398 
PllOCEEDINGS OF SECTION 1). 
Hubus roscefolius , Linn., “The Queensland Raspberry.” — The fruit 
of this plant is constantly used by the settlers in all parts of the 
colony where the plant is to be found. In flavour it is usually very 
insipid, but seems to bo better in the tropics. Careful selection and 
cultivation would likely improve this plant, but I would again suggest, 
what I recommended many years ago, that it should be cross-fertilised 
with the cultivated kind — 2Z. Idceus . When this was attempted, years 
ago, near Brisbane, it was found that the two kinds were not in flower 
at the same time, and that the cultivated plant did not thrive. But 
now with quick railway communication no difficulty would be found in 
obtaining perfect flowers of the cultivated raspberry from the cool 
parts of New South Wales in fresh and perfect condition for fertilising 
the flowers of the wild plant. The cross being thus obtained, we 
might hope to have the sound constitution of the wild plant with 
some of the rich flavour in the fruit of the old plant of cultivation. 
Perfection must not be expected at once, but by patience and perse- 
verance I am confident that after a while a variety will be obtained 
nearly if not quite equal to the best cultivated kinds, and suitable to 
the Queensland climate. 
Sckizomeria ovata , D. Don., a small tree of Saxifrageae, produces 
a fruit well worthy of attention. This plant forms a large shrub or 
small tree. In the month of March, on the borders of scrubs in the 
End lo and Eumundi districts, the trees are seen laden with fruit, which 
is white, about the size of a cherry, juicy and acid. 
Viiis. This genus of the order Ampelidese is represented in 
Queensland by about fifteen species. Settlers utilise the fruit of 
several for making jam and jelly. Those considered to be best suited 
for the purpose are V. acetosa, F. v. M., V nitens , F. v. M., V. opaca , 
F. v. M., and V. hypoglauca, F. v. M .; the fruits of these being larger, 
more fleshy, and less acrid than others, although where these are not 
met with other species are used for the same purpose. By referring 
to my Botany Bulletin A 10, it will be seen that I there expressed 
the opinion that two species are confused in the descriptions of 
V. acetosa given by Mr. Bentham and Baron von Mueller. That 
such a mistake should occur is not to be wondered at, for it is seldom 
that the describing botanist has good specimens of this genus to 
examine; these plants disarticulate so very freely in drying, and 
collectors’ notes when given are often vague. Questions of this 
nature affecting our indigenous plants can never be satisfactorily 
settled until we have properly conducted botanic gardens — that is to 
say, gardens under the direction of botanists who have received horti- 
cultural training. Then these difficult, puzzling plants would be 
grown, their life history studied, and the results recorded for general 
information. Mr. Gardiner, of the Walsh River, when forwarding 
me specimens of V. acetosa , snys that the bunches of this grape attain 
from 1 lb. to 2 lb. in weight when the plants are met with upon 
limestone country, and that the berries are large, with the appearance 
and pleasant flavour of the cultivated grape. Baron von Mueller 
recommended the trial of this vine in Victoria many years ago ; but 
while there may be some doubt of its thriving so far south, there can 
be none as to its usefulness in tropical Queensland. 
In the hope that some enterprising fruit-grower may he led to 
devote some little time and attention to improving and utilising our 
