Febraary 18, 1369. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOSTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



m 



East; its form i3 that of a large dmpe, somewhat flattened, 

 otherwise not unlike in appearance to, though differing in 

 colour from, the fniit of the Kgg plant. The flavour resembles 

 a combination of that of the Apricot and of a fine Pear, bnt it 

 is rarely unaccompanied by a nliglit taste of turpentine. The 

 £ruit varies much in quality, according to the variety, as well 

 as to the climate in which it is grown ; it is fleshy, and more 

 or less fibrous — the better descriptions being extremely rich in 

 pulp and juice. It is considered to be a wholesome fruit 

 when the system is used to it, but requires cautious use by 

 those who are unaccustomed to it. The varieties differ in the 

 form of the leaf, and in the sizo, shape, and flavour of the fruit. 

 There is also considerable difference in the colour of the ripe 

 fruit, which varies from green to yellow, and in some cases 

 has a reddish tinge. The finer the kind the less there is of 

 fibre and more of pulp and juice, but complete maturity is 

 an important condition, as in that state only has the flavour of 

 turpentine disappeared, and that only in complete degree in 

 the best varieties. Although few of us have eaten the fresh 

 fruit, the Mango is fimiliar to many as an ingredient of great 

 excellence in Indian pickles, preserves, and chutneys. For the 

 former of these purposes the fruit is used in a partially unripe 

 state, but for the two latter at a more advanced stage of 

 matnrity. The seed, which consists of a hard stone, germinates 

 freely in moist heat. The gum which exudes from the bark, 

 and also the leaves, are used medicinally, both internally and 

 externally, for their astringent qualities, after suitable pre- 

 paration. A decoction from the seed is also said to have 

 Taluable anthelmintic properties. The root contains a bitter 

 aromatic, employed against diarrh<ii, &c. The young leaves are 

 used as a pectoral, and the old leaves for cleansing the teeth. 



" The Mango is grown in the East and West Indies, Java, 

 Ceylon, Mauritius, and in other hot and moist climates, the 

 best being said to he grown in Bombay. It is also common in 

 Madeira, where, however, it is stated not to produce abundantly 

 until the tree is ten years old. Our own experience seems to 

 indicate that if the tree can obtain a certain degree and 

 duration of heat, a moist climate is not essential to its healthy 

 growth, or the maturing of the fruit. Neither does it appear 

 to he very particular about soil. A tree fruited in the Botanic 

 Gardens under the care of Mr. Walter Hill four years ago, 

 while this year in the same place there are several trees show- 

 ing fruit. In that locality the soil is a rich and deep scrub soil. 

 In Bowen Park, on the other hand, the soil is sandy and poor, 

 and the only care which has been taken has been to mulch the 

 surface freely for retention of moisture and protection from the 

 sun. We have trees planted in various localities in the Park, 

 nnder different aspects, but they all look healthy and vigorous. 

 The two trees which are fruiting are in their fifth year, and 

 came into the Society's possession, among other plants in a 

 case from the Mauritius, presented by Sir Henry Barkly."— 

 (Brisbane Courier.) 



PORTRAITS OF PLANTS, 

 FRUITS. 



FLOWERS, AND 



CcELOGYKE (Pleione) Eeicheneachiana (Dr. Eeichenbach's 

 Pleione). Nat. ord., Orchidacea;. Linn., Gynandria Mouau- 

 dria. — Native of mountains in Arracan. Flowers pale rose, lip 

 purple-streaked. — {Bot. ^la;/., t. 57.J3.) 



Delostoma dentaia (Toothed-leaved Delostoma). Nat. ord., 

 Bignoniaceffi. Linn., Didyuamia Angiospermia. — Native of 

 Gualesca, near Cuenca, in Ecuador. Flowers white, slightly 

 rose-tinted.— (J^i'tf., t. 5754.) 



Camptopus Mannii (West African Camptopus). Nat. ord., 

 Eubiacea;. Tribe Psyohotriea\ LtHii., PentandriaMonogynia. 

 — Native of Fernando Po. A singular stove shrub, with deep 

 green, red-ribbed leaves, crimson bracts, and crimson peduncles, 

 the latter a foot long, curving downward, and bearing a scarlet 

 and white ball of flowers. — {Ibid., t. 5755.) 



ONCiDinM XANTHODON (Goldeu-toothed Oncidium). Nat. ord., 

 Orchidaceae. Linn., Gynandria Mouandria. — Native of the 

 Cordilleras of Ecuador. Imported by Messrs. Backhouse, of 

 York. Flowers chocolate brown, with golden, crisped, creuate 

 edges.— (ftiVZ., t. 5756.) 



