in the Palm-Stove of the Rcyal Botanic Garden. 199 



8 inclies. The smaller size of the leaves made now may 

 probahly be an indication of diminishing vigour, owing to 

 the great age of the tree ; otherwise it appears to be 

 perfectly healthy, and is developing numerous young leaves 

 and abundance of flowers and fruit. The latter is produced 

 in such quantity that it requires to be cut off occasionally 

 to prevent the tree from exhausting itself. Ten years 

 ago it was moved to its present position in the centre 

 of what was formerly the old Palm-house, and was 

 grown until last spring in a wooden box 7 feet 10 inches 

 square by 5 feet deep, and rested on the floor of the house, 

 which formed the bottom. Owing to the heat and moisture 

 the box had become very much decayed, showing the roots 

 of the plant protruding in several places ; it therefore 

 required to be furnished with a new box. As the tree was 

 resting on the floor, and in the best possible position, in 

 the centre of the house, where it gets the light all round, 

 no advantage was to be gained by moving it. Instead of 

 the usual wooden tub, it was thought advisable to have a 

 permanent structure built round it. When the square 

 boards were removed to allow of this being done, a dense 

 mass of roots was disclosed. The corners were carefully 

 forked out, and any old soil that could be got at taken 

 away. The whole ball was then covered with mats, and 

 soaked with water. A stone tub or wall 34 feet 6 inches 

 in circumference, 18 inches thick at bottom, tapering off 

 to 12 inches at top, and 5 feet deep, was then built round 

 it ; openings were left at the bottom for drainage, and 

 spaces round the sides for Ferns and other plants to grow 

 in when the building was finished, and additional drainage 

 material and fresh soil were inserted; Ferns, Ficus stijou- 

 laris, and other plants, were planted round the sides and 

 margin so as to cover the stonework. Being circular it 

 takes up less room than formerly, and has also a much 

 better appearance. Regarding the age of this tree, the 

 late Mr ]\t'Nab gave some interesting facts in a com- 

 munication to this Society in 1874.* He says: — " This tree 

 cannot be less than sixty years old. It was removed from 

 the stove of the old Botanic G-arden at Leith Walk, in 

 1822, and was kept in a lean-to house in the present garden 



* Trans. Bot. Soc., vol. xiL p. 221. 



