Page 5 Advertisements Column 4

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9726, 23 January 1895, Page 5

Writing to Garden and Forest, Mr. J. M. Gerard has the following in regard to the Iri- florentina:—" With its bare and almost white flowers, Iris florentina is one of the most charming plants of the season, and should be in every garden. Ib is a reliable garden variety, and its exquisitely coloured Sowers have a particular air, notwithstanding this is one of the commonest of plants. Ib is also commercially valuable, and many tons of its roots are each year gathered, dried, and prepared to make the orris root of trade. The finer grades of this root are used by perfumers, usually to stimulate violet. It is also largely used in tooth powders and for sachets. Of late years oils, both liquid and concrete, have been extracted from the roots, and these have proved useful to the soapmaker, as well as to the perfumer. This Iris is also the only officinal species, being sometimes used in medical practice as a cathartic, and in large does as an emetic. It is one of the older remedies, however, and is seldom used now." According to the great provision merchant (Mr. Lipton), there is a big future before jam as an article of diet in England. He says the people are using ib more and more largely every year. Australian jams are being pushed largely in India and elsewhere, and may very probably come over here before long to compete with our home produce. Mr. Lipton has already some very good fruit farms in Kent. He is, however, so confident of the future of fruitgrowing that he has resolved to have farms in several other counties—Gloucestershire and Worcestershire in particular. Don't forget the sale of 17 choice freehold allotments at Devonport, close to wharfs and Cheltenham Beach by Samuel Vaileand Sons at their mart on Friday, 25th January, 1895, at two p.m. sharp. An entertainment, consisting of the operetta, " The Hermit's Cell," followed by a concert and farce, will be held in the Sacred Heart Schoolroom, Ponsonby, this evening. The operetta w&s given lately with much success, and its repetition, together with the remainder of the entertainment, should form an enjoyable evenings amusement. • ''-/v. >-U The annual meeting of the Auckland Working Men's Club will be held on Wednesday at eight p.m. "■*' The Auckland Regatta Committee meet at eight o'clock to-night in the Harbour Board j. office. .•" ,' ■~,_.'.. " Yalumba" special old invalid Port, vin tage 1880. From oldest vineyard in South I Australia.— Campbell, and Go.