and Modern Horticulturist:" Flora and Pomona, or British Fruit and Flower-Garden; containing Descriptions of the most valuable and interesting Flowers and Fruits cultivated in the Gardens of Great Britain, with Figures drawn and coloured after Nature; accompanied by a concise Analysis of their botanical and pomological Character, their Nature, and Mode of Culture; including a Definition of the Technical Terms used in the Science of Botany, with familiar Instructions for the Drawing and Colouring of Fruits and Flowers. London. 4to and 8vo. Price 1s. 6d. and 2s. 6d. ; or coloured, 2s. and 3s.

The object of the present work seems to be to promote a taste for botany and gardening among amateurs; and those who have hitherto been accustomed to look at plants in gardens in a cursory and unscientific manner. It contains "a concise though luminous description of the origin, the botanical and pomological character of each fruit and flower, the period of their introduction into this country, with other general and useful observations on their nature and mode of culture, it is intended to give a definition of the scientific terms which may be used in their description." An original feature" in this work is, "instructions, on easy and scientific principles, for drawing and colouring fruits and flowers, including the requisite directions for properly mixing the colours, and other minutiæ." Such are the very laudable objects of this work; and it remains only to examine how far they have been attained. After looking over the first nine parts, it gives us much pleasure to state that the descriptions and remarks are well calculated to promote the end in view: they are scientific, and, under the direction of so distinguished a gardener as Mr. M'Intosh, and so excellent an artist as Mr. Smith, it is almost needless to add, they are practical. The work is rather too expensive for a young gardener; nevertheless, we would recommend those of this class who can afford it to purchase one or two coloured parts, as a drawing-book, for the sake of the instructions which are given at the end of each part for drawing and colouring the flowers and fruits contained in it. Parts i. and ii., for example, contain Cactus Jenkinson, Calceolaria corymbòsa (improperly printed on the plate with a capital C: capitals in specific names being limited, with regard to adjectives, to such as are derived from names of persons), Green-fleshed Melon, Noblesse Peach, Morello Cherry, and Gloxínia cauléscens (misspelt on the plate cauléssens). The colouring of the figures is not altogether so well as might be expected from the superintendence of Mr. Smith; but still the objects are good resemblances of nature, every one of them being taken "from the subject itself, in its highest perfection." On the whole, we can safely recommend the work both to the scientific and practical reader; and, as we understand it has a very considerable sale, we have pleasure in reflecting that it will do much good. Every one ought to acquire some knowledge of gardening, agriculture, and natural history; because, though they may never have a garden of their own, this knowledge will greatly enhance their enjoyments when looking at the gardens and farms of others, or travelling generally in the country. To promote the same object, we recommend Mr. McIntosh to introduce occasionally notices respecting the insects, worms, birds, &c., which infest fruits and flowers; and it would be easy to give coloured figures of such small objects on the same plate with the fruit or flower, in the manner of Mr. Curtis. The value of the work would be doubled by something of this kind. As it is, however, we strongly recommend it to all who can afford the expense. To all those who are personally acquainted with Mr. M'Intosh, or have had an opportunity of seeing the high order and keeping of every thing under his care at Claremont, the excellent crops in the kitchen-garden, and the great improvements he is making in the shrubbery and pleasure-ground, what we have said of this book, or shall say of any other which may be entirely under his control, will be superfluous.

Catalogue of Flowers, Roots, Plants, &c., sold by Henry Groom, Florist, at Walworth, near London. 1830. 18mo. 6d.

We notice this trifle for the sake of stating that the list of ranunculuses is very well arranged in the manner of Tyso and Woollard, noticed in our last Number. (p. 473.)

Mangold Wurzel [erroneously spelled Mangel Wurtzel]: Report of the Committee of the Doncaster Agricultural Association on the Advantages of Mangold Wurzel as a Fallow Crop. Founded on Returns received in Answer to the Queries issued by the Committee. London, 1830. Pamph. 8vo, pp. 7.

