THE NATURE COLUMN,

Southland Times, Issue 16786, 15 July 1911, Page 11

THE NATURE COLUMN,

A “NATIVE” G-AaDEW; A SUGGESTION. Just now the air is full of suggestions as to the beautifying of InvercargillThanks to the liberality of several generous and public-spirited citizens, a considerable sum of money is now available for this purpose. With a Mayor and councillors who realize the claims of Of the aesthetic side of the lives of the citizens, with an experienced and energetic horticulturalist filling the position of gardener to the Corporation and with an auxiliary body of enthusiastic gentlemen forming the Beautifying Society, things certainly look favourable towards getting something done in the way ot Improving our —let us own it—somewhat flat and unlovely surroundings. What wonders can be wrought by the help of bud and blossom is well exemplified by the transformation that uas been brought about during the last few years in some of the more central gardens, but it is thought in many quarters that something more in the line of landscape work might with advantage be undertaken in the larger public places. Unfortunately the open places of our city do not readily lend themselves to schemes of this sort. A plain fiat paddock is not easily turned into a lasting thing of beauty. Still, the fact that there are difficulties in the way will piobably only stimulate those who have the matter in hand to more determined efforts, and I have no doubt that in a few years' time we shall hardly be able to recognise the spot? whore now horse and cow wander at will.

The suggestion however that I have to bring forward, is that somewhere in the town’s parks or gardens a piece of land be set apart for New Zealand plants only. Let each species have a label placed near it bearing scientific, Maori and popular names. Such a garden would be a source of interest and pleasure, of use and beauty. To the student of plants it would be a living growing museum. Botanical classes from the schools might supplement their Inside studies by visits to it, and learn more in one hour in the presence of the living plant than in two in the classroom. To visitors from other lands such a spot would be especially interesting. As a rule they are not particularly interested in ordinary garden flowers, in roses or daffodils or chrysanthemum?. These they have seen before but the wild clematis, the sheperd’s lily, the flax bush, the toitoi or the speargrass never fail to arrest attention.

Of course, some of our native plants could not bo grown so far south but the number of these is comparatively few. Even alpine plants can be grown easily enough at sea-level —given abundant water and perfect drainage. Dr Cockayne F.L.S., writing on this subject says, "the opinion that native plants are particularly difficult to grow and when removed from their homes in the forest or elsewhere, will die, is quite erroneous. It Is the rough treatment so frequently accorded to the specimens first on their being collected and afterwards when planted, that causes failure and not special difficulty in their cultivation ; indeed, many are quite as easy to grow as the rank and file Of garden plants.” The doctor also gives a list of some plants easy of cultivation and not difficult to procure.” Among trees he mentions the kowhai, ribbonwood, mountain-rib-bonwoods, lacebark, broadleaf. lancewoods, celery pine, ivy tree, kaikomako, taralas, tawhiri, manuka, akeake, palmlily (cabbage tree), and the native beeches (usually called birches). To these might be added the greater part of "he bush trees of Southland and Otago. In shrubs there are the veronicas and olearias —we have dozens of different kinds in these genera—the native broom, cassinias, coprosmas and myrtles. In climbers, the various kinds of “lawyers” and clematis might be mentioned and even among the fernsJ many of the hardier kinds can be successfully cultivated outside, though t.o have this section in any way complete r closed building, as in the present gapdens, would be necessary. Ir point of colour, it is true that Iff ie majority of native flowers cannot ’be compared with ordinary garden sort ts, though the somewhat garnish beau ty of many of the latter is easily eclips ed when contrasted with the delicacy a nd grace of many of the native varieties. The mountain or shepherd’s lily—whici by the way is not a lily but a buttereu; p—the bush clematis, the scarlet mia tictoe and the toitoi are cases in pe hit. TV by New Zealand people should reject this latter swaying embodiment t of grace and plant in its stead stiff, and formal bandies of pampas-grass is,' hard to understand.

Such a garden, once established, could be made still more interesting Ii y introducing some of our native birV is. A small pond would be necessary 1) or the •waterfowl and a wire netting er.ifiosure for the ground birds. A few ]paradise ducks would form very handso:.oie objects and the wekas, black or brown, are lively and most entertaininj; birds. In fact, if circumstances allowed of it, I see no reason why some of t;b e smaller shrubs should not be entjj-ely enclosed with bird-netting and -aji aviary formed, to contain such of tine smaller birds as tlie tomtit, the fan tail, the rifleman, grey warbler, etc. 'Dhe planting of native vegetation would of itself tend to attract native birds. Bellbirds visit gardens in the heart of - the town, to also do far.tails and warblers, and it Is not unlikely, that when a. shrubbery bad been established some occasional visitor would be induced to. take up a permanent residence therein and rear their young. Of course the full realiz/a lion of this native garden idea would be a matter of many years but there a|.pears to me to be no reason why a commencement should not be made. Fi.-om a modest beginning in tlie course time a unique collection of our beautiful native plants could be got together. I should be pleased if readers would express their opinions and offer suggestions in this matter. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ROBIN.. Of those of our na cive birds which seem doomed to extinction none will be regretted more than tti-e robin. Though a very sober-coloured, bird and without the melodious song of many of its fellows, its extreme tagnoness and trustful confiding nature make it a general favourite. But though its song, in point of tunefulness falls far below" that of the tui or the bellbird. it is not unpleasing. It consists of several short vvliisties of different pitch, each repeated four or five times in rapid succession. The first hours of daylight seem to be chiefly availed of 'by tlie robin for tlie exercise of his vo.xil powers. The writer well remembers camping for some time in the hear-t of the bu.h in tlie ■\Vaipapa district. After the first streak of dawn sleep was out of tlie question owing to the whistling chorus of multitudes of robins mingled with the melodious dim of the tuis and bellbirds. But that was twenty years ago. Up till nine Or ten years since robins were common enough in the bush round Invercargill. One had only to take a stroll therein, to have a pair in attendance. Tins jjiropensity of the robin’s to follow anyone about tlie bush cannot be put down altogether to the credit of the bird's sociability or fondness for the company of human beings. Cattle wondlering about the bush are often attended in the same way by small birds, and the real reason for their presentee is probably that many insects are disturbed by the largar animals and Tall tin easy prey to. their watchful attendants.

It is now nearly ten vears nince I saw a robin. In September of 1001 I found a nf-st containing two newly hatched young birds. It was built in e sapling, some twelve or fourteen feet from the. ground. Tlie parent bird left the nest and fluttered anxiously round al most within arms’ reach. On being Offered a small worm in the palm of the hand she-, after a little hesitation, seized and swallowed it. Since about that time the robin seems to h.tvvc disappeared from Southland. A friend informs me that lie met with a pair eightceM months ago near Lake Hauroko hut a trip through tin; bush country lying between the V.'aiau and Preservation. Inlet, undertaken ny tlie writer and Dirty during March hist, was barren of results as far as tire robin was concerned. I am inclined to think Hint In So-.tthiand at least, we have seen the last of our little bush companion. Can any j-.-ader give any definite information to die contrary, or suggest a reason for the disappearance of over so 1&T&& an area?