sorts I have never seen; amongst those I am acquainted with, the following Alicant. The Black Constantia, although perfectly distinct, is usually confounded with the Frontignans: it is commonly called in gardens the Black Frontignac, and is described in books under the name of Blue or Violet Frontignan. The habit of the plant, and the appearance of the fruit when in a young state, resemble in some degree the Frontignan tribe; but the fruit when ripe, although sweet and very agreeable, is totally devoid of that exquisite muscat flavour for which all the Frontignans are so deservedly esteemed. The berries are likewise smaller, less round, and of a more intense black than those of the Black Frontignan. Pomological writers make five varieties of Frontignan; but from a careful comparison of their descriptions, and from my own observations made on growing plants, I am decidedly of opinion that there are not more than three distinct sorts cultivated in this country; which are, 1. The Black (Muscat noir of the French; Purple Frontignac, Purple Constantia, of some); 2. The White (Muscat blanc of the French, White Constantia of some); 3. The Grizzly (Muscat rouge of the French); the Red Frontignan of English authors is nothing more than the Grizzly; and the Black Constantia makes the fifth. The Chasselas précoce is very similar to, if not identical with, the White Sweetwater, sometimes called Stillward's Sweetwater, and New Sweetwater. The White Muscadine is by some called the Sweetwater. The Eshcollata supérba is probably an old sort with a new name (see p. 107.). Frankenthal will, I suspect, eventually prove to be the proper name of our Black Hamburg, the latter appellation being merely the name of the place from which it was introduced into this country. A German gardener high in his profession, who has seen the Frankenthal on the Continent, is of opinion that it is the same grape as the Black Hamburg. Brown, red, and purple The late Mr. Money Hamburgs only exist in imagination, or in books. affirmed that the Lombardy and Flame-coloured Tokay are different grapes, The Horsforth and that the Wantage is synonymous with the latter. Seedling is said to have been raised from seed in the garden of the Rev. W. Rhodes, at Horsforth Hall, near Leeds. I have seen it growing in the same house with the Black Morocco, and could not perceive the slightest difference between them. The Cannon Hall Muscat is said to differ from the at least in some situations:" it differs in all White Muscat of Alexandria, The berries of the Cannon Hall are situations, being a totally distinct sort. considerably larger than those of the White Muscat, less pointed, thicker skinned, and certainly inferior in flavour; it also ripens ten days or a fortnight earlier in the same temperature. Besides these differences in the fruit, there is some dissimilarity of habit, the Cannon Hall being grosser in all its parts Some doubts are said to exist as to the and constitutionally more tender. fact of its English origin. The White Tokay is the White Muscat of Alexandria. In the North of England it is generally known by the first name. The berries of West's St. Peter's are not round, but rather oval. In Lindley's Guide to the Orchard and Kitchen-Garden, it is called Black Lombardy, a name which, if not preoccupied by another sort, would be infinitely preferable to its present absurd appellation, Oldaker's West's St. Peter's, especially as there is another grape called Money's West's St. Peter's (properly, Raisin des Carmes), and a St. Peter's besides. I have heard the Black Prince called Black Lombardy. The Grove End Sweetwater is a foreign Früher Leipsicker," or Early Leipsic. The variety, called on the Continent 1840. MAY. T White Raisin has oval berries: its flesh is exceedingly firm, and has very little flavour. Of Nectarines, Mr. Rivers has several new names, but it is questionable whether they are all new sorts. Du Telliers, or Duc de Tello of the nurseries, is the Violette hâtive, one of the best of nectarines. The claim of the hardy Gallande peach to be considered distinct from the Bellegarde is apparently founded upon its property of taking "readily if budded upon the mussel plum." I greatly doubt, however, whether that seeming peculiarity of constitution ought to be considered a legitimate ground of distinction between individuals agreeing in all other respects, because the failure of the Bellegarde buds on the mussel stock might, even on repeated trials, have been caused by accidental circumstances altogether unconnected with constitutional difference. We ought to be extremely scrupulous in adding new names to our already too lengthened lists. The list of Pears contains nearly all the best varieties; several new names are also