5 7 
branches. If, however, the tip of such a tree be removed until firm 
wood is obtained (usually about 6 inches) some ten days before 
planting, the axillary buds will have become plump and active. 
Planting may then be carried out with much less danger of checking 
the growth of the tree and almost immediately continue its growth. 
The subsequent lateral branches must be pruned or removed 
according to the purposes the tree is desired to fulfil, but in order that 
there be as little waste of sap as possible, they should be removed 
when quite young. 
Ornamental and flowering shrubs require frequent pruning. In 
the case of the former, sufficient only should be removed to preserve 
the shape of the shrub unless it has become scraggy, when severe 
pruning is necessary. For the latter the secateurs may be used fre- 
quently and more drastic treatment may be given them. 
The pruning of flowering shrubs can be done immediately the 
flowers have faded but the best and most favourable time to do so is 
is at the commencement of the rainy season. They may then 
receive a severe pruning without causing so great a check as when 
done at any other time of the year. 
When a shrub or tree has been pruned, it should immediately 
receive a liberal dressing of manure, either by mulching or by digging 
it lightly into the soil. Well decayed leaves and old cow-manure 
mixed together is the most suitable manure for this purpose. 
The following list comprises a few Ornamental and, flowering 
plants which require such pruning -.—Acalyphas; Angelonia salicarae- 
folia ; Aristolochia ? (a few); Beloperone oblongata; Bougainvilleas', 
Brunfelsia ; Clerodendrons ; Congeas ; Crossandra ; Daedalacanthus ; 
Duranta; Eranthemum {except E. Malaccensis); Cryptostegia ; Excae- 
caria bicolor; Galphimia glauca; Graptophyllum (Caricature plant); 
Hibiscus (all); Hohnskioldia ; Ipomoea carnea ; Ixoras ; Jasminum (slight); 
Jatropha; Lantanas ; Murraya (slight); Mussaendas ; Quisqualis in- 
diga (Drunken sailor); Nerium; Palicourea gardenioides ; Petraea 
volubilis; Plumbago rosea (frequently); Rondoletia odorata (slight) 
Russelias ; Sanchezia nobilis ; Punax fruHcosu${a\\ vars.); Strobilanthes 
Dyerianus ; Tecoma stans ; Thunbergia erecta; and W ortnias. 
J. W. ANDERSON. 
IN UNKNOWN PAPUA. 
Mr. Staniforth Smith’s Tour. 
London, Feb. 1 6 . 
Mr. Staniforth Smith, Administrator of the Territory of Papua, 
lectured this week before the Royal Geographical Society on his 
recent adventurous journey through the Western District of Papua. 
Here are some notable results of his adventures which prove that the 
terra incognita consisting of huge up-raised coral bels has a larger 
area of elevated land than any other discovered in the territory. 
