Culture of the Mitsa CavcndishW. 141 



the cause of their song; and they often deceived themselves, as 

 well as me, in this respect : at least, there was a striking instance 

 of it, when, from the continued drought of last summer, the 

 plants were obliged to be watered every day: if a drop by chance 

 fell from the watering-pot on the chin of any of the leaf-frogs, 

 they raised their voices in all the varieties of tones, and seemed 

 perfectly happy. On such occasions other leaf- frogs joined in 

 the song, which had not received any drop from the watering- 

 pot, and probably only did so from the example of their com- 

 panions. Later in the season, when the weather changed, and 

 heavy clouds darkened the horizon, the concerts of my frogs 

 never ceased. In all creeks and corners, in every plant thickly 

 clothed with leaves, whether high or low, they poured out their 

 song : not, indeed, very melodiously, but not in discordant tones, 

 and certainly to the best of their ability. A friend on a visit 

 was often agreeably surprised by a hundred unexpected voices, 

 which suddenly saluted his ears, as if by magic, from behhid 

 him, before him, near him, and on all sides. [Garten Zeitimg, 

 No. 45., 1836.) 



Art. X. On the Culture of the Mtisa CavendisliW, as practised at 

 Chatsworth. By Joseph Paxton, F.L.S., H.S., &c. 



[If any of our readers have forgotten, or should not be fully 

 aware of, the interest which attaches to the culture of the Musa 

 Cavendish// as a new atove fruit, we request they will turn to 

 Vol. XII. pp. 316. and 618. In November last, we wrote to Mr. 

 Paxton, requesting to know whether the plant was still promising 

 to answer his expectations. We have alluded to Mr. Paxton's 

 answer in Vol. XII. p. 619., and the following is the letter itself. 

 We have subsequently written to Mr. Paxton on the subject, 

 and his answer, dated Jan. 29., is confirmatory of what is con- 

 tained in this letter.] 



The Musa Cavendish/z is progressing beyond any expectation 

 I had formed of it in April last : when the fruit ripened off in 

 May, -a young one started from the bottom of the plant, which 

 is now (Nov. 8. 1836.) of the following dimensions : — At the soil, 

 or round the base of the stem, 2 ft. 6 in.; one foot from the 

 soil, 2 ft. 1 in. ; two feet from the soil, 1 ft. 9 in. ; extreme height 

 of the plant, 7 ft. The leaves average 4 ft. long each, and 2 ft. 

 6 in. broad : it has every appearance of showing fruit now, which 

 will, no doubt, ripen about May next. From the extraordinary 

 size of the stem, I expect a spike of fruit weighing at least 30 

 or 40 lb. The plant has had plenty of tub room, and plenty of 

 water. The soil used is rich loam, with a little well-rotted dung. 

 The temperature for this plant has been not quite so high as 



