^ 



1844.] 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



507 



'\ 



shining, sligtnly-dentated leaves. The myrrh, called 

 HofalC Ao ws freely from any wound, in the form of a 

 milky juice, possessing a perceptible acidity, which either 

 evaporates or becomes chemically changed during the 

 formation of the gum. The seasons for collecting it are 

 in January, when the buds appear after the first rain ; 

 and in March, when the seeds are ripe. Every passer-by 

 transfers such portions of it as he may find to the hollow 

 boss of his shield, and exchanges it for a handful of 

 Tobacco with the next slave-dealer whom he meets on 

 the caravan- route. The merchants also of the sea-coast, 

 before returning from Abyssinia, send into the forests that 

 gird the western bank of the river Hawash, and bring 

 away considerable quantities of the Hofali, which is sold 

 at a high price. The natives administer it to their horses 

 in cases of fatigue and exhaustion. The shrub which pro- 

 duces the balm of Mecca( Balsamodendron Opobalsamum), 

 is found on the opposite Arabian coast at Cape Aden, 

 where it is called Besh&n, either the original of or a de- 

 rivative from the word Balsam. It is the Balessan of 

 Bruce, who did not meet with the true Myrrh tree. The 

 balm flows copiously from any incision, and the ethereal 

 oil speedily evaporating, a tasteless gum remains. The 

 Frankincense, Major Harris state-!, is found chiefly along 

 the Somauli coast, in the neighbourhood of Cape Gnarda- 

 fui. At Bunder Maryah, 20 miles to the S.W. of lias 

 Feeluk, the mountains are three miles from the shore, and 

 attain a height of 5000 feet. Ascending 1000 feet, a plain 

 presents itself, bounded on every side by precipitous 

 mountains, studded with the Frankincense and Gum- 

 Acacia-trees, although looking bare, from the total absence 

 of underwood. The Frankincense-trees invariably grow 

 from the bare and smooth sides of the white marble rocks, 

 or from isolated blocks of the same scattered over the 

 plain, without any soil whatever. From the base of the 

 trunk, and about treble its diameter, a round thick sub- 

 stance is thrown out, of a nature between bark and wood, 

 adhering most firmly to the stone, and resembling at a 

 distance a mixture of mortar and lime. The stem rises 

 from the centre of this mass, and having first taken abend 

 outwards of several inches, rises straight to a height of 40 

 feet. It throws out from the top short branches covered 

 with a very bright green foliage, the leaves being narrow 

 and rounded at the end, five or six inches in length by 

 one broad, and crimped like the frill of a shirt, or rather 

 like the sea-weed called by children on the English 

 coast " the old gentleman's ruffles." The usual girth of 

 the stem is from a foot to eighteen inches. The bark is 

 perfectly smooth and consists of four distinct layers, the 

 outermost of which is very thin ; the two next of a sin- 

 gularly fine texture, resembling oiled letter-paper, perfectly 

 transparent, of a beautiful amber colour, and used by the 

 Somaulis to write upon ; and the innermost about an inch 

 thick, of a dull reddish hue, tough, and not unlike leather, 

 but yielding a strong aromatic perfume. The wood is 

 white and soft. On making a deep incision into the inner 

 rind, the gum exudes profusely, of the colour and con- 

 sistence of milk, but hardening into a mass by exposure 

 to the air. The young trees produce the best and most 

 valuable gum, the older merely yielding a clear, glutinous 

 fluid resembling copal varnish, and exhaling a strong 

 resinous odour. During the S.W. monsoon the pastoral 

 tribes in the neighbourhood of Ras Feeluk collect large 



Juantities of frankincense, which they barter with the 

 ndian Banyans, of whom a few reside af the villages 

 along the Abyssinian coast. Boats from Macuila, and 

 from other parts of the Arabian coast also, come across 

 during the fine season, and carry away the gums that have 

 been accumulated, in exchange for a coarse kind of cotton 

 cloth which is worn by the shepherds. — Annals of Natural 

 History. 



