becoming fence for gardens of private residences, but would be too expensive for a ryot's holding, or a channel bank, and, I believe, on this account, has been considered unsuitable for hedging the Madras Railway.

First, as regards trees, the object is to obtain shade, and to preserve moisture, whilst we seek to secure some return for the expense of planting, &c. I would therefore give the preference to fruit, over timber trees in most situations; for the former, as the mango, tamarind, and soapnut, may be early rented to advantage, while the latter yield little or no return until they have attained maturity; and then they must be felled, and the process of planting again gone through. I would name the trees noted below* for selection according to locality: by no means, however, intending that no other fruit trees should be planted, or that timber trees should be wholly forbidden.

The planting of the following exotics might be tried in particular localities likely to suit them. They are all much esteemed in the countries whence they are derived. American Sumach (Caesalpinia coriaria, L.), introduced from St Domingo. The pods of this valuable tree contain about 50 per cent of tannin (Drury), and small plantations exist at Bangalore, Guntur, Hunsúr, Masulipatam, &c. The tree grows well in most of these situations.

(Hæmatoxylon Campechianum, L.) Logwood. This is said to be an excellent plant for fences, and is much used in Jamaica. It prefers a dry soil near the sea, and therefore would probably succeed along the Coromandel coast. Amongst timber trees, if these should be wanted, I conceive the following to be the best(jak, sál sissú, tún, tamarind, and teak), all furnishing wood of great value for economic purposes; and here, I may observe, that a circular order was issued to the Public Works Department, No. 744, 1855, which contains some appropriate remarks on this subject.

*Wherever they will grow, those marked † having the preference-viz., Tamarind, † Mango, Jak, Bassia, Eugenia (Jamun), † Soapnut, Nim, † Coconut, † Calophyllum, Pongamia, In sandy tracts where more valuable trees will not grow, the following, (Casuarina, Date, Palmyra, Cashew, and Babúl) may be used,

For hedges, I think the various species of Aloe wherever they thrive, will form the most economical fence, they are almost impenetrable, require little or no care to keep the fence in order, and the leaves yield fibrous material. These plants are cultivated from suckers which take root readily, and would probably answer well in the Kistna District (under reference.)

In some places, the Bamboo may be planted in contiguous clumps at the foot of embankments. The uses of the Bamboo are very numerous, and a fence is easily formed by bending down a few of the shoots of each clump and interlacing them. "Bamboo fences are peculiarly well adapted to pasture land, the cattle browsing on the young shoots, keeping down the growth, so that very little care is required to keep them within bounds." "In other localities, the Coconut, and where it will not grow, the Palmyra and Date may be planted close together, as I believe, is done in Tanjore and Rajamandri; the trees form a living wall through which cattle cannot pass. The Inga dulcis (Kurakapulli), I fear, will be too expensive to keep in order; when trimmed and pruned it forms a hedge superior to any other in India; and, indeed, is not excelled by the English Hawthorn, which it much resembles.

The Parkinsonia aculeata, Casalpinia sepiaria (Mysore thorn), C. sappan (Sappan tree), C. coriaria (American sumach), and Capparis sepiaria, may all be used; but, I think, the Inga should have the preference, and the Aloe be resorted to where those mentioned do not succeed. The use of the prickly pear (Opuntia Dillenii), I strongly deprecate, although impenetrable and inexpensive, it conveys an idea of sterility, and is rapidly becoming a nuisance in this country. (See Ann. Nat. Hist., Oct. 1850.)

I have thus briefly indicated the trees and hedge plants which seem to be most likely to suit the object which Government has in view. In the north-west provinces, the loppings and prunings of the canal plantations pay well; and if Government are prepared to keep up the necessary establishments, I have no doubt that a similar system would pay here, although trees do not generally attain the same size in Southern India, and the markets for timber of this description are not of the same extent.

Reference is now made, 1st, to the plants adapted for ordinary hedges; and, 2d, to those more suited for inner garden fences, or for ornamental purposes. Of these hedge plants some are already in use, and there are others which appear equally well fitted for fences.

INGA DULCIS (Willd.), Sweet Inga.

W. and A., pr. i. p. 268; Grah. Cat. Bom. pl. p. 56; Voigt. Hort. Calc., p. 259; Wight. Icon. i. t. 198; Mimosa dulcis, Roxb. Cor., pl. i. t. 99; Fl. Ind. ii. p. 556; Pithecolobium dulce, Benth. in Lond. Jour. of Botany, ii. p. 423, &c.; Kuraka pulli, Tel.

A large and handsome tree with drooping branches, armed with straight stipulary thorns. The introduction of this plant to Asiatic countries has only lately been traced. Roxburgh was of opinion that it was a native of the Eastern islands, from whence it was brought to the Calcutta garden; but in Blanco's Flora of the Phillipine Islands, we find that it had been imported thither from Mexico. It is now frequently met with, particularly towards the coast. This plant, like its congeners, is easily raised from seeds. The hedge, when clipped once in two months, forms a neat and serviceable enclosure, a beautiful example of which may be seen round the Horticultural Garden, Madras. In fact, it is now the favourite hedge of S. India, where there is a proximity to the sea, and not undue moisture.

BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA (Willd.), Common Bamboo.

Roxb. Cor., pl. 1, t. 79; Fl. Ind. ii. p. 191; Grah. Cat. Bom., pl. p. 239; Voigt. Hort. Calc., p. 719; Arundo Bambos, L. (partly); Bansh., Beng.

The well-known tribe of arborescent grasses, called Bambuseæ, constitutes one of the most beautiful features of tropical vegetation, and is expressive of buoyant lightness and flexible slenderness. In fact, the cheerful elegance and feathery appearance of the bamboo are proverbial. The true bamboos are only found in Asia; the Guadua is the arborescent grass of South America; there are several species of Bambusa, well adapted for hedges,

elsewhere described. Of these, B. spinosa, from the number and strength of its branches and spines, is said to form the most impenetrable jungle in India. B. nana, introduced from China into the Botanic Garden, Calcutta, makes beautiful close hedges. Roxb.

The Bambuseæ require a humid climate, and do not thrive in dry or sandy soil, hence we seldom meet with flowering plants in the Carnatic; but they are abundant beside the water courses of the Western Ghats, and in all parts to which the influence of the S.W. monsoon extends.

The bamboo is extensively used as a fence for gardens and fields in Coorg, the S. Mahratta country and Guzerat, where it delights in the rich soil along the edge of the mountain streams. It forms a dense and graceful underwood; but unless its luxuriance is checked, it spreads into clumps, and has a tendency to harbour vermin. The young thick shoots should be watched and carefully removed, and the lateral branches only allowed to remain. It has been introduced into Jamaica; and Macfadyen, in an excellent account of the hedge plants of that island, already quoted, states that "Bamboo fences are peculiarly adapted to pasture-land, the cattle browsing on the young shoots keeping down their growth, so that little additional care is required" (Hook. Bot. Misc., iii. p. 83). Thunberg mentions, that the sugar plantations in Java are fenced with bamboo (Travels, vol. ii. p. 312).

The town of Bednore (literally Bideruru or Bamboo-place), was defended in Hyder's time by a deep trench filled with bamboos, which formed an additional means of defence, and hence the name of the town (Buch. Jour., iii. p. 261). When we visited the place in 1856, we found the trench still remaining with many bamboos growing in it.

Buchanan also mentions, that Mr Place, then collector of Chingleput, caused each village to be surrounded by a hedge of bamboo; but few of these remain; indeed, they are scarce and dear in the Carnatic. It would be tedious to enumerate the great variety of economic purposes to which the bamboo is applied; but its use is so extensive, that it might be introduced with advantage under the bunds of tanks, or wherever a moist spot is obtainable.

The inflorescence only occurs in rich, moist situations, and in these the thorns are sometimes absent. In times of scarcity, the seeds of the bamboo, mixed with honey, are eaten like rice by the poorer classes of natives (Buch. Jour., ii., p. 341); and in Orissa (Stirling in Asiat. Res., vol. xv. p. 205.

The bamboo is easily propagated by means of suckers, which strike root in moist soils. An interesting notice on the rapid growth of the bamboo, by Mr R. Scott, is published in the Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin., vol. iv. p. 25, 1849.

CÆSALPINIA SEPIARIA (Roxb.), Mysore thorn.

Roxb. Fl. Ind., 2, p. 360; W. and A. pr. p. 282; Wight Icon., t. 37; Grah. Cat. Bom., pl. p. 61; Voigt. Hort. Calc., p. 244; Roxb. in E. I. C., tab. 1240. Hyder ka jar, Hind. Chillur, Duk.

This plant possesses a historical interest, Hyder Ally having directed it to be planted as a means of defence around his strongholds. In the territories of Mysore, the mud fortifications which surrounded all the villages in the days of plunder and rapine are rapidly disappearing; but hedges of this plant (with Pterolobium lacerans) still remain to attest Hyder's skill in the art of defence. C. sepiaria is indigenous in Mysore; but is now generally diffused over our Indian possessions, and known as the Mysore Thorn. It is employed as a fence in the Baghyat lands of the Dekkan, and possesses the twofold advantage of beauty and durability.

Immediately the shoot appears above ground, it separates into numerous lateral branches, which are strongly armed with recurved prickles. In the cold season, the yellow racemes of flowers which spring from the higher branches form a striking and beautiful object. For general use as an enclosure, it is one of the best plants with which we are acquainted; it is easily raised from seed, and grows vigorously both above and below the Ghats. (vide p. 174.) The hedge requires little care beyond occasionally trimming the side branches, and perhaps the introduction of a few dead stakes at intervals to steady and strengthen it.