Stewart, Esq., Cherryvale. Ranunculus, Mr. Lindsay, Belfast. Anemone, Mr. J. Gamble.- Fruit. Cherries, Mr. J. Scott. Strawberries, Mr. C. Cummins, gardener to the Marquess of Downshire. - Culinary Vegetables. Cucumbers: 1. Mr. J. Scott, gardener to the Marquess of Donegall, Ormeau; 2. Mr. A. Anderson, gardener to Charles Brownlow, Esq., Lurgan. Cauliflower, Edward Walkington, Esq. Potatoes, Mr. J. Walker, gardener to N. Batt, Esq., Purdysburn. Mushrooms, Mr. J. Scott. Asparagus, Mr. A. Dixon, gardener to W. Montgomery, Esq., Rosemount. Turnips, Mr. A. Dixon.

Some splendid specimens of plants were exhibited. Among the contributors we may enumerate the Marchioness of Donegall, Lady Bateson, Mrs. J. Stewart, &c. There were also some beautiful plants from Mr. Brownlow's, at Lurgan; and one fine specimen of the Indian rubber tree, Ficus elástica, together with a geranium in bloom, upwards of 10 ft. high, from Ormeau. We particularly noticed a basket of strawberries, sent by Mr. Cummins, and two pines, which did him great credit. (Belfast NewsLetter, June 8.)

Flower-Gardening. "Where the habitation itself is so wretched, the ornament of a garden is not to be expected. No rose or woodbine climbs round the door, with some warbling bird suspended near; nor is there the least plot appropriated to flowers. The houses of the more wealthy are remarkably deficient in this respect, although they have a milder climate than England, and might easily preserve the choicest plants. The lady even does not indulge in a few pots of rarities at her window. The disinclination of farmers to become gardeners admits of explanation,—they are gardeners on a larger scale; but that persons otherwise occupied should not be cultivators, is less easy of solution."— Bicheno's Ireland and its Economy. London. 1830. Small 8vo. p. 34.; a very interesting work, written by a man totally free from prejudice, and with the best possible feeling. It seems to us that the next best thing for Ireland, after Catholic emancipation, would be, the withdrawing, as the livings fall in, of the national church establishment. Cond.

ART. IV. Remarks on the Gender and Accentuation of Botanical Names.

It is not without reason that some of our correspondents complain of variations in the gender ascribed by different botanists to the same or similarly derived generic names. Negligence on the part of the framers of new terms, and the adopters of old, has introduced much confusion into the literature of the science; and though this matter may seem beyond the province of a work devoted to practical gardening, nevertheless we will throw out a few suggestions for its rectification, in the hope of attracting attention to the subject from some of the lights of the botanical world.

Gender.-Though many of the smaller plants depart from it, the general rule is, that all are feminine: and it would have been well if the framers of new names had adhered to the general rule, instead of increasing the number of exceptions.

In names adopted from the writings of antiquity, one might suppose there was but little room for error; yet even here it has crept in: for instance, Potamogeton, Ulex, and Euonymus. The remedy in this case is sufficiently simple: the gender used by the ancients should be invariably retained.

In names composed of two or more Greek words, the gender should be that of the terminating word, unless the Latinised termination renders it incompatible with Latin rules: for instance, Podocarpus should be masculine,

as compounded with kap og ó; while Sorocéphalus should be feminine, as compounded with regaλn; and where the terminating word is common, as kλadoç ò̟, ý, or 70, in Gymnócladus, the feminine should be used, as most consonant with the general rule. Where the Greek termination is retained, the Greek gender should be retained also: but in some cases the Greek word has been Latinised with a termination in which the retaining of the Greek gender would clash with Latin rules. Of the former, Anigozanthos furnishes an example, being neuter, as compounded with avog ro; of the latter, Cheiranthus, which is made masculine, though compounded with precisely the same word, because the neuter gender would be clearly inadmissible. It were much better feminine; and though custom may enforce adherence in this termination and in similar ones, it is to be hoped that botanists, in future compounds where a change of termination leaves the gender at their disposal, will comply with the general rule. Enkianthus is made feminine, and forms one among many examples of the discrepancy which has arisen from want of adherence to some general principle. With regard to names compounded of pure Latin words there can be no difficulty.

