February 25, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
159 
bee, F.R.Met.Soc. The author considers it important to keep to Luke 
Howard’s nomenclature, leaving it to the observers to express by an addi¬ 
tional word any peculiarity they notice in a particular cloud. 
2. “ Oa the Thickness of Shower Clouds,” by Mr. A. W. Clayden, 
M.A., F.G.S. From some measurements made by the author during the 
summer of 1885, he has come to the conclusion that clouds of less than 
2000 feet in thickness are not often accompanied by rain, and if they are 
it is only very gentle, consisting of minute drops. With a thickness of 
between 2000 and 4000 feet the size of the drops is moderate. As the 
thickness gets greater the size of the drops increases, and at the same 
time their temperature becomes lower, until, when the thickness is up¬ 
wards of 6000 feet, hail is produced. 
3. “ On the Formation of Rain, Hail, and Snow,” by Mr. A. W. 
Clayden, M.A., F.G.S. The author points out that all observations tend 
to show that, except under quite abnormal conditions, the temperature of 
the atmosphere falls as the height above sea level increases, and there 
seems no reason whatever for assuming that the law does not apply to 
that portion of the atmosphere which forms a cloud. Hence, if a drop 
were to be formed at or near the upper surface of a cloud it would fad 
down into a region saturated with vapour at a temperature above its 
own. The result will be further condensation, proiucing a larger drop ; 
and this process will continue until it leaves the cloud. If its tempera¬ 
ture is below the dew point of the air it falls through, condensation will 
continue until it reaches the ground. However, it is obvious that this 
subsequent gain cannot bear any very large proportion to the growth 
while falling through the saturated cloud, from which the conclusion 
follows that the size of the drop must increase with the thickness of the 
cloud. The author suggests that condensation begins on the upper sur¬ 
face of the cloud by the cooling of some of the liquid cloud particles. If 
this particle is cold enough it will solidify, and snow will be formed. 
Should it not be quite cold enough to solidify at once, owing to its 
minuteness, but remain still below the freezing point, hail is formed. 
Finally, if the temperature is not low enough for either snow or hail rain 
is produced. 
4. “ Oa Three Years’ Work by the ‘ Chrono-Barometer ’ and ‘ Chrono- 
Thermomeler,’ 1882-1884,” by Mr. W. F. Stanley, F.R.Met.Soc. The 
Chrono-Barometer is a clock that counts the oscillations of a pendulum 
formed by a suspended barometer. The upper chamber of the pendulum 
is a cylinder of an inch or more in diameter. By change of atmospheric 
pressure the mercury in the pendulum is displaced from the bottom to the 
top, and vice versa. The rate of the clock is accelerated or retarded in 
proportion to the displacement of the mercury. The Chrono-Thermometer 
is a similar clock to the above, and the pendulum is als > a barometer ; but 
instead of the lower chamber being exposed to pressure the whole tube is 
enclosed in a second hermetically sealed tube containing air. Atmo¬ 
spheric pressure being thus removed, the expansion of the included air 
by heat alone forces the mercury up into the vacuum chamber and alters 
the period of oscillation of th peendulum. 
CULTIVATION OF THE OLIVE AND WATTLE IS 
AUSTRALIA. 
Two reports furnished recently to the Legislative Council of South 
Australia by Mr. J. E. Brown, the Conservator of Forests in that Colony, 
contain some useful suggestions relative to these trees. Mr. Brown shows 
that such cul ure should afford good returns for the labour bestowed on 
the tree. According to his experience, the climate and soil of many parts 
of Australia are highly suited to its rapid and successful growth, and from 
the excellent oil which has already been produced in South Australia from 
the fruit there is every reason to conclude that a highly remunerative and 
permanent industry could be established in our midst by the extensive 
cultivation of the tree. It is no exaggeration to state that both the 
climate and soil of Australia are in many respects more generally suited 
to the growth and fecundity of the olive than are these physical features 
of its indigenous habitat. Where land is already fenced and cleared the 
planting of Olives would cost, ordinary farm labour being employed, about 
40s. per acre. The trees, planted 15 feet apart, would give 70 trees per 
acre. They should come into full bearing between the tenth and twelfth 
year’s growth, from which time the nett yearly proceeds would be about 
£3 per acre. It is said that the Olive tree reaches maturity between the 
fiftieth and sixtieth year. It, however, continues to bear prolifically after 
that period, and has been known to live until the age of 300 years and 
more. There is a great variety of Olives. Some grow successfully only 
in moist and temperate climates, while others again do best with less 
moisture and a comparatively high solar heat. Again, some varieties are 
disposed to favour soils of a fairly rich character, but which are free in 
consistency ; while other varieties piefer sites where the soil is of a warm 
calciferous character. From these facts, therefore, it will be seen that in 
the predilections of the various varieties of the Olive tree, both as 
regards soil and climate, there could be selected kinds to suit the various 
local physical peculiarities of our vast agricultural areas. The great 
drawback to the industry is the fact that a dozen years must pass before a 
monetary return can be had for the labour bestowed. Australian farmers 
are advocates for quicker returns, but, nevertheless, they might in that 
leisure time which occurs on most farms devote a few hours to the planting 
of Olive plants, the cost of which Mr. Brown estimates to be about 
2d. each. 
