380 VILLA GARDENING part iv 



The fruits vary iu size, the largest approaching the size of a Phiiii, 

 but some are much smaller, esiiecially when the tree is bearing a 

 heavy crop. Liquid manure may be given freely when the fruits 

 are swelling. They may be propagated by cuttings, layers, and 

 seeds. The species named above is the kind used in the manufac- 

 tui'e of the Guava jelly of commerce. It is very easily cultivated, 

 and not only is it a handsome shrub growing some 20 feet high, 

 but its fruit furnishes a nice change for the dessert. When it 

 ripens too fast for that purpose it may be converted into jelly. 



Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis). — This succeeds well in 

 a warm, light house. I have grown it in a conservatory, and 

 though it bore freely enough, the fruit did not ripen well ; the 

 rinds were so thick that there was little room loft for pulp. A 

 stove with a night temperature of 60° to 65° in winter is the 

 proper place to get thin-skinned fruit. Tlie plants may occupy a 

 large pot or tub, but they do Ijcst planted out in a border in loam 

 and peat in c<pial parts. The main stem should be led up into the 

 roof, and, when there, allowed all the freedom possible or consistent 

 with the welfare of other plants growing beneath or near. Some- 

 times it is necessary to fertilise the flowers artificially, but usually 

 in a well-ventilated house iu summer the agency of insects and the 

 currents of air effect this. It is propagated from cuttings of the 

 young wood, when getting firm iu summer, in sandy peat, and 

 plunged in bottom -heat. When the fruits begin to put on the 

 dark purple tint, which denotes ripening, they are ready to gather 

 for preserving, which should be done whole in sugar. They make 

 an excellent dish in this way, and are also very good when they 

 hang till ciuite ripe. As a dessert fruit I consider Passiflora edulis 

 to be superior to many things served up. 



Cape Gooseberry (Physalis edulis).— This is not generally 

 grown, though its cultui-e is easy, and it makes a nice dish occasion- 

 ally. If a small house can be set apart for it, it is best planted 

 out, and treated somewhat like the Tomato — i.e. trained up near 

 the glass, and the roots confined within a small bed or pit to pre- 

 vent too ram^mnt growth. Cuttings of the young shoots root 

 quickly at any season ; and if strong plants are set out in a low 

 span -roofed house or pit in January, a supply of fruit may be 

 gathered all the smnmer and autumn. Liqiiid manure should be 

 given as soon as the plants come into bearing. Turfy loam slightly 

 enriched forms the best compost. If a house cannot be allotted to 

 it, the plants may be shifted on into 10-inch pots and placed in a 

 light house near the glass. As regards temperature the Physalis 

 is very accommodating. It will succeed in a warm house, or, when 

 the summer advances and the weather becomes warm and settled, 



