their right or wrong application, every one 
may exercise his own judgment, and freely canvass men and measures, 
as may appear to him necessary for banishing error, or for the mainte¬ 
nance of truth. This gives periodical publications, whether on arts or 
sciences, an inquisitorial character; and while kept pure from low 
abuse and frivolous petulance, raise them in the estimation of readers 
into a kind of tribunal, to which all will cheerfully pay a due 
deference. 
Viewed in this light, periodical publications have a peculiar value. Any 
error which may creep into one number is pretty sure of being corrected 
in the next or some following one: and as refutation must be accom¬ 
panied with some discussion pro and con , facts are elicited, or new ideas 
broached, which, but for the first mistake or misstatement, would have, 
perhaps, laid dormant for ever. 
To the Editor of the Horticultural Register. 
Sir, —Your readers are requested to refer to page 423 of the Horti¬ 
cultural Register for October last, and to page 115 of the number for 