Horticulture of Auckland in New Zealand. — No 

 country la the world seems to he better adapted to Hor- 

 ticulture than New Zealand : the alternations of shower 

 and sunshine that characterise the climate for a great part 

 of the year, cause a most surprising vegetation. All the 

 common fruits and vegetables of Europe flourish in great 

 perfection, and some of the southern climates grow vigor- 

 ously in the open air. Fruits. — There are plauted at pre- 

 sent in this district, Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Al- 

 monds, Fins, Lemons, Oranges, Olives. Vines, Plums, 

 Cherries, Mulberries, Pears, Apples, Quinces, Walnuts, 

 Filberts, and the Loquat (Mespilus Japonien). These are 

 all in a healthy stare, and many give promise of fruit this 

 season. It is doubtful if the Orange will ripen its fruit, 

 or the Olive, both of which however are in a thriving con- 

 dition. The Vine plants brought from Sydney in Oc- 

 tober, 1840, have already produced Grapes, and others 

 procured from different sources, and planted subsequently 

 in gardens, have thriven surprisingly. The cul nation of 

 the Vine on a large scale is a subject that might be en- 

 larged upon, but as it is expensive, and the return tardy, 

 it is not likely to be attended to in the infancy of a 

 colony, but it should not be lost sight of, and it is to be 

 hoped that some enterprising and competent person may 

 yet undertake it, for there can be no doubt that the vol- 

 canic lands in this vicinity are well adapted for vineyards. 

 and that good wine might be made from their produce. 

 The Gooseberry, red and black Currant, have been 

 planted, but it is probable that the climate of this district 

 is not adapted to them, as a long continued high tem- 

 perature would seem to be unsuited to their habits ; 

 being natives of northern climates, they do not thrive, but 

 probably means may be found to cultivate these national 

 fruits. The same may be said of the Raspberry, unless 

 planted in a very moist and shady situation. The Straw- 

 berry has afforded fine crops in some gardens, but the soil 

 in general appears unsuitable : they generally run too 

 much to leaf. The Cape Gooseberry (physalis edulis) is 

 almost indigenous, growing wild in every part of the 



country, but if cultivated in gardens and trained, would 

 grow to a greater size, and prove a valuable fruit for do- 

 mestic purposes. It bears nearly throughout the year. 

 Melons of several varieties have been grown in the open 

 air : though late in coming to maturity, they were of deli- 

 cious flavour. Culinary Vegetables — The common culi- 

 nary vegetables of Europe grow in this district in a man- 

 ner that cannot be surpassed, but much judgment is 

 required in selecting the period for sowing and planting. 

 It may be stated as a general rule, that no seed need be 

 planted in the months of January and February, as the 

 dryness of the season and the attacks of the insects will 

 render the labour futile. The results of the experience 

 of three years are now furnished. Beans may be sown in 

 May and June : when a foot high, it is best to cut them 

 down close to the ground ; they will then flower in Sep- 

 tember, and produce plentifully ; if again cut down, they 

 will bear again : they seem to be biennial in this climate. 

 Kidney Beans may be sown from September to November : 

 they bear plentifully, and a species (haricot blanc of the 

 French) produces abundantly, and might be used in their 

 dried state with advantage, as in the south of Europe, in 

 soups and stews : they are very nourishing and palatable. 

 The scarlet runner does not generally succeed well, but a 

 species, the Lima pole Bean, introduced from South 

 America, grows well in a rich soil and in-a sheltered situ- 

 ation, and is a very delicious vegetable, beins: used as the 

 broad bean. Carrots may be sown from April to Sep- 

 tember, but not later ; they grow to a very large size. 

 The Potato Onion, which thrives admirably, ought to be 

 planted io June. A species of Eschalot, which has almost 

 become indigenous, being cultivated largely by the natives, 

 grows throughout the year. Flowers. — It would be tedious 

 to enumerate the variety of flowers that flourish in this 

 district. It may suffice to say, that in addition to those 

 cultivated in the open air in Great Britain, many grow 

 here throughout the year, which there require the protec- 

 tion of a greenhouse. — Extracts from The Southern 

 Cross, and New Zealand Guardian, Nov. 25, 1843. 



Carnation and Picotee Show. — As the day is fast ap- 

 proaching (the 6th of August) when the Carnation and 

 Picotee Show, open to all England, will tike place at the 

 Coppice, near this town, in the grounds of Mr. J. F. 

