376 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



dark green colour, which would commend it to the soldiers as a near imitation of 

 the ivy chaplet bestowed on victors in their games nnd battles. The Paliurus does not 

 nearly so well fulfil the same conditions. In Smith's "Dictionary of the Bible," 

 article " Thorns and Thistles," it is stated that Zizyphus spina Chrisii is the nebk 

 of the Arabs, which grows abundantly in Syria and Palestine, both in wet and dry 

 places ; Dr. Hooker noticed a specimen nearly forty feet high, spreading as widely as 

 a good Qjuercus ilex in England. Tiie nebk fringes the banks of the Jordan, and flou- 

 rishes on the marshy banks of the lake of Tiberias : it forms either a shrub or a tree ; 

 and, indeed, is quite common over the country. It is a matter of some importance, 

 we think, in such inquiries as these to take broad views, if possible. Now it 

 is extremely likely that the Roman soldiers were less anxious to inflict suffering 

 than to imply disgrace or give mocking expression to their opinion that Jesus was 

 a fanatic. If so, they would be likely to seize upon the plant which most readily 

 supplied an imitation of the heroic garland, for such undoubtedly the crown ot 

 thorns was — the Jews would have been cruel, and have given preference to the 

 plant for its cruel thorns. But then the Jews would not have crowned Jesus at 

 all ; they had no such custom. On the other hand, the Romans despised the Jews, 

 and were as ignorant as they were careless of the peculiarities of Jewish ideas and 

 traditions. Hence in hurrying the Divine victim to the scaffold, they would find 

 little to amuse them in his sufferings, but probably much to gratify their depraved 

 natures in the additional humiliation of a mocking crown. This consideration 

 adds to the probability that Zizyphus spina Chrisii and not Paliurus aculeatus, was 

 the plant employed in the bitter prelude to the crucifixion. 



Staking Trees, etc. — Novice. — The mode in which newly-planted trees are 

 supported is radically bad. A stout stake is thrust straight down beside the stem 

 of the tree into the very midst of its roots. The first step in the process, therefore, 

 usually results in injury to the roots in their mcst vulnerable part, namely, at 

 their point of junction with the stem. The next mischief is the result of the 

 decay of the stake. It becomes a nest for fungi, the white underground threads 

 of which spread over the decaying stake, and then pass to the living roots of the 

 tree, which is seriously injured by the contact, and may actually die in consequence. 

 The mode of staking we have followed for many years past is unattended with 

 either of these evils, and affords a far better support than a stake standing upright 

 next the stem. We drive a stout stake in a slanting position, and, as it were, 

 leaning against the tree, and then bind the stem to the top of it with a bit of hayband 

 to prevent chafing. If this plan is carried out fairly, every tree so staked is as 

 firmly fixed as an oak-tree fifty years old ; no storm can move it. If the tree has 

 an extra large head, two, three, or more such stakes may be employed, set out 

 round the tree like " struts," and all braced together where their tops cross each 

 other and the stem. As for iron stakes, we have used them for twenty years, 

 and never knew them to do the shadow of harm to anything. They are invaluable 

 for staking standard roses. 



Fern Fronds turning Beown. — Old Subscriber. — Very probably the plants are 

 potted in unsuitable soil, or the drainage of the pots is out of order, and the soil 

 water-logged in consequence. Either of these evils would cause the fronds to turn 

 brown. It is, however, impossible to suggest a remedy without further information. 

 Tkeatment of Geraniums taken up out of the Beds. — Old Subscriber. — 

 Remove the whole of the flowers, and also the dead »nd decaying leaves, but avoid 

 breaking or cutting the shoots, as the wounded part is liable to decay at this season 

 of the year. The soil must not be kept dust dry, but after being watered, it should 

 be allowed to get dry before being watered again. The plants should be placed in a 

 light position, where the air can have full access to them. 



Transplanting Roses. — J. Sheldon, Derby.— Replant your old stock if the 

 trees are in a healthy condition. Lift the plants carefully, and prune the very longest 

 roots slightly. The finest blooms for exhibition are obtained from young plant?, 

 therefore we should advise you to add a few trees that were budded last year — two- 

 feet standards are preferable if on the brier, and of course dwarf bushes if worked 

 on the manetti, or on their own roots. You will do well to consult the "Rote 

 Book " (Groombridge and Sons, price 5s.). 



F. BENTLET AND CO., PBINTEBS, SHOE LANE, LONDON. 



