44 OFFICIAL COURESPONDENCK RELATING TO TlIK I'ARA GRASS. 



all seasons a mass of foliage, are liable to constant oscillation in 

 windy weather ; were this permitted with those large plants 

 newly transferred to their fresh quarters, the young roots could 

 not by possibility lay hold of the soil : the ball witii which they 

 were moved would soon be separated from the earth surrounding 

 it ; in winter this interstice would get saturated with wet, which 

 would occasionally get frozen, and soon rot or kill the young and 

 delicate fibres ; in spring the searcliing winds would penetrate, 

 and to a certainty prove equally fatal : therefore it becomes, with 

 these large plants, absolutely necessary to secure them against 

 being tossed to and fro. One season's protection will generally 

 accomplish this. To effectually sustain them in their position 

 three stakes at least will be required ; and as these stakes are not 

 intended to be permanent, any common fir thinnings will suf- 

 ficiently answer the purpose. Strong tar-yarn, with a collar of 

 hay round the stem to guard against friction, will be found to 

 answer the temporary end. Other modes of staking have been 

 suggested by different individuals, and some have recommended 

 chaining the p\ants in preference to either. The particular method 

 is a matter of no real importance ; but, be it what it may, nuich 

 of the ultimate success will depend upon its being efficiently 

 carried out. 



VI. — Official Correspondence relating to the Para Grass, 

 pointing out its importance as a species capable of resisting 

 great drought in hot countries. Communicated in a letter 

 to Dr. Lindley by B. Hawes, Esq., M.P. 



SlR^ Downing Street, Oct. 27, 1848. 



I am directed by Earl Grey to transmit to you, for the 



information of the Horticultural Society, the accompanying copy 



of a despatch from Colonel Eeid, lately Governor-in-Chief of 



the Windward Islands, with the communication to which it 



refers from the Inspector of Agriculture at Curagoa, relative 



to the cultivation of Para grass. It occurs to Lord Grey, that 



if this grass deserve the character given of it, and will grow in 



a somewliat cooler climate than that of the West Indies, the 



cultivation of it in Australia and the Cape of Good Hope would 



be of great value ; and his Lordship requests therefore to be 



informed whether you consider it probable that it would thrive 



in those colonies. _ , ,, 



1 have, &c. 



JDr. Lindley, (Signed) B. Hawes. 



^c. S)-c. 



