48 



FIG (Ficus carica, Linne), Syria and Persian Gulf. The most 

 useful and at the same time most hardy of half a thousand 

 recorded species of Ficus. The extreme facility with which it can 

 be propagated from cuttings, the resistance to heat, the com- 

 paratively early yield and easy culture recommends the Fig-tree, 

 where it is an object to raise masses of tree- vegetation in widely 

 treeless lands of the warmer zones for shade and fruit. Has a 

 high reputation as a drought-resisting tree. Can be grown even 

 on sand lands. Two main varieties may be distinguished ; that 

 which produces three crops a year, and that which yields but one. 

 The first crop of figs grows on wood of the preceding year ; the last 

 crop however on wood of the current year. 



THE " LOQUAT " (Photinia eriobotrya, J. Hooker, P. Japonica, 

 Frauchet and Savatier), a beautiful ornamental and quick-growing 

 evergreen shrub from China and Japan, easily raised from seed, or 

 superior varieties can be grafted not only on its own stock, but 

 also on the white thorn, or better still on the quince. Bears 

 copiously on moist places. In Australia flowers during mid-winter. 

 The flowers of this beautiful shrub are also very fragrant, and its 

 fruits are about the first to ripen, about August and September. 



MAGNOLIA. (Grandiflora or M. Acuminata). Very attractive 

 both for foliage and flower, which exude much honey-nectar for 

 bees, and are valuable for perfumeries. 



MACADAMIA TERMINALIA. Theamt tree of sub- tropical Eastern 

 Australia, attaining a height of 60ft., hardly as far South as 

 Melbourne. Bears fruit in six to eight years. The nuts have the 

 taste of hazel, a very handsome tree. Endures slight frost. 



CAMPHOR TREE (Cinnamomum camphora), China and Japan. 

 The trees are very attractive for their neat, fragrant foliage. 

 Endures a slight frost. The wood like all other parts of the tree is 

 pervaded with camphor, hence resists the attacks of insects. 



DRAGON BLOOD TREE of CANARY ISLANDS (T)racsena Draco}. 

 Will grow even on poor dry soil. An imposing feature in scenic 

 horticulture. 



MULBERRY. The White Mulberry (Morus alba, Linne) upper 

 India and Western China. Provides the food for the Chinese 

 silk-worm (Bombyx Mori.) One pound of silk may be produced 

 so far as the food of the Bombyx is concerned from thirty pounds 

 of mulberry leaves or from a single tree. Grows easily from cut- 

 tings or from well matured seeds. It is usually unisexual, and 

 attains a very large size. Spots for mulberry culture must not be 

 over moist when the leaves are to be utilised for the Bombyx. For 

 sericulture purposes the trees are planted 10ft. x 10ft., and kept at 

 t bush size, make good hedges or copses. 



The Black Mulberry (M. nigra, Linne) of Persia, grows into a 

 large tree ; valuable for its pleasant refreshing fruit, which can also 