For the information of the gardener we may here notice that an arbitrary change of termination and gender is sometimes apparent, where in reality none exists for instance, in Peliosánthes, the termination anthes is from ανθη ἡ (not ανθος του, consequently feminine; and in names ending in stylus masculine, and stylis feminine, the former is from orvλogo, the latter from arvλis . In the same way, Theobroma fem. and Bubròma neut. (as in Steudel's Nom. Bot.) might be defended, the latter by Bowμa To, the former by Bowun. Abroma is neuter in Hort. Cantabrig., feminine in Encyc. of Plants, and either might be justified. It would be better

to make them neuter, from ẞpwua, as the most direct etymon. Principles of Accentuation. As, in spite of the greatest vigilance, typographical errors will sometimes creep in, it may not be out of place here to state the principles by which the accentuation of botanical names is regu lated, with regard to such words as are not to be found in a dictionary; in order that the intelligent gardener, when he meets with a word accentuated contrarily to what he has been accustomed to see, may be able to decide for himself as to its propriety,

Of the Names of Natural Orders ending in ee the penult is short, as Rhamněæ: except where the penultimate e is preceded by another vowel, when it is lengthened to facilitate pronunciation, as Paronychicæ; and those in which the penultimate e is long in the generic name from which that of the order is formed, as Thymelea, Thymelēæ; Orobanchē, Orobanchea. Those in inc, derived from names of plants, are short in every case, as Scrophulárinæ.

The Quantity of Names of Genera is regulated by that of the etymon, as Anictangium (ayyetov), Trióstěum (OGTEOV). Of those formed from words with a long final syllable, by changing the final letter or by subjoining a letter or syllable, the penult is long, as Microtea, from jukporns; in other cases, the common rules are followed, as Calàthea, from kaλalog. Compound words should be considered as one word, not two, and accented accordingly, as, Coccoloba (KOKKоg λobоg), not Coccoloba.

Words derived from Names of Persons appear to be regulated by the quantity of such names in the original language, as Sellòa, Averrhòa: so do those formed from the aboriginal appellations, as Remirèa. Where the quantity is not ascertainable, they should follow the general rule; and perhaps it would be better to follow this rule in all cases, as the sound of several names, Cattley for example, cannot be retained with propriety: in the instance adduced, it must either be Cattleya or Cattleya. There are numerous words ending in era, derived from names of persons, in which the penult is constantly made long, in the teeth of a very comprehensive general rule; if not irreclaimable, these should be reduced to order.

VOL. VI. No. 27.

K K

We hope we have said enough to draw attention to this subject. From nothing but its comparative insignificance could such confusion of quantity and gender have been permitted to blemish the science so long; a confusion not the less inexcusable because so easily rectified. — R. N. June, 1830.

ART. V. Retrospective Criticism.

ARISTIDES and the Epsom Nursery.— Sir, In p. 357. you have published a letter signed "Aristides," calling you to account, in no very measured

terms, for " puffing" the Epsom nursery. This letter appears to have excited your just indignation; and it has induced me to refer to the article (signed Alpha, p. 115.) which called it forth. I really cannot see any reason why you should be blamed for having inserted in your Magazine such an article as that of Alpha; or Alpha himself, for having sent it to you for that purpose. Why is this matter-of-fact statement of" new or rare plants" which have flowered during the space of two months, at the Epsom nursery, to be called a puff? Does it not fall within the legitimate province of your Magazine to notice such things? Surely it may be interesting to many of your readers to know where and when such and such new or rare plants have flowered; and to some you will be performing a service, by informing them where they are to be obtained. Why, too, need Aristides indulge in sarcastic remarks on the Epsom nursery? I visited that establishment, for the first and only time, in the month of June, 1829; and, without meaning to puff, I must say, in truth and justice, that three things particularly pleased me on that occasion, viz. the polite attention and liberality of Messrs. Young, the zeal and assiduity of their excellent foreman, Mr. Penny, and the collection itself. With regard to Messrs. Young, I never in my life laid out five shillings with them; but they voluntarily gave me several rare plants, and many others were offered. In Mr. Penny, I witnessed a thorough-going love for his profession, and a most ardent thirst for information on botanical subjects; accompanied, too, with a modesty of behaviour, and docility, in which many a young man of not half his attainments is deficient: and, as to the collection itself, it was both rich and extensive, containing very many rare plants; and many which, to me, who am no stranger to the interior of nurseries, were entirely new. However galling to the private feelings of Messrs. Young the letter of Aristides may be, as nurserymen they can, in no way, be injured by such unjust and illiberal remarks: on the contrary, I do hope and trust that what has occurred may be the means of calling them and their interesting collection more into notice; and that some of your readers may be induced to visit the establishment at Epsom, in order that they may judge of its merits for themselves. Yours, &c.-B. Coventry. July, 1830.

