they may arrive in Europe: if this should happen to be in the autumn or winter, the growth of the plants should not be forced, as such practice tends only to produce weak plants, which rarely survive till the spring. The front stage or upper shelves in the green-house will be found the best situation for placing autumn or winter sowings: but, taking the months of February, March, and April, as the best and most convenient season for sowing those seeds, the following practice will insure to the European cultivator many species which have hitherto failed, continued scarce, or which have only exhibited poor and stunted specimens, and which, consequently, have been treated with neglect, when, under proper management, they would form suitable and splendid ornaments for the shrubbery, and make more room in the conservatory for less hardy species.

Having sown the seeds (after steeping as above), and covered them with earth from a quarter to a half inch deep, and leaving a space for water of half an inch from the edge of the pot, they must be well watered, and placed in a declining or exhausted hot-bed, not plunging them. If the season is so far advanced that the sun's rays are powerful, the frames should be shaded from its direct influence during the middle of the day. In the earlier stages water need only be applied every third day; or, at least, so often that, without stagnating, the soil is kept constantly moist: alternate drought and superabundant moisture retard and check the progress of vegetation.

As the various species make their appearance, and the cotyledons become fully developed, the pots containing them should be separated from the rest, and placed in other frames, where they will require a more constant supply of water and admission of air, duly encouraging their growth until of a sufficient size for planting out. In this, the experience of the cultivator must guide him; but it is necessary to observe, that the first planting out should be accomplished while the plants are in a progressive state of growth, shading them if necessary.

In large establishments, the person intrusted with the management of the seeds is, or at least ought to be, a confidential person, and therefore ought to be put in possession of the lists, and any other written observations which may accompany packets of seeds from abroad. By these, he is enabled to allot to each species the peculiar earth required, of which he must be sometimes ignorant, when he meets with species new to him.

Whatever soil may be required for the plants, care must be taken not to pulverise it too finely by sifting; for the tap root in its descent, on meeting with any obstruction in its perpendicular direction, receives an impulse approaching to animal instinct, and, rounding the impediment, forms sooner its lateral fibres and roots, which are to become organs of nourishment for the future tree, &c. This will not be generally the case with plants placed in earth sifted as fine as snuff; their state of health is shown by the sickly hue of the leaves, which prematurely fall off; and, upon examination, the root will be found embedded, as it were, in a condensed cement, which all the efforts of nature cannot penetrate.

As soon as the young plants are established in the pots, they must be removed from the frames, and plunged in prepared beds of decayed bark, formed at or under the level of the natural ground; and occasionally supplied with water until the middle or latter end of August, when they are to be raised and the tap root cut off, if it should have passed the aperture at the bottom of the pot. They may remain above ground until housed for the winter, during which season as much air and as little fire heat as possible should be administered. In a general collection, it is impossible to allow every species its proper atmospherical temperature, but long confined air and damp are as injurious to vegetable as they are to animal life. There are generally some bright days occurring during the

winter season in Britain: those opportunities should be embraced to purify the houses by throwing open the doors and sashes, and keeping up a brisk fire in the morning, as often as may be judged necessary.

There are few Cape plants but what will resist the effects of some degrees of frost; the Plectranthus fruticosus, a native of the Cape forests, is the most susceptible of injury from cold, and, if properly placed in the house, proves a warning thermometer against direct injury, as it is the first to suffer, and consequently show the increasing harm.

Of the South African Leguminòsæ, the following genera form striking and beautiful ornaments in their native wilds, particularly to those who are charmed with the outward appearance and varied colours of flowers: and although the nature of the native soil where they are found to abound may be variable, a sandy loam with decayed leaves is the most genial to the growth of most species of Cape Leguminòsæ, and may therefore be used in general collections.

Omphalobium, Schòtia, Sophora sylvática, Cyclòpia, Sarcophyllum, Borbonia, Crotalària, Cytisus, Anthyllis, Sutherlandia, Indigófera, and Aspálathus generally indicate the existence of a red sandy loam.

Acàcia, Virgília, Loddigèsia, Vibórgia, Ráfnia, Psoralea, Onònis, and Cylista thrive with greater luxuriance on the margins of streams, in alluvial and vegetable soils: but many species of the same and of other genera vary from the general rules, and are found either in pure sand or in stiff clay, exposed through great part of the year to excessive heat and drought, or but slightly sheltered and nurtured by the mountains; but deriving much of their subsistence from the dewy clouds which those heights, as these clouds pass over them, arrest and condense. So readily do South African plants appear to accommodate themselves to soils and situations, that it is difficult to positively recommend any particular compost for them in garden culture: practical experience must alone decide the best for the purpose.

