Reviews. COTTAGE RESIDENCES: or a series of Designs for Rural Cottages and Cottage Villas, and their Gardens and Grounds; adapted to North America. By A. J. DowNING. Illustrated by numerous engavings. Fourth edition, revised, enlarged and improved. New-York: John Wiley, 18 Park Place, 1852. It is neither fitting nor necessary, that we should say anything as to the merits of this volume. The circulation of several extra large editions, and the results all over the country in the shape of numberless cottages and villas, erected from the designs it contains, are, perhaps, sufficient proof that it has both found favor in the eyes of the public, and has exerted a considerable share of influence in the formation of the popular taste for rural architecture. The present edition, just issued from the press, will be found to contain several new designs for cottages, lodges, &c., with considerable additional matter, and the original text entirely revised throughout. The most important addition, however, is a chapter entitled, "Further hints on the Gardens and Grounds of Cottage Residences." In this chapter we have given general directions, accompanied with plans, for the laying out of plots of ground, from the smallest parterre of flowers, to the largest area in which a cottage may usually be supposed to be placed. The different styles of flower gardens-the flower garden consisting of beds and masses or turf-the geometrical flower garden-the Elizabethan flower garden-the English flower garden and shrubbery-the labyrinth of shrubs—and various French and German plans for cottage gardens and grounds, are explained and illustrated in a way that we trust will be found of practical value. This part of the work is, we think, particularly needed by ladies, who, for the most part, take in hand the laying out of the ornamental grounds of their cottage homes; and, in doing so, are frequently at a loss for hints and sketches, which, if not precisely adapted to their own grounds, might at least suggest to their own minds, such variations as would exactly answer the desired purpose. We give, as a specimen of this part of the work, the following extract and plan, which may be in season to interest some of our readers now busy with the arrangement of their ornamental grounds. "In presenting all these various modes of arranging flower gardens, we must be allowed to say that the modern taste of discarding any set flower garden, and, instead of it, arranging the beds of choice perpetual blooming plants, in and around a small lawn, in graceful and harmonious forms, is by far the most satisfactory in the majority of cases. It is especially so in all small places, where the ornamental grounds are too limited to allow of separate scenes. In such cases, the grouping of flowers round a lawn, having only one or two colors in a bed, heightens the beauty of the lawn itself, while the flowers are enjoyed, perhaps, more than in any other way. "Fig. 102 is a design of our own, of this kind, which has been carried out and found extremely pretty and satisfactory. In this, A. is the dwelling-house; B. the conservatory, (a detached building one side of the lawn;) C. the lawn; D. flower beds; E. vase, fountain, sun-dial, or rustic basket filled with flowers. Round the whole runs a boundary belt, F. of trees and shrubs-shutting out all that portion of the grounds not strictly ornamental. In practice, it is found that small circular beds, about three feet in diameter, grouped in twos and threes, (like those on the left of D.) are more convenient and effective than the irregular beds; partly because a three feet circle is large enough for a mass of a single color, in a small garden, and partly because a circular bed, like a tree, always looks well, either alone, or grouped with other circles. It is also adapted to any position, which an irregular bed is not. "In order to give the lawn C, a more picturesque character, we have introduced a few single specimens of trees, such as grow with beautiful forms when standing alone. We may mention, as peculiarly adapted to such sites, the Chinese Magnolia, (M. conspicua, and M. soulangiana,) very hardy and beautiful; the Weeping Ash, Weeping Beech, Pur ple Beech, and Weeping Silver Lime, all striking in habit and foliage; the Ash Leaved Maple, or Negundo, for its lively green foliage; the Virgilia of Kentucky, with snowy white blossoms; the Virginia Fringe Tree, ect. As evergreens, to plant them singly we may enumerate the Deodar Cedar, the Norway Spruce, the Himmalayan Spruce, the Irish Yew, and the Silver Fir. A lawn and flower garden combined, and planted in this way, would have a tasteful and beautiful effect in any situation, or in connection with a residence in any style." p. 204. VOL. VII. Foreign and Miscellaneous Potices. be allowed to progress gradually, by placing them in a cool frame or pit, and keeping the soil in a tolerably dry state till they have made considerable growth; after which they may be brought into the green-house, or where they are required to flower. They make fine specimens when planted several bulbs in a pot. THE GLADIOLUS.