;J28 FOREIGN NOTICES. 



Eoi-elgo Koilee?. 



Acacias. — Of tlie wliolc class of New llollarnl jihintR, few nre more interesting tlian Acncias. 

 Tlie strange variety in tlie jiliylluiles or leaven, tlie jji'ofui-ion nnil fragmrice of their blossom?, and 

 the season of the year when they are in the greatest perfection, ren<ler thetn eminently worthy ot 

 cultivation. My object, therefore, in the following remarks is to bring, if possible, this interest- 

 inix tribe of plants more into notice tiian ever it yet has been ; and with that view, I have 

 8k« tehed or drawn out the more prominent characters of a collection of twenty-five, well adapted 

 for the conservatory border, shelves, or the greenhouse stage ; but before I commence my enume- 

 ration, permit me to otTer a few words common to the generality of those I intend bringing 

 under notice : — First, I have to state that the wliole of these Acacias are natives of various parts 

 of New Holland ; therefore enjoying a brit^k growing climate through the spring months, and a 

 dry atmosphere during summer. And thus we are furnished with two leading points whereon to 

 base the successful cultivation of this genus; these are, to maintain such a condition of climate 

 as will insure a quick growtli, and when once that is obtained, nothing is better for ripening it 

 than an exposure to bright sunlight, with a free circulation of air at all times. Second, Acacias 

 generally seed well; and thus propagation is rendered easy, as the seeds germinate freely, either 

 when sown as soon as they are ripe, or kept back until the ensuing spring. In the latter case, 

 they must be soaked in hot water. I have, however, seen seeds which have fallen from ri/ano- 

 phylla and other species spring up as plentifully as Sycamore. Another mode of propagation is 

 by means of cuttings placed in sharp sand, and the pots jtlaced on a warm greenhouse shelf for 

 a month or six weeks, and then introduced into a growing temperature of about 70°, taking care 

 to have the cuttings covered with bell-glasses, until roots have been freely emitted ; afterwards, 

 pot off singly, and place them again in the same situation, until they have got well established, 

 when nothing more is needed than ordinary attention. The soil most suitable for the Acacia is 

 three-quarters good turfy loam, with the remainder made up of peat and sharp sand. Another 

 point, which I think is not generally known, is that the generality of them, although very gum- 

 my, stand the knife well, without appearing to suffer from its effects ; at least, with some species, 

 its application is absolutely necessary, in order to form good specimens, and keep them within 

 bounds. 



A. armafa. — This is a valuable species, not only on account of the late period at which it 

 flowers, but likewise on account of its large bright yellow flowers, which are produced in pro- 

 fusion, in globular heads, situated on a peduncle one inch in length. This kind is best adapted 

 for pots. 



A. alata. — In this the stem and phyllodes are all flattened, and every secondarj^ branch is con- 

 nected with the midrib of the primary one. The phyllodes are so connected as to assume the 

 form of one long narrow phyllode, thickly beset with hairs, and furnished with short spines at 

 intervals on each side. The flowers are all attached in pairs to the midrib of the primary phyl- 

 lode, and diverging alternately right and left on each side, to the number of about 30, on a 

 phyllode of about four inches long. Peduncle about three-tenths of an inch in length ; flower 

 heads globular, pale yellow. This forms a straggling bush, requiring to be upheld "with stakes. 

 It is most suitable for conservatory borders. 



A. hiflora. — This is a delicate but pretty species, and well worth cultivating. Phyllodes tri- 

 angular, sharp spined, much resembling an Apacris, l-5th inch long. Peduncles about the same 

 length, bearing two very small white flowers. This plant must be kept in a pot, and clear of 

 plants, and it will require stopping to make it bushy, otherwise it will soon become weak 

 straggling. 



