PLANTATIONS,

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 17 August 1893, Page 4

PLANTATIONS,

BY AfABATA RENATA.

AND HOW TO MAKE THEM A SUCCESS.

That Arbor Day was not an entire failure this year, although not proclaimed a public holiday, is evident by the numerous reports of plantations mentioned in the local papers. The railway officials could boast of a fine plantation inaugurated by the local stationmaster (Mr Arthur) some years ago of native plants ; and Mr Smith, the locomotive foreman, has this year designed and planted a beautiful plot of ground near the engine sheds, where many native trees are to be seen flourishing, and on Arbor Day the strip of vacant land adjoining the traffic offices was planted in a most systematic and novel manner with 200 trees, shrubs, and plants in the space of a few hours. Every tree or shrub in this plantation is native of or indigenous to New Zealand. The trees, shrubs, and plants are all numbered and named, and the numbers, names, and planters are all registered on a plan and in a register of the plantation kept in the railway offices. This feature is a great stride in the direction of makiDg a plantation of lasting interest to the planters and general public. Each individual who had the honour of planting a tree can find it years hence even if among hundreds of its species, and in years to come many a greyhaired old man or woman will be seen on Arbor Day looking at trees that were planted in their youth by themselves. It is intended to extend this plantation in time. It is now the most complete and carefully arranged plantation of native trees, shrubs, and plants in the colony, and, although planted only a few days ago, already looks imposing and attractive from any point of view. Mr Bathgate must feel gratified ab the result of his untiring perseverance, and to him all praise and thanks are due for most of the results of the plantations commenced or completed on that day. in the neighbourhood of Dunedin.

That many plantations will not be so successful as could be desired is a foregone conclusion ; but the want of success will be mainly due to a want of knowledge, and this can only be gained by experience. There is no reason why anyone who has not been successful in getting a, tree to grow this year should fail next time. To assist future efforts I shall endeavour in this article to contribute my mite of experience and observation, and in doing so I need scarcely say that I have failed in past years with plants, although I rarely do so now, a consummation arrived at by bitter disappointment and experience gained in past years. In the first place I shall take

LATITUDE AND ALTITUDE,

About Dunedin our latitude has winds that are peculiar to it, and which affect our climate more or less. The easterly never seems to nip any plant, however exposed it may be to it. The north wind is harmless, so also is a northwester in winter, but in summer it plays havoc with tender shoots. West and south-west winds, accompanied with hail or snow, destroy no end of plants exposed to their fury. South and south-east are generally harmless, as they come off a warm current that surrounds our southern and south-east coasts.

The effects of altitude on plants in the vicinity of Dunedin is incredible. The flora of high hills like Mount Cargill is quite distinct to that about the Town Belt, and trees, shrubs, and plants that are common on it are strangers on the Belt. The pitch or bog pine, which has assisted the bush fires bo much to extend on Mount Cargill, on account of its resinous nature, is a perfect stranger on hills only a few hundred feet lower in altitude. Seneoios, common on the mountain, are not to be found anywhere else about Dunedin. Ngios and kowhais, although common on the coast, are strangers on any high hill near Dunedin. It is a strange fact that a seed of a sea coast plant, dropped by bird or man on a high hill, will not germinate, and a seed of a hill plant dropped on the coast land will also perish ; and again seed dropped on volcanic soil will often fail, though it will grow when dropped on limestone or other formation. These facts are all well known to gardeners and plant collectors ; but the general public have with few exceptions had no chance of learning them. To prove a success in many cases the altitude of a species of plant should be ascertained before it is planted. The karaka or Corynocarpus laevigata often gets terribly blighted-when exposed to some winds about Dunedin if planted high from the sea ; but there are large trees in Mr Beverly's garden in Heriot Row which have flourished for many years without a leaf having been hurt. These trees are splendid specimens, and fruit freely. Again the karakas in .the public gardens are often injured by the cold winds from Mount Cargill, &o. A knowledge of mountain flora or plants which succeed when transplanted to the lowlands can only be gained by visits to different gardens where the plants are to be seen in a cultivated state. Such plants as the mountain or shepherd's lily and other ranunculi flourish almost anywhere about Dunedin.