-The genus Gladiolus now first planted, as is the case with most other comprehends many brilliant species and varie-bulbs, they will not bear forcing; they should ties, and is fast increasing in interest with the floral world. The variety of colors, together with the beauty of its varied stripes and markings, and its graceful habit, recommend it as well worthy the attention of the florist or amateur. Like most bulbous plants, Gladioli thrive and flower with less care than most florist's flowers. Being comprised of early and late kinds, they blossom at various seasons of the year: the earliest sorts commence flowering in June when planted in the open air, and many of the late kinds continue in blossom up to the very approach of winter. They are perfectly hardy, and may be grown in any common garden soil not retentive of moisture; but should the soil be heavy where they are intended to be planted, it should be removed to the depth of about two feet, and replaced by a light rich soil, composed of a mixture of sandy loam and leaf. mold, or sandy loam and peat, allowing six or nine inches for the drainage. The Colvillii kinds come very early into flow. er; they are of taller growth than others of the early sorts, and are of erect, slender habit. They include Colvillii, Colvilli blandus, Colvil. lii superbus, odoratus, tristis, and others; they are succeeded by a more numerous class, which generally commence flowering about two weeks later; the latter are composed of varieties varying from a foot to a foot and a half in height; they comprise a great diversity of colors. Other varieties are later, and mostly commence flowering about the end of July, or in August; they are of stronger habit than the preceding kinds, and exceedingly rich, though They produce a longer succession of flowers; many of them throw up lateral spikes of bloom to the latest period of autumn; and vigorous plants, lifted and potted, continue to bloom during the winter. not so varied in their colors as the earlier sorts. The varieties of Floribundus, Gandavensis, and other late tall-growing varieties, chiefly come later into flower than most of the above. Of these, Splendens is a very noble variety, of a rich orange scarlet, with much larger flowers than Gandavensis. Psittacinus sanguineus, is a good dark one. Brenchleyensis is another splendid addition to this class. For pot-culture the Gladiolus is very suitable, making a beautiful show among other plants in the green-house or conservatory, and where a large collection is kept, some may be had in in flower nearly all the year round. In potting, the roots should not be cramped; they require a fair portion of pot-rooni. Sandy loam and peat, or leaf-mould, or any light rich soil, the pots being well drained, suits them well. When This lovely tribe of plants opens a wide field for the hybridist, and the amateur would find it an interesting engagement, in which his skill and time would be richly rewarded. In endeavoring to obtain crosses, the choice should not only be directed to the color and size of the flowers, but chiefly to their expanding habit and breadth of petals; for although there are many fine sorts which do not possess each of these lat. ter qualities, yet they should be the points to be aimed at in our progress towards the improvement of the tribe. Seedlings of the early varieties usually flower the second summer after sowing, and the later varieties the third.Beck's Florist. AN ACRE OF HOLLYHOCKS.-Till within these last few years this flower was used as an ornament in the plantation or shrubbery border only; but it is now becoming an especial favorite with the professional and amateur florist, and bids fair successfully to rival, if not to outvie the Dahlia. The particular sorts selected for this purpose are of a character and family entirely different to those formerly grown. Instead of the bell-shaped blossom, showing a large eye, the new and superior varieties have a semi-spherical flower exceedingly double, with closely serried petals, and a flat regular guardleaf; the blossoms are so thickly packed around the stem, that the green leaf can scarcely peep between them, and in the best grown plants it is almost entirely hid. These properties have, in the present season, been obtamed in great perfection by Mr. Chater, of Saffron Walden, in whose nursery grounds, consisting of about six acres, more than one-sixth is entirely devoted to Hollyhocks, 6,000 of which are now in splendid bloom; and Saffron Walden may well be proud of such an extensive exhibition. But it is not only in the vast number and variety of colors, but in individual excellence, as has been acknowledged by the gentry and florists who have inspected his collection within the last fortnight, that Mr. C. may fairly challenge the world to compete with him. The size and beauty of color displayed in his seedling Comet, which is a fine ruby red, one would think, at first sight, could scarcely be surpassed. Equally beautiful in their several different characters and colors are his