given, such as Beurré de Noirchain, Beurré de Flandres, Incomparable Beurré, &c., &c., of which the merits in this country can scarcely yet be sufficiently ascertained to justify their recommendation. We have now so many pears known to be good, that the utmost caution is necessary in recommending novelties. The new pear, absurdly named Van Mons Leon le Clerc, about which so much has been said, has not yet been fairly tested. It would be very desirable to ascertain whether that best of plums, the Green Gage, is in reality different from the Reine Claude; and Mr. Rivers will probably soon be able to clear up this disputed point. Denyer's Victoria is thought by some to be the same as Sharp's Emperor. The selection of strawberries would be improved by the addition of the Garnstone Scarlet, Grove End Scarlet, Coul Late Scarlet, American Scarlet, and Black Roseberry. — J. B. W. London, April 14. 1840. Perkins's improved Patent Apparatus for warming and ventilating Buildings. Pamphlet 8vo, pp. 43, 8 lithographs. London, 1840. In this little tract Mr. Perkins has described his recently invented governor, or heat regulator; by which no excess of temperature can ever take place in plant houses or other buildings heated by his apparatus. The governor acts by the expansion of metal pressing on a series of compound levers, so that the slightest change is powerfully effective. We are informed by W. Groom, Esq., of Bury St. Edmunds, that, by means of the governor, and with the use of anthracite coal, the fire need not be attended to more than once in twentyfour hours. The fire is made up at 8 o'clock every evening, and never looked at in the course of the day; and, whether the weather is warm or cold, the temperature never varies more than 3° or 4°, and this variation is chiefly occasioned by bright sunshine. Mr. Groom has had one of Mr. Perkins's heating apparatus eight years, and a governor affixed to it for about half that period. The Literary World; a Journal of Popular Information and Entertainment. Conducted by John Tims. Vol. II. 8vo, pp. 412. with 84 wood-engravings. London, 1840. Price 5s. the volume, or 2d. a number. We have noticed the preceding volume of this very elegant work in our Magazine for the last year (p.763.), and have only to say that we cannot sufficiently admire the care and the taste with which it continues to be got up. The literary matter is select, and in many cases original; and the engravings are admirably executed and beautifully printed. We admire in particular the specimens of London street architecture, which, as the book is so exceedingly cheap, will, we trust, tend to diffuse a taste for architectural improvement in country towns and villages. We wish every young gardener could afford to take in the work weekly, as a means of elevating his taste, as well as supplying him with abundance of rational amusement. The Year-Book of Facts in Science and Art; exhibiting the most important Discoveries and Improvements of the past Year, in Mechanics, Natural Philosophy, Electricity, Chemistry, Zoology and Botany, Geology and Geography, Meteorology and Astronomy. Illustrated with engravings. By the Editor of the "Arcana of Science." Small 8vo, pp. 286. London, 1840. In our preceding volume (p. 179.) we have strongly recommended this work to such of our readers as desire, at an easy rate, to attain a knowledge of the inventions, discoveries, and improvements which have taken place during the last year. In the compilation for the year 1840 the editor has not spared labour, taste, or judgment to secure an extension of public favour; and this we have no doubt he will obtain. To those who have not an opportunity of perusing the scientific periodicals as they appear, monthly or quarterly, this annual summary must be invaluable. The Principles and Practice of Levelling. By Edward Jones, Architect and Civil Engineer. Second edition, revised and corrected. Post 8vo, pp. 70, various woodcuts. London, 1840. 4s. A useful little work for the young gardener; because, without a knowledge of the art of taking levels, he cannot possibly understand how to carry ground plans into execution. In the work before us, not only the art of levelling is explained, but the principles on which it is founded; and both in so clear a manner, as to be understood even by those who have no previous geometrical knowledge. "Regardless of a profit from the sale," says the author in his preface, "the present work is offered to the public, happy if it shall meet with their approbation." London Architectural Precedents; with Notes and Observations. Edited by an Architect. Illustrated with working drawings. 