272 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Ocr., 1902. 
roots are not sufficiently «rated, the use of over-hard baked pots or glazed 
receptacles, the compacting of the soil, and particularly the absence of or 
clogging of the drainage. Naturally this accumulation results in the burning 
of the young root tips. Activity is reduced, and the whole system of the plant 
suffers from the shock. 
The editor of the Garden and Field suggests that, after the plant has been 
treated to the hot-water bath, it would be well to replace the loss of food 
elements by slight applications of liquid manure ; nitrate of soda in mild doses 
may be used for all foliage plants in pots, but that, of course, is not a complete 
fertiliser, and must be supplemented by phosphoric acid and potash. Some 
plants are much less able to accept chemical food than others; generally speak- 
ing, palms and ferns require careful handling, but the ordinary rules of garden- 
ing practice will govern the operator. It is reasonable to believe that if the 
hot water will dissolve and wash out the poisonous acids it would also dissolve 
and carry off all essential elements of plant food. Therefore, they must be 
supplied artificially. 
HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE BOTANIC GARDENS. 
We have received from the director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, 
Mr. W. R. Guilfoyle, a little pamphlet giving in concise form the history of 
the gardens from the year 1845, together with the names of the various gentle- 
men who have held the office of director. A very excellent view of a portion 
of the gardens forms the frontispiece, and gives a good idea of their extent 
and beauty. ‘Two plans are also attached, one showing the plan of the gardens 
on the retirement of Baron Von Mueller in 1873, the other showing the altera- 
tions and improvements effected since that date by Mr. Guilfoyle. Both are 
very well executed, and with the help of the remarks as to the route map and 
index, any object of interest to the visitor can be easily found. The pamphlet, 
small as it is, supplies all information as to routes from the city by trams 
and vehicles, and the times of opening and closing. The regulations for the 
care, protection, and management of the gardens are also published. ‘This little 
work should be of great value to visitors to the southern capital. 
NUMBER OF PLANTS PER ACRE. 
The number of plants to the acre depends on the distance apart, and 
whether set to form squares or equivalent triangles. The following table may 
be useful :— 
Apart. Square. Triangle. Apart. Square. Triangle. 
1 foot ... 48,650 ... 50,800 IPSC a5 BY a 
2feet ... 10,890 ... 12,575 ZF | PPP a UB 
Boe, SSID Ctafetett) 1) op oo, UBB] xy 222 
ONS ae PA ee BER) 1S} ~ a, UO) xx, 191 
Bg oo WAM nn ol 1h}, oxy IBY ees 164 
Oop an IAD Gy | abe EY By sexy IK) xy 125 
Utes B ten 888 ... 1,025 25) 3, xx ) . ax 79 
Say Toss SHY) oes, 785 30 ,, a | Shed een 55 
ee aa | Bee BBY) 620 SDM ot > BES yy 40 
MW) oy an 435... 502 40 ,, eo AR! ots 31 
When the distances between the plants differ from that between the rows, 
divide 43,560, the number of square feet in an acre, by the number of square 
feet to each plant, and the quotient will be the number of plants to the acre. 
The square feet to each hill is found by mule g the number of feet between 
the rows by the number of feet, or fraction of a foot, between the plants. 
