July 28, 1870. ] 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



67 



It has been demonstrated that every square inch of leaf lifts 

 3-500ths of an ounce every twenty-four hours. Now, a large 

 forest tree has about five acres of foliage, or 6,272,640 Equare 

 inches. Thin being multiplied by 3-500ths (the amount pumped 

 by every inch) gives us the result— 2352 ozs., or 1176 quarts, or 

 294 gallons, or 8 barrels ; a medium-sized forest tree, about 

 5 barrels. The trees on an acre give 800 barrels in twenty-four 

 hours. An acre of Grass, or Clover, or grain, would yield 

 about the same result. 



The leaf is a worker, too, in another field of labour, where 

 we seldom look, where it exhibits its unselfishness — where it 

 works for the good of man in a most wonderful manner. It 

 carries immense quantities of electricity from the earth to 

 the clouds, and from the clouds to the earth. Rather danger- 

 ous business, transporting lightning. I think it would be con- 

 sidered contraband by the " U.S.," or " Merchant's Union," 

 or any common carriers : but it is particularly fitted for this 

 work. Did you ever see a leaf entire as to its edges ? It is 

 always pointed, and these points, whether they be large or 

 small, are just fitted to handle this dangerous agent. These 

 tiny fingers seize upon and carry it away with ease and 

 wonderful dispatch. There must be no delay; it is "time 

 freight." True, sometimes it gathers up more than the trunk 

 can carry, and in the attempt to crowd and pack the baggage 

 the trunk gets terribly shattered, and we say that lightning 

 Btruck the tree. Bat it had been struck a thousand times 

 before. This time it was overworked. 



As we rub a stick of sealingwax or a glass tube with a warm 

 silk handkerchief, so the air is always rubbing over the face of 

 the earth with more or less rapidity. And what a huge elec- 

 trical machine ! Bat be not afraid, the leaf will see that it is 

 taken care of. As we guard our roofs from the destructive 

 action of lightning — dashing to the earth — crashing, rending, 

 burning on its way — by erecting the lightning rod, whose brist- 

 ling points quietly drain the clouds, or failing to do this, re- 

 oeive the charge and bear it harmless to the earth — so God has 

 made a living conductor in every pointed leaf, in every blade 

 of grass. It is said that a common blade of grass, pointed by 

 nature's exquisite workmanship, is three times as effectual as 

 the fiuest cambric needle; and a single twig of leaves is far 

 more efficient than the metallic points of the best constructed 

 rod. What, then, must be the agency of a single forest in dis- 

 arming the forces of the storm of their terror? 



Nature furnishes the lightning, and it furnishes the light- 

 ning rods. Take a hint, then, and plant trees. — (Tin American 

 Entomologist and Botanist ) 



EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT ON THE 

 BRISBANE BOTANIC GARDENS. 



Among the plants used for tanning purposes may be men- 

 tioned the Sumach (Rhus Cotiaus), &c, all of which are 

 flourishing, and eventually will, doubtless, become hereof great 

 practical utility and value. The Croton Oil (Croton Tiglium), 

 the Candle Nut Oil (Aleuritis triloba), two species of Castor Oil 

 plants (Ricimi3 communis, and R. spectabilis), have been pro- 

 perly tested, and will, beyond doubt, yield most remunerative 

 profits to both the cultivator and the manufacturer. 



Of the Teas (Thea Bobrea) and the famous Paraguay Tea (Ilex 

 paraguensis), the Coffee (Coffea arabica) most excellent samples 

 have been made, and it can hardly be doubted that before 

 many years Queensland will be independent of the world for a 

 supply of these luxuries. The Allspice (Pimenta vulgaris), the 

 Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), the Turmeric (Curcuma longa), the 

 Cardamon (Glettaria Cardamomum), the Grain of Paradise 

 (Amomum Melegueta), the Tapioca (Manihot utilissima), the 

 Cassava (Manihot Jatropha), &c, are growing luxuriantly, and 

 samples of all, and of superior quality, have been manufactuiel. 



Among the tropical fruits may be enumerated the Mango, 

 the Cherimoyer, the Soursop, the Sweetsop, the Jack Frnir, 

 China Date Plum, the Avocado Pear, Bananas, <fcc. Fetrs 

 were publicly expressed in Brisbane a short time siDCe thtt 

 the Banana was deteriorating, but under careful cultivation it 

 ie satisfactory to know that there is no reason for apprehension 

 on that Ecore. 