This has a great influence on all plants. Naturally particular native plants choose or flourish only on certain aspects about Dunedin. The Olearia vergata, a beautiful and much neglected shrub, chooses a southern aspect. The dracophyllum, common about Ravensbourne, also chooses a southern aspect and an exposed situation. A pseudo pauax or lance wood of a very striking appearance flourishes on dry situations facing east or north. Specimens are common on the rocky face adjoining the public gardens, while on the southern aspect of the Northern Cemetery the ordinary lance wood only will be found, notwithstanding the fact that the two localities, are so close

together. Any one wishing to secure a special plant from the native bush should endeavour to find out what aspect it naturally chooses. Of course there are many trees and shrubs that flourish naturally on almost any altitude or aspect— such as th% broadleaf of the species named Griselina littoralis.

The influence of soil is very marked on the character of the native plants, and nowhere is there a better illustration of this than on the Town Belt. The manuka seed is very shy of germination unless dropped on a suitable soil. The line of demarcation between it and another class of bush can be defined to a, few feet, and the nature of the soil ascertained to a nicety in its vicinity. Hinahina also acts as a good guide to selectors of bush farms. Again, there are many native trees that flourish irrespective of almost any special altitude, aspect, or soil.

DEAINAGE.

Natural drainage has a most wonderful effect on the nature of plants. Many plants and trees choose their home where water gathers— such, for example, as the native fuchsia. The black pine, or raatai, on the other hand, generally avoids swampy land, while the white pine flourishes to perfection about swamps and low country. Presuming aspeoimen of each of these pines were required in a plantation, these facts should be kept in view. In the public gardens, kaihakatea or white pines would flourish on the flat land, and matai or black pine on the hillside. A foot or two in altitude alters the bush in many cases from white to black pine, and this is entirely due to natural drainage.

TRENCHING.

This is the most important feature in promoting the growth of almost all trees and shrubs. Some natural process goes on in the bush and even under isolated trees whereby the soil is loosened or trenched,' and everyone knows how loose bush soil is, and how soon it becomes hard and caked when it is exposed and not cultivated for a few years. Many trees' and shrubs flourish en any soil if it is only dug, but the majority require trenched soil.

August 4 has been the day fixed for Arbor Day since it became an institution, and this day is quite late enough. The hoheria or ribbon wood has already gob a few shoots on ib at that date even about Dunedin. The ranunculi have opened a leaf in warm positions, and the imported crocus is out in full bloom. Planting trees and shrubs at this season in many cases requires great oare, and those specimens that have grown in the shelter of the native bush require the rays of the sun kept off them for some months to ensure success, whereas if they had been planted a month earlier this would not have been necessary in any case;

CHOICE OP PLANTS. -

A serious mistake has been made in every plantation of a mixed nature about Dunedin— and most of these look very mixed indeed. The error has been caused in every case by trying to get an immediate effect irrespective of what the future appearance of the plantation may be. A planter of mixed plantations should endeavour to picture to himself the colour and size of each tree five or ten years from the date of planting and the general effect of the whole plantation in the future. All our city plantations have most beautiful specimens of trees when they are looked at individually, but when the whole plantation is taken in view a sad conglomeration meets the eye. In the Triangle there were some very handsome ngios, and these have all been out down. It is quite possible that those in charge of this plantation wished to pnt other trees in their place; but why cut down every single one? It looks very like a piece of authorised vandalism, and these trees are certainly missed in a plantation where the specimens of New Zealand trees for their, age were unrivalled, perhaps, in the world. A plantation in charge of Mr Arthur, the local stationmaster, of New Zealand trees, close to the station, is really the most perfect in Dunedin. The trees are good, and the effect of the whole is very creditable. The plantation opposite has an immense collection of native trees, shrubs, and plants, and the choice of trees, &c, is faultless, and when extended to the railway bridge in Jetty street ib will be a feature in Danedin, ,

In choosing plants for private gardens about Dunedin, mistakes have been made in almost every case; Where shrubs should be large trees have been planted. In the choice of trees, &0., future' effect must be the only true guide to be followed either with imported or native plants. Useful trees are very much neglected, The blue gum and other eucalypti are most service' able for posts and firewood, and on farms a good plantation in some suitable place should always be undertaken. Trees 20 years old yield excellent and durable posts. '

Our plantations have trees, &c, over 40 years old now, and they are consequently a good guide for future planting. To anyone with a critical eye a look over them would always be well repaid when about to plant a tree or plantation. Next week I shall deal with the colour of the foliage, &0., of our native trees.