It is more sure to

"The advantages of mangold wurzel are these: plant, being very little liable to the fly or grub; it will produce more weight; it is off the land earlier; it is useful as a change of fallow crop, when the land is tired of turnips; it will grow on land where turnips cannot be raised; it is better spring food. On the other hand, in favour of Swedish turnips, it may be said, that the weeding and singling out are less expensive; there is rather more time for fallowing in the spring; the succeeding crop is better than after mangold wurzel. Perhaps cattle feed best on Swedish turnips when they are used alone. It must, however, be remarked, that these last two evidences in favour of Swedish turnips are not fully proved, and only partially supported. In conclusion, perhaps two observations may be of use. First, That the very early season at which mangold wurzel should be sown, renders it highly expedient that the land should be made as clean as possible in the autumn, so that a few days in the spring may be sufficient to get it into a proper state for the reception of the seed. Secondly, That wet seasons do not suit mangold wurzel so well as dry; and, consequently, for the last two years, the Swedish turnips have been the more valuable crop of the two."

ART. III. Literary Notices.

THE Genera and Species of Orchideous Plants. By John Lindley, Esq. F.R.S. &c. Part I., Malaxídeæ, 8vo, 7s., is in an advanced state. This work will consist of about five parts.

The Introduction to the Natural Orders, by the same author, is just pubished in 1 vol. 8vo. Price 12s.

Arboretum Britannicum; or, the Description, History, Native Country and Habitation, Uses, Cultivation, Botanical Figures, and characteristic Outlines of all the Trees and Shrubs which will endure the open air in Great Britain. In 1 vol. 8vo. Edited by J. C. Loudon. This work is in preparation by competent persons, under our guidance and inspection, and it will be brought out as carly as possible, in order to cooperate with our Illustrations of Landscape-Gardening, &c. (see p. 576.), in promoting the diffusion of a greater variety of trees in our useful and ornamental plantations and pleasure-grounds. Besides botanical figures of the principal species, skeleton outlines will be given of the general shape and character of the tree at different ages. In short, though the work will be highly condensed, so as to be sold cheap, yet the subject of hardy trees will be exhausted.

An Encyclopædia of Essential Knowledge for Women of all ranks, forming a comprehensive system of female education in the most extensive sense of the expression; preceded by a general history of female education in all ages and countries. This work, which will appear in separate volumes, is in preparation by a fully competent and well known authoress.

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PART III.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ART. I. General Notices.

DESCRIPTION of a Rattery invented by the late Mr. Robert Paul of Starston, Norfolk. My dear Sir, You were pleased to express yourself so well satisfied with a recent notice of an article by me on Ratcatching (see Country Times, No. 18.), that I am willing to hope a more detailed account of the plan therein alluded to may not be unacceptable to you. I shall endeavour to illustrate my meaning by appropriate sketches; which, though not so satisfactory as I could wish (having been merely given from memory), will, I trust, enable you the better to understand my description.

This "Rattery" was, as I have elsewhere stated, invented by my late excellent friend Robert Paul of Starston, in Norfolk. He bestowed much labour and time to bring it to perfection; and, though living in a situation peculiarly favourable for encouraging the breed of rats, used to boast that he had completely subdued them. In fact, I have heard him say that he offered a reward to any one who would bring rats on his premises; and that having marked and turned off one particular pair, he betted a wager that he should soon catch them both; which, in the course of a very few days, he did. He selected, as the site of his rattery, some outhouse where rats were known to frequent, and which he could lock up, and keep sacred to his own devices and operations. Here he fixed his trap, the construction of which will be best understood by referring to the accompanying sketches. (figs. 111, 112.) This spot he endeavoured to make as inviting and comfortable to the animals as possible; for which purpose he placed faggots, loose wood, and even straw, with an occasional wheat sheaf, on and about the trap. His plan was, to render the trough (1) a complete thoroughfare; for which purpose the trap or falling bottom (g) was, for several days, secured by a pin, and the end (m) used as a feeding place. After the rats had got accustomed to the spot, and passed the bridge with confidence, he took out the pin which secured it, and every rat that attempted to pass thereafter was taken prisoner. I should here observe, that great care is necessary in the construction of this part of the trap. It is not enough that the floor give way under the rat, and be merely brought back into its place again by the balance weight at the end of the bridge (h). One rat might be accidentally so caught, but you would not catch a second. They are, as is well known, remarkably cunning and suspicious in their dispositions; and are in the habit of trying the bridge with their forefeet, in order to ascertain its soundness, previously to adventuring the weight of their bodies thereon.* It is obvious, therefore, that unless the bridge is sufficiently fastened to enable the rat to make this trial, the