 Wood, nurseryman and florist, for two silver cups, value 

 five guineas each, presented by him for competition, we 

 are enabled by the kindness of the Secretary to the Com- 

 mittee, Mr. G. J. Robinson, to present to our readers a 

 list of the competitors, amongst whom are some of ths 

 best growers in the kingdom : — 



Carnation Cup. 

 Mr. S. Pollard, Ilkeston 

 Mr. E. Hirst, Caunton, near 



Newark 

 Mr. T. Hastings, Oxford 

 Mr. J. Gibbens. Biamcote, 

 Mr. W. Hepton, York 

 Mr. J. Oldham, Beeston 

 Mr. J. Haines, Tipton, War- 

 wickshire 

 Mr. R. Orson, Grantham 



Mr. I. Taylor, Sr,ent<>n 

 Mr. I. Hepworth, Halifax 

 Mr. W. Lodge, Manchester 

 Mr. R. Riiot, Donington, Lin- 

 colnshire 

 Mr. G. Hudson, Kingstone 

 Mr. J. Smalley, Leicester 

 Mr. W. Sharpe, Clophill 

 Mr. G. Pickering, Notting- 

 ham 



Picotee Cup. 

 Rev. A. Matthews, Oxford 

 Mr. E. Hirst, Caunton, near 



Newark 

 Mr. J. Gibbens, Bramcote, 



Nottinghamshire 

 Mr. VV. Pearson, Nottingham 

 Mr. W. Hepton, York 

 Mr. J. Oldham, Beeston 

 Mr. J. Haines, Tipton 

 Mr. R. Ofston, Grantham 

 Mr. J. Hepworth, Halifax, 



Yorkshire 

 Mr. W. Lodge, Manchester 

 Mr. R. Rilot, Donington, Lin- 

 colnshire 

 Mr. G. Hudson, Kingstone 

 Mr. I Ward, Nottingham 

 Mr. J. Smalley, Leicester 

 Mr. W. Sharpe, Clophill 

 Mr. S. Buswell, Nottingham. 



Observations on the Green Teas of Commerce, by 

 Robert Wanngton, Esq. — On submitting a sample of 

 Green Tea, supposed to be spurious, and which had 

 been seized by the Excise, to microscopic investigation, 

 the author found that the variation of tints, which had 

 ied him to this mode of examination, was dependent on 

 adventitious substances mechanically attached or dusted 

 on the surface of the curled leaves. The principal part 

 of this powder was of a white colour, interspersed with 

 particles of an Orange and of a bright blue. From the 

 abraded dust of this sample, obtained by at;itation, some 

 of the latter were separated, and proved on examination 

 to be Prussian-blue ; the Orange portion was apparently 

 some vegetable colour ; and the white and principal 

 part was found to contain silica, alumina, a little lime 

 and magnesia, and was probably kaolin or powdered 

 agalmatolite, more particularly from the rubbed and pro- 

 minent parts of the Tea assuming a polished appearance. 

 A great variety of other samples of Teas were sub- 

 mitted to examination, but in all cases thev were found 

 to be faced with various substances, to $;ive them the 

 bioom and colour which is so distinct a characteristic of 

 the Green Teas of commerce. The unglazed varieties 

 appear to have had no blueing material applied. Very 

 high qualities of glazed Teas have this facing apparently 

 tinted of an uniform pale blue before application ; while 

 others, still of high quality, and embracing the great 

 part of the samples examined, have both the white and 

 blue particles very distinct, the latter varying in its 

 quantity ; in the low qualities, as Twankay, being pretty 

 thickly powdered. When this facing was removed* the 

 Tea was found to be of a black colour, but without the 

 corrugated aspect presented by black Teas ordinarily, 

 and which evidently arises from the higher temperature 

 to which thev are subjected during the process of curing 

 or drying. Tiie substances separated from these Green 

 Teas were sulphate of lime, a material analogous to 

 kaolin, and Pniasian-blue, together with some yellow 

 vegetable colouring body. It is evident that the whole 

 of ihese Teas come to this country in a dressed or adul- 

 terated state, and the onus of this should fail on the 



CALENDAR. OF OPERATIONS 



For th* ensuing Week. 



