SOME NEW ABUTTALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4161, 22 August 1881, Page 3

SOME NEW ABUTTALS.

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Those who are most familiar with our Public Gardens, and who best know where to find such trees, shrubs or plants as they may desire to examine at different seasons, are most prone to deplore the fact that the Domain Board ie to all intents and purpoßOß a poverty-stricken institution. In our educational system, the general work of instruction is being carried on in no niggardly manner; we go beyond the necessaries, making the plan luxurious in its fulness,— in certain directions, that is,— and now we aro providing Borne of the accessories that are almost universally regarded as essential for a practical application of theoretical knowledge. We are establishing a School of Art, in which the various styles of drawing required in factories and workshops may bo taught, as well as the principles of design. At the same time we are establishing a well-stocked tech. nological museum, wherein the artiian may study carefully prepared models of the best types of constructive skill, and so advance himself in his particular occupation. Regarded from an educational point of view our Public Gardens ought to be of immense importance ; and indeed they are as valuable m this direction as patient and unceasing work can make them; but with eve« a modest income at the disposal of the Board their Btatus might "bo very materially improved. It would bo possible to have the magnificent collection of botanical nohes kept in better order ; to hare durable labels, showing the botanical and popular names, attached to the specimens, as is done in the public parks and gardons in large English cities; and it would be possible also to have one or two park constables, whose constast vigilance would be a safeguard against petty pilfering or thoughtless injury, and would comstitute an assmrance that no breaches of propriety could possibly take place. The time will no doubt come when there will be a sufficient awakening of public opinion to secure the improvements indicated, and to maintain the Public Gardens of Ohristchurch in the foremost position they even now occapy The Government estimates for the year 'ending March 31, 1882, include the following items • Government Domains — Gardeners and labourers, Wellington and Auckland, £991 4i • contingencies, £200 (less 10 per cent on sala' ries for three months, £29) , nett total, £1162 'I •?v T " esdftT « Au e u 8t I*> a question was put in the Howe by Mr 0. 0. Bowen, and in reply thereto "the Hon W. Bolleiton said that Government considered the maintenance of Botanical Gardens devolved upon the local bodies, so far as their being recreation grounds was concerned. Government, however, was of opinion that these gardens might be utilised for the cultivation of plants requisite for promoting local industries, as in the case of the dive, and a vote would be brought down for that object." There is a prospect, therefore, that some aid may be given to the Ohristchurch Domain Board, but it may be queifcioned whether there is any good and sufficient reason why Auckland and Wellington should be specially favoured with regard to th«ir Botanical Gardens.

In exchange for specimens sent from Ohwatohurch, valuable collections of plants are constantly being received j and I purpose now to present a few brief notes respecting some_ of the recent arrivals, with the view of showing, amongst other things, that the propOßal to utilise the gardens for the cultivation of plants requisite for promoting local industries may be speedily acted upon. In th« experimental ground the important question as to the degree of hardiness of any given species could be tried ; and the propagation of useful items would of coune be carried on systematically.

Amongst the now Eucalypti, or gum trees, are the following :— E. citriodorui, or lemonscented, the odour being remarkably sweet, and decidedly more powerful than from the lemon-scented verbena. This gum is a native of the northern part of New South Wales, and will, it is anticipated, prove to be of rather delicate constitution in Christchurch • but should this be the ease, the new comer is certain of general welcome as a greenhouse acquisition, especially as its cultivation will be quite an easy matter. E. ficifolia is a Bplendid variety, with the striking difference from most of its kind that the colour of the flowers is a rich scarlet. Passing over the decorative hopes raised by this specimen, there is the comforting reflection that it will in all probability prove hardy. There are six other kinds of gum tree in the collection. E. leucoxylon has pink flowers ; E. alpina is an exceedingly hardy species ; E. sideroxvlon is noted for the durability and hardness of its timber; E. patens is a handsome, broadleaved, spreading species, likely to do well here ; E. negacarpa is a handsome as well as hardy kind, and E. Baileyana is a new gum f-om Queensland, with very beautiful foliage, but probably tender. The addition of these eight species of Eucalypti will render th« collection in the Chriatchurch gardens fairly complete.

