BOTANIC AND DOMAIN GARDENS. 
13 
belief, that the Cinchona will Dot grow in Victoria, except cared for in 
a bush house or shed. But, there are many other valuable plants and 
trees which are suitable to our climate, and which might be largely 
cultivated with very important results to the whole country. The 
Hickory is an instance. By the last mail, I received a large number of 
Hickory seeds from America. I believe these to be sound ; and from 
experiments made during the past twelve months, I feel assured this tree 
will eventually prove a most valuable article of our commerce. Another 
very valuable plant, the Valonia Oak ( Quercus JEgilops ) has lately 
caused much public discussiou. Judging, however, from the slow growth 
of the two specimens in the Garden during the last four years (they are 
scarcely more than two feet high), this tree will take a very long time 
before it is sufficiently matured to become of commercial value. On 
the shores of the Mediterranean the acorn cups of this oak produce 
tannin in large quantities, and of a very valuable nature. Considering, 
however, the slow growth of the tree, and the improbability on that 
account of its being extensively cultivated by private enterprise, it 
might be considered worthy of plantation in the State Forests, or other 
Government lands ; since if it proved successful, it would eventually 
form a large source of revenue. Mr. Laurence, who lately introduced 
seeds of the Valonia Oak, deserves every praise for his experimental 
effort. 
The subject of fodder plants and grasses is one of very great import- 
ance to this Colony ; and is therefore deserving of particular notice in a 
Public Garden, with a view to determining the kinds best adapted for 
cultivation in various localities. I append a list of 67 Grasses (with 
botanical and common names) all of which have been propagated in the 
Botanic Gardens. I would suggest that the various local Agricultural 
societies would do well to procure specimens of these plants, give them 
a fair trial, and periodically report on them. The result would un- 
doubtedly be the dissemination of information very valuable to the 
pastoral and agricultural communities. 
Much interest has lately been excited by a plant called the Prickly 
Comfrey (Symphytum asperrimum). A number of roots of the Comfrey 
were purchased for the Gardens from the consignee, Mr. Cresswell, 
seedsman, of Swanston street. I have also received seeds of it from 
Dr. J. Hooker, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. I have 
raised a quantity of sets, and sent out a few specimens, including some 
to Dr. Schomburgk of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. There can be 
no question that this plant is of very great value as a fodder plant, even 