The insatiate desire of novelty is so inherent in man, that the labours of individuals in all parts of the earth are insufficient to satisfy this craving. How many are there who, for want of room, crowd or neglect many fine plants, for the sake of less beautiful and less useful species! Scientific establishments are not free from this error; and the evil increases, and is so obvious to many real admirers of Nature, that they cannot help regretting the practice; though themselves verge on, and not unfrequently fall into, the same mania which they decry in others, and neglect to take the necessary steps for the preservation and better culture of old introductions. This unpardonable negligence is particularly exemplified in the Cape genera, with the exception of Erica and Pelargonium, the cultivated plants of which excel those in their native wilds.

The modern improvements in the construction of stoves, green-houses, and conservatories, and the means of applying the necessary warmth to them, relieve the gardener of much manual labour, and prevent a great deal of that anxiety of mind which formerly deprived him of bodily rest during a severe and lengthened winter. We still, however, find a few sluggards slumbering at their posts, whose duty to themselves and to their employers can hardly be aroused to activity, by observing occasionally the flourishing collections of their neighbours. You will please to remember that it is a gardener who writes this, and does not intend to cast any reflections on the profession; but he trusts that you will still continue to advise the young and aspiring in their duty, and prepare them for the part they may have to perform on the great theatre of the world. You must pardon this digression, but it obtrudes itself to my thoughts, and I commit it to paper, and fancy to myself that it is not altogether irrelevant to what may follow. Something more than the mere mechanical operations,

and the knowledge of botanical nomenclature, is expected from the gardener of the present day. Independent of his immediate duty to his employer, he has a duty to perform to his country, and one which he may perform with ease and pleasure to himself, that is, the acclimatisation of exotic plants; which may frequently be attempted with old specimens, that would, at all events, be committed to the flames: and if he be successful, your pages are open to record his fame, and societies are numerous in England, and liberal enough to reward his merit.

The forming of portable houses for the reception of Leguminosa would amply repay the amateur for the trouble and expense, by the splendour which plants having a sufficiency of room would exhibit. I would therefore recommend the planting in beds of prepared soil (formed in such structures as fancy might determine or circumstances permit), masses of this natural order, arranging them so that every plant might receive an equal portion of the sun's rays through the day; placing the taller in the centre, and gradually diminishing the lines to the edge, where the minor kinds would form the border, and would not exceed the height of many species of the mosses. The grouping of colours must be left to a refined taste, so that the various shades, as far as practicable, may be blended on scientific principles.

If young plants, say of three years old, are intended for the above description of houses, they should be brought as early as possible to a fit state, by giving them larger pots than they would have allowed to them, were they intended for the stage or shelf of a green-house. As young plants will be small in proportion to the space they are hereafter to fill, several of a species may be plunged over the rim of the pots, and marked for future removal: this will, without deranging the plan, allow sufficient room for those which remain; those to be removed, having a ball of earth attached to them, will be fit specimens to try in the open air. For this experiment I would rather recommend a northern exposure for planting than a southern one, where, after severe frosts, a sudden thaw does most mischief, and in many instances is the real cause of death to the plants. If large plants, thus exposed, appear killed by cold, too much haste must not be exercised in removing the roots, but cut down the stem, and let the stool remain for one or two years. When old plants are intended for the portable house, or for a conservatory, they should be headed down to a convenient height, allowing sufficient room for their heads to form free of the roof; and as the various species of Schòtia flower occasionally on the old wood, and the others at the extremities of the young spring and summer shoots, this habit should be strictly attended to, and borne in mind at all seasons.

Many persons regret the loss of old established plants, and, in the vain attempt to preserve them in a confined space, permit injuries to be inflicted upon them by injudicious pruning, which eventually forms unsightly and disagreeable objects for a house. They are then condemned, and in the autumn are left out, and exposed to every vicissitude of season, and no opportunity is given them to live. It is early in the spring months that these plants should be selected, and planted out in sheltered situations of the shrubbery: they would at least have a chance of existence, and, if they should die, their loss would not be so apparent. It has become a very common practice in Europe, to plant exotic shrubs in front of the stoves and greenhouses indiscriminately, and without thought of their ultimate height, or whether they can be kept within bounds by pruning without injury or total prevention of flowering: this point requires consideration, or the plants are likely to become nuisances.

Omphalobium, Virgília, Sophora, several Psoralea and Cýtisi, form a distinct stem; Schòtia, Indigofera, Psoralea, Aspálathus, Podalýria, Lipària, and Borbònia, as well as Cvclòpia, Sarcophyllum, and Ráfnia, form

branching shrubs from the collar: in the three last-mentioned genera this habit should be encouraged as much as possible, by cutting them down to the ground; it encourages the larger growth of the collar, and in old plants the appearance of nakedness would be but temporary; the quick growth of numerous shoots, especially in old plants, would form dense bushes, and stronger and more characteristic masses of flowers. Omphalobium and Schòtia are of slow growth: planting them under the shade of others will draw them up to the requisite height without injury.

