Broccoli, Reed Mats, Common Plum. 113 



certain heads; for fruits, like flowers, must undergo the routine 

 of examination. It is not by the leaf or the petals that either 

 are found out, but it is by progressive examination that the 

 business is completed. 



I observe you have etched the seeds (Vol. III. p. 326. 

 Jig. 117.); it is a part of the fructification that I never attended 

 to, but, no doubt, a leading feature in distinguishing fruits. 



I have considered the easiest method of taking the size and 

 shape of fruit to be, dividing it through the stalk, core, and 

 apex, particularly delineating the insertion of the stalk, and 

 shape of the apex, which, in fact, is the calyx of the flower, 

 more or less retained ; the section laid on paper, and the shape 

 ' traced by a pencil, gives the figure completely in a second : 

 but upon the admeasurement and drawing of fruits and flowers, 

 I will address you at some future period, when I have more 

 leisure, and am in better mood for such matters. 



January, \%'2%, W. R. Y. 



Art. XIX. Abridged Communications . 



1 . Cafe Broccoli. — This is grown in great perfection in the 

 following manner : — In an open, warm situation, during the 

 first week in June, mark out holes in rows 3 ft. apart, and 

 nearly 2 ft. over ; dig out the holes to the depth of 1 ft., fill 

 half up with rotten dung, and cover this with 2 in. of the 

 mould, which will leave a cavity of 4 or 5 in. below the sur- 

 face ; on this sow seeds thinly, rake in, and dust the surface 

 with soot ; when the plants have risen 3 or 4 in. select three 

 of the strongest to stand for use, earthing up as they advance, 

 and watering if the season be dry. — William Boyce. Kingscote 

 Gardens, Sept. 23. 1827. 



2. Reed Mats. — These are not used in gardens so much 

 as they deserve to be. Many beds of useful and ornamental 

 plants require temporary covering, either from the winter's 

 frost or summer's sun. Flower beds, as those of tulips, &c., 

 may be protected by the simple contrivance of leaning two mats 

 against each other, like the roof of a house, and fixing them 

 to a frame of stakes and poles, on which they may be rolled up 

 or let down at pleasure ; or if each mat were stretched and fas- 

 tened to thin ledges of wood and painted, they would be more 

 durable, and withal so portable, that they might be used for 

 any purpose, and at any time. — S. April 20. 1828. 



3. To keep the Common Blue Plum. — Glass vessels, or 

 small wooden casks made air and water tight, are used for 



Vol. IV. — No. 14. i 



