752 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[May i 1888 
would be able to give some assistance in procuring a 
suitable block of land. 
Tasmania. 
The climate of Tasmania being cooler and less ex- 
citing than that of the neighbouring (Monies, is better 
fitted to bring out the good qualities of all ordinary 
English fruits, and hence Tasmania-grown apples and 
pears are better flavoured as a rule, and are endowed 
with better keeping qualities. Provided a payable 
market can be obtained, there in practically no limit 
to the quantity of fruit that could be produced in 
Tasmania. The oooler climate would give her an 
advantage in the production of fruit for export, as 
it would naturally possess better keeping qualities. 
New Zealand. 
The Vine is cultivated in many parts of the North 
Islaud, and at Nelson in the South Island. At Whan- 
garei (North of Auckland) it is extensively grown in 
cold vineries : the produce realizes about one shilling 
(Is.) per lb. wholesale. The quality of the apples and 
pears grown here is unexceptional both with regard 
to appearance and flavour. It is fully equal to the 
best produce of the British Islands, and vastly superior 
to the American and Tasmanian fruit. The cultivation 
of these fruits is extending with gTeat rapidity under 
the attractive prospect of exporting high-class qualities 
to Europe and the United States during the months 
when their markets are most bare. Much, however, 
has to be done in the way of learning the best method 
of packing for so long a voyage. The Government is 
desirous to afford every facility for the extension of 
the industry, and has sanctioned the inclusion of 
Pomology in the course of instruction to be given in 
the School of Forestry and Agriculture now being 
established in Whangarei. Another important sub- 
ject, which in some districts is crippling the fruit 
industry, and reducing the yield to a point which 
affords no profit, is the prevalence of fungoid and 
insect pests. I need net insist here upon the extent 
of the injuries arising from these causes, but will 
direct attention to the advantage to be derived from 
a course of training that would enable the fruit-grower 
to recognize the different kinds when they make 
their first appearance, and teach him the lines upon 
which they can be most successfully encountered. 
Oape Colony. 
The abstracts of schedule returns showing kinds 
and prices of fruit grown in the several divisions of 
Oape Colony, are published with special reference to 
the export of fruit. It appears from the numerous 
suggestions made, that before a trade in fruit can be 
established with Great Britain, cheap and speedy 
transit to coast ports, and low freights thence must 
be secured. Information has been sought as to the 
stage of ripeness at which the different kinds of fruits 
should be picked, and as to the proper method of 
packing. It has also been proposed that inquiry 
should be made into the prevailing diseases of fruit' 
trees. The principal fruits cultivated in Cape Colony, 
and likely to be suitable for export, are apples, 
apricots, bananas, figs, Cape gooseberries (Physalis), 
grapes, lemons, melons, nectarines, oranges, peaches, 
pears, pomegranates, plums, quinces, almonds, and 
walnuts. Most of these fruits could be grown in very 
large quantities in Cape Colony, if sufficient induce- 
ments were held out. 
Mauritius 
The following Report on the fruits of Mauritius 
has been prepared by Mr. John Home, F. L. S., 
Director of the Botanical Gardens and of Woods and 
Forests : — The principal kinds of fruits grown in 
Mauritius, in order of merit, are : — The banana, 
"Banane, " Musa, several varieties; the mango, 
"Mangue, " Mangifera indica, many varieties; the 
pine apple, " Ananas, " A nanus satina, several vari- 
eties ; the iitchi, "Leechee, " JVephelium Litchi; the 
Jongan, JVephelium Long an ; the alligator or avocada 
pear, " Avocat, " l'ersea gratissima ; the strawberry, 
" Fraise, " Frayaria vesra, a few varieties ; the peach, 
" Peche, " I'ersica vulgaris ; the raspberry, " Fram- 
boise Maronne, " ilubm roscefolius (this plant is in- 
digenous, it is not cultivated in Mauritius) ; the 
eweet eop, " AWi, " Anona, squamosa ; the oherimolia 
" Ohermoyer, " Anona CherimoUa ; the " Curossol,'' 
Anona muricata ; the bullock's heart, " Coeur de boeuf," 
Anona reticulata; the fruit de Cythere, " Spondias 
dulcis ; the guava, " Goyave, " P.sidiuni Pomiferum, 
pyriferum, chinensis and Cattleyanum • the "Abricot 
de Pape, " Diospyros Kaki. There are several other 
sorts of less importance than the above, as the 
Malay apple, carambole, mabola, &c, The banana 
is ripe throughout the year. Mangoes from October 
to April, but most abundant in January and February. 
Pine apples throughout the year, but most common 
in December, "January, and February. The litchi, 
from the middle of November or beginning of 
December to the middle of January. The peach, 
from middle of November to the end of January. 
The other sorts follow at various times of the year. 
The quantity of fruit avilable for export from 
Mauritius on an average of seasons is very small 
indeed, It takes about all that is grown in the 
island to supply its inhabitants and the vessels in 
the harbour. The country enjoying a temperate cli- 
mate nearest to Mauritius is the Oape of Good 
Hope. There tropical fruits do not grow; and there 
and the interior of South Africa, now opened up 
by railways, a large market might be obtained for 
fresh bananas, pine apples, &c. I have no doubt 
that the existing small trade in these fruits could 
be extended, particularly if the Oolony enjoys in 
future regular and rapid steam communication with 
the ports of South Africa; and the steamship owners 
grant facilities to shippers, and airy places on 
board the steamers to store the fruits during the 
voyage. 
Sacchaeine. — In reply to a letter addressed to 
him from this establishment in which it was stated 
that correspondents in the Colonies were anxious to 
learn the opinion of those best able to judge as to 
the future of saccharine, Sir Henry Roscoe express- 
ed himself as follows: — 
Sir Henry E. Boscoe, M. P., F. R. S., to Eoyal 
Gardens, Kew. 
10, Brainbam Gardens, 
Wetherby Road, S. W., 
My dear Sir, December 3, 1887, 
In reply to yours of November 28, as to the 
probable influence of the discovery of saccharine on 
the growers and makers of sugar cane and cane 
sugar, I have to say that I do not believe that 
saccharine is ever likely to become an article of com- 
mon use like sugar. In the first place, saccharine 
is not a food, whilst sugar is; and in the second 
place, I doubt whether saccharine can be prepared 
at a price likely to compete with sugar. 
I think that this artificial sweetening agent will, 
however, become a useful material in cases in 
which sugar cannot be employed, as in diabetes and 
other diseases. 
It seems to me beyond the bounds of possibility 
that the price or production of cane sugar can be 
materially affected by the introduction of saccharine. 
I am, 
Yours truly, 
D. Morris, Esq. (Signed) Henky E. Roscoe. 
Adaptation of Plants to Rain and Dew. — Pro- 
fessor N. Wille records in Cohn's Beitrage «ur 
Biologic der PJianzen, 1887 the results of a series of 
experiments for the purpose of determining the extent 
to which plants can absorb moisture through their leaves 
or other aerial organs. The experiments were made on 
a number of different plants by placing on the leaves 
drops of a 1 per cent solution of lithium ohlorate, 
and then examining, by means of the spectroscope, 
the extent to which the lithium was absorbed. The 
general results obtained were that water is absorbed 
so slowly, and in such small quantities, through these 
organs, in comparison to the amount taken up through 
the root, that it is without any physiological value 
to the plant. This applies equally to ordinary leaves, 
and to those which possess what have been regarded 
by some observers as organs specially constructed 
for the absorption oi water.— PhwmactuticalJfurml. 