By confining this communication to Leguminosa, I do not wish to exclude the plants of other natural orders; but the first is given to illustrate what will, if put in practice, add to the pleasure of the cultivator, by ornamenting, without confusion, and prevent the destruction or neglect of many interesting plants, from ignorance of their worth, and from not beholding them in full vigour of health and beauty.

I am convinced, from observation, that many Australian leguminous plants require the same treatment as those of South Africa, especially among the rigid-leaved species, as Davièsiæ, &c.; consequently a mixture of plants of both countries would no doubt thrive.

I subjoin a list of the average height which several species attain in their native habitations: it may partly guide the cultivator in planting : —

Virgilia intrusa and capensis

·

If Virgilia is deeply injured in the old wood, a gum exudes, which is used as gum arabic.

Omphalobium

Sophora sylvática

Psoralea pinnata

The latter thrives best by being cut down and confined as a shrub to

6 ft. They both yield the gum arabic.

Erythrina cáffra attains the height of 60 ft., but flowers at the height of 15 ft.

Erythrina nàna, introduced by me to England in 1823; flowers at 2 ft., and may be considered as half-shrubby, as it scarcely ever attains a permanent stem. It is a desirable plant.

I hope that you will not consider the above too tedious; and should wish you to enforce some of the hints therein. I have no time for corrections, so that you must excuse all errors, as the cultivator would freely pardon the prolixity of the collector, if he had to encounter but one tenth part of the difficulties the latter meets with.

I remain, Sir, yours, &c.

Cape of Good Hope, February 16. 1831.

JAMES BOWIE.

ART. III. An Account of the Common and Highland Pines, as found in Scotland. By J. G.

Sir,

IT has lately been ascertained that there is a variety of pine in Scotland very different from, and greatly superior to, the common tree of that name, in size, quality, and durability. It has long been known, indeed, that the wood of the one is preferable to that of the other; yet people were always inclined to reckon them both under the general title of Scotch pine, and to take for granted that the difference must be occasioned by age, soil, or situation. That any or all of these causes can account for the difference is, I think, far from probable. How can age be thought a sufficient reason, while it is known that thousands of the common pine have arrived at maturity, and thousands have died, which at no period of their age were better than those which are every day felled for the most ordinary purposes? How can soil or situation be given as a reason, while it is known that the common pine is scattered over all Scotland, in as good soils and situations as those in which the superior sort grows, and yet are found, when cut up, to be but of inferior quality?

This superior variety abounds in the highland districts of Abernethy, in Strathspey, and in the north of Scotland; and the first individuals who collected the seeds, and raised plants of this sort, were Messrs. Alexander and John Grigor, nurserymen at Elgin and Forres, at whose nurseries plants of these pines are always to be found, and for whose exertions the Highland Society of Scotland awarded their premium. These gentlemen, in the short period of two years (the time they require before being fit for transplanting), raised and sold no less a quantity than two millions of the real highland pine, and thus put into the possession of landholders a variety that produces wood equal to that brought from Norway.

The late Mr. Don of Forfar considered that this pine, which I have termed a variety, should, on account of its great dissimilarity to the Pìnus sylvestris, its long tufted leaves, and the horizontal direction of its branches, constitute a distinct species, which might, with propriety, be termed Pìnus horizontális. The members of the Highland Society have adopted his opinion; and one of the most distinguished writers of the day (Sir Walter Scott), in an article in the Quarterly Review, some years ago, pointed out, with singular effect, not only its peculiarity of shape, &c., but the amazing durability of its wood.

I shall record a circumstance that occurred in the north of Scotland, which proves, beyond the reach of doubt, that there must be two distinct species of Scotch pine. About fifty years ago, a young forester happened to be travelling over that district in which the real highland pine abounds. As he passed along, he observed a few small ones springing up among the heath; and being struck with the appearance they presented, and having a plantation of common ones going on at the time, he pulled one, wrapped it up, and, having arrived at his plantation, he planted it along with the rest, and placed a durable mark beside it. During the whole period of its growth, this tree presented a singular appearance; and when it was felled and cut up (which happened about ten years ago), it was found superior to any of the surrounding ones. Now, this is a proof that must remove every idea of a variation in soil, age, or situation accomplishing the existing difference; a proof that there are in Scotland forests of a pine superior to the common, and remote enough from it to constitute a species.

Shall I yet be told, then, that there is no difference? Yes; there are still some who maintain it: and, but for this fact, I should have treated the subject in a different manner. There are still some who have, through