CoB^EA PENDULiFLOitA (Pendulous-flowered Cobjea). Nat. ord., 

 Polemoniaceje. Li'/m., Peutandria Monogynia. — Native, at (iOOO 

 feet elevations, of the Caraccas Mountains. It is a slender 

 glabrous climber. Corolla green, its lobes 3 or 4 inches long ; 

 filaments of stamens purple, anthers golden ; style 6 inches 

 long, green.— (Z6ui., t. 5757.) 



Cyclamen atiiicanum (Algerian Cyclamen). Nat. ord., Pri- 

 mulace.'E. Linn., Pentandria Monogynia. — The largest of the 

 genus. Flowers white, purple at the base. Appears to be only 

 a form of C. noapolitanum. — {Ibid., t. 5758.) 



Ai.i.AMANDA xoiiii.is. — " Of the species of AUamanda, which 

 rank amongst the most gorgeous of stove oUmbers, this is cer- 

 tainly one of the finest — the noblest of all those yet known ia 

 respect to its individual flowers, and so far as experience has 

 gone, the equal of the very best of its congeners in respect to 

 prolificacy of blossom. It was introduced by Jtr. W. Bull, o£ 

 Chelsea, from the Kio Branco, in Brazil, and flowered for the 

 first time in this country in the autumn of 1^07. The flowers 

 are of a pure bright yellow, rather deeper tinted in the throat, 

 but without streaks or any other markings ; they measure from 

 •1 to 5 inches across, and have a decided aromatic magnolia- 

 like perfume ; they are, moreover, of a full circular outline, 

 quite different from that of the other cultivated species, with 

 the exception of A. grandiflora, from which the plant differs in 

 its scandent habit of growth. Those features, together vrith 

 the membranous hairy leaves, the pubescent calyx, and pu- 

 bescent exterior surface of the coroUa, and, moreover, the dis- 

 similar shape of the latter, mark it as distinct." — [Florist and 

 Pomoloijist, 3 s., ii., 25.) 



GARDENING IN TOWNS. 



As a rule. Hyacinths flower best in pots when one bulb only 

 is grown in each pot. The most useful size of pot is one 

 5 inches in diameter and the same ia depth, or what is com- 

 monly termed a 43-sized pot. The compost should consist of 

 good rich loam, one-third decayed leaf mould, and a little 

 rotten dung mixed well together, with a little sand. In potting, 

 after covering the drainage hole with a piece of broken pot, 

 and this again with other pieces, or cinders from which the 

 ashes have been sifted, fill the pot sufficiently with soil to 

 receive the bulb, and place the latter with its top an inch below 

 the rim of the pot. This done, place the compost round the 

 bulb to within an inch of the rim, so as to allow for watering. 

 October is the best time for planting. 



Put the bulbs in a cellar or out of doors as may be conve- 

 nient, and cover them with leaf mould, cocoa-nut fibre refuse, 

 or soil, to a depth of 2 inches above the bottom of tho pot. If 

 they are in a cellar, and the soil becomes dry, give them a little 

 water. When they have grown 2 inches bring them to the 

 light, and place them where they are intended to bloom. 

 Attend to watering when the soil looks dry ; if they are in a 

 very warm room they will require water every day. 



If you have the convenience of a small frame, and wish to 

 bring the Hyacinths into bloom about Christmas, make up a 

 little hotbed, and when the heat is about the same as that of 

 new milk put on the top some light soil, leaf mould, or cocoa- 

 nut fibre. Plunge the pots, and keep them close, except where 

 there is much steam, in which case insert a small wedge below 

 the sash to let out the steam. When the bulbs have pushed 

 from 3 to 4 inches take out the pots, wash them, and put them 

 in the window. By this treatment you will have an early 

 bloom. 



In selecting the bulbs see that they are sound at the top and 

 bottom, and weigh them in your hand ; if they do not feel 

 heavy do not buy them, hut choose those which weigh most. 



The single varieties are the most certain to bloom freely, 

 and they produce better spikes than the double sorts if grown 

 in glasses. To grow Hyacinths in these, put the bulbs in the 

 glasses in September, fill the latter with water, and place them 

 in a cupboard or some other dark place. Let the base of the 

 bulbs just touch the water, and look at them occasionally to 

 see if the water has evaporated to such an extent as not to 

 touch the bulb, and if it has, fill up occasionally. If the water 

 become dirty, carefully pour it out and fill up again. Soft 

 water is the best to employ if you can obtain it. When the 

 bulbs have pushed sufficiently to show the leaves, remove the 

 glasses to the window where you wish to place the Hyacinths 

 but do not put them on the mantel-shelf, as the heat of the 

 fire will soon spoil them. Take them from tho windows at 

 night if the weather is frosty. If they become drawn up too 

 much take a thin copper wire, twist it round under the rim of 

 the glass, beud it over the top, and fasten the stem to it after 

 cutting the wire to the heiglit you require. This will pre- 

 vent the bulb from falling out of tho glass, and will keep the 

 spike upright. 



The following varieties are certain to bloom freely both in 



