78 | JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
one, and gives appended to the names of the plants much infor- 
mation regarding their habitat, uses, modes of cultivation, &c. 
It cannot fail to be generally useful, and should be widely dis- 
tributed. [na future reprint, it would be advisable to state— 
as far as possible—where plants of many of the kinds named 
could be obtained in New Zealand. 
In connection, however, with this subject, we would point out 
the fallacious nature of the idea that because acertain plant will 
grow in a country, therefore its extensive cultivation is desirable. 
Thus we are told that Caxua edulis “is the hardiest of all the ar- 
rowroots, and might be very profitably grown in the North Island.” 
The italics are ourown. Similar statements are made about some 
other plants, and these statements would be perfectly correct if 
labour cost about a shilling a day in this Colony. At present 
rates, however, the production of such an article is commercially 
impossible. The same remark applies in an equal degree to the 
production of Tea, Silk, and Opium in this Colony. We simply 
cannot compete with India and China for these products, and in- 
stead of trying to do.so, we would be much better employed im- 
proving the opportunities that we have. Let us grow our own 
fruit, and stop the importation of apples and other fruit and 
vegetables from Tasmania and America. Lemons grow well in 
Auckland, yet they cannot be bought under 4d. each (often 6d.) 
in Dunedin. Here is room for improvement. We do not make 
these remarks from any desire to disparage the general value of 
Mr. Armstrong’s pamphlet, but because no doubt he is uninten- 
tionally misleading in some of his ideas. For example, he says: 
“ The tea-plant is perfectly hardy in Canterbury, and no climatic 
considerations prevent its cultivation in the Colony. The greater 
part of the western side of New Zealand seems fitted for the 
production of tea of better quality than nine-tenths of the im- 
ported article. As so much money is now sent out of the Colony 
for tea, it seems desirable to attempt its culture in a commercial 
sense, and it would be a good thing if good seed could be ob- 
tained from Japan, and plants raised for distribution. The pre- 
paration can now be done by machinery.” There are just two 
fatal objections to this ; one is that the tea-plant would not pro- 
duce the rapid flushes of young leaves in spring that are so 
characteristic of it in tea-growing countries, for our spring climate 
is too erratic and frequently too cold; the second is the labour 
question. Coolies at 4 annas (sixpence) per day, work on the 
plantations in Assam ; but we have no coolies in this Colony, 
and if we had they would probably want four shillings. 
The same objections may be urged with equal truth and 
force against the cultivation of poppies for opium, or of mulber- 
ries for silkworm rearing ; though, perhaps, in the latter case, 
some women and girls might find suitable occupation where at 
present they are unremuneratively employed.—ED. - 
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, LINCOLN.—We regret to learn 
that Dr. R. von Lendenfeld has severed his connection with this 
