BOTANICAL ASSET

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 87, 6 January 1940, Page 13

BOTANICAL ASSET

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth PAST YEAR’S PROGRESS The year 1939 was remarkable it' Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, for the completion of plans which now make the park one of lhe most valuable botanical assets in the Dominion. And there are one or two factors which will be of increasing interest as years go by and will attract attention of botanists and scientists from all over the world. Apart from the scientific aspect the park is very lovely just now, and has delighted crowds of visitors during the holidays. A large majority of these guests are from widespread districts of New Zealand. One improvement effected this year which will add greatly to the appearance of the sportsgromid is the reclothing of the southern bank with grass. Because" of the absorption ot moisture by the huge pines which surround the terraces it, has always preseated a drab and burnt appearance. The whole face has been planted with the famous Kikuyu grass, a native of South Africa, and a renowned drought resister. This is doing splendidly, and may be regarded as firmly established, so that the whole of the area surrounding the'playing arena should soon be of a uniform refreshing greenness. New Propagating House. Another improvement which has already proved its value is the removal of the old propagating house from Brooklands and its re-establishment at the site of the begonia display which is an enchanting feature of the ferneries. This is now attached Jo the begonia house, and the installation or electric heating in the propagating pit enables the staff to gain at least' three or four weeks’ earlier growth in begonias and- other greenhouse plants. This is invaluable as an aid to procuring an early display and maintaining that display at the peak of perfection during the month when patronage by visitors is most heavy. In the third chamber of the fernery itself the eastern end used to be a plain straight wall. This has, during the past year, been excavated and modelled to form a delightful grotto, which has been filled with deliciite filmy ferns which require running water and shade to flourish in their real loveliness. These ferns and many more of the native kidney fern are now well established and make a charming picture. Forest Tree Planting. ■ Planting of idle new forest extension selienie at Brooklands was completed during the year under review, and this area now contains the magnificent total of 6700 specimens of N-aw Zealand timber trees. It is a. great collection, and over 90 per cent, are doing remarkably well, a tribute to the care given in raising and planting. Here may be seen, all of our indigenous timber trees, many of which are not growing in the bush area of the park, and also many which are not to be seen in the original bush of Taranaki. Only One of Its Kind. In the Fillis Street national botanical reserve Ist a collection of native flora which -is the only one of its kind in the world. Here has been assembled a complete collection of the flora of New Zealand. At least two specimens of each have been planted, and all are doing splendidly. It is the most complete collection in New Zealand, and contains many varieties which are very rare and difficult to procure. It is of inestimable value to botanists and scientists, for here in the one plantation may be studied the unique characteristics of the priceless flora of New Zealand, to do which in their native habitat would entail weeks of time and thousands) of miles of travelling. Removal of lhe glasshouse from Brooklands has given room for. extensions -o-f the lawns and flowerbeds, features which admiration all the year round. Here may now be seen a magnificent display of dahlias at their stately best, 40 new varieties having been bedded out this spring.