NEW AND KAKK PLANTS. 211 



the trees, whether in the borders or in tubs and pots, a top dressing of the rich 

 compost before mentioned, this is of the greatest advantage in swelling the fruit, 

 and it is done in the following manner. The earth above the roots is moved with 

 a small hand fork, taking care not to disturb any part of the roots ; all the loose 

 earth is then removed clear to the roots, and replaced with the compost. This 

 operation I have performed for the last six years, on the trees in the borders, and 

 l<i it 1 principally attribute my success in producing such fine and abundant crops. 

 With respect to pruning the trees, I do not know that regular directions can be 

 given for the work, but I will state in what manner the trees at Shipley are heated. 

 Early in February they are looked over ; at that time it is apparent what wood is 

 likely to be fruitful, and as a certain quantity cf old branches are yearly cut away 

 I take out those which seem least promising, and so make room for the younger 

 and more productive wood. If the frees afterwards grow very strong, the shoots 

 are shortened according to their strength, in the same way as Peach bees are shor- 

 tened. Thus the branches pruned are not only fruitful, but they are restrained to 

 any shape desired, for no sort of fruit trees Dear the knife more patiently than 

 those I am treating of. There is some nicety required in thinning and arranging 

 the crop. When the fruits are about the size of Green Gages, it is proper to thin 

 them. Two fruits should never be left together, for they would neither be fine nor 

 well formed; the quantity left to ripen must also depend on the age and strength 

 of the tree. The thinnings have no pulp when of the size above mentioned, and 

 arc much esteemed by the confectioner, making excellent preserves. 



The fruit wliich I exhibited to the Society was part of the produce of 1818, 

 which was particularly great in that year, nineteen of the older trees yielded two 

 hundred and seventy-eight dozen of ripe fruit, being nearly fifteen dozen on an 

 avenge to each bee. This quantity was thus produced .- the Citron tree in the 

 greenhouse bore eight dozen, each Citron measuring from fourteen inches and a 

 half to sixteen inches and a half in circumference ; three China Orange trees, viz., 

 one in the greenhouse, and two in the conservatory, had sixty dozen of fruit, some 

 of wliich measured thirteen inches round ; six Seville Orange trees, viz., one in 

 tin 1 greenhouse, tlnee in the conservatory, and two in tubs, bore one hundred and 

 forty dozen of fruit; seven Lemon trees, viz., three in the conservatory, three in 

 the greenhouse, and one in a tub, had fifty dozen of fruit ; and from two Lime 

 trees, which were then in tubs, but which are now in the borders, as above men- 

 tioned, twenty dozen of fruit were obtained. The crop was not so large last year, 

 I did not expect it would be so, but the Citron yielded seven dozen of fruit; one 

 of them Mr. Mundy sent to the Society in December last, it was seventeen inches 

 oad a half in circumference. The produce of the other different trees was fine, 

 not only as respected its appearance, but the excellence of its quality. The trees 

 this year promise an abundant crop. — Horticultural Transactions. 



LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 



Noticed since our last. 



I. Acacia vestita, Cunningham's Acacia. (Pax. Mag. of Bot.) Linnasan 

 Class, Polygamia; Order, Monaecia; Natural Order, Leguminosa?. This very 

 profuse and handsome flowering species was introduced in 1820 from New Hol- 

 land, by Mr. Cunningbame. It is a highly ornamental plant; the flowers are pro- 

 duced in immense numbers upon pendant racemose spikes, half a foot long ; thev 

 are of a line bright yellow colour, and the plant when in bloom resembles a yellow 

 pyramid, being in such masses, relieved by a sprinkling of dark green foliage. 

 The plant grows to the height of six feet, and deserves a situation in every conser 

 thouse; it blooms from April to June. This species maj be pro 

 cured at most of the principal nurseries. The plant flourishes well in a mixture 

 of rich loam and peat — and to have plenty of pot-room, as it grows rapidly it will 

 ire frequent repotting ; this is requisite with all the Acacias. Annin from 

 ahnzo to sharpen some of the species being very thorny. 