The silkworm trees, Morns cedrona, alba, and multicaulis, 

 the Ailanthus glandnlosa, &c, remain in excellent condition, 

 and are frequently inquired after by those who are interested 

 in sericulture. I would respectfully propose that cuttings or 

 plants of these trees be planted on the grounds of the Orphan- 

 age, they would answer the purpose of shade trees, and would 



serve to amuse the children by furnishing food for their silk- 

 worms. Frequently applications are made by them at the 

 gardens for leaves of the Mulberry for thi3 purpose. 



Selset Island. — Your correspondent " G." is wrong in 

 speaking of a living Lord Selsey, for the title became extinct 

 in 1838, owing to the absence of male issue. There is no 

 doubt that the last baron who bore the title fostered the 

 culture of the soil, and may have inherited the taste, for he 

 was descended from one of the most celebrated gardeners of a 

 previous generation. His ancestor, Sir John Peachey, married 

 a daughter of George London, Esq., of Long Ditton, who was 

 Superintendent of the Royal Gardens in Ordinary to Queens 

 Mary and Anne.— J. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Use all diligence in filling np vacant pieces of ground with 

 Broccoli, Borecole, Brussels Sprouts, Coleivorts, &;. ; and where 

 ground is scarce, crops likely to come off soon should be inter- 

 lined, for the purpose of establishing as large a breadth of the 

 above useful vegetables as can be done. Hoe frequently be- 

 tween young crops, and plant out a good supply of Endive, 

 Cauliflowers, Walchcren Broccoli, and Cabbage for the autumn. 

 Sow Lettuce and Onions to stand over, and Radishes. Liberal 

 waterings twice or thrice a-week in dry weather will be required 

 by Peas, Cauliflowers, Spiiiach, Artichokes, Lettuces, &o., render- 

 ing them not only better in quality, but making them last 

 longer in perfection. Sow immediately Wheeler's Imperial 

 and other approved kinds of Cabbage for the principal spring 

 crop. Sow thiuly on good, but not rich land, and in an open 

 situation, which are points to le kept in view in sowing all 

 seeds of this class. The earliest Celery may be forwarded by 

 small additiom cf enr:h. Sow smali quantities of Basil, 

 Chervil, and Marjoram required for use in a greea state. Let a 

 good sowiog of Bath Cos Lefuce be made directly. This will 

 stand all the autumn, and on well-prepared ground will produce 

 fine Lettuces. Some of the later plantings from this sowing 

 may be covered v-i'.h inverted po's after tying np. Fine large 

 Lettuces can be preserved by this means up to the early part 

 of the winter. 



FRUIT GAKDEN. 



At this period a very general stopping of late growths and 

 laterals should take place, both in wall trees and espaliers; it 

 may, in the main, be accomplished by pinching off the extreme 

 points. This is particularly necessary where it is desirable to 

 carry out the dwarfing system. Willi regard to other fruits, 

 however, there can exist no reason for suffering over-excited 

 trees to oontinue producing wood, which can never be perfectly 

 ripened, and which must be pruned away in the ensuing winter. 

 The necessary consequences of this process are — first, a greater 

 concentration of sap in the neighbourhood of the fruit ; se- 

 cond, an inducement to the axillary buds to prepare for 

 development ; and third, the equalisation of the sap, thereby 

 encouraging a greater uniformity of growth. In performing 

 the operation with reference to the latter principle, the grossest 

 of the shoots only should be stopped, leaving all the lower 

 parts of the tree growing until the end of the season. Attend 

 well to fruit trees of all kinds. Little superfluous wood should, 

 if possible, be formed on tender fruit trees after the middle of 

 August. Not only the frnit, but the wood, for the ensuing year, 

 must be ripened. Even Apples, Pears, Plum3, and Cherries 

 are amenable to this law in some degree. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Let nothing be allowed to grow out of place, but attend to 

 the wants of growing plants by giving them their proper sup- 

 ports and training at this season ; the next matter requiring 

 consideration will be the propagation of stock for another year. 

 In commencing with Pelargoniums employed for bedding pur- 

 poses, beds of sandy soil in the open ground wi'I serve the 

 Scarlets of all sorts and their allies, while the Fancies and 

 other kinds with a delicate habit will be better in pots, or, 

 where large quantities are required, in a frame under glass. 

 Under any circumstances they will require protection from 

 heavy rains. There is a class, of which Sidonia is one, which 

 strike with difficulty by cuttings of the shoots, and are best 

 propagated by root cuttings ; prepare cuttings of the thickest 

 roots about 1J inch in length, which should be inserted in 

 shallow pans and plunged in a frame ; the old plants should 

 be selected for the purpose. Herbaceous plants and hardy 



