738 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 
[Ocr:- 215 
first acquaintance with Boarula—at least, I had never 
before distinguished him from his near relative, the 
common yellow wagtail, (M. flava or Rayi) ; but since 
Yarrell’s book on British Birds has been published, nobody 
has any excuse for being ignorant of any of the family. 
I was at first doubtful as to the species, chiefly because 
there are no signs of the black gorget on the throat, which 
I imagined could scarcely have disappeared so early in 
the autumn, though Yarrell states it to be lost in the 
winter. But I have now had so many opportunities of 
observing that I am perfectly satisfied as to the species. 
It allows me to approach within a couple of yards when J 
stand on the top stair nearly opposite the window ; and 
out of doors I can look down upon it with a small tele- 
scope from a bank above, and thence I perceive the size 
and plumage of the bird is that of Boarula decidedly. The 
bright yellow on the upper tail-crests is particularly 
striking, and the same colour is also very rich underneath. 
The throat and breast are a sort of dull buff. It is a 
larger bird than Ray’s wagtail, and seems very nearly if 
not quite equal to its pied congeners. I need only further 
mention that it paid a visit to another window yesterday 
(Sunday), where, however, it did not remain long. It 
is quite our constant guest, and I should say half an hour 
scarcely ever elapses from sunrise to sunset without our 
hearing the tapping of this feathered angel. It may annoy 
some people, but to me it shall be ever welcome ; though 
I must fain confess it would be still more welcome if its 
visits were more like what those of other angels are said to 
be, ‘‘ few and far between.’’ I have traced it down to the 
village, but I never see more than this one solitary indi- 
vidual of its kind, perched on a stone by the water’s edge, 
or running into the shallow stream to refresh itself for 
another flight to its favourite window. In conclusion, I 
will again state what I said before, that I cannot but 
regard the habit as arising from some curious peculiarity 
belonging to this species. And if any one interested in 
the above account can suggest any way of discovering the 
object or instinct of the bird it will give me pleasure to 
try it. I think I must contrive to have the window 
washed. If your readers should be inclined to consult the 
“ Zoologist’’ for particulars of the like instances I have 
alluded to, I may tell them it is published monthly by 
Van Voorst, of Paternoster Row, price 1s. ; and they will 
we it full of like entertaining information.—S. Warn- 
‘ord. 
Wood Pavement.—Some time since I addressed you 
on the subject of wood-pavement, and I regret very much 
that none of your numerous correspondents and readers 
could prevail on themselves to take the question up. It 
was at that time one of much interest, and I may say ex- 
citement. The excitement, I trust, has abated ; but the 
interest which attaches to it, I am convinced, never can, 
so long as our great metropolis and the great towns of 
the kingdom continue to be what they are,—the Emporiums 
of the world! It struck me that your columns would not 
be an unfitting vehicle of any information that might be 
offered ; and, amongst your numerous friends. I could not 
doubt there were many of science and ability, to deal with 
the subject in a manner worthy of its importance ; but 
nothing was elicited. 1 was quite in earnest, however, in 
all that I then said, and have given my mind most unre- 
mittingly to the subject ever since— with what effect remains 
yet to be proved. I have a plan of wood-pavement (per- 
fectly novel, 1 believe, in its construction), simple, and 
I should say cheap, from the facilities it offers in laying 
down, and its lasting properties; and withal, so secure to 
the passenger and traffic, that I think it can hardly fail of 
recommending itself to universal adoption: if I may so 
express myself, it must establish the principle. There is 
no dowelling, or rebating, or mortising ; yet there is com- 
pactness that nothing can disengage, with solidity, dura- 
bility, security, impermeability, applicability, facility, and 
every other ty (tie) that can be requisite for its purpose ; 
and most readily will ] communicate on the subject with 
any company or individual disposed to embark on the ex- 
periment.—H. R., Essex. 