8vo, pp. 48, four plates. Part I. 1840. copper This promises to be a useful work, more especially for young architects; and it will also be instructive to amateur builders. No. I. of the Precedents, contains, "Plans and Elevation, Sections and Specification, and a Bill of Quantities of second-rate Buildings." One thing is wanting to give this book its full weight with the public, and that is, the name of the editor, which by an advertisement appears to be, Alfred Bartholomew, Architect. ART. II. Literary Notices. GARDENING for Ladies, by Mrs. Loudon, Author of "The Ladies' FlowerGarden," in one volume post 8vo, illustrated with engravings, will appear on the 1st of May, or before. This will be found the best book for teaching ladies how to garden with their own hands, that has hitherto been published. The Companion to the Ladies' Flower-Garden, by Mrs. Loudon, is now printing, and will be published in May or June. This work will contain a dictionary of all the plants, ligneous or herbaceous, hardy or tender, cultivated in British gardens, that are truly ornamental, and as such intended to be figured or otherwise noticed in the series of volumes by Mrs. Loudon, now publishing under the title of "The Ladies' FlowerGarden," and, as we have elsewhere mentioned, to include, before the whole work is finished, perennials, shrubs, trees, and green-house and hot-house plants. The Companion will enable those who cannot wait for the completion of the several volumes, to go on selecting and cultivating in the meantime ; and as it will contain not only a dictionary of plants, but of all the different operations of culture, including articles on Air Plants, Alpine Plants, Annual Plants, Aphis, Arboretum, Ashes, Bark, Bark-stove, Bast Mats, Beds, Bell-glass, Bellows for Fumigation, Biennial Plants, Borders, &c., &c., including Cuttings, Layers, Grafting, Sowing, Hoeing, Digging, Potting, Pruning, Training, and a great many such terms, it may be considered as a general dictionary of ornamental gardening, adapted for the use of ladies. printed in double columns, in a very small type, and will form a volume of five or six hundred pages, illustrated by engravings. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. ART. I. General Notices. It is BOTANICAL and Horticultural Works. — I deem it the duty of every gentleman to permit his gardener to have all reasonable access to even his most valuable books on botanical and horticultural science. This is only fair; for how can he expect perfection if he refuses the necessary means of information? He might as well lock his stable bin, and expect his stud to be fat and sleek. -Amicus. Feb. 6. 1840. Seeds sent by Post.We have lately received not only seeds, cuttings, and scions, but even entire plants, and yesterday a shrub, roots and branches (Vaccinium humifùsum), in a penny letter. From Messrs. Sang of Kirkcaldy we received a prepaid packet very neatly done up, containing the seeds of 12 kinds of annuals, each with the name printed, and the price of the whole 12 only 1s. If this does not lead to the general distribution of every useful and ornamental plant of which seeds are procurable, the fault will be in the public, not in government. We only wish that the foreign postages could be lowered a little, that our ornamental annuals might be sent all over the Continent; for, it is a fact that will not be denied, that annual plants, even those of warm climates, make a far more splendid appearance in Norway, Sweden, Russia, and the North of Germany, than they do in England, owing to the brighter sun and longer days of these countries during the summer season. Great part of the Californian annuals might be naturalised in the woods of Norway and Sweden, and many superior varieties of bread corn, and of pasture grasses and herbage plants, might be introduced into these countries by post, if the postage abroad were only a little lower. An interchange of seeds amongst all the curators of botanic gardens in Europe and America is a result to be anxiously desired, not merely by the botanist, but by the horticulturist and the farmer. If ambassadors were what they ought to be, matters of this kind would have been attended to long ago.—Cond. Clerodendron squamatum Vahl and Hort. Brit., speciosíssimum Paxt. I have had several applications lately, from amateurs in several parts of the country, to tell them where they could buy the Clerodendron squamàtum, or if it could be had in any of the London nurseries; and this morning I had a note from a first-rate London nurseryman, asking me if I had this plant, while, to my own knowledge, he had half a dozen of it in his stores. I wish you to insert this paragraph for the use of others who may be looking out for C. squamàtum. You can refer them to the Gardener's Magazine, vol. xiii. p. 39., and Botanical Register, t. 649.; it is the same as Clerodendron speciosíssimum. Last autumn I saw a plant of C. paniculatum beautifully in flower, in Mr. Knight's Exotic Nursery, and in a short time afterwards I saw an account of this plant somewhere which I now forget, and I think squamàtum was the name mentioned, at least I recollect some wrong name applied in the report I read.