Mesquit Beans.—

The attempt (see Kew Report for 1877, p. 20) to secure the introduction into India and the colonies of these cattle-feeding plants, which are found so useful in hot dry countries, has met with a varied amount of success. The Screw Bean (Prosopis pubescens) appears to be the most difficult to establish.

Dr. Schomburgk reports from Adelaide that the South Australian climate does not suit the growth of the Screw Bean, about 100 young plants in pots having perished. In the case Prosopis juliflora, trees of last year's planting reached the height of 5 to 6 feet.

Mr. Bernays writes from Brisbane that both P. pubescens and P. juliflora are growing in the open ground from Kew seeds, and that there are strong young trees of the latter in Bowen Park also raised from the seed sent from Kew.

Mr. Keit, Curator of the Natal Botanic Gardens, writes to me:—"Regarding Prosopis pubescens, I beg to state that the seeds sown here germinated freely and grew for some time, but, notwithstanding all the care bestowed upon them, the young plants were, especially after rain, attacked and subsequently destroyed by a minute fungus. But I am glad to be able to add that one of my correspondents residing in the country has succeeded in rearing a couple of young plants, which are doing well. It appears to me that the interior of the country is more suitable for the cultivation of these plants than the coast districts."

Mr. Duthie, of the Saharunpore Botanic Gardens, states that "Prosopis juliflora is doing very well, and should give seed next year or the year after. P. pubescens failed during the rains."

In Southern India, Lieut. Col. Beddome reports that the experimental planting of Prosopis juliflora at Cuddapah promises to be a success.