10 July, 1919.] Ornamental Australian Flora. 427 



All wattle seeds are specially provided with a strong moisture and air- 

 resisting coat, so that they will retain their vitality for a great many 

 years. The age of wattle seeds need not debar any one from planting 

 them, for they will grow if planted half a century or even longer after 

 gathering. The hardiness of acacia seeds may be judged when R. H. 

 Cambridge, F.L.S., records that on one occasion a seed of Acacia 

 Famesiana germinated after having been soaked in sea water for 

 three and three-quarter years. It was then placed in boiling water, 

 and in seven days after planting the seedling appeared. Another seed 

 was kept in sea water for three months and planted after a soaking in 

 boiling water. This seed remained in the soil for 23 months and then 

 germinated. Some seeds germinate more readily than others, notably 

 Acacia armata (the Hedge Acacia), the seeds of which grow so freely 

 that it has become a pest in many places. 



If the seeds are placed in a cup aud boiling water poured over them, 

 and they are left soaking all night, they may be planted in sandy soil 

 the next morning. 



When the seedlings are a couple of inches in height they may be 

 transplanted into small pots, and in three or four weeks the young 

 plants will be ready for planting out. The younger the plant at the 

 time of planting, the quicker and better will be the resultant growth. 



Structure of the Wattle Flower. 



If a round head or 'spike of wattle flower be examined, particularly 

 when in bud, it will be noticed that the structure is very knobby, there 

 being many very small globular knobs present. Each of these knobs 

 represents a bud, so that, when opened, a round globular flower-head 

 of wattle is not one flower only, but it is composed of many individual 

 flowers, each very small. This partially explains the nom-lasting 

 qualities of the flowers. Although, if protected in a bag or tin or by 

 paper when gathered, and the stems dipped in boiling water as soon 

 as possible after cutting, the flowers will keep fresh for quite a long 

 time. 



Best Australian Wattles. 



It is not here jDossible to discuss any large proportion of the many 

 beautiful wattles with which Australia is endowed. That would take 

 a book in itself. Many splendid species, such as Acacia notahilis. 

 Acacia subporosa, and others, have not yet been brought into culti- 

 vation. But a list of a few of the very best is given hereunder in alpha- 

 betical order. The month named as the blossoming time is approximate 

 (as, like all other plants, the wattles differ in localities and positions 

 in their flowering season), and is for Melbourne — Sydney, Brisbane, 

 and Adelaide would be earlier, and Hobart later. 



The Plant Karnes Committee of the Field Naturalists' Club of 

 Victoria is at present engaged in revising a list of common names for 

 all native plants. ■ Many acacias, especially those not found in Victoria, 

 have not yet received a general common name. Therefore, in the 

 following list where no -common name is given, it will be understood 

 that such has not yet been agreed upon : — 



Acinacea (Gold Dust Acacia). — Dwarf, good for hedges, small 

 roundish foliage, yellow flowers. September. 