I.— HOTHOUSE, CONSERVATORIES, &c. 

 About the beginning of August some of the best gardeners 

 treat their established *to*e plants somewhat like those of the 

 greenhouse tor five or six weeks. They either remove the 

 plants to more open houses or throw their stoves open on pur- 

 pose — removing dwarf, tender, and young, delicate plants into 

 close frames. Whatever conveniences of this nature may be at 

 hand should be made the most of at this time. Nothing can 

 be more injurious to stove plants than keeping them growing 

 late in the season, and thus presenting the ripening of their 

 wood, which renders them more liable to injuries in winter and 

 prevents their flowering freely next season. 



Conservator?/. — Concerning the Varieties of Thunbergia alata, 

 being among the best things for the conservatory at this time, 

 and coming more into fashion every season, 1 shall again offer 

 suggestions for their management, as some find them difficult 

 to manage. A complete key to the natural or true manage- 

 ment of these plants is given in last Number (p. 483;, in the 

 notice of Mr. Backhouse's volume. Mr. B. >ays they grow in 

 shady places, •• much in the manner that Ground Ivy grows in 

 England." From this we may infer that the back borders, or 

 under the large specimens planted ou'[ in the conservatory, is 

 the true situation for these plants, where they might scramble 

 among Ferns, roots, or Moss, stones, &c. t " after the manner 

 of Ground try." But to improve, or rather to follow out the 

 great improvement which Mr. Fryer has effected, they ought to 

 be planted out in pits early in May, using very rich rough com- 

 post, and placing Iresh Moss all over the bed; keep the Moss 

 damp and shade the plants in the middle of »he day, and 

 allow them run ;ill over the Moss. Beautiful as Mr. Fryer's two 

 new seedlings are, I have no doubt but >till greater beauties 

 may easily be obtained from plants thus treated. 



Pits and Frames.— The lights should now be drawn off at 

 night, where the plants are ot the hardier kinds. Stout cuttings 

 ot Plumbago capeusis struck now will force next spring for the 

 conservatory, and may afterwards be planted out in beds in 

 the flower-garden, lor winch they are admirably suited*— D. J3. 



II.-FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERIES. 



Out-door Department. 



We have not had such alternations of wet, cold, and dry seasons 



for flower-gardening for the last five years, which, if they have 



taught 09 nothing el-e, have convinced me of the impossibility 



of producing anything like vigorous growth in bedded-out 



plants by manual labour, let it be ever so well directed. There 



is certainly a great difference in soils, and plaius will grow in 



one of a free porous nature when they can scarcely exist in one 



ot an opposite mechanical texture; but even under the most 



favourable circumstances of soil and situation, it is impossible 



to produce a healthy growth during the preva'euce of north or 



north-east winds, whn h seem to prevail here during the spring 



and early summer months, with as much exactness as the trade 



winds do in mo; e tropical climates. Two of the flower-gardens 



here wore attended during the past dry weath r with all the 



care which the most solicitous could have bestowed upon them. 



They were regu ariy watered with warm solt pond water, 



wetting the sod each time to the depth of at least nine inches ; 



the beds were mulcued wi h short Grass, and the plants shaded 



in the day tune, but with ail this they did not grow ; under ones 



became sickly, and those not well established at the time of 



turning out died outright* Therefore, What is to be done 



another season ? I direct this question to the flower-gardeners 



of the United Kingdom, knowing that iu the multitude of 



counsel there is wisdom, and with the hope that many will be 



induced ti communicate their answer to the query. At the 



same time I should also be glad of a list of such pUnts as are 



considered by the growers novelties in t e way of bedding-out 



plants, and more particularly if any are grown which were not 



mentioned in the Amateur's Garden in the Chronicle ot last year. 



I shall next week answer the question, What is to be done? and 



then proceed weekly with the lists of the best grouping plants. 



— W. P. A. 



III.— FLORISTS' FLOWERS. 



