484- Foreign Notices : — South America, Asia. 



cess, with an ear of each kind of the corn. The sweet corn is the only sort 

 that merits attention in point of utility, and we hope will be tried by gar- 

 deners, with a view to its introduction as a cottage vegetable. — Cond. 



SOUTH AMERICA. 



Caraccas, March 20. 1830. — Sir, On my arrival in Caraccas, I was 

 informed that there was a botanical garden establishing there, and being 

 curious to see the state of forwardness it was in, I was accompanied by Sir 

 John Lewis, of His Britannic Majesty's ship Baron, who was acquainted 

 with the proprietor, Mr. Fanning. We found him very busily employed 

 amongst his plants. On our walking through the garden, he showed us the 

 cherry-trees in flower which had not been more than one month planted, and 

 not more than ten weeks from London : some of the cherries were formed, 

 and in a forward state. The whole of the fruit trees appeared in a fine 

 state, the sycamore, hazel, oak, walnut, chestnut, pines, and elms, were in a 

 very forward state. 



In conversing with Admiral Fleming respecting the garden, &c, he pro- 

 fessed great astonishment at the state of forwardness Mr. Fanning has brought 

 the garden to, and he has taken great interest in Mr. Fanning's welfare, 

 and has frequently visited the garden, as well as all the general officers of 

 his fleet. 



The garden is small, but neatly laid out in squares ; the walks are well 

 proportioned, and some of them beautifully shaded with the Fig banana, 

 which has a splendid appearance ; the towery stems and expanding leaves, 

 with its rich and delicious fruit, give the garden and walks a grand appear- 

 ance. During my stay in Caraccas I frequently visited the garden in the 

 afternoon, where I met with most of the grandees of Caraccas, it being the 

 only place to take a walk in or about the city. Mr. Fanning being a man 

 of mild and gentle manners, and having rendered great services to the 

 country, he is much liked by the ladies as well as the gentlemen, and, indeed, 

 deserves great credit. I am happy to learn that, from the Admiral's inter- 

 ference, General Paez has ordered Mr. Fanning to take charge of several 

 working people of his to work in his garden, and has given Mr. Fanning 

 apartments in his private house to live in : and I have every reason to believe 

 that the General will promote the views of Mr. Fanning in all his under- 

 takings. I am, &c. — E. A. Williamson. 



ASIA. 



Royal Botanic Garden, Mauritius, March 12. 1830. — With reference to 

 the remarks in Vol. I. p. 54., I am happy, not only to state that the bota- 

 nic garden at this place is still kept up, but that, since I have had the honour 

 of superintending it, several interesting species have been sent from different 

 parts ; and I am not aware of any garden, whether in regard to soil or 

 situation, within the tropics, that could possess such a number of species. 

 The Eucalyptus, Mimosa, and all the large-leaved plants of New Holland, 

 and many Cape plants, thrive remarkably well ; while those from the East 

 Indies and China enjoy the luxuriance of their native climate. We have 

 frequent correspondence with almost every part of the globe, and exclusive 

 communication with that great field of science, Madagascar, which no other 

 garden can possibly possess. Our garden, although laid out in the oldest 

 French style, has the advantage of being irrigated, thereby saving a number 

 of hands, and effectually watering the plants in the driest seasons. I will 

 send you a sketch of this garden, which may be considered as one of the 

 oldest tropical gardens existing, and as having been the source from which 

 most of the nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon is sent to the West India 

 Islands. 



Culture of Asparagus in the Mauritius.— Although the mode of cultivating 

 vegetables within the tropics will be of little interest to the generality of 

 your readers, as methods superior in every way are adopted in England, it 



