24 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 11, 1878. 
to remain. They are‘also increased by division in the spring | 
when growth has commenced. Some of them, being of tall 
habit, require staking to prevent them being broken by the wind. 
The kinds most commonly met with in cultivation—and 
then not so often as they ought to be—are Digitalis grandiflora, 
a tall-growing kind of stately appearance, having large flowers 
approaching bell shape; the flowers are yellow veined with 
brown ; a fine border flower. D. lutea, a yellow kind of much 
dwarfer habit; a very desirable kind. D. maculata superba, 
a beautifully spotted kind, one of the finest of the family ; 
ought to be in all collections of border flowers. D. ferruginea 
is a somewhat delicate subject and requires care. A stock 
should be kept in hand, as it often disappears after charming 
us with its beautiful bronzy-coloured flowers. There are many 
other desirable kinds. Among the spotted kinds there are 
great beauties that ought to receive more attention than they 
are at present receiving, which only need to be seen to be 
appreciated. Our own Digitalis purpurea and alba, though 
not herbaceous plants, are worthy of a place in our borders 
and other places. To see these plants in bloom in their native 
homes on craggy moors and upland districts, where they per- 
petuate themselves without our aid, is a sight that is not soon 
forgotten by the beholder.—VERITAS. 
EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF THE 
ADELAIDE BOTANIC GARDEN. 
THE rosery, with its numerous varieties, the Rose pillars 
and festoons, covered with thousands of its well-developed 
flowers, produced an effect which surpassed imagination ; but 
during the middle of October hot winds destroyed this lovely 
picture in the course of a few hours, as well as the beautiful 
appearance of the parterres, borders, and ribbon beds, which 
had presented the same gay appearance as the rosery. 
EXPERIMENTAL GROUND.—Arctic Wheat.—Throuch the 
kindness of Mr. 8. Deering, Assistant Agent-General, London, 
I received a sample of Wheat taken from a quantity left by 
the American Arctic expedition ship “ Polaris” in 1871, which 
had been abandoned in north latitude 81° 16’. 
This Wheat had been left on the beach exposed to the snow 
and a temperature of 72° to 104° of frost for five years, and 
was found in a heap by Dr. Ninnis of H.M. ship “ Discovery” 
on the return of the last arctic expedition to England. 
I received from Mr. Deering one thousand grains, of which 
I sowed three hundred, and sent the rest to the Royal Agri- 
cultural Society for distribution. From the three hundred 
grains about sixty germinated. The plants grew healthy, and 
reached to the height of from 3 to 4 feet. It is a bearded 
Wheat, and ripened in the commencement of January. The 
ears contained about thirty grains each, which were but small 
though round and plump. Iam sorry the birds destroyed the 
greater part before it came to maturity. I mention this in- 
teresting fact, which proves the assertion that the grain of the 
cereals possesses a vitality not surpassed by any other seed. 
THE SCREW BEAN (Prosopis pubescens, Benth.).—Sir J. 
Hooker kindly forwarded about 8 tbs. of the Screw or Mosquito 
Bean of Aregona, a new and useful vegetable product suitable 
to warm and dry climates. According to the diary of Lieut. 
Whipple, in his survey of the line of boundary between 
San Diego and the point opposite the junction of the Glia 
with the Colorado Biver, he states that the welfare of his 
horses and mules and the success of the expedition were ex- 
pected to depend on this Bean ; that the screw-like pods grow 
in clusters of eight or ten upon a stem; that both the screw 
and pod contain much saccharine matter and are very nutri- 
tious ; that they ripen at different seasons of the year, and are 
very abundant, each tree producing many bushels ; that it has 
been used for food by men and cattle, and proved of great 
value to exploring patties. 
The tree is said to yield alsoa gum equal to gum arabic, 
which is used for medicinal and technical purposes, especially 
in preparing mucilage, gum drops, jujubes, paste, &c. It has 
already become an article of export, some 12,000 ibs. having 
been gathered in Bexar country, and as much more between 
that and the coast. No doubt the introduction of a tree of 
such valuable properties would be a boon to South Australia. 
The seeds received from Sir J. Hooker had, unfortunately, 
been attacked by a weevil which, it is said, is commenced on 
the tree, and itis impossible to collect the seed free from weevils; 
therefore, fearing that very few seeds of this useful tree would 
germinate, I applied at once to Mr. Watts, Commissioner of 
the Department of Agriculture, Washington, U.S., for a larger 
supply. This gentleman, always most obliging to our esta- 
blishment, has promised to try his utmost to procure a quan- 
tity of seed of the Mosquito Bean for us. About 120 young 
plants have come up (about 5 per cent.), from the seed received 
from Kew, are growing satisfactorily, and will be distributed 
to different districts during the season. 
