Standard, from which to procure good sorts of Fruit Trees to plant on the Road Sides.

24. Meeting of the Society of June 11. 1824.

Robínia Pseud-Acàcia is recommended to be planted on poor sandy soil, where no other tree will prosper; also for its very durable wood, which, in France and on the Rhine, is preferred to any other for stakes.

25. Observations on the Slope of the Roofs of Hot-houses.

By Professor Link.

M. Link says that the direction in which the rays of the sun fall upon the roofs of hot-houses is of less consequence than is generally supposed, provided the plants have as much light as possible, particularly from above.

26. Germination of the Seeds of Téctona grándis.

Dr. Kielmayer, from Würtemberg, who has sent seeds of Téctona grandis (teak-wood) to the Society, gave the following account of the method used at Stuttgardt to make the seeds germinate. The external covering, as well as the nut, must be carefully opened, and the small seeds which are contained in the four cells of the nut taken out, and sown in pots, which are then placed in the bark bed, when the seeds will come up very soon.

30. Descriptions of Two Sorts of Melons. By M. Seitz.

One of these, Cucumis serótina, from Constantinople, is a winter melon; the second, Cucumis Mèlo persicodòrus, from Rio de Janeiro, has a flavour which resembles that of a peach. 31. On the Arrangement of a Public Garden for the Town of Magdeburg. By M. Lenné.

M. Lenné presented to the Society plans and descriptions of this garden, which was begun under his direction: -1. A finished vertical profile serving to show the ultimate effect. 2. A descriptive explanation of this profile. 3. A corresponding outline, or working plan for planting the trees. 4. Levelling plan of the ground (Nivellemento Profile). 5. A list of trees and shrubs, with numbers agreeing with those in the outline, to show the different kinds with which the groups and masses are planted.

The trees in the profile (fig. 40.) are beautifully disposed, and the bare inspection of the engraving is full of instruction to the young landscape-gardener. We recommend him to study every part of it with great care, and more particularly the disposition of the masses relatively to the roads and walks, and of the scattered trees and small groups relatively

f, Temple commanding a remarkably fine prospect.

g, Public Hotel, with gardens and bowling-green attached.

VOL. VIII.- No 37.

to the masses. The natural surface not being much varied, the merits of the disposition of the trees may be, in a great measure, estimated without reference to the locality. The only references that will interest a stranger are given under the engraving.

On a future occasion we shall give the two working plans of the public garden of Magdeburg, with the list of the trees.

32. On the Manner in which the Magdeburg Garden is laid out. By M. Linné, Garden Inspector at Sans Souci.

The ground intended for the garden originally contained only 57 acres, but was subsequently extended to 120 acres, which is not considered too large for a town like Magdeburg, containing 30,000 inhabitants. The highest spot on the ground is only 32 ft. above the usual level of the river Elbe; but as there is no higher ground in the neighbourhood of the garden, the views from this spot (where a temple (f) is placed) extend along the Elbe to a great distance. Certain parts of the town, not considered handsome, are concealed, and certain other parts are partially exhibited through a framework of trees. A bridge over the Elbe is made a conspicuous feature, as are the churches of certain neighbouring villages. The fortifications of the town are studiously concealed, by sinking the walks which approach nearest to them, and interposing trees, which being planted above the level of the walk, on artificial hills and banks, produce an immediate effect; the thickest plantations are made in places where protection is required from high north winds. A small stream is widened into a river, and varied by islands and groups; some of the groups near the river, and also in other parts of the grounds, are planted with shrubs which never rise above 6 or 7 ft. high, in order not to interrupt the continuity of particular views, and the effect of certain combinations. It is proposed to place in different parts of the garden monuments to the memory of great men. Some of the walks are narrow, shady, and solitary; others broad and open, for promenades; and others still broader for public drives. The cost of the whole, M. Linné says, will not exceed 18,000 dollars, (4000l.?) exclusive of the buildings. The rent that will be given for the public coffee-house (d) and its offices will more than pay for the annual keeping up of the garden. The total number of species of trees and shrubs planted in this garden is 192, and there are placed among them 193 varieties of fruit trees, which bear as standards. It is not stated whether one individual of each species and variety of tree is named; but we hope they are.

34. Observations on the Culture of some ornamental Plants. By M. Sinning, Botanic Gardener at Poppelsdorf, near Bonn. M. Sinning plants Brugmansia suavèolens in spring, in the open ground, on a south aspect, where the plants flower beautifully and abundantly. They are repotted again in autumn, and kept in a dry green-house during the winter. By this treatment a four years old plant produced 153 flowers in July, 79 flowers in August, and several more afterwards in the greenhouse. Calàdium bicolor is not taken out of the pot and kept dry, as is usually the practice, but is allowed to remain in the pot. When the plants are not in a growing state they are taken out of the bark bed, less water is given them, and they are always repotted after flowering. By this method a plant produced nine scapes, from 1 to 1 ft. in height. Caladium vivíparum also treated in this way grows very vigorously. Gloriòsa supérba. The bulbs are kept in the pots, on a shelf, in the back part of the stove, but not on the flue. Only a very little water is given them, to prevent the shrivelling of the bulbs. In the end of February or beginning of March they are carefully taken out and repotted in fresh mould, which consists of one part turf, two parts leaf mould, one part sand, and one part loam. The size of the pot should be such that there is only 1 in. between the side and the bulb, which should be covered an inch. After repotting they remain on the back shelf from four to six days, where the bulbs begin to swell; and after this they are placed in bottom heat, where they soon begin to grow very vigorously. They are allowed to remain there till the stems become too high for the pit, whence they are then taken into the bark bed of a stove. When they have obtained the height of from 2 to 3 ft., they must be again very carefully repotted, in the above-mentioned soil, with the addition of one part of well rotted cow dung. During their rapid growth they require an increased supply of water and syringing. By this method they will flower abundantly, not only on the main branches, but even on the weaker laterals, This culture is also applicable to all those Scitamíneæ whose stems die down during the winter.

35. On different Species of Quercus.

The following species of Quércus were recommended to be cultivated in consequence of the size and forms of their leaves :

Q. álba velutina, acerifòlia? aquática, Castanea, falcàta, imbricària, macrocárpa, nìgra, palústris, rùbra, tinctòria, and