526 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



used in gardens as a decorative plant, and many indigenous tree-ferns 

 also. Musa sanguinca flowers brilliantly in many gardens in early 

 autumn (or late summer), but seems remarkably dwarf, most of the 

 flowering plants varying between two and three feet in height. The 

 bracts are blood -red, and make a striking display of colour. 



In Monsieur Binot's garden I noticed many beautiful Bamboos, 

 Azaleas, Dahlias, Gladioli, Roses &c. 



Among Orchids, Cattleyas, La?lias, and Oncidiums predominated. 



I did not see any Vines cultivated about Petropolis. It is said that 

 the tremendous rainfalls which sometimes occur during the summer 

 months render such cultivation almost impossible. Yet Vines are grown 

 in the same State, and some indigenous (American) Vines are cultivated. 

 I tasted the fruit of some of these Vines, which were presumably varieties 

 of Vitis Labrusca. The fruits were almost black, small (about § inch 

 diameter), and very juicy, with practically no "flesh." The flavour was 

 by no means sweet, but extraordinarily strong, and the aroma astonishing, 

 both these latter being that of our Muscats in a concentrated form. I 

 was told by some that this Grape was called " Isabelle," but others said 

 that this was not so. I found few seeds, but have succeeded in raising 

 two plants from seven seeds which I brought home. These are un- 

 doubtedly some form of the ubiquitous V. Labrusca. 



It is evident, without much study, that either V. Labrusca includes an 

 almost incredible number of distinct species, or that we are unacquainted 

 with a great number of indigenous American Vines. Many of these, in a 

 wild state, are climbing plants, and only fruit occasionally. They are all, 

 as far as I am aware, " wine-making " Grapes as distinguished from fleshy 

 "table" Grapes, and they are plants which, as a class, would require a 

 process of selection and improvement before they could be grown com- 

 mercially for any purpose. 



I did not taste any wine of admittedly Brazilian origin, but abominable 

 frauds are foisted upon those who attempt to obtain "Bordeaux," and it 

 is with the greatest difficulty that any genuine French clarets can be 

 obtained. 



The tobacco of Rio Grande do Sul is far better than that grown about 

 Bahia, and the best grades of the former approach more nearly to the 

 tobacco of Cuba than does that of any other country. 



Monsieur Binot informed me that neither Peaches, Nectarines, 

 Apricots, nor Plums carried crops at Petropolis, and that whenever there 

 was any fruit a maggot ruined it. Certainly in the months that correspond 

 w ith our August and September no local fruits whatever were obtainable 

 in the markets of P(t:opolis beyond Cucumbers and Bananas of sorts. 

 Yi t the soil would seem to be an almost ideal vine and fruit soil, being 

 compo cd o! broken down granite and spar mixed with older ferruginous 

 earths. 



I have marked epiphytic plants, including those growing on bare rock, 

 with the symbol (E) after the specific name. 



My bhankfl are due to Mr. W. B. Hemsley, of Kew, for the deter- 

 mination of many dried specimens which I brought back and gave to the 

 Herbarium of the Royal Gardens, Kew. 



Ki^hty-oitfht species in all are mentioned in the following notes. 



