24 Gardening in Egypt. 



E. Corallodendron The Red Bean Tree. A small 

 bushy tree with large sprays of brilliant red flowers, 

 which open before the leaves appear. It grows freely 

 in Cairo, where it a striking object in February 

 and March. 



E. Indica. A larger specimen than the two pre- 

 ceding trees, common throughout Egypt, bearing in 

 Spring, before the leaves appear, clusters of scarlet 

 flowers, at the end of its branches. It is one of the 

 trees that are grown to give shade to vanilla planta- 

 tions. Most of the Erythrinas strike freely from 

 cuttings in the early Spring. 



Eucalyptus glpbulus. A large tree in Cairo, often 

 bearing two distinct kinds of leaves. The Eucalypti, 

 unlike all other hardwooded trees, are remarkable 

 for the rapidity of their growth, and the large 

 quantity of water they absorb ; hence they are 

 admirably suited for planting in damp, malarious, 

 districts. 



Amongst them rank the tallest trees in the world. 



E. resinifolia, E. amygdalina, and many others 

 grow freely from seed, and thrive in sheltered places. 



Ficus. For the purpose of shade, few trees are 

 more suitable than the many species of Fici, and as 

 their wants and requirements are comparatively small, 

 they readily find a place in almost every Egyptian 

 garden. Some varieties propagate easily from cuttings, 

 or from seed, but the best and quickest method is by 

 taking the suitable branches and making a cut at a 

 node or joint, half-way through the wood, in an upward 

 direction. The cut should be kept from healing, by 

 having a small piece of tile or stone placed within it, 

 and a divided flower-pot or tin vessel filled with 

 moist sandy soil, should be securely tied round the 

 portion of the branch operated upon, and kept moist. 



This is one of the safest ways of propagation, and 

 may be applied to all trees and shrubs that are difficult 

 to strike from cuttings. It invariably proves successful, 

 and the branch being only partly cut through, allows 



