74 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



[Societelmperialeet Centrale D 'Horticulture. Paris, Mars, 1858. Napoleon III., Protecteur.] 



NYMPH^A GIGANTEA, 



So named by Hooker, is a native of New Holland, was first discovered 

 by Bidwell, in the northeast part of that immense island, in the district of 

 Wide Bay. 



In 1852 miny English gardeners had obtained it, by the name of Victoria 

 Fitzroyana, from seeds. 



Van Houtte got it, and in 1854 it went into many gardens. It first 

 flowered in Van Houtte's aquarium in 1854, yielding in succession a great 

 number of its beautiful flowers. The native flower is a foot in diameter, 

 and some have seen it eighteen inches in diameter. It belongs to the sec- 

 tion established by Planchon, by the name oiCyanea, in which are arranged 

 all the blue flowers known to this day. 



ON WATERING TREES, &c. 



Several members expressed their opinion that watering the roots of trees 

 was not so good for them as sprinkling the leaves. 



Mons. Janin said that the efi"ect of the latter was better than watering 

 deeply the soil at the bottom of a tree. 

 • Instances of the injurious effect of the latter were given by members. 



New works on agriculture and horticulture, and the Transactions of their 



societies, to the number of seventy-six, were announced as added to the 



library. 



A SEED ASSORTING MACHINE. 



By adequate revolution and current of air, seeds are readily assorted 

 into three distinct lots. The good heavy seeds, next in density, and the 

 third, the lightest seed. 



The velocity of this machine is necessarily uniform during the opera- 

 tion. The best results are obtained by thirty revolutions per minute. 

 The most weighty and dense seeds produce more and of better quality. 

 Such seeds alone, being planted a few successive j^ears, we shall have much 



better crops. 



GRAPES OF ALGERIA. 



At the last exhibition in the Crystal Palace, in 1856, wine from Algerian 

 grapes was exhibited. It is there an entirely new culture. Our vines have 

 been introduced there ; many varieties were exhibited. White and red 

 wines, dessert liquors, dry wines, like the sherry, (Xeres) and Paxarete; 

 some generous wines, rich in quality and perfume ; a most agreeable Bou- 

 quet I The Algerians want experience, but they will soon have the best 

 wines. The judges preferred those from M. Michaiid of La Senia, and M. 

 Castelli of Birkadem. A still more recent article has been introduced into 

 Algeria, viz: The Sorgho Sucre, of which they use the fodder for stock; 

 make excellent alcohol, next, to that from grapes. Tobacco and mulberry, 

 promise largely for the future. Opium of excellent quality is raised. The 

 madder is rich in color. Orange trees are the richest fruit bearers of Al- 

 geria, and will soon produce great profits. The citrons and lemons are 

 very fine. 



