032 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Alexandria Horticultural Society. The varieties most frequently met with 

 are Caryotaureus, Cocos Jicxuosa, Phoenix canaricnsis, Phoenix dactylif era, 

 the common Date tree, Pr it chard ia filifera, and Sabal umbraculifcrum. 



Although some of the commoner herbaceous plants, such as Paeonies, 

 Phlox, Rudbeckia, &c, have not proved successful, and Rhododendrons 

 and Azaleas last but two or three years, yet annuals do well ; and it 

 is a question whether it would not be worth some one's while to collect 

 the seed which should ripen better in Egypt than in many countries in 

 Europe. A small movement in the direction of exportation has already 

 begun. Freesias, Roman Hyacinths, and certain other bulbs increase so 

 rapidly that it is hoped some day to collect a number sufficient to send 

 them to the London market. A commencement was made with Lilies, as 

 it was noticed that the Lilium Harrisii increased in size and in quantity in 

 the Ramleh Gardens, but when planted in the fields it was found that the 

 weeding, attention, and other expenses, would cost more than the value of 

 the bulbs at a public auction. Perhaps this experiment of Lilies was 

 abandoned too early, and it may be recommenced when the results of the 

 exportation of other bulbs has been ascertained. 



It may be of interest to state that neither Papyrus antiquorum, the 

 Egyptian paper reed, which has succeeded so well in Sicily ever since it 

 was sent there by Ptolemy as a present to Hiero about b.c. 250, nor 

 Nelumbium speciosum, the Sacred Bean, to be found depicted on many of 

 the ancient monuments erected subsequent to the Persian invasion, can 

 be seen in an uncultivated state in Egypt, and it is even doubted whether 

 either of these plants grew without attention in the time of the ancient 

 Egyptians. 



With regard to fruits and vegetables, there is a large export trade in 

 Onions. Tomatos are sent in quantities to Marseilles and Trieste, and 

 Cabbages, green Artichokes, and a small variety of Marrow are shipped to 

 different ports in the Levant. Other vegetables, such as Asparagus, 

 Cauliflowers, Peas, and Beans, do well and come in during their season. 



Dates, Figs, Quinces, Anona squamosa, Oranges, and Bananas are the 

 usual fruits of the country. Pears and Apples do not succeed, and have 

 to be imported. Grapes are grown, but are largely supplemented by 

 supplies from the Greek Isles. 



Both the Oranges and Bananas have unfortunately been attacked by a 

 disease which renders the plants unproductive. Many of the Banana 

 plantations round Alexandria have already been rooted up, and other crops 

 have taken their place. 



