230 Notes and Gleanings. 



feru7n, C. Koch) only produces branches from the flowering stem. In order to 

 prove it, I removed all the panicles of flowers from a young tree flowering for 

 the first time : the result was, that the main stem increased in height, and de- 

 veloped a new canopy of fine foliage ; but no lateral branches were produced as 

 obtained with those permitted to flower as usual. Those desirous of growing 

 the waratah in perfection should not permit a flower to be gathered or otherwise 

 destroyed. Many who are aware of the habit of this highly ornamental plant 

 have some magnificent specimens in their gardens, attracting attention by their 

 rich and brilliant mass of bright-crimson blossoms. 



The waratah thrives in a poor, sandy soil, well exposed to light and air. The 

 usual time of flowering is in September (the early spring in New South Wales), 

 and it continues for nearly two months. There are two kinds of flowers, — one, 

 the normal state, of a deep, rich crimson, calyx segments tipped with white. 

 The blossoms, when just expanding, are of a delicate light pink, a rose-color, 

 gradually changing to a more or less deep-crimson hue. — Dr. G. Bennet in 

 Journal of Botany. 



ACROPHYLLUM VENOSUM CULTURE. — This plant requires a light and airy 

 situation in a cool house, to be well supplied with water when growing, and at 

 all times to have the soil moist. A compost of two-thirds sandy peat, and one- 

 third turfy loam, with a free admixture of sand, will grow it well. Good drain- 

 age is essential ; and not less so are light and air plentifully furnished. The 

 plant should be potted in spring after flowering, and may then be cut in as 

 required, to give it a suitable shape. It is not hardy, but requires a house 

 in winter from which frost is excluded, otherwise it cannot be kept too cool in 

 winter. It is the better of a cold pit or frame in summer. 



Causes of Grapes Shanking. — There is, perhaps, no malady to which 

 grapes are subject which has given rise to more difference of opinion than that 

 termed shanking. This is not surprising, if, as is probable, almost any thing 

 which militates against the health of a vine may produce it. 



Shanking may be described as the death of the footstalk which unites the 

 berry to the bunch, or part of the main stalk to which the footstalks of the ber- 

 ries are attached. The effect is to prevent single berries, or the part or whole 

 of a bunch of grapes, coming to perfection, by the stoppage of the necessary 

 supply of sap ; thus destroying the hopes of the cultivator at a period when he 

 feels secure of success. 



Nothing is more certain than that either a low wet border will cause shank- 

 ing, or that a soil totally unfit to grow grapes will produce it ; but I am more 

 than ever convinced that many a border is condemned, and many a house re- 

 planted, where the fault is entirely in the mode of cultivation. 



Vines may often be seen mismanaged in the following manner : The side- 

 shoots are correctly stopped at one leaf above the fruit, but afterwards are 

 allowed to make seven or eight, or even more, leaves, which are all cut off and 

 carried away in one day. I have seen barrow-loads of shoots and foliage thus 

 removed. Now, is it possible such an amount of foliage can be removed from a 