Edwards's Botanical Register.— Sir, You state, in your last review, that the Botanical Register, having adopted your proposed accentuation of names, has now therefore your unqualified approbation. However desirable the improvement may be, and complimentary to the proposer of the improvement, it must adopt some other changes before it will obtain the unqualified approbation of its subscribers. In the first place stands the frequency of publishing the same plants which have before appeared in other works. As an example: in No. V. for this month (July, 1830) there are no less than three plates of plants which have already appeared in Curtis's Botanical Magazine: this is somewhat hard on subscribers to both works. Another charge against the Register is the imposition of an additional shilling for a single leaf of index at the end of every twelve numbers. On what plea can such a charge be made. The work is dearer by 6s. per volume than the Botanical Magazine, and no one will be hardy enough to assert that it is

superior to that work. The plates of Curtis's Magazine, as now published, may be held up as the most correct and beautiful portraits of plants that have ever been published at the price: and every one acquainted with botanical subjects fully appreciates the talents which Dr. Hooker shows in the description. I make no apology for qualifying the praise which you have given the Register, for I feel a double right—the right of truth, and that of an original and constant subscriber to the work. I am, Sir. &c.K. July, 1830.

Lime-water. Sir, A correspondent, J. M. of Brighton, speaks of having used very strong lime-water for destroying the gooseberry caterpillar without effect, and a note is added by yourself, doubting the failure of lime-water, if made sufficiently strong. There is, in fact, no such thing as strong limewater: put as much lime and as little water together as you please, and even use boiling water for the purpose, and you will find only one grain of of lime dissolved in about 500 of water. Lime is not, like sugar or salt, soluble in almost any proportion in water, but very sparingly so, and you can never get a strong solution of it to use clear. You may make milk or cream of lime, by mixing it with water, but it is then mechanically suspended, and not chemically dissolved, and therefore not to be called lime-water. This cream of lime is a useful application to the stems and branches of trees, if used in spring, by destroying the eggs of A'phides, and other insects, which are deposited about the leaf and blossom buds. Mr. Norris, of Norwood, near Brentford, who has extensive plantations of gooseberries, finds no remedy so effectual for getting rid of the caterpillars as the fingers and thumbs of women and boys, applied diligently and daily, while any remain on the trees. Yours. - Wm. Stowe. Buckingham, May 30. 1830,

Our correspondent is perfectly correct in theory; nevertheless, we know from experience that lime-water can be supersaturated to a certain degree, for a short time, without rendering it muddy. Cond.

Mr. Gowen's notion of Hybrids (Vol. I. p. 70.). — Except in a very few instances, plants in their native climate seldom produce any thing but a facsimile of the parent, more true indeed than man himself, who, like plants cultivated for experiment, enjoys all that art and nature can afford, thereby weakening or strengthening the parts so as to produce the present discordance of features that pervades even a single family.-Jno. Newman. Royal Botanic Gardens, Mauritius, March 12. 1830.

