May 7.—We observe that a very ornamental tree and, at the same time, a tree of great commercial importance is at present in flower we refer to the Tung Oil tree Aleurites fordii a native of central and west China, Wood oil is pressed from the seeds of this tree, and an ingredient used in the manufacture of Chinese ink, is soot produced by the burning of the oil, Another species A. cordate, is native to south China and the wood-oil produced there is obtained from the seeds of this tree: it is also planted in Japan for the same purpose, Aesculus cornea, a much more attractive species of the horse chestnut than A, Hippocastanum was seen in a local garden recently, this species has deep flesh coloured flowers and a place should be found for it in more gardens. The tree appears to be just as easy to grow as the more common species, The rock orange Philadelphus coronarius, known also as syringa, is beginning to bloom and it will soon brighten our gardens with its white fragrant flowers, The species is a native of Armeni; but there are several varieties known, "Tommy" tells me that this is a most peculiar shrub for if he crushes the leaves he fancies that he can detect a smell of cucumbers while the flowers have a fra-france resembling the orange blossom, Spiraea prunifolia flora pleno is another handsome shrub at present in flower, This shrub produces clusters of double flowers on graceful stems and it is worthy of a place in every garden: it is native to China and Japan and it is so easy to grow. Providing a change from the white-flowered shrubs we notice that the purplish pink Indigofera is now covered with peashaped flowers in some gardens; this shrub is flowering on stems produced this Spring. The most showy aquatic plant that we are able to grow successfully here is now starting to flower: the leaves of the water lily, known botanically as Nymphaea pygmaca, are also attractive floating on our ponds, The flowers are not used for room decoration as much as they should be, this is probably owing to their habit of closing: to prevent this, a little tallow is often placed in the centre the flower, We are told that the period of freshness of the water lily may be extended by cutting off about half an inch of stem periodically; this is done to allow a fresh layer of cells to come into contact with the water in the bowl. N. pygmaea is native to China and Japan: there are however, other species cultivated here which have been introduced and also several hybrids, One of the earliest chrysanthemums (0 flower is now in bloom on vegetable plots in the country districts: this is C, segetum, commonly known as the corn marigold, and it is grown for use as a vegetable in its young state, We see that Rosa Banksiae is making its annual display. Who can truthfully say that they do not like this non-prickly Chines climbing rose! We learn that the first banksian rose was introduced into England in 1807 and that it was named in honour of Lady Banks, Writing of roses reminds us that we have seen press references regarding a meeting of the Home and Garden section of the British Women's Association which is scheduled to take place on Friday, We have not seen a better collection
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.