1 Jan., 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 49 
Plumbago capensis, Prunus sinensis, Punica granatum, Sambucus, Tamarix 
gallica, Vitex trifoliata, Yucca of various kinds, &. Bulbs of nearly every 
sort can be grown at the proper season; and annuals of many sorts can be 
depended upon to give a fair show of flowers during the year. 
- It must not be forgotten that to successfully grow the plants I have 
mentioned the watering-can or the pipe-hose has to be used as occasion 
requires, for without moisture plant-growing is out of the question. Where 
water is plentiful there also will be flowers. 
THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS OF EDINBURGH. 
These extensive and beautiful grounds cover an area of 57°648 acres, and 
are replete with valuable plants such as tropical palms, ferns, orchids, pitcher- 
plants, economic plants, plants of dry regions, &c. There are hot-houses, 
lecture-rooms, laboratories, herbarium, arboretum ; in fact, everything to make 
the gardens attractive and of educational value. In this latter respect the 
Edinburgh Gardens admirably fulfil their functions. Special instruction in the 
sciences underlying the practice of horticulture and forestry is provided for the 
staff of the garden. The course of instruction is spread over three years, and 
consists of lectures upon and practical instruction in the sciences taught. A 
reading-room and library are also provided for members of the staff going 
through the course. The Regius keeper from time to time gives lectures which 
are open to the public, and the laboratories are open to anyone desirous of 
undertaking botanical research. 
In recent years a school of rural economy has been established in Edin- 
burgh, and a considerable part of the botanical teaching in connection with it is 
carried on in the gardens. Students of the university also go to the garden for 
instruction in botany. It seems a pity that our beautiful Brisbane Botanic 
Gardens cannot be utilised in a similar manner. One might trayel a long way . 
in European countries before finding such a magnificent collection of represen- 
tatives of the vegetable world as is here to be seen, and there are not wanting 
earnest students of botany who would giadly avail themselves of any such 
opportunities as are offered by the Scotch gardens, if the able and scientific 
director could see his way to spare the time necessary for the purpose. 
LIQUID MANURE FOR POT PLANTS. 
Few people are aware of the great value of fertilisers applied in liquid 
form. Nearly every plant is’ benefited by its use at some period or other, and 
if applied prudently when the plants are most in need of some kind of stimu- 
lant the effect will be most observable, more especially in the case of plants in 
pots, where the space they occupy is circumscribed, and the properties of the 
soil soon become exhausted. How often we hear exclamations of surprise at 
the beautiful and healthy plants some growers produce, and the extremely small 
pots they are in. The secret is the careful and regular application of liquid 
food when the plants are growing and their pots are full of roots. 
Many of the ills which plants are heir to are believed by those who are ill- 
informed to be the result directly or indirectly of the use of manures, when the 
real cause generally is the poverty of the soils in which they are expected to 
thrive. 
~ It will be apparent to every amateur that weak and unhealthy plants are 
more subject to insect pests than are the healthy and vigorous. All plants do 
not require manure at the same period, so the amateur must use a certain 
amount of discretion. As the hot weather advances liquid food will be required. 
Notice the appearance of the various plants, and apply it accordingly. 
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