toughness of skin, solidity of flesh, and abundance of saccharine, prs 
Some failed altogether, and even those which yielded a m derately fair ~ 
result had to be treated with extraordinary care to avoid the bursting 
of the skin and consequent escape of juice. ud 
plums which I was preparing in an ordinary bread oven at Westbury. 
able to p 
results 
Though none of our existing plums will yield the best French plums, 
we can produce “ Pruneaux," which are not without merit. Whether 
it would be a luerative operation is not an easy question to answer.  — 
We have to bear in mind that it will require nearly 4 lbs. of our home — 
varieties to make 1 lb. of * Pruneaux.” In other words, assuming the - 
value of the raw fruit to be 1d. per pound, it would take four peuny- 
worth of fruit to make a pound of * Pruneaux "; and I think this would 
have to sell at 5d. per lb. to make the manufacture profitable. wd 
factory could not be started solely for the manufacture of “ Pru- - 
neaux," because the busy time would only be so small a portion of the 
whole year, that it could hardly be rendered remunerative; moreover, | 
the raw fruit would bear but little travelling, and so could not well be — 
brought from any great distance. It has to be quite ripe, and yet must 
he ski : ast broken. 
factory and dry it at leisure, but I doubt this. A factory iu faet to be 
successful must embrace other operations besides drying plums. RU 
CLXXIX.—CULTIVATION OF PERFUMERY PLAN S 
IN THE COLONIES. -o 
Inquiries being from time to time addressed to Kew on the subject 
of the cultivation of Perfumery plants in British Colonies, the follow- 
mg correspondence relating to such a project in South Australia is 
published for convenience of reference, ee 
Sir, uguet R, 1888. — «^ 
,., IAM directed to forward to you the enclosed copy of a Despatch | 
which has been received from the Government on the subject of the 
e 
i cultivation of scent and medicinal plants, &e., and the possibility of - 
i. establishing ^ trade with England in the produce; and the Agent- 
General desires me to say that he would esteem it a kindness if you - 
would Javour him with your valuable advice, and any information you 