Finlayson's Harrow and Wilkie's Brake. Sir, I am compelled to agree with Mr. Wilkie (Vol. V. p. 655.) that his brake " has a nearer resemblance to Finlayson's harrow than to any other implement of the kind." This is a candid admission of Mr. Wilkie; for, in truth, he has ingrafted Finlayson's regulator on it, used his wheels, and inserted his tines: the tines, it is true, are placed in a triangular manner, like the old Ayrshire brake of the last century. I now come to Mr. Wilkie's claim of originality of the tine for his late father: this is a charge of a more serious nature, and requires to be refuted. It is now about 40 years since the Hon. Admiral Keith Stewart began to cultivate lands in the parish of Muirkirk; and, after going through the different processes of draining, lining, ploughing, &c., he finished by harrowing." These harrow-slices were, in the next place, torn and worn to pieces, by drawing across them a ponderous brake, having tines in the form of a coulter." (British Farmer, p. 89.) This, I conceive, will be considered as most unquestionable proof of the existence of coulter-tines before those of Wilkie. But, what is more, this brake had the form of an "isosceles triangle" too; and had tines exactly like c, in fig. 141. Vol. V., claimed by Mr. Wilkie. Again, the tine claimed by Mr. Wilkie, a drawing of which he furnished for the Farmer's Magazine for 1821, is not similar to Finlayson's, or that claimed for his father, in your Magazine; but merely a duck leg and footed tine, like Weir's cultivator (represented in the Encyclopædia of Agriculture), or the Norfolk grubber, both of which have been in

use at least 15 years. I have now made it evident that coulter tines have been known in Ayrshire for 40 years, and the duck-footed ones for at least 15: therefore, Mr. Wilkie might have copied from those; but my brother's neither resembles them in appearance nor principle. I am, Sir, &c.— Robert Finlayson. London, May 20. 1830.

ART. VI. Queries and Answers.

PREVENTIVE for Glass cracking in Green-houses.-Sir, May I request you, or one of your correspondents, to inform me of a preventive for the cracking of glass in green-houses, from which I was a great sufferer last winter, although I used but little fire, as I presumed it must proceed from the unequal temperature of the external and internal air. I was, however, somewhat staggered in my opinion by perceiving the breakage to be confined to the upper (or roof) sashes, and also that it took place when there was no artificial heat of any kind applied. — A Subscriber. Farleigh, near Maidstone, Kent, June 24. 1830.

We have little doubt that the breakage in question has been produced by the freezing of the water which, in the case of glazing with the usual broad lap, is retained in the interstices of those parts of the panes which overlap each other. The lap need never be broader than a quarter of an inch; but where the panes are not above 5 in. wide, one eighth of an inch is quite sufficient. Half an inch in roof sashes, unless they are placed at an angle of not less than 45°, is almost certain of producing breakage, unless the temperature within is sufficiently high to prevent the water retained between the panes from freezing. - Cond.

To destroy Rats. (p. 223.)- Your correspondent may hunt them with dogs, but I should recommend him so to construct his banks, that they shall be shallow and with a very gentle slope for about one yard or so above and below the water mark, and then to Macadamise the same with stones full 6 in. thick. This will effectually prevent the rats doing harm to the puddle, as it is always between wind and water where the mischief is done. — C. B. York, May 5. 1830.

Wire-worm (Elater ségetis); in answer to G. C., Bucks.-The wire-worm (fig. 93.) is the E'later ségetis of modern entomologists: it belongs to the order Coleoptera, and passes successively from the egg to the state of a small worm (a), larger (b), chrysalis (c), and perfect insect (d). — Cond.

93

b

a

A Weevil which eats Fruit Trees in the Nursery, Sir, I some time ago noticed a communication by the late Mr. Hervey of Comber (Vol. V. p. 237.) respecting some insects that had destroyed his fruit trees. For the last two years I have been very much annoyed with what we consider the same beetle; but as Mr. Hervey did not state the mode in which they went to work, I have taken the liberty of sending you a few in a small box by our friend, Mr. R. Rodger, who is a very keen horticulturist. I find them commence their ravages in the months of February and March. As soon as ever it gets dark, they leave the earth, where they appear to burrow through the day, and ascend to the very top of the apple and pear trees, and then turn their heads downwards, and eat off the bark and buds in a screw-like manner, till they reach the foot of the tree. I find them worst on the trees I cut over for dwarfs; for, in the course of two or three nights, they seldom leave a piece of bark or buds for 4 to 6 in. down.