3G2 THE GARDENER. [Aug. 



where we stand is a small moiiiimcnt, erected to tLe memory of one 

 of Australia's great explorers. In 1836 he received the appointment 

 of Government botanist, but resigned two years afterwards, with the 

 intention of returning home, but death frustrated his purpose. Such 

 is the short history of Allan Cunningham, whose life-object seems 

 to have been the good of others rather than the promotion of self- 

 interest. 



The outside culture of tropical fruits has, to a great extent, proved 

 a failure. The Custard- Apple, Bread-fruit, Alligator Pear, and Man- 

 gosteen, with many others, have been repeatedly tried and as often 

 failed. This is rather surprising when such fruit as the Pomegranate 

 blooms and fruits with great profusion. As to the floral department 

 we cannot say much ; our visit being towards the end of autumn, the 

 great display of the season was over. The system of bedding is chiefly 

 carpet-work, and fine-foliaged soft woods are much used for the purpose. 



In bidding farewell to these Gardens, one felt in full sympathy with 

 the words of Anthony Trollope, when he says of Sydney, it is one of 

 those places which a man cannot leave without a pang and a tear. That 

 such gardens have a refining and educative influence, is clearly seen 

 by the almost entire absence of prohibitory notices. It is said a 

 Frenchman can easily pass a vineyard without partaking of the fruit, 

 which to an Englishman is a very difficult task. Our colonial cousins, 

 however, have proved that even Englishmen can protect that which is 

 held for the public good, without the proverbial legal cautions. 



Wm. Forbes. 



vinsrE-GRO^wiisrG- iisr the open air. 



As my friends and neighbours around me are now busily employed in 

 shearing off the summer growth of Vines, it occurs to me that the 

 present would be a fitting opportunity of saying a few words of general 

 import upon the subject. 



That the cultivation of tbe Grape-Vine might be made profitable in 

 the south of England, if not in many other parts of the kingdom, 

 there can hardly be a doubt. But if it is intended to go to the root 

 of the question, and to instruct those who are most in want of infor- 

 mation, the true position of affairs cannot be too plainly stated. There 

 is no need of writing speculatively upon the subject ; Grapes have 

 been grown and Grapes can be grown under a proper system of culti- 

 vation. It would be a wonder if the Vine yielded much fruit under 

 conditions infinitely worse than is enjoyed by the commonest wall- 

 creeper, and under a system, of treatment which cannot possibly be 

 more at variance with the natural habit and requirements of the 

 plant. 



I happen to reside for the time being in a district where I am sur- 

 rounded upon all sides by Vines, and I do not hesitate to say that there 



