The times., 1897-07-04

like every other one, but within their tiny
stalks There are possibilities OF lnfinlte
variety Near by, in the same shed, are the
sick plaats awaiting the tender ministra-
tons of theiI physician Their heads droop
and some leaves are dry and parched
They are grouped in separate wards of the
hospital, and all they need is Il little nuIS-
ing TO make them again things OF beauty.
The practical plant, i'll the dlssehilha-
tion of which Superintendent Smith Is at
present most interested, in the Bunya
Bunya, a wonderful food producer. He
does not think that it will flourish north
of Wilmington, \. c., but he proposes 10
make it of great Importance to the South.
He has sent specimens to all the Southern
States and reports from them are very
encouraging. The botanical name of the
plant is A Araucuria Bidwilli. 1t was first
discovered by some woodcutt ers, who
were plying their trade near Moreton
Bay, now Queensland, Australia. A plant
of it was sent to Mr.. Bidwill, superntenu-
cnt of the Botanical Garden at sidney.
/ was offered for sale in 1912 for f25,
but, as there was no bidders at that price,
IL was sent to the gardens at Kew TO the
curator, Mr. John Smith. 1t was about
eighteen inches in diameter, and in 1862,
wien removed from the winter garden,
ii had attained height of twelve feet,
with spread of branches eighteen feet.
and girth of stem near the base two feet
sin inches. In its native country between
the twenty and twenty-eighth par
allcl, south latitude, it becomes u giant
from 1870 to 40 feet high, with girth
Of twenty-five feet. The cones, W hicn
enough to contain about 100 seeds. the
kernels of which are the size of walnuts
These are delicious, having a delicate
alinon d flavor. They are conducive TO
health and an increase OF flesh. The ma
tiycs congregate at stated periods, in
regular conventions, not TO discuss abStruse
problems but 90 have banquetS of the Bunyii
Bmya No side dishes are needed to com
pletC tIeir felicity; they care naught for
aftcr-dinner speeches, and the sound Of
the Crunching OF the delicious kernels
makes Sweeter music for them than would
the finest band
Tie tree as d food-producer is OF such
importance 10 them that the forests where
they grow are held toy groups OF natives,
and divlued into sections on a kind Of com
munistic OF Henry George basis Each
family Is permitted TO have the fruit OF a
certain quota Of trees The right is made
hereditary. and trespassing is vigorously
resisted. The forests are Just ninety miles
from Brisbane. Thoughthc government has
enacted Stdctlaws 70 protect them from de-
strdction, il has not heen able totprevent
depredations. The trees are used for 50
many purposes. and the wood is Of great
utlitN They are becoming Scarcer as the
country is more and more cultivated II
is said thatit viii soon come 10 pass, when
the natives are punished for stealing from
satIlers. they VIII say:
What car we do? You destroyed our
kangaroDs: You aretaking our Bunya Bunya
| from u. and in time we ourselves viii
disappear, to be replaced by civilized men. T.
Some years past Bunya BUuya tree WAS
purchased by the Duke Of Devonsmre for
100 sureas The most fourishing sent
out from this city is that which rears its
proud height ia front of the Hotel Ponce lie
Leon, in Florida The one in the gardens
| here is at present tail enough to threaten
to break through the top OF the largest
tropical greenhouse Itsspread OF branches
is not great The leaves are small, but
| tie foliage quite dense.
STE FTTE RAMSEY.