Mildew.—1 do not doubt the statement at p. 694 
respecting the difference in ‘‘ Aecidium Berberidis, and 
species of Uredo or Puccinia.” But I expect it will be 
seen, by the enclosed, that the Barberry is subject to what 
is commonly called Mildew ; and as Mildew is contagious, 
see no reason why the common belief which J stated 
does not solve the problem that ‘* Barberry blights Corn,” 
I may observe that there are doubts (what doubts %) 
respecting the real cause of Mildew; however, it is gene- 
rally understood to be a parasitical fungus, and some 
believe it is more contagious to Peach and Nectarine trees 
having rough leaves, than smooth ones. In the ‘ Cale- 
donian Hort. Memoirs,”’ my father mentions the Noblesse 
as an instance of the latter. That, however, is not always 
the case; 1 have known that Peach infested with the pest 
almost as bad as the Red Magdalen, which is very 
Subject to Mildew.—J. Wighton. [Our worthy corre- 
Spondent has furnished an admirable example of the way 
in which false arguments are. made to seem genuine. He 
Sends some Barberry leaves covered with a fungus of the 
genus Erysiphe, calls them Mildewed, says that Mildew is 
contagious, and therefore infers that Wheat may be Mil- 
dewed by contact with a Barberry. But the Mildew of 
Wheat is not 
likel place such leaves among Wheat is 
not very likely to’ Mildew it. We really wonder that 
sensible men should not see the folly of this sort of 
argumentation. ] 
—_——__. 
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. 
Anger, in the Island of Java, June 16, 1843.—We 
anchored abreast of the little town or village of Anger this 
afternoon, and went on shore in one of the native canoes, 
of which a great number were now alongside, full of the 
varied animal and vegetable productions of the island for 
sale. In rowing through amongst these boats, I was 
much struck and amazed with their varied contents ; they 
seemed to be of all grades, some only having a few 
Bananas, Cocoa-nuts, sweet Potatoes, and Yams, to trade 
with ; while others added to these Pine-apples, Oranges, 
Shaddocks, fowls ; white, grey, and jet-black monkeys, 
squirrels, musk deer (the small [Javanese kind), minas, 
parroquets, Java sparrows, and many other articles, 
forming on the whole a very motley group to tempt those 
on board. As we rowed through them and neared the 
shore, the Cocoa-nut and Banana trees, which are growing 
in great numbers all along ‘the coast here, formed a 
striking contrast with our European vegetation, and re- 
minded us that here we were in a tropical region, in the 
land of the East, the climate of the sun. A splendid 
Banyan-tree (Ficus indica), having the flag-staff upon its 
top, is growing close by the pier or landing-place, and has 
avery pretty appearance. The Government authorities 
have some very handsome shrubs and trees growing in 
their gardens, the principal of which are the double 
Pomegranate, the Barbadoes Flower-fence (Poinciana pul- 
cherrima), Jatropha multifida, covered with its scarlet 
blossoms, and forming quite a tree, several kinds of Jus- 
ticia, Ixora coccinea, I. rosea, and Michelia champaca, 
full of its sweet-scented yellow blossoms. also observed 
a curious little water plant indigenous to Java, growing 
in the garden at the Fort, named Pistia stratiotes. The 
hills which form a half-circle round the plain on which 
Anger is built are covered with a most luxuriant vegeta- 
tion, and present to the eye a number of views of great 
beauty. The little town or village is'much scattered, 
having the houses built open and airy, a condition which 
is absolutely indispensable to the comfort and health of 
the inhabitants ina warm country like this. Here and 
there amongst the houses we observed Cocoa-nut and 
Plantain trees growing, as well as several other kinds, 
planted for the purpose of affording shade. The roads or 
avenues are very broad, straight, and generally at right 
angles near the town; some of them have hedges of the 
Coral tree (Erythrina), and others have only fences made 
of earth and turfed over, presenting the appearance of our 
common turf dykes. The Teak tree (Tectona grandis), 
and the Casuarina equisetifolia, with various other trees, 
are planted at regular distances in the fences, and the 
Casuarina particularly has a most graceful appearance. 
The prickly Pear (Opuntia vulgaris), was also growing, 
and forming fences in some places. The principal article of 
agricultural produce is Rice, which is grown in great 
quantities, particularly in the low marshy districts ; and 
here, as in China, the water is conveyed from the heights 
to irrigate the crops when necessary. The Paddy fields 
are perfectly level, and if not naturally so, are carefully 
levelled and surrounded by embankments to retain the 
water. Indian Corn, Sugar-cane, sweet Potatoes, and 
Yams, are also grown in great quantities upon the island. 