After several attempts I have at last been successful in 
introducing the very interesting Peruvian tree, Erythroxylon 
Coca, Lam. The leaves contain the remarkable power of 
stimulating the nervous system, in which respect it quite 
resembles opium. The dried leaves are chewed with a little 
finely powdered unslaked lime or with the alkaline ashes of 
the Quinoa. It lessens the desire for food, and it enables the 
persons who use it to endure greater exertion than they other- 
wise could, and with less food; but when used in excess it 
weakens the digestion, producing other disorders, and finally 
ruining both body and mind. 
The tree has been introduced into Brazil, and it is said about 
30,000,000 tbs. of the dried leaf are consumed in a year. The 
young tree is doing well with us. 
Worthy of mention and recommendation are the following 
ornamental plants—viz., Draceena Goldieana, no doubt one of 
the handsomest Draczenas, and unique in character and aspect. 
It is a native of tropical Africa, and well worthy a place in 
all collections. Coleus pictus, another interesting discovery 
from Duke of York’s Island. The divers bright colours are 
curiously blended, and the unusual form of the leaves with 
their marginal teeth give the plant a curious appearance, 
making it a great acquisition among the leaf plants. 
The collection of Ferns was again increased last year with 
forty species. The collection of Palms was augmented by 
eighteen handsome species. The following deserve to be 
mentioned : Phcenix rupicola, one of the most graceful among 
small Palms, and rivalling in beauty Cocos Weddelliana. It 
comes from India, and is a most valuable acquisition, and will 
occupy one of the foremost positions among Palms. Geonoma 
gracilis is also a most graceful and elegant small-growing 
Palm. The habit of the plant and beauty of the foliage adapt 
it admirably to decoration purposes, and it is also one of the 
most elegant Palms in cultivation. 
Among the Aroids introduced the following deserve special 
mention for their fine variegated and robust leaves—viz., 
Dieffenbachia nobilis, brasiliensis, vittata, Parlatorei; Cur- 
meria Wallisii; Philodendron Lindenianum, and Richardia 
melanoleuca. 
Among the already numerous collection of Marantas known, 
a new species has arrived—namely, Massangeana, which is, 
no doubt, one of the handsomest of the genus. 
PORTRAITS OF NEW PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 
MAGNOLIA STELLATA. Vat. ord., Magnoliacee. Linn, 
Polyandria Polygynia.—This has been previously known as a 
Buergeria. “ Quite recently it has been named Magnolia 
Halleana by Mr. 8. B. Parsons of Flushing, U.S.A., in 
compliment to Mr. G. R. Hall of Japan, its introducer into 
America. Like most other introductions of horticultural 
interest from Japan, this has been in cultivation by the 
natives of the Islands, having been found in gardens at Naga- 
saki by Oldham in 1862. It is, however, stated by Franchet 
and Savatier to be indigenous in woods of Mount Fusi Yama, 
and in central Niphon, where it forms a small tree. It isa 
small tree, with the habit of M. Yulan, quite glabrous except 
for a slight silkiness on the young leaves beneath, and the 
silkily hirsute sepals and bracts.”—(Bot. Mag., t. 6370.) 
FRITILLARIA SEWERZOWI. Vat. ord., Liliacee. Linn, 
Hexandria Monogynia.—Native of Turkestan. “It inhabits 
the mountains of Turkestan, reaching an elevation of 6000 feet 
above sea level, and is quite hardy in Hngland. Received at 
Kew some time ago from Dr. Regel. Mr. Elwes has been very 
successful with it, his specimens having attained great size 
and luxuriance.”—(J0id., ¢. 6371.) 
MASDEVALLIA SHUTTLEWORTHII. Jat ord., Orchidacez. 
Linn., Gynandria Monandria.—‘ The geographical limits of 
the genus seem to be limited to the northern and western 
countries of South America, where they inhabit cool temperate 
humid regions. M. Shuttleworthii was discovered, by the 
traveller whose name it bears, in the United States of Colombia 
when collecting for Mr. Bull.” —(Zdid., t. 6372.) 
DEHERAINIA SMARAGDINA. Vat. ord., Myrsinex. Zinn, 
Pentandria Monogynia.—A plant with large deep green 
flowers. “The genus Deherainia was established by Decaisne 
