88 



HOCKTXGS GARDEN MANUAL. 



springing: select sufficient to form the plant as directed. 

 If it does not take the required form, it may be neces- 

 sary to fix a small hoop in it, tying the branches 

 round the edge until fixed. The after cultivation 

 consists of shortening back the strong leading shoots, 

 at the winter pruning, about one-third or half, accord- 

 ing to their strength ; removing all cross or over- 

 crowded shoots : pruning most of the lateral or side 

 branches (especially in the centre of the tree) back to 

 two or three buds, to force out fruit-bearing spurs at 

 intervals all up the leading branches \ and keeping 

 down all suckers. 



THE FLACOURTIA— (Flacourtia Catapbracta). 



The flacourtia is a small evergreen tree, growing 

 to the height of ten feet. It is a native of the East 

 Indies, and perfectly hardy in Brisbane, where it 

 produces its fruit (a small dark purple berry) in great 

 profusion. 



Being covered with a vast number of long thorns it 

 is well calculated for a hedge plant, as it would, if 

 properly trained while young, resist with equal success 

 the attacks of both men and cattle. In its tinripe 

 state the fruit is astringent, and in taste somewhat 

 resembles the wild sloe, but as it gets ripe it becomes 

 a little mealy and of a very agreeable flavor. It ripens 

 during April and May. 



Propagation. &c. : It may be propagated by seeds, 

 layers, and cuttings, the former being the most ready 

 method. It may be planted in any average good soil, 

 at ten feet intervals, and with very little trouble will 

 form a handsome shrub ; the foliage being a dark green, 

 and the young shoots a reddish brown, the effect is 

 very good. 



There are other varieties which are said to produce 

 larger fruit, but they are not sufficiently known to war- 

 rant an opinion as to their quality and productiveness. 