The Buffalo is used in the plough, and for various 
other agricultural purposes, but forming an opinion 
from the specimens of ploughing which came under 
my observation, they are far behind the English in this 
respect ; the plough was shallow, crooked, and very much 
below our standard of good workmanship. In our rambles 
we met hundreds of the natives coming towards the vil- 
lage from the fields, loaded with paddy, which they carry 
across their shoulders on a Bamboo-cane, in the same 
manner as the Chinese appear in the prints with their 
loads of tea-chests. The Bamboo, which grows in great 
quantities all over the woods, seems to be used for a 
variety of purposes : all the bridges which I saw were con- 
structed with it ; it made the roofs of the houses, ladders, 
doolies—a kind of sedan chair for conveying persons of 
rank from place to place—and formed the little masts for 
the boats. I was much amused at the mode which the 
natives took to cool themselves, several times during our 
ramble, in the heat of the day, when the thermometer in 
the shade stood at 90°, and when it was probably 130° 
in the sun. By the sides of thefstreams or wells of water, 
which were scattered all over the plains, ladles, made from 
the shell of the Cocoa-nut, with a handle of Bamboo, 
were left, seemingly for the public good. These the 
natives filled with water several times, and poured over 
their heads and naked bodies; immediately afterwards, 
covering themselves with their kubaya—or slight cover- 
ing, which is commonly worn round their |waist—they 
walked away seemingly much refreshed. As the Captain 
watered the ship at Anger, many of the passengers stoutly 
maintained afterwards that the water tasted strongly of 
the greasy skin of the Javanese ; it is needless to say that 
this was purely imaginary. The fruits commonly grown 
on the island, besides those already mentioned, are 
Mangosteen, Mangoes, Guavas, Sour Sop (Anona muri- 
cata), Tamarinds, and the Papaw Tree. The Cocoa-nut 
trees are, in some instances, notched at regular distances 
on the stem, by which the natives walk up with great ease 
to cut down the fruit. These trees are quite unlike their 
representatives in the stoves in England, where they rarely 
form a woody stem. In Java, the stems are woody, 
having a tuft of leaves on the top, in many instances 40 
feet from the ground. Coffee is grown in great quanti- 
ties, and forms an article of commerce. Cinnamon, Cho- 
colate, and Pepper, are also grown on the island. I had 
an opportunity of seeing the operation of husking or 
cleaning the Coffee-beans. ‘This is done in a machine 
driven round by a buffalo; the machine rolls or presses 
and ploughs up the beans alternately, by which means 
the outer covering is broken off; the beans are then 
picked and sorted by the natives. The fruit of the Areca 
is much used by the natives, and vulgarly called the Betel- 
nut, from being rolled up in the leaves of Piper Betel, and 
carried in a box like a snufl-box. They chew this nut, 
which turns their teeth quite black, and gives thema 
curious appearance to Europeans; but they consider this 
as a mark of beauty. Many beautiful well-known plants 
grow all along the shore, as well as upon the hills. Vinca 
rosea covers whole acres of ground in company with 
Ipomoea pes-Capre upon the beach ; Asclepias gigantea 
was also very abundant ; a species of Lawsonia, Guaiacum 
officinale, Screw-pine, and various other things, which I 
had seen a little farther up the coast. But the most 
beautiful plant which I saw in my rambles was a species 
of Dendrobium, very near D. secundum, with deep purple 
flowers ; it was growing on a tree fully ewposed to the 
sun and covered with blossoms.—R. 7’. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Oct. 17.—R. W. Barchard, Esq.,in the chai From Mr, Robert- 
son, gr to Mrs. Lawrence, were Eri is, and Solandra, the 
former richly covered with flowers ; a fine specir opetalum, 
rostratum, with large white labellum, striped with purple, making a 
spike of bright yellow blossoms ; Galeandra Baueri, which has kept 
blooming since the middle of August; Tetranema mexicanum, very 
useful, on account of its blooming at this season of the year, when. 
flowers are so desirable ; and Hippeastrum aulicum, with large dark 
red flowers ; and a large specimen of Sedum Sieboldii, a pretty plant, 
with drooping branches, which terminate in fine masses of flowers. 