seedlings,-Enchantress, deep rose; Rosea grandiflora, light rose; Attraction, elegantly 235 veined puce and silver; Model of Perfection, white with chocolate ground; Commander-inchief, remarkable for immensely long spikes of flowers towering nine feet high; the Queen, a delicate blush; Aurantia, salmon-color; Pul. chella, roseate; Pallida, lilac; Magnum Bonum, a rich glossy maroon; Snowball, purest white; Black Prince, sable black; Formosa, dark claret, with palmated leaves; Mulberry Superb; Delicata; Atro-sanguinea. Mr. C. has exhibited this season at Chiswick some of his beauties, grown especially in pots for that occasion; also at the Royal Agricultural meeting at Norwich, where he was awarded a prize for his Seedling Comet, and a prize for the collection; and at the South London Floricultural meeting in the Surrey Zoological Gardens he obtained a medal. A visit to these superb and elegant flowers would be highly gratifying to every lover of Nature in her gay and brilliant forms.-Beck's Florist. COLD SPRING IN ENGLAND.-Up to the 18th of this Month, March, there had been for many years no spring so late and cold as this. In these respects it was even more striking than that of 1845. Continually frosty nights, little sun, no material rise of the thermometer during the day; from these causes, the temperature of the earth, which is a better indicator of weather than that of the air, was actually lower than it had been within any period during which registers to which we have access, have been kept. true, indeed, that in March, 1845, the earth, It is feet below the surface, was on one occasion as low as 36 degrees, and that in this year the geothermometer had not fallen lower; but the mean of the month, at 2 feet under ground, was up to that time, lower than in 1845, by more than half a degree. The following return proves this. 2 The temperature of the earth in the garden of the Horticultural Society, for the first 18 days of March, has been as under Mean of March. 2 feet. 41.46 41.93 41.71 42.24 38.78 has not been lower than 47 degrees, while on the from Naples, Mr. WEED takes the following no- Italy, you know, abounds in macaroni and Italy. I visited a small town at the foot of VeNaples boasts of making the finest macaroni in suvius yesterday, where thousands of bushels of wheat were being made into macaroni. The being spread on tiled roofs which are heated wheat is first subjected to a kiln-drying process, gently from fires within and from the sun without. It is afterwards ground coarsely, mixed with water and kneaded into paste, which is sembling those used in driving piles. The paste subjected to action by pounders somewhat re is then forced through machinery which gives it its form and name, some coming out macaroni and some vermicelli, each taking, however, many varieties of form, some long and thin like paper, some like ribbons, some in balls, and others like beans, peas, and even as small as mustard seed. At Genoa, from which place I think we get most of our macaroni, saffron is put into the paste, which gives it its yellow tinge. Here it is nearer the color of bread. Not only the 45.55 Italians, but all who visit Italy, become very 41.03 fond of this description of food. The impres sion which I think prevails in America, that macaroni and vermicelli manufacturers are not particularly clean. is erroneous. There is no good ground of objection to this food on that 43.72 43.70 42.33 41.74 1 foot 2 feet 3 feet 1839. 1840. 2 38.0 39.0 41.0 1844.. 1815, 1846. 1847. 37.0 40.0 1849. 36.0 40.0 1849. 8 36.5 9 37.5 37.0 40.0 General av ge, 39 39 14 38.0 38.0 41.0 1644. 40 15 41.0 1815. 36 16 39.0 38 0 41.0 1946. 44 41.0 1847. 38 18 40.0 39.0 41.0 1848. 1849. 40.5 1850. 37.77 37.75 42.50 42.50 40 Since the 18th the sun has gained some strength, and the temperature of the air by day account. RICE PAPER.-The plant from which the Chinese Rice paper is made, has long been unknown, and many conjectures have been hazarded regarding it. There can be no doubt that the paper is composed of cellular tissue, and is prepared from the plant without any process of maceration. In the East Indies it would ap pear that a kind of Rice-paper is procured from probable that many plants with abundant pith the stem of Eschynomene paludosa, and it is might be employed in a similar manner, in the of a short, thick kind of palm. The tree is cut same way as the Papyrus was employed in an. down when it is seven years old, split up from cient times. Stems of the Indian Eschyno- top to bottom, and the pith, of which there is mene are to be seen in the Museum of the Edin. always a large quantity, extracted; it is then burgh Botanic Garden. Chinese Rice-paper, freed from the fibres, pressed in large frames, however, comes from a totally different plant. and dried at the fire or in the sun. At this M. Berthold Seeman, who accompanied Her period it has still a yellowish tinge. The folMajesty's ship Herald, gives, in the Kew Mis-lowing is the manner in which it is grained:— cellany, the following account of his attempt to find the plant in China. He says: The meal or pith is steeped in water for several days, until it is completely blanched; it is then once more dried by the fire or in the sun, and passed under a large wooden roller, and through a hair sieve. When it has become white and fine, it is placed in a kind of linen winnowingfan, which is kept damp in a peculiar manner. The workman takes a mouthful of water, and spurts it out like fine rain over the fan, in which the meal is alternately shaken and moistened in the manner just mentioned, until it assumes the shape of small globules, which are constantly stirred round in large flat pans, until they are dried, when they are passed through a second sieve, not quite so fine as the first, and the larger globules separated from the rest.