-D. B. London, March 27. Imported Orange Trees. I have frequently found a very simple hint of great service; I forward you the following, in hopes that some person may have a chance of being benefited by my experience. In 1838, we had six orange trees imported from Malta; they had been one year from the bud; the labels were fastened with iron wire to the young shoots, and had rubbed the bark of three of them year to the stock. I covered them all over with moss, which I kept moist, and, after having soaked their roots for twenty-four hours in water, I potted them. Three of them began growing finely, but the other three not at all, partly from the injury done by the wire, and partly from the roots having been mutilated. It occurred to me, that, if by any means I could excite the top, the excitement at the root would follow of course, so I placed the thriving and the others side by side, and inarched them together; the result was, that the buds began to swell, and at last they began with vigour to push. I then cut back the shoots of the scion, and also all buds, leaving a few good leaves, and finally I cut the connexion altogether. All of them now get on charmingly. The part of the scion attached to each is a memorial whereby to distinguish them.-G. M. Elliot. Ripley Castle Gardens, Feb. 29. 1840. Pocock's Patent Flexible Asphalte Roofing. A novel manufacture is offered to the attention of the public, called Flexible Asphalte Roofing. It is intended to supersede the use of slates, tiles, zinc, thatch, &c., in the covering and lining of farm-buildings, sheds, cottages, and other erections; and, from its durability, lightness, and economy, it is expected to be brought into very general use. The weight of this manufacture being only 60 lb. to the square of 100 ft., the walls and timbers to support it are required to be but half the usual substance; it is also a non-conductor of heat, impervious to damp, and will bear a heat of 220° without injury. Several architects and railway engineers have, we understand, already adopted the asphalte roofing for sheds and other buildings; and we are informed that the roofs of the Slough Station, on the Great Western Railway, will be covered with this material. (Mech. Mag., No. 865. March 7. 1840.) This roofing might, probably, answer for the flooring of borders for fruit trees to prevent the roots from penetrating to the subsoil. We should be glad to hear of its being tried; and, where this is done, we would suggest that a coating of gravel or brick rubbish, of 5 or 6 inches in thickness, should be laid immediately over the asphalte, to serve as drainage. Vertical plates of this material might be arranged as a conservative or fruit-tree wall, and it would form excellent linings to basins or ponds in flower-gardens.- Cond. Ornamental Pottery for architectural gardens and terraces has lately been much improved, and among the recent candidates for public patronage are Singer and Co., of the Vauxhall Pottery, on whose premises may be seen a great variety of articles that will interest the landscape-gardener, and the garden architect.- Cond. ART. II. Domestic Notices. ENGLAND. GARDENING in the Neighbourhood of Liverpool appears to be in a prosperous state; one nurseryman there being at present engaged in planting the grounds of no fewer than eight villas. In these the pineries are all heated by hot water, even the bottom heat being communicated by that medium. In some cases a flooring of boards is laid over the pipes, and covered with rotten tan, sand, or ashes, in which the pots are plunged; and in others a stage of boards closely joined together is formed, and circular openings cut in each shelf of the stage the exact size of the pots intended to be used; and these pots are suspended by their rims in the openings, so that the bottom and sides of the pots come in immediate contact with the hot air below. Both these modes, we are informed, answer admirably.—W. H. Liverpool, March 23, 1840. Rhododendron arboreum hybridum, in the Albion Nursery, Stoke Newington, Mr. Milne's, is 10 ft. high, symmetrical and graceful in form, and covered with above a hundred heads of bright crimson flowers. I would go twenty miles, to see such a plant.-B. B. Billington. Stoke Newington, April 13. 1840. Gardener's Benevolent Association. We noticed the foundation of this institution in our previous volume (p. 196.), and we are glad to find that it is |