USES FOR BAMBOOS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

USES FOR BAMBOOS

ORNAMENT AND UTILITY Bamboos are useful in every garden where space will admit, for ornament and for shelter and utility. In Japan and other countries where the bamboo is associated with the very life of the people and labour is cheap, there is scarcely a phase of existence in which it does not play a part. In those countries the uses of tho bamboo both private and commercial are many. Young bamboo shoots constitute an important article of diet in China and Japan and some other Oriental countries. Little native thatched villas are sheltered by clumps of bamboos, the picturesque houses •blend wonderfully with the frondage. To the Chinaman and the Japanese the bamboo is of supreme value. CULTURE IN NEW ZEALAND It is impossible to see what the future for the bamboo is likely to attain in this country. Although pre-eminently Oriental in its distribution, most of the species and varieties that have been introduced and established thrive with the greatest ease and fullest perfection. As our forests disappear to be turned into grazing areas and the need is felt for quick-growing shelter, fencing and other requisites, the bamboo may possibly find an important place. Bamboo poles of the giant varieties lend themselves admirably to the construction of light fences as they can be quickly cut and easily handled. In Japan artd China bamboo fences are seen everywhere. The long, thick poles of tho timber varieties may be utilised for rafters, etc. They will bear a considerable weight and are very durable. BOTANY OF BAMBOOS Bamboos are true grasses characterised by hollow or rarely solid stems, which are closed at the joints or nodes. They constitute one small branch of this most extensive family. Some bamboos may grow from 30 to 40 and even 50 years without flowering, which makes their botanical studies extremely slow. A curious feature of the flowering is that, when this event takes place many of the species and whole forests pass away. Tho seedlings eventually replace them. This peculiar feature has taken place locally. The earliest planting of that exceedingly elegant and graceful species gracilis, having recently seeded and the old clumps died, thus proving that this particular variety flowers at an early period. SPECIES AND VARIETIES Bamboos are catalogued under the generic names and bambusa, arundinaria and phyllostachys. Several of the species have been imported and established in New Zealand. Tho best known kinds of theso comprise Bambusa nana aurea, Japonica or Metake, Vulgaris aurundinacea (giant Indian), and a few other Japanese species. The phyllostachys include the well-known nigra (black), Quillioi, Mitis quadrangular and others. Some of tho species, notably aurea gracilis vulgaris and arundinaceas grow in tufts or clumps and gradually increase in size from tho offshoots, whereas most of tho others have long lateral root stems that throw up shoots from tho joints, and on this account aro unfit for small gardens unless the suckering loots arc controlled. BAMBOOS AND POULTRY Bamboos and poultry make a happy combination and their use in this connection is strongly recommended. A break of Bambusa nana aurea or Japonica on the exposed sido or sides will afford absolute protection from tho strongest and coldest winds and shelter from the summer sun. Tho droppings furnish an excellent fertiliser for tho plants. Tho smallholder wh > wishes to mako the best of every portion of his holding would do well to utilise bamboo culturo as an economical proposition and easily provido good shelter, an essential in poultry farming. ORNAMENT AND SCREEN As specimen clumps the non-sucker species of bamboos are admirably suited and exceedingly ornamental. Splendid specimens of one of tho species may be seen in a gully at. Waiknmete Cemetery grounds. Flanted near artificial lakes they aro most attractive, especially tho tall, giant vulgaris species. For screens to shut out unsightly objects bamboos are of special value. A VALUABLE VARIETY The advantages of Bambusa nana aurea for garden and shelter as well as for ornamental hedges, has previously been referred to. It is extremely densegrowing and does not sucker but gradually increases and thickens out from tho side _ shoots. Planted about 14in. apart it will gradually meet and become a close impenetrable permanent hedge that requires but littlo attention to clipping. The graceful foliage gives it an ornamental appearance. Its value as a hedge plant has been fully tosted as may bo seen by specimen hedges at Remuera. It may, without doubt, be described as tho best and most permanent of non-flowering ornamental shelter hedges. When better known it will bo extensively planted.