For almost the entire distance of this fifty miles, the east bank of the Hudson is one line of country seats-varying in extent from fifty to 500 or 600 acres. Instead of having the same general features of interest and beauty, nothing is more striking to the picturesque tourist, than the highly varied character of these places. Every mile seems to present new groupings of headland and foreground, some new combinations of wood, water, and mountain-so that no one who has seen one or two places, can imagine with certainty what will be the aspect and picturesque character of the next residence. The enchanting beauty of the Hudson itself is varied and heightened too by its peculiar life and animation. Snowy sails, sometimes singly in calms, and sometimes floating along in the light breezes like troops of white swans; swift steamers freighted with throngs of busy and curious people; huge clusters of freight barges, loaded down with the produce of whole counties; and finally, stealing along under the high wooded banks, the river railway, whose trains fly along between the commercial and political capitals of the state at the rate of 30 to 50 miles an hour-all of these gives to these finest seats on the Hudson a completeness of interest which the traveller looks in vain for anywhere else in America. Among the finest of these residences, Montgomery Place, Blithewood, Ellerslie, Hyde Park and others, have been already described, and some of them illustrated in various other works of ours. Persons wishing to see the finest specimens of landscape gardening in the country, naturally go to these places, to study them as the best examples of the art, and there are few places, out of England, where the lover of embellished home scenery, can find so much gratification and instruction. About the center of this upper terrace, lies Messina, the seat of the late JOHN R. LIVINGSTON, Esq., a sketch of which we present in our frontispiece this month. This house is one of the noblest in its proportions on the whole river, and is worth an examination as a specimen of a first class mansion in the country. It was built by Mr. LIVINGSTON, after his return from France, some years ago. He was so much pleased while there, with the residence of BEAUMARCHAIS, near Paris, that he determined to model his own home upon it. This accounts for the air of a French Chateau, which we discover in some of its features. The design was, however, really drawn by an English architect, BRUNEL the celebrated architect of the Thames tunnel-who came out to this country and erected two or three residences for different members of the LIVINGSTON family. The plan of the interior is spacious and elegant-the rooms large and finely proportioned, uniting some of the best features of both the English and French residences. Finely varied and extensive grounds surround the mansion at Messina. There is an abundance of foliage and fine old trees, the scenery is beautiful and the neighborhood most picturesque and interesting. Though not at present in the high condition of some of the places we have just mentioned, (owing to the want of personal interest, consequent upon the declining health of the late proprietor,) it could readily, in the hands of a person of taste and fortune, be restored to its former high keeping. As it is but rarely one of these first class residences are to be obtained, we believe we shall render a service to some of our numerous readers who are annually settling in the country, by drawing their attention to a site that has long been considered one of the best in the Union. 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. Ir 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. DE D B Fig. 102. "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. Foreign and Miscellaneous Patices. THE GLADIOLUS.-The genus Gladiolus now comprehends many brilliant species and varieties, 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 ama. teur. 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, Colvillii 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 not so varied in their colors as the earlier sorts. 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. 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-room. Sandy loam and peat, or leaf-mould, or any light rich soil, the pots being well drained, suits them well. When first planted, as is the case with most other bulbs, they will not bear forcing; they should 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. 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 latter 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 obtained in great per fection 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 acknow. ledged 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 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, roscate; 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 1815. 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. It is true, indeed, that in March, 1845, the earth, 2 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. 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. 1 foot 2 feet. 3 feet 1838. 1839. 41.46 41.71 has not been lower than 47 degrees, while on the 22d and 24th, it rose to 66 degrees. Still vege. tation is almost torpid; buds are swelling very slowly, and the early blossoms have for the most part, a shrunken, half-starved aspect. The continued low temperature at night, fluctuating between 25 and 28 degrees, explains this; for so little effect has the sun yet produced, that at the present moment the earth 2 feet under ground, has not gained more than 42 degrees, and this maximum still remains less than the mean of 1844, 1846, 1848, 1849, and 1850.London Gard. Chron. MACARONI AND VERMICELLI.—In writing from Naples, Mr. WEED takes the following notice of the manufacture and use of macaroni and vermicelli in Italy: Italy, you know, abounds in macaroni and vermicelli. The making and eating of these articles enter into the occupations and appetites of every city, town and village. It is used in many forms of which we have no knowledge. It enters into all their soups and pastry, and into many of their meat dishes. And, though I started with many prejudices, I must say that these dishes are invariably good. Naples boasts of making the finest macaroni in Italy. I visited a small town at the foot of Vesuvius yesterday, where thousands of bushels of wheat were being made into macaroni. The wheat is first subjected to a kiln-drying process. being spread on tiled roofs which are heated gently from fires within and from the sun without. It is afterwards ground coarsely, mixed with water and kneaded into paste, which is subjected to action by pounders somewhat resembling those used in driving piles. The paste its form and name, some coming out macaroni is then forced through machinery which gives it 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 41.93 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 fond of this description of food. The impression 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 41.03 43.72 General av'ge. 41.74 40.0 Min. of March,. 2 feet. 11 38.5 37.5 40.0 1838... 1839. 38.5 39 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 pre. pared 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 the stem of Eschynomene paludosa, and it is probable that many plants with abundant pith |