Mays, 1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
359 
loam and a moderate proportion of sand with a little well-decayed 
manure constitute a compost that suits it admirably. The plant 
if well treated grows fast, and will need occasional pruning to 
keep it in shape ; but the best way is to train the branches up the 
Fig. 82.—Solanum venustum. 
The spray I send is cut from a com¬ 
paratively small plant, but its parent 
was, I believe, the handsome specimen 
in the Palm house at Kew, which has 
been there some years, and frequently 
produces a fine display of flowers. A 
very good figure of that was published 
in the “ Botanical Magazine ” some ten 
or twelve years ago, when Sir Joseph 
Hooker stated that the origin of the 
plant was not certainly known, but it 
was believed to be a native of Brazil. 
I am not sure if the plant i3 in com¬ 
merce, but if not it might advantage¬ 
ously receive the attention of nursery¬ 
men. The woodcut shows the foliage 
and form of the panicle very well, the flowers being about half 
the natural size.—R. L. 
FRUIT PROSPECTS. 
I see some of your correspondents entertain a very hopeful 
view of the fruit prospects. I should be sorry to unnecessarily 
cast a cloud over their hopes ; but have they taken anything 
more than a superficial view of the case ? According to my 
observations the trees are flowering freely, and will probably 
continue to do so for some time ; but as far as the Pear crop 
is concerned the flowering is a complete delusion, for not only 
are the blooms which are expanded killed as far as fruit-bear¬ 
ing is concerned, but I grieve to say that in most cases the 
later and unexpanded flowers are also fatally injured, and if cut 
through the centre will be seen to be black. This will not prevent 
the flowers expanding and looking as beautiful as ever, thus 
creating fond hopes doomed to disappointment. Some of the 
varieties have suffered less than others, and those on the walls I 
am in hopes will have sufficient left in most instances for a light 
crop. Half the Plum blossom on walls is killed, but I think 
there is sufficient left for a crop. Dessert Cherries on walls are 
more injured than Plums, but Morellos are safe so far. Peaches, 
strange to say, have suffered less than anything and are swelling 
an abundant crop, although covered only with a coarse net such 
as is used to keep birds away. Apples are safe with the exception 
of two or three early-flowering varieties ; but orchards about this 
neighbourhood, being mostly old, have never recovered from the 
effects of the cold wet summer of 1879, followed by the severe 
winter.— Wm. Taylor. 
roof and allow the shorter flowering shoots to hang down in 
festoons, as it appears much more graceful in that manner than Native Flowers.— I was agreeably surprised the other day 
when cut-in too closely. by seeing in a plantation on a hill having a west aspect the 
