57 



branches. If, however, the tip of such a tree be removed until tirm 

 wood is obtained (usually about 6 inches) some ten days before 

 planting, the axillary buds will have become plump and active. 

 Planting" may then be carried out with much less danger of checking 

 the growth of the tree and almost immediately continue its growth. 



The subsequent lateral branches must be pruned or removed 

 according to the purposes the tree is desired to fulfil, but in order that 

 there be as little waste of sap as possible, they should be removed 

 when quite young. 



Ornamental and flowering shrubs require frequent pruning. In 

 the case of the former, sufficient only should be removed to preserve 

 the shape of the shrub unless it has become scraggy, when severe 

 pruning is necessary. For the latter the secateurs may be used fre- 

 quently and more drastic treatment may be given them. 



The pruning of flowering shrubs can be done immediately the 

 flowers have faded but the best and most favourable time to do so is 

 is at the commencement of the rainy season. They may then 

 receive a severe pruning without causing so great a check as when 

 done at any other time of the year. 



When a shrub or tree has been pruned, it should immediately 

 receive a liberal dressing of manure, either by mulching or by digging 

 it lightly into the soil. Well decayed leaves and old cow-manure 

 mixed together is the most suitable manure for this purpose. 



The following list comprises a few Ornamental and flowering 

 plants which require such pruning: — Acalyphas ; Aiigelonia salicarae- 

 foUa : Arisiolochia^ (a few); Beloperone oblongata; Bougainvilleas ; 

 Brunfelsia ; Clerodendrons ; Congeas ; Crossandra ; Daedalacanthus ; 

 Dura Ufa; Era>itfieiiiiun (except E. Malacce/isis); Cryptostegia ; Excae- 

 caria bicolor ; Galphimia glaiica ; Graptophyllum (Caricature plant); 

 Hibiscus (all); Holmskioldia ; Ipomoea carnea ; Ixoras ; Jasminum (slight); 

 Jatropha; Latitanas ; Murraya (slight); Mussaendas ; Quisqualis in- 

 diga (Drunken sailor); Nerium ; Palicourea gardenioides ; Petraea 

 v&lubilis ; Plumbago rosea (frequently); Rondoletia odorata (slight) 

 Russelias ; Sanchezia nobilis ; Panax fruticosusiaW vavs.); Strobilantlies 

 Dyerianus ; Tecoma stans ; Thunbergia erecta;and Wormias. 



J. W. ANDERSON. 



IN UNKNOWN PAPUA. 



Mr. Staniforth Smith's Tour. 



London, Feb. l6. 

 Mr. Staniforth Smith, Administrator of the Territory of Papua, 

 lectured this week before the Royal Geographical Society on his 

 recent adventurous journey through the Western District of Papua. 

 Here are some notable results of his adventures which prove that the 

 terra incognita consisting of huge up-raised coral be Is has a larger 

 area of elevated land than any other discovered in the ttrritory. 



