12 
& time without germinating. They do not, however, perish, and we have 
“ succeeded in getting plants from seeds that have been sown over two 
(13 
J 
" By removing the shells hte the seeds before sowing they will 
“ germinate in a very short tim t Kew, we had the young plants 
* through the soil ten days tier date of sowing. The ences in this 
wW 
establishment, which has in many ways and for a long period, served 
as a “ half-way house ” between the two tropics, was very happy to take 
part in it. An application having been received from the Botanic 
a 
eae about e . of fresh seed was — in J une 1885, and 
cece? 
22 February 1886, states :—“ I very much regret to say that the Ber- 
“ tholletia seed, respecting which you took so much trouble, has not 
“ been a success. esides sowing large quantities myself without 
“ delay, I distributed it over a wide range of Northern Queensland, 
“ but none of the seeds germinated.” It was believed here at the time 
ar eens and, a cea lot of seeds were forwarded in July of the 
present year. At the same time a lot was forwarded to the Botanic 
Gardens at Singapore. In acknowledging eee receipt of the second lot 
f the B 
of Resi: Mr. Cowan in ¢ arge of the Botan pae at Brisbane, 
ge as follows :—-““ The previous ae D submitted to such 
be ment as you advised, with the result that ised are now available 
= for distribution about 200 plants of this valuable tree. This second 
: O will enable a thorough trial to be made in all likely parts 
“ of the 
r. Can feler. in reporting the arrival of the seeds at Singapore, men- 
tions "that those which were packed at Kew in moist peat had begun to 
germinate on the voyage. The other sent dry, had not germinated, but. 
were placed under treatment at once. Mr. Cantley adds, “ I have sent a 
“ few of the seeds to the native states, where they are very anxious to 
“ get anything of this kind.” 
e further Pren of the Brazil nut to Eastern Colonies is a 
character. Fresh seed may be obtained in London from reliable mer- 
chants in June — ová z ar year, and pe could be sent packed in 
cocoa-nut fibre or peat i ordinary box as merchandise. On arrival, 
the seeds KERN be pi fae or the outer se a might be very carefully 
nursery beds. It is necessary to add that the trees do not come into 
bearing for some years and they evidently require to be serep in deep 
alluvial soils, and in sheltered situations 
The germination of the seeds of Bert holletia in the wild state, while 
enclosed in the wonderfully strong fruit case (which, by the = serves 
as an admirable protection against monkeys and other anim 