A Banksian medal was awarded for Erica Solandra, Zygopetalum. 
rostratum, S: i and Tetranema it 
Messrs. Lucombe and Co., of Exeter, sent an excellent plant of Cym- 
bidium giganteum; this, a native of the Kast Indies, with large 
flowers, striped with a tawny brown, and said to be very fragrant, is 
supposed to be the first specimen of the species that has been seen, 
in flower in this country ; along with it was a long yellow-flowered Lo- 
belia, of no beauty. anksian medal was awarded for the former. 
ev.G.R.Rashleigh was an Anthocercis,having a tall panicle 
of small yellow star-like flowers, striped with brown ; it did not possess 
beauty enough to render it worthy of cultivation ; its seeds hai 
sent to Mr, Rashleigh from Swan River. Mr. J. W. Dawson sent a 
‘on, of Exeter, 
urpureus ; it had arrived in 
in dry cotton, which in that 
‘The best way 
een only a few 
no fewer than 10 spikes of bloom, besides the one that was sent. 
Mr. J. Murray, er to the Marquess of Bath, sent a Queen Pine-apple, 
measuring 9# inches in length, and 6 inches in diameter; the 
number of pips was 10, and it weighed 6} Ibs. ; it w: 
handsome fruit, well swelled, and with a very small crown; a Bank- 
sian medal was awarded for it. Mr. J. Roberts, gr to Matthew 
Wilson, Esq., exhibited two magnificent bunches of Muscat of 
Alexandria Grapes, which weighed respectively 2lbs. 2oz., and 2lbs. 
uinch of the white Nice, weighing no less 
tl ii i From 
Mr. T. Latter, gr to Capt. Aplin, were two g 
bunches of Black Hamburgh Grapes, weighing 2lbs, and 11b.150z ;and 
two excellent bunches of Muscats, which weighed 1b. 14oz., and 11b- 
100z.; a Banksian medal was awarded for the Museats. Mr. Scott, gr to 
Sir G, Staunton, Bart., sent fruit of the purple Guava, Psidium Cat- 
tleyanum, from a plant which has produced fruit in abundance since 
une ; also fruit of the Passiflora quadrangularis, which measured gins. 
long by 54 inches in diameter, and weighed Slbs; together with fruit 
of the Akee tree, Blighia sapida, and of the Jaurel-leaved Granadilla, 
or Water Lemon—the Pomme de Liane of the French. ‘This plant 
is a native of the West Indies, and not very frequently seen in this 
country; the pulp, which is inclosed within a very pretty orange- 
coloured rind, marked with green spots, is i 
rather acid to the taste, and agreeable in hot countries. A certificate 
was awarded for the Blighia sapida. ry. Osborn, of Fulham, 
merica of Shepherdia argenteas 
covered with fruit; it never bears fruit in this country, heevuse all» 
e been. pro f 
cured from North America, they will be most valuable hardy shrubs. | 
From John Beadnell, Esq., cm 
bling that called the Trout, or Forelle, with white spots upon a warm | 
re 
From the gardens of the Society were plants 0! 
Fuchsia Chandlerii and racemiflora, a species of Cestrum that had) 
with, 
the following plants, viz., Fabiana imbricata, Mahernia incisa, Phyl-| 
locladus ifolius, Rerberis acti ha, and Fuchsia ie 
ots about the beginning 0! 
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF 
INDIA. 
Ar a late monthly meeting a correspondence relative Rae 
variet, aoutcl termed Gutta percha or Gu 
tuban, was read. These papers, which were submitte 
Mouat, consist of a communication from Dr. W. Mon 
at Singapore, to the Medical Board, forwarding specime! 
substance, with a detail of its properties, and the prob: 
to which it may be applied; and a commun res 
Mouat to the Secretary of the Agricultural Society, ey") 
result of his i observations as to th pended: 
&ec. of the Caoutchoue. Dr. Mouat states that, from ie avaneOh 
series of experiments, he imagines the substance to eR tnOee 
of Caoutchouc, possessing some properties a gives the 
of the ordinary kind found in the market, He t! 
is of t 