*The same precaution is said to be used by elephants in regard to temporary bridges over which they have to pass. They will sound them with their trunks as far as they can reach; and if, in their judgments, they are not sufficiently secure, it is perfectly nseless to try to get them over.

trap will be no trap to them; and yet the catch or fastening should not be so stiff but that it will suffer the bridge to give way under their weight when once upon it. I cannot show this catch in my sketches; they are so small, but (enlarging the scale) it is, when the bridge is viewed sideways, something like the following sketch. (fig. 112.) g is the bridge or fall of wood tipped with thin sheet iron at the end (i), which works into the catch (r). This catch should be sufficiently rank to bear the trial already

112

spoken of; and yet not so rank but that it suffer the bridge to fall when wanted (as shown by the dotted lines n). It is brought back by the weight (h), and moves on pivots at s.

The beauty of this trap is, that, when once set, and the catch (r) regulated to its proper pitch, it requires no further trouble. One is sufficient for the whole pre

mises. The great object is, to give them time enough to get acquainted with it; for which purpose every thing should be done to attract them to the spot, and to make them feel themselves at home. A little pale malt, slightly tinctured with oil of caraway, will prove to be the most inviting dish you can set before them; and it will be well to bear in mind, that no part of the trap, not even the straw or the wood by which it is . surrounded, ought to be touched by the naked hand without first rubbing the skin with a portion of the oil of caraway. Do not scatter the malt upon the bridge (g), but spread it carelessly, as it were, about the feeding end of the trough (m). It will thus be in sight from the other end (n); and, to get it, the rats must pass the bridge (g); for it will be seen at fig. 2. that the entrance to the trap is now (by means of the wood piled up) at the end of the trough (n), although at first it had an entrance at each end, and was, as I have stated, a complete thoroughfare. Indeed, some have them on this plan still; having no particular feeding place, and trusting entirely to time and chance for what they may catch; having first taken pains to make the trap a run, and the place itself a harbour for rats. I do not know that it is requisite for me to add many more words. The drawings sufficiently explain the principle; and as to dimensions, those can be determined by the projector, and must, in some degree, depend on the size and convenience of the building to which the rattery is attached. The trap itself should not be above 3 or 4 inches wide, and 12 or 15 inches long; in order to allow plenty of room for the fall of a large rat. "The forlorn hope" into which he dropped from " doubting castle,"-for, you will observe, my friend had the Pilgrim's Progress in his eye when he was thus labouring to entrap sinners, "the forlorn hope," I say, should be suffi ciently deep to prevent the rat from making any attempt to reach the bottom of the trap (g); for which purpose it should be of a conical form, and perfectly smooth inside. Once in "the forlorn hope," therefore, he has no means of egress but by the pipe or drain (ƒ), the length of which is immaterial, and which conducts to a tub or cistern of water called, not inaptly, the slough of despond." Against the side of this tub is fixed a flap (p), upon which, as the only chance of escape, the rat jumps from the mouth of the pipe (ƒ). It gives way under him, as shown by the dotted line, and he soon ends his career in "the slough of despond."

It will be observed, that the operation of this trap is so silent, and yet so effectual, that hundreds may be caught in quick succession without any alarm being given to the remainder; for it appears that they continue but a very short time in "the forlorn hope," leaving it almost immediately for "the slough of despond;" their immersion in which (it being at such a distance from the trap) is unattended with any noise: whereas, had the water been immediately under the fall (g), each rat would have occasioned more or less of disturbance, and thus have intimidated many. Besides, the mere examination of the cistern, and taking out the captured, would have been a constant source of annoyance; whereas, in its present situation, it