TAGASASTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 16

TAGASASTE.

(Cytisus proliferus, Linn, f.—Commonly jcallcd Tiee Lucerne.) ECONOMIC AND ORNAMENTAL PROPERTIES. Mr J. W. Audas, E.L.nS., National Herbarium, Melbourne, writes in tiro Victorian Journal of Agriculture:— ‘‘Tagasaste has been so long known as ‘tree lucerne’ that it is becoming difficult to challenge its claim to the name. It is not the plant to which the name ‘tree lucerne ’ properly applies, as the more rightful owner of tho title is another member of tho leguminosos—viz., Mcdicago arborea. a native of Italy, where it grows to a height of 6ft, and is tree-like as compared with ordinary lucerne (Mcdicago saliva), but differs from it in appearance somewhat. The origin of tho misappellation is probably due to the striking similarity of tho foliage of ‘tagasaste’ with that of ordinary lucerne. lagasaste is a shrub indigenous to tho Canary and Madeira Islands, the home of so many of tho cytisus or laburnums. Although introduced to Australia fully 30 years ago, this plant has never received tho cultivation it merits, and it is to be regretted that its many good qualities have been so long overlooked. Throughout all tho plain country of tho Mallee districts of our State, where it should be especially valuable, it is practically unknown, and only of late years lias it been grown near Melbourne. “ Although impossible in the space of a small article to deal with all its uses, I wish, for the benefit of bee and poultry keepers, fo bring a few of its more valuable features under notice. Uses.— ‘‘lf grown at apiaries ns hedges or shrubs it i« a valuable acquisition in an ornamental sense, but more particularly on account of the profitable quality of its very melliferous white flowers, which are borne in profusion at a time when there is little else blooming; this period being in "Victors from about June until August. Poultry-farmers aro beginning to perceive the value of tagasaste, and those who hayo initiated its cultivation arc enthusiastic in praise of it. If grown in tho fowlruns it provides excellent shelter, and the tender leaves are relished as the nccefsary ‘ greens,’ while when allowed to grow up into young shrubs or trees, and no longer within reach of the birds, it flowers, and in due course tho seeds falling from the bursting pods supply another valuable food. As a fodder plant it has qualities which place it far above many better-known ones, being green all the yiar, an<l is- easily cultivated. It remains uninjured by frost, and withstands drought well, and should therefore prove a means whereby Mailed farmers could raise the stock-carrying capacity of their land to equal that of districts with a more favourable rainfall. Rut perhaps the supreme utility of tagasaste will be found in its uses aa shelter-belts or wind-breaks, being superior in certain localities to the sugar gum and popper tree, which aro so favoured for that purpose, for, unlike those trees, the roots of which spread near the surface and thus render a considerable area of land useless, those of the tagasaste penc■tratc deep into the subsoil, so that grass and smaller plants grow uninjured beneath it. This deep rooting quality rentiers it useful in market, gardens, for when sown between rows the seed will spring up quickly, and protect tender plants from wind and frost. Cultivation. — “ Tho manner of cultivation must bo varied according to the purpose for which it is being grown. If intended for fodder it should bo sown illicitly and frequently cut to keep t-ho foliage tender, for it will be readily understood that horses and cuttle, which relish it exceedingly in this way, soon show a dislike and reject it if 'it is allowed to grow harsh and woody. Every cutting renders the crop more valuable, and it will yield more fodder to tho area under cultivation than almost any other plant, supplying a diet on which horses will thrive and fatten, and which, when mixed with grass or straw, is equal to the best whoa ten hay. The germination of tho seeds may bo hastened by soaking overnight in boiling water; but this treatment is not essential, for, hc-ing very hardy, they will spring up quickly on almost any loose soil, and should be thinned out in distances varying with tho ultimate size of trees. I should suggest for hedges about 4ft or sft, and for shelter-belts Eft to 10ft. The growth of a year gives the trees sufficient height to protect crops and small fruits, or vineyards. while three years should furnish a growth of 15ft and upwards, and the trees will bo sufficiently 'urge to form an excellent wind-break for large orchards. Tagasaste finds most congenial conditions in a sandy soil and warm climate, and can only be said +o have one weak point in its climato-rrsist-ing armory—that is, its aversion to damp; therefore, land m preparation for planting should be well drained, and it is not advisable to attempt its cultivation in lowlying or swampy areas.”

TRADE WITH BRISTOL. PROGRESS OK THE SCHEME. MR LYSNAR AND SIR WALTER BUCHANAN. GISBORNE. August 22. With reference to the proposal to further develop the West of England ports, Mr Lyfinar informed a press representative to-night that lie had received cabled advice from Bristol to-day that the Bristol and Dominion Producers’ Association had be on duly registered and was now in a position to conduct business. Also, that satisfactory arrangements had been made to ensure advances against any produce that was sent forward under the scheme. There has, it appears, been further correspondence between Kir Walter Buchanan and Mr Lysnar with reference to the reliability of the latter's statements. Mr Lysnar wrote to Sir Walter reaffirming that the storage capacity at Bristol was 200,000 carcases. If Sir Walter could prove him wrong he would retract. Otherwise Sir Walter should now admit that he was right. In a very brief reply Sir

Walter Buchanan stated; “I have no intention of wasting my time in attempting to correct the exaggerations which seem to be inseparable from ail your utterances upon the subject. As Mr Lysnar felt that Sir Walter Buchanan’s remarks were damaging to his scheme, he despatched a cablegram to the Lord Mayor of Bristol, asking him to cable out authentically the actual cold storage capacity of that port. A reply was received by Mr Lysnar to-day as follows: —“ Your' statement correct. There is now dock and private storage capacity in Bristol for 200,000 carcases of mutton. Further stores now under construction. Lord Mavor of Bristol.”