3 



221 



towards the end of October, and is quite distinct 

 from any other pear I have ever tasted. 



Beurre Hardy forms a very handsome spreading 

 bush, remarkable for its vigorous growth and the 

 beauty of its abundant rich green foliage. It must 

 be able to flourish in the most unfavorable soils. 

 This bush has been forked out of the ground every 

 year for the last four years, and it seems rather to 

 like the operation than otherwise. It produces 

 large pyramidal-shaped fruits ; flesh melting and 

 very juicy, with a slight, yet agreeable j^erfume. 

 Ripe early in November. 



Comte de Flandre assumes the form of a Cypress, 

 and is decidedly the most beautiful tree in the col- 

 lection. It puts forth in spring fine large trusses of 

 bloom, which remain a long time in flower; every 

 bloom passes into a fruit, which has no idea of 

 tumbling ofi','so the scissors must be freely used. 

 One fruit weighed rather more than three-quarters 

 of a pound, and all the rest were fine, large, pyra- 

 midal-shaped pears. The first fruit was ripe on 

 the 10th of December, the second on the 20 h and 

 the remainder of the crop is still in the fruit-room; 

 so this variety ripens slowly, and is not inclined to 

 decay. It comes into season in December and 

 January. Flesh fine-grained, without a core, melt- 

 ing, very juicy, sweet, with an agreeable aroma. 



Baronne de Mello grows freely, and produces 

 blossom-buds in abundance, which never set. 



Doyenne Defais forms a healthy upright tree, 

 which will bear abundantly against a south wall, 

 but as a bush its flowers are too weak and tender 

 0 be fruitful. — Cottage Gardener. 



Sir Samuel Baker on the Sources of the 

 Nile. — Sir Samuel Baker commenced by remarking 

 on the great interest that was attached to the river 

 Nile. On its waters the first histor an of the world 

 was cradled, on its banks civilization flourished when 

 our own country was in a state of barbarism ; and 

 it was to this river that the prosperity of Egypt in 

 those remote ages, as well as at the present day, 

 was owing. The mystery of its source had been a 

 subject of attention not only to the kings and pnest, 

 of the country, but also Julius Caesar. The distin- 

 guished traveller then proceeded to state generally 

 that the White Nile commenced in immense reser- 

 voirs, took its course through flat and foul marshes, 

 until in latitude 15 deg. the stream was joined and 

 to a great extent purified by the waters of the Blue 

 Nile from Abyssinia. It was further purified at a 

 lower part of its course by a third tributary, and 

 there th: Nile was in its greatest volume. Sir Sam- 

 uel first explored the Abyssinian branch. This, 



bounded and marked hy banks of green, flowed 

 through a vast plain of sand. Larg. pools swarmed 

 with crocodiles, turtles, and fish of monstrous size. 

 In the largest pool were herds of hippopotami, while 

 in that region he ^Hw the phenomena of the extra- 

 ordinary rise of the river. This, he was convinced 

 was caused by tho tremendous rainfall of Abyssinia, 

 where the rain did not simply pour down, but came 

 down like a waterspout. The exploration of the 

 main source was more difficult, because the course 

 lay through a country inhabited wholly by savages, 

 amongst whom the explorers had to trust to Provi- 

 dence and themselves. When he got to that point 

 which had been attained by the centurions of Nero 

 when they reached the fur best point that ever had 

 been discovered, he looked forward with great inter- 

 est, and hoped that what the Bomans had been un- 

 able to do the English would succeed in accomplish- 

 ing. While travelling through this part of the 

 country,'he heard from the natives accounts of white 

 men who they said had come from the sea, and who 

 used extraordinary fireworks. Soon after this he 

 heard the report of a gun, and in a short time more 

 he saw and rushed into the arms of Speke and 

 Grrant. From them he received instructions and 

 maps which were of the greatest service to him. 

 Having already published his account of his travels 

 in this region, he would not enter into a lengthened 

 description. — Gardener s Magazine. 



GOODYERA DISCOLOR CULTURE. — The pot Ought 



to be one-third filled with crocks, and the compost 

 should consist of turfy or fibrous peat, and chopped 

 sphagnum, with a free admixture of silver sand and 

 charcoal, from which the dust is sifted, the sand and 

 charcoal together may form one- third of the com- 

 post. If cocoa-nut refuse can be had it may be 

 used in the place of the sphagnum. The Goodyera 

 should be potted when it recommences growth, 

 and water must be somewhat sparingly given at first, 

 but increased with the growth, abundance being 

 afforded both at the root and in the atmosphere 

 when the plant is growing freely. In potting, press 

 the compost firmly. Free ventilation should be 

 given day and night, and a temperature of from 60° 

 to 85° in summer, and from 45° to 50° in winter will 

 suit it. It should be shaded from bright sun. When 

 at rest but little water is needed, yet the plant should 

 not be allowed to suff"er ; it should have a little now 

 and then over the pot— a gentle bedewing to keep 

 it plump and fresh. Avoid cold currents of air, 

 and do not allow cold air to come in contact with 

 the leaves whilst wet, as they may thus become 

 discolored. — Cottage Gardener. 