Many farmers of Australia are fully cognisant of the profits derivable 
from Wattle trees, although few have done much in the shape of planting. 
The Forest Department of this colony is at present making an experiment 
with Wattles on the vacant ground along railway lines ; and Mr. Moses, 
a tanner of Armidale, has a Wattle farm. Mr. Brown shows on paper 
that Wattle cultivation, although years have to elapse before a return can 
be expected, is a branch of agriculture which will pay handsomely. He 
says “ At the distances apart which I recommend the trees to be grown 
—namely, 4 feet to 6 feet—there will be an average of 1200 trees to 
the acre. In order, however, to make due allowance for barks, I shall 
base my calculations upon there being 1000 only to each acre. At the 
present time bark is selling at £7 10s. and £8 per ton, and there is every 
chance of a still higher price being obtained for it during the next few 
years. Still, to be on the safe side, I will put its value down at £5 per 
ton only. I give 5 tons as the probable yield per acre. That this is a low 
estimate will be admitted, when it is considered that this only allows for 
10 lbs. of bark to be taken from each tree. I shall now give a statement 
of the probable revenue and expenditure during a period of seven years, 
in connection with a Wattle plantation, formed upon 100 acres of land 
specially purchased for the purpose, and upon which Wattles had not 
previously grown.” The expenditure, allowing £3 per acre as the price 
of the land, would be £1792; the returns would be the value of 500 tons 
of bark, £2500 ; value of property, say £400 : total, £2900. The profit, 
therefore, would be £1108. 
Cm 
■ /S* 
WORK F0H.THE WEEK. O 
mi 
iPhrtlii'l 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
With the pruning and training of Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and 
Figs our winter work in the fruit garden is finished, with exception of 
Cob-nuts and Filberts, which are not pruned till after the catkins are 
fully developed, and enough of the yellow pollen is shaken from them to 
impregnate the little pink brush-like female blossom. In pruning and 
tying in the lateral growth of Figs, thin out crowded growth, but shorten 
no shoot which you reserve for fruit-bearing, because the fruit comes at 
the two or three top joints of each shoot. 
In a well-managed fruit garden we now find the pruning and training 
of wall and espalier trees finished. Old fastenings have been examined and 
renewed where necessary ; particular attention has been given to training 
the pliant growth of young trees to a correct form—and, remember, to 
impart any form to a fruit is only a matter of time and painstaking; all 
newly planted trees are fastened so securely that no wind can lossen stem 
and roots in the soil—we are most particular to have this well done, 
knowing, as we do, that unless the soil is packed closely about the roots 
a tree cannot thrive ; mulching has been placed over the soil about every 
newly planted tree. A label of lead or other metal with the name stamped 
so deeply upon it that it is practically indelible, has also been fastened to 
the stem by a thick leaden wire coiled round it in such a manner that it will 
yield to the pressure of the expanding growth and not clasp the bark so 
closely as to become embedded in it; the name of each tree is also written 
on a plan of the garden in the exact position it occupies in the garden, as 
a precaution against the loss of labels, and for reference in the garden 
office. Earnestly do we impress upon all fruit growers the importance of 
this simple plan, for in nothing is there more carelessness than in keeping 
names to fruit trees. Quite recently a gentleman with an extensive col¬ 
lection of fruit was deploring the loss of names, and he might well do so, 
for he had originally spent £5 upon labels for them ; many of the labels-* 
are now lost, and there is no plan for reference. The fruit trees are 
just coming into full bearing ; how is the owner of them to derive pleasure 
from the comparison of sorts, or his gardener to acquire such knowledge 
of them as he ought to have 1 
All bush fruits should have had a top-dressing of half-decayed manure 
applied in autumn. If this was not done, let no time be lost in now doing 
it, and see that the soil among the bushes is not disturbed by digging, 
which only destroys surface roots and does more harm than good. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines. — Grapes in Flower. —The temperature must not be less than 
60° to 65° at night, with a rise of 10° to 15° by day. Discontinue 
syringing, keep the glass clean, and prevent condensation of moisture by 
a little ventilation constantly, but without causing a draught. Shy¬ 
setting varieties will require careful fertilisation, even Black Hamburgh 
well repay the trouble by producing heavier bunches of evenly formed 
berries. Muscats in bloom should hare a night temperature of 65° to 70°, 
and 10° to 15° rise by day ; and if they are numerous a better set may 
be secured by the removal of the surplus bunches before they flower. 
Thinning. —Keep thinniDg well in hand, as every swell of the berries 
means so much taken from the size of those that will ultimately be re¬ 
tained for the crop. Rules for thinning cannot well be given ; it requires 
judgment, the capabilities of the Vines being taken into consideration. 
The thinning, however, should be such that a sufficient number of berries 
be retained to prevent the bunch falling out of shape when cut and laid 
upon the dish, there being just space for each berry to swell to its full 
extent without wedging or losing its natural form. 
Stopping, Tying, and, Regulating the Shoots. —Attend to disbudding 
as soon as the best breaks can be discerned, but it is a work that should 