-A Woman's Journey Round the World. Hieruceum "It was my particular desire to obtain the plant of which the Rice-paper is made. On my arrival all I could learn was, that the paper was manufactured from vegetable pith; respecting the name of the plant, its vegetation, and native province, the most contradictory statements prevailed. My first aim was to discover the vernacular name of the plant; after I had succeeded in obtaining this, through the aid of an intelligent missionary, Mr. Vogel. I experienced no further difficulty in collecting information, and in finding a Chinaman willing to procure specimens. The plant grows abundantly in the province of Yunnan, and in the work of Li-shichin there is a figure and description of it. Mr. Williams, the well-known author of The Middle Kingdom," has kindly rendered that ac- SCIENTIFIC GLEANINGS.-The count into English for me, and the following is plumbeum of Fries has been ascertained to be a transcript of his version:- The Tung-toh- a rative of Britain, by Mr. J. Backhouse. jr., muh, or as it is sometimes called, Tung-tsau of York. It grows on Falcon Clints, in Tees(i.e. hollow plant,) grows on the sides of hills. dale. Mr. Backhouse, who has had an oppor. Its leaves resemble the Castor-oil plant (Rici- tunity, during the past summer, of examining nus communis. Linn. ;) the stem is hollow, and specimens of the Norwegian Hieracia, describes has in its heart a white pith, which is prized for it as nearly allied to H. casium, but differing its lightness and whiteness, and collected in order strongly in having more truncate involucres, to make ornaments for women.' Kuoh-poh with broad based acuminate apiculate scales, of says: It grows in Kiang-nan, is about 12 or 14 a dark color, margined with green; also, in feet high, and has leaves which are large and the involucres and peduncles being almost or fleshy like those of the Nelumbium. In the entirely destitute of stellate pubescens. H. stem is a very white pith. Gardeners now sow casium from the same place, and from Cronkthe seed, and also transplant the plant. If the ley Scar, has narrow, acute, involucral scales, stem is cooked with honey, and mixed with and usually a large amount of stellate down on preserved fruit, the taste is sweet and pleasant." the peduncles and involucres. H. plumbeum Li-shi-chin says: The stalks of those plants flowers very early (about July,) while H. cawhich grow in the hills are large, several inches sium is in perfection, or nearly so, in Septem. in circumference. The taste and virtues of this ber. In cultivation the plants become still more plant are sweet, cooling, and innocuous. It dissimilar.-Report of Edinburgh Botanical aids the secretions, it stops diarrhoea and excess of urine, and helps the expectorations. A tincture of the burnt stalks reduced to power is good for lock jaw." M. Seemann, from the description given, and the wood cut annexed to it. thought that it was a Malvaceous plant. But it now appears that the plant belongs to Araliaceæ, and it has been called by Sir William Hooker, Aralia paprcifera. A figure is given in the Kew Miscellany, for Jan. 1852. The leaves of the plant are large and radiating, lobed at the margin, and some. what resembling the leaf of a large Sycamore, the pulp is in large quantities, and seems to be hollow and to descend in the center.-J. of H. SAGO MANUFACTORY AT SINGAPORE.-The unprepared sago is imported from the neighboring island of Borromeo, and consists of the pith Society. Professor Simpson recently communicated to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh the results of some experiments relative to the growth of Alpine plants, after having been kept artificially covered with snow in an ice-honse for many months. Seed and plants, when kept in this way during winter, and then brought into the warm air of summer, were found to germinate and grow with great rapidity. In Arctic regions the rapid growth of the plants during the short summer is well known; and the importance of similar experiments being made on the different kinds of grain was suggested. The rapidity of the harvest in Canada and other countries, where the cold lasts for many months, seems to indicate that if grain was kept in an ice-house during winter, and sown in spring, there might be an acceleration of the harvest. The subject |