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CATALOGUE RECEIVED.
We have been favoured with the "Plant and
Fruit Tree Catalogue" of Mr. Samuel Purchase, j
Somerset Nursery, Parramatta, New South
Wales, which contains a very extensive
collection of all kinds ef ornamental and
other plants, shrubs, and trees, and Mr. P.
states that his u prices will be found lower j
than any other establishment." In fruit trees he
gives a list of 106 sorts of apples, which he
stetes are " perfectly free from blight a great
thing to say. To the list of each sort of fruit
tree is attached useful practical directions for
preparing the ground, pruning, and other treat:
ment. On the orange he gives quite an essay
of six pages, from which we cull the following : —
ORANGE CULTURE.
Experience has taught him that the most suitable
soil is that which is formed of decomposed
vegetable matter, such as the leaves of forest trees.
He is confident that whatever may be said in
favour of sandy soil, the quantity of manure
required for its enrichment in order to produce
fine fruit, puts all idea of profit out of the question;
where the soil happens to be stiff, it should be
loosened by the addition of sand or other sub
stances. He prefers a subsoil of clay before
shale or ironstone, which should, if possible, be
avoided. The soil should be prepared a consider
able time before planting, deeply and thoroughly |
pulverised by working during dry weather, and j
the soil and subsoil well mixed together by means !
of either three-pronged hoe, fork, or the deep |
plough, thus exposing the combined soils to the
acticn of the Bummer's sun, and, if possible,
winter atmosphere. Previous cropping of the
land cannot be considered judicious, unless the
crop is turned down while in a green state. An
easterly aspect he considers the best, and the pro
tection of a belt of trees should be afforded on the
south and west sides, but the sheltering trees
should not be nearer than a chain from the outer
fence. The slope of the land should be so great
as to allow a sufficient fall for drainage, but not to
permit the soil to be washed away by rains. Deep
underground drainage is of the first importance ;
to the absence of it is attributed the mortality of
many of the once most flourishing groves.
Instructions for the formation of drains also are
given, recommending that main drains should not
be less than four feet in depth. Autumn is he
preferable season for planting, except where frosts
are liable to occur, in which case planting should
be deferred till spring. The treeB should stand
twenty feet apart each way, and should the soil be
dry at the time of planting, or afterwards, water- j
ing must be resorted to, but not more than will |
keep the soil sufficiently moist ; as soon as they
are plat, ted, the trees should be staked and
sheltered with boughB stuck in the ground at a
little distance, or by other means. To meet the
loss of roots by transplanting, an equal portion of
the branches should be pruned away. The proper
time to prune established trees is immediately the I
winter is over and frosts are gone, when dead
wood, superfluous and cross branches, and also
young skoots that may have come up in the oentre
of the tree, should be removed. ' Upon the latter
much stress is laid, as if left they will
fill up the centre ef the tree, exclude the
desirable current of air, and alee form j
receptacles for scale and other insects. La pruning!
keen-edged instruments should, be used in order;
te effect a clean incision, and no eyeless wood
should Jbe left behind to form hiding plaoes fori
the various insects. Toung trees should have all
the fruit picked off for the first two or three years,1
to allow them to gain strength. They should not
be forced with, manure while young, nor until|
they have commenced bearing. The proper
season to apply manure is just as the fruit is com-
ing on. The best manure, he considers, is "scrap-'
ings of the bush" thoroughly rotted, next well!
decomposed animal manure mixed with rich!
mould, or bone-dust ; and should , a tree become-
poverty-Btrioken, guano may be used. Liquid
imanure, in the form of soap-suds and the drainage.
of dunghills, is an admirable aseistene.
The following, copied from fcis descriptive list
of twenty -two sorts, are those apparently best
adapted for the climate of Victoria. - (The. Bahia.
or Navel ha considers " the gem of the branges,!
but it requires a warm and sheltered situation,
and grea!; attention in pruning). Blood or
I Maltess, medium size, a very free bearer, hut slow
grower. Parramatta — this ie undoubtedly the
best orange lor general purpoees in cultivation,
free-growing, good bearer, and good for expert.
Queen — large, handsome, and free-growing.
Siletta — much sought for shipping, email, very
juicy, and excellent bearer. St. Michael — cannot
;be surpassed ; much like the Siletta; St. Jago —
'magnificent, resembling the St. Michael. The
Thorny Mandarin— magnificent, the earliest to
| ripen, the highest flavoured, will remain longest
on the tree after ripening, Very valuable dbr-sbip-
l .ping, and cannot be too highly reoitibieiide
rAlIsop's Gem— one of the best ever producbd|-
r distinct, handsome, and free bearer.
$