The Kowhai Trees.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 10

The Kowhai Trees.

TO THE EDITOR.

g IK; _j n a local in your issue of 7th inst. you say: " As showing the wonderful growth this spring it might be mentioned that many of the kowhai trees at Whare Flat are now in full bloom. This is very early. The flowers usually do not appear there much before the middle of September." Expecting a " treat for tho eyes 1 walked to WhaTe Flat yesterday, but was greatly disappointed, as at the most I only saw four or five of the trees with a httle bloom on them, and was informed there will be nothing worth seeing till about the middle of next month. Whilst there I saw one of the giants of these kowhai trees, which had just been cut down. Can you or any of your readers kindly inform me how to tell the age of a tree from the rings which are seen in the wood after the trunk lias been eawn through? Does each ring represent one year? and do you commence counting from the centre ring, or do you first add a certain number, say 20 or 25 years, and then commence with the first ring? The section I saw, which was cut off about 2ft 6in from the ground, had 200 rings or more. — I am, etc., J. Wycliffe Batlie.

Dunedin, August 18.

"(The kowhai is considered one of th© harbinger* of spring among native flowering plants, and comes into bloom from early August until October, according to the situation. The age of a tree is told by counting the rings from tho centre. The wood in the centre becomes more compressed each year, the young squeezing the old closer together, and the rings cannot be counted without the aid of a powerful glass. No allowance of years is made. Some rapid-growing plants, particularly evergreen.-', rnakr> two rings in one year, but kowhai grows very slowly. — Ed.]

We have received the schedule and list of v prizes of tho Dunedin Horticultural Society for the season just opening. Tho prize-list is again a very liberal one, and in value exceeds those of any other society in the colony. The society, however, has scarcely received the support which it should, and the membership is much lesa than should be the case considering the size of the city and suburbs. It is to be hoped, therefore, that tnere will be an increase this year and that members will come forward with exhibits. Some new classes have been added this year. For the spring show, to be held on October 1, the special competition will be in narcissi, for Messr= Barr aaid Son's cup. The summer t>how is fixed fur December 17, when there will be a champion competition in roses for tho society's silver challenge cup, and a shield competition for school children. The autumn show i-3 set down for March 4 next. The date of the chrysanthemum show is not fixed. At this thow there will be a champion competition in chrysanthemums. The special prizes are numerous, amd the schodule should be carefully studied by intending exhibitors.