Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 002.djvu/726

ceive it, will be naturally closed; the bark, which would have separated with ease, will be found inseparable; and the trees, when cut and seasoned (for a comparatively short time), will be so hard and impenetrable, as to prevent the disease from ever affecting it. The bark, under such circumstances, becomes a solid mass, secures the tree from injury, and consequently prevents the introduction of the dry-rot. A comparison of trees, felled at different periods, has enabled him to arrive at this conclusion.

It has been suggested that a more acceptable good could not be done to the community at large, than by recommending the consumers of American and French apples to bury the rotten ones, and to save the pips of those that are sound, and at the proper season to set them; by which means our orchards, which it is notorious are gone into decay for want of a succession of new plants, might in a few years be renovated and restocked at a most trifling expense; especially as every soil and aspect may be thus tried; some of which surely may be found to suit these exotic seeds, and produce new varieties of that delicious fruit once so plentiful, but now, alas! become so scarce, that an orange, or even an apple, brought thousands of miles, can be rendered cheaper than our own.

Salt.—That experienced agriculturist, Lord Somerville, has used salt on his farm in Somersetshire about seven years; and attributes the health of his flock, of 203 Merino sheep, which he purchased in Spain, chiefly to this circumstance.—As these sheep had been accustomed to the use of salt, his Lordship considered, that in our damp climate, and in the rich land of Somersetshire, it would be absolutely necessary to supply them with it regularly. He used it at the rate of a ton of salt for every 1000 sheep annually; and gave it them in the morning, to counteract the ill effect of the dew. A handful of salt is put on a flat stone, or slate, ten of which, set a few yards apart, are enough for 100 sheep. Twice a-week has usually been found sufficient. Of a flock of nearly 1000, there were not ten old sheep which did not take kindly to it, and not one lamb that did not consume it greedily. Salt is likewise a preventative of disorders in stock fed with rank green food, as clover or turnips, whereby excessive wind is generated in the stomachs of animals; and for the rot it is deemed a specific.

WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

LONDON.

This month will be published, Harvest, a poem; to which will be added, a few other poetical pieces; by Charlotte Caroline Richardson.

This month will appear, in 8vo, the first volume of a complete Translation of Ovid's Epistles; by Edward D. Baynes, Esq.

The Rev. C. Philpot, Rector of Ripple, is preparing a History of the French Protestants, and the Reformed Church of France, from the introduction of Protestanism in the reign of Francis I. to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes under Louis XIV.

A curious work is announced, being Observations on the History of the punishment of Flagellation, particularly its use in Schools; showing the dangerous tendency of this indecent practice, and exposing the real cause why it has been so long a favourite mode of correction with those who have the care of youth; with references to Boileau's History of the Flagellants.

Mr Jasper Ricard, surgeon, of Bath, is preparing Commentaries on the Principal of those Affections which produce speedy Death, during or immediately after Child-birth, illustrated by cases and dissections.

Kotzebue, the celebrated dramatic writer, has just published a Collection of Tales addressed to his Sons, in the manner of those addressed by M. Bouilly to his daughter. They will soon be published, both in French and English.

A Translation of Messrs Savigny and Correard's Narrative of the Shipwreck of the French frigate, La Meduse, on her Voyage to Senegal in 1816, will shortly appear in an 8vo volume.

The sixth portion of the Ordnance Survey, including the greater part of Surrey, with portions of Hampshire and Wiltshire, is in preparation.

A General and Commercial Directory of the County of Stafford is preparing for publication, upon a plan similar to the Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and other Directories. It will be divided into three sections, the first of which will comprise the town of Newcastle, and the populous district called The Potteries. This useful undertaking receives, as it deserves, very extensive encouragement.

Mr Joseph Gwilt, architect, and author of a Treatise on the Equilibrium of Arches, has put to press, a work, entituled, "Notitia Architectonica Italiana, or Concise