Auriculas and Polyanthuses— -Must at this season be kept 

 from excessive rain, and above all things avoid a continuous 

 dnp. Nothing ruins an Auiiculaso soon as wet lodging in the 

 crown or heatt. The Aphis must be sedulously attended to 

 and never allowed to get a-head. Tulip-seed continues to 

 ri:)en : secure the heads as soon as the seed-vessel opens at the 

 top, or the stalk becomes dead; put them in paper bags and 

 hang them up in a dry place. Carnations. — The blooms come 

 on very rapidiy, more so than we ever previously recollect. 

 Pollen appears more abundant tnis year than usual; we have 

 Impregnated many blooms this season, always observing to 

 have the b oom operated on, ot a good sort and of good colour, 

 and the variety from which the farina is taken as good as we 

 can get it. Continue to layer j a great deal of the success of 

 wintering Carnations well depends on having strong and early- 

 rooted layers, that they may be well established iu their pots 

 before autumn, home varieties are blooming better than usual 

 this season. Colcui's Juba, for instance, a beautiful shaped 

 flower which usually comes short of bizarre, is this season quite 

 up to the mark, whilst the accounts 1 receive ot Coicut's 

 Bruins cniirra me in the opinion I entei tamed of it some 

 years ago, namely, tl;at it is an extremely coarse flower as well 

 asunceitain. Ranunculuses.— Sad complaints are made from 

 all quarters of the great loss of roots, many collections being 

 nearly destroyed. Seed may now be gathered, as the heads 

 assume a yellow hue.— J. F. IF. 



IV.-PIN^RJKS, VINERIES, Sec. 

 Pineries— It is a desirable pout in the cultivation of the 

 Pine- Apple, that no check should be given to the plants, from 

 the commencement of their growth till the fruit is ripe. Not- 

 withstanding this, th*re are lew gardeners who have not at 

 some period or er been compelled to check some of their 

 plants, t>y withholding water, to cause them to iruit sooner 

 than they otherwise woufcl tfOj thus> obtaining fruit at the time 

 that it iemus required, a' a sacrifice ot size. This is some- 

 times the c o in :<■ E stabl ishment*, where a regular supply 

 is wanted all the I round. The leaves should not be allowed 

 to become flaccid, nor the bottom heat to decline. Occasional 

 sprinklings with the syringe should btt given, and as soon as 

 you teel certain that the fruit is formed, and beginning to rise 

 trom the henrt ol the plant, give liquid manure in small quan- 

 tities and in a clear state, until the plant is quite recovered; 

 Wtien it uiiv be watered and treated in the usual way. Attend 

 to the growth Of the suckers, so as to gee them well rooted 

 before winter. Shade thorn in hot sunshine. 



Vinerixs. — Look over the bunches to see if there are any in- 

 jured or small Berries In them, which remove a< you gt> on. 

 The return ol dry hot weather is lavourahle to tbe increase of 

 red soidoi ; he assiduou-t in the u>e ot the usual means for 

 checking it. It U easily k*pt down or eradicated by the 

 syringe where the fruit is all cut. Look to the rt **J*J^*^ 

 borders With regard to moisture, where the 



Vines are 



right shoulders. The author concluded by quoting 



various opinions and observations ot persons long resi- WIBMWW1MIP _ r ,_ . 



dent in China, by which his investigations are satisfac- Let tnose * <^ v ia:a ha ^ e ^T^-IT-OF 

 only conbrmed.-C hemical Gazette. t Mat-P- fa* we.k s calendar.; 



/eUing their cro.i. If they are dry, supply plentiful.} r with 



liquid manure, first 1 veiling rne >u»faee witn a M»» 



-ep, to Ti vent the watir m running off. thniild be 



I'enrh Aomm.— The houses which contain fruit sn 



kept well ventilated at all tunes. When toe "eathffi nn e £ 



is So, ,,,,-e.s.rv ,., .hot a, IM.hou-. ««*l ■«— *• EEJ 



it is w to hasten tbe » ff <* and suppiy witn water 



and Ncctannc-t: clear ot msec-, and aupp > 



regulatlx at r quirtd. the runners of the kinds you 



^«^me^Co. .imneto grW ^^ quaulity done . 



wish to lorce in p<">. till >"'» »" 



