136 MADRAS AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. [June 



generally turning out to be inferior continental forms. I have 



cultivated the true 0. fusca very successfully by using fine red 



loam, and placing a handful of rough grit or sand round the tubers 



at time of planting. It should have a rather elevated position, such 



as on low rock-work, a damp situation or stagnant moisture being 



inimical to its growth. 



0. XL&tnlata (tlie dwarf or scorched Orchis). — Tubers oval and entire. Stem 

 seldom 6 inches in length, more usually 4 or 5 inches, angular, and surmounted 

 with a dense head of from thirty to fifty flowers. Flowers of a deep purple, which 

 when expanding give to the plant a somewhat scorched or withered appearance. 

 Lip with three divisions, the two outer spear-shaped and notched, the middle one 

 longest with two short lobes and an intermediate point. Spur deflexed, blunt, 

 and very short. 



In this plant ma}'' be readily detected a miniature copy of 0. fusca. 

 The leaves are few, usually five or six, spear-shaped, and of a 

 pleasant green colour. It is a native of dry, hilly pastures and 

 fields, and is very abundant in some parts of England, but wanting 

 in Scotland and Ireland. 



I have never seen it wild in Wales, although our dr}- hillsides 

 seem to offer no small amount of temjotation. On various occasions 

 kind friends have sent me unusually fine specimens of this orchid ; 

 but, although I went to a good deal of trouble in planting, they 

 never reappeared after the first year. It flowers in May and June. 



{To he continued.) 



MADRAS AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. 



AMONGST other items in the Annual Report of the Depart- 

 ment of Revenue Settlement and Agriculture for 1883-84 

 of Madras, we observe that the Forest Department has during the 

 year directed its attention to the reclamation of sandy wastes on 

 the coast by the planting of sand-binding creepers and other means. 

 Three acres of the farm have been planted with Divi-divi (Cccsal- 

 pinia coriaria). A large quantity of Eucalyptus seeds imported 

 from Queensland have also been distributed. The Australian Salt 

 bush [Atriplcx nummularia), as well as native indigenous salt-feeders, 

 useful in reclamation of saline soils and for fodder, have been success- 

 fully cultivated. The Government Farm and School of Agriculture 

 at Saidapet has hitherto been managed by a single officer acting both 

 as superintendent of the farm and principal of the school. But 

 as this system of dual control did not work well, the two institutions 

 are now placed under separate management. Mr. Gamble is of 

 opinion that should a demand arise for the bark and pods of Acacia 

 arahica or Black Babool, a large trade in them might be developed 

 in this Presidency, as the tree grows freely throughout it, specially in 

 tank-beds and in black cotton-soils, where other trees do not thrive. 



