194 Domestic Notices. 



is reckoned that, within thirty years of the Cactus being planted, culti- 

 vation may commence on the lava fields." — A. J. D. 



Vigo?- of annual growth in the Alder {A'lnus serru'ata). The effect of 

 ringing, girdling, or of a ligature round the living and growing stems of 

 plants and shrubs, is well known. The sap ascending by the usual mode, 

 meets with an obstacle in its descent through the alburnum and bark, 

 and becomes turpid, swelling out above the interruption into a callous or 

 knot. While collecting the cocoons of" Attacus Promethea,"a few days 

 ago, my attention was attracted to a permanent and strong ligature 

 around the vigorous branch of the common alder, on which the insect 

 of the preceding year (1834) had spun and suspended itself in its silken 

 cradle. The eniire growth of one summer had been completed, and the 

 silken band was still strong. The circumference of the upper part of 

 the branch was rather more than double that beneath the suspended 

 cocoon, though each must have made its annual increase of wood. — R. 



Desideratum. — A practical essay on the successfid cultivation of ranun- 

 culuses and anemonies in pots, would be very interesting to a lover of 

 those splendid productions of floral skill. 



(^uere. — Has the Ferbena melindres (chamaedrifolia Sivt.), ever produced 

 seed in our green-houses or in the open air, or any attempts been made 

 to produce varieties? 



Enkianthus quinquejlora. — " Drawings and specimens of Enkianthus 

 quinqueflora were first brought to England under the name of Androme- 

 da arborea, in 1794, as no small plants were purchasable at Canton in 

 the previous year, but living plants were received in this country in 

 1812. No plant is moie regarded by the Chinese as a domestic orna- 

 ment than this when in flower. Small branches are sold in the streets 

 of Canton about the first of March, and nearly for the same pui'pose 

 as the holly and mistletoe are sold in London before Christmas, viz., 

 for decorating places of worship, and for placing beibre the images of 

 Joss, in their houses. The branches are cut from the trees just before 

 the flower buds are expanded, and placed in vesselsof water, where they 

 bloom beautifully. The flower buds being terminal, and each containing 

 four, five, or six flowers of a delicate pink color, hang gracefully from 

 the point of every sprig. Every street window is more or less decorated 

 with these flowers in the season, which shows that there must be vast 

 numbers of the trees in the vicinity of the city, and yet not one small 

 plant could be found in their nurseries in the spring of the year 1794, 

 though twenty dollars were oftered for a potted plaiit. Another species, 

 the E. reticulata, was added to our collection in 1822, and, as they are 

 nearly deciduous trees, hope may be entertained that they may be in time 

 inured to our climate." — British Cyclopedia, Div. JVatural History, part 21. 

 —A. J. D. 



The poicer of the prevailing ivinds in diverting trees from a perpendicidar 

 position is very observable on the high plains in this vicinity. Large and 

 strong elms, as well as more pliant species, are inclined towards the 

 north-east, in very perceptible degrees. The quick growing kinds of 

 fruit, particularly the pear, form, in some instances, almost perfect boivs ; 

 and it is curious to see the power of nature completely bafiling the inge- 

 nuity of man, to overcome, by props and stakes and other means, the 

 evident proneness to a more eratic growth. The south-west wind has 

 the most influence. — Soidh Hingham. — R. 



Bouquet Tendre Hyacinth. — We have now several bulbs of this most 

 magnificent variety in fine bloom. On one we have counted the innnense 

 number of thirteen spikes, the bells amounting to nearly two hundred. It 

 is one of most valuable varieties for forcing, and is a more profuse flowerer 

 than any that we have ever cultivated. — Conds. 



Gardening in Algiers. — There is a garden of experiment aifd natu- 