Thero are two beautiful ehrubß, Bauera sessiliflora and B. rubioides, which are re« lated to the well known hydrangea, but are widely different therefrom as to their foliage. They have handsome nodding flowers, of a rose or purple colour ; and theße Australian shrubs will, it is thought, prove hardy in Christchurch. Hakea orthoryncha is another new species of a desirable group of Australian shrubs, many of which have been proved to be hardy here. Fodocarpus spinuloaa is an Australian representative of the New Zealand totara. It is a fine tree, with large green leaves, and will be a welcomo addition to our conifers. By the way, a conifer under this name has been cultivated in Canterbury, but the title appears to have been wrongly applied. The Australian indigo tree, Nidigofera Australia, is amongst the new comerß. This jt is already known, would be tender here out of door?, but it will make a beautiful shrub for green house cultivation, the richly coloured (pink) flowera being freely produced. It has been buccessfully grown in England as a greenhouse evergreen. Cistus formosissimus is one of the best of a fine family of shrubs, natives of the northern hemisphere ; all the members of tho group are hardy in Christchurch. Euonymus Due d'Anjou j'b a now and very curious variety of the common spindle tree of Japan. It has leaves centrally marked with a dull, yellowish-grefin blotch, nnd forms a good contrast to the more highly coloured varieties. In all probability it will become popular. There are also some Melaleucas; these form a very handsomo family of Australian shrubs, nnd have tho merit of being amongst the bardießt plants of the island-continent. There was already a good collection of them in the gardens, and thoeo now sent form a re'illy valuable addition. They are five in number, and only one of them lias been tried hero previously.

Hex Canine, the dahoon of America, is a kind of holly, but differs considerably from the common species. In tho Southern B(ateß it is used as a substitute for tea, and remarkable curative properties are also assigned to it. This plant, I bplievo, will shortly be available for distribution. It may bo of interest; to mention that a holly of similar repute, I. Caesinoides, has been grown in the pardons for some years. Erica tetralix alba is n white varioty of the well-known and universally admired British heath. Oalliatemou coccineus and 0. brachyrandus aro two of the Australian bottlobrush shrubs, which aro nearly all handsome. They aro also among (ho harder Australian?, a considerable numbor of them having stood out in the gardens for some years past. The two kinds just received are regarded as being almost the best in the group. Vitis Baudiniana ie an Australian species of vine, extending further to the south than any other yet known. It is evergreen, and produces edible fruits; but unfortunately the plant is not at all likely to prove hardy in our comparatively cold climato. Mieania guaco is the plant which yields the celebrated snake-bite epocific of South America. It is regarded us of great value in sub-tropical countries, but may not prove hardy hero. ft'vWnra junipcrina is a vretty and curious species of a beautiful family, of which many aro in tho gardons, although thoy nro by no means robust. The wood of ono variety is spoken of as elastic and durable, and as particularly valuablo for (ho staves of casks.

;opi ospormumlanigerum, the woolly 1 e:» treo of Victoria and New South Wales, is a near relative- of our native manuka, but is a far more handeomo species, and will probubly be harr'y. It can bo readily grown in wet, semifalinc soil, and in such situations exercises anti-innlarian influences. Myrica cerifera is a native of North America where it is popularly

known as the Candleberry myrtle. It grows on the sea coast. The settlers collect the ripe berries, and on boiling them a quantity of wax floats on the water. The wax is skimmed off, and used for making candles. Coprosma lucida variegata is a variegated-leaved form of a well-known New Zealand plant, valuiblo only for its appearance. Maytenus penduiinus, the South American spindle tree, is liked by cattle, and is also a handsome shrub for the border ; it is believed to be hardy here. An extensive collection of native ferns and other plants was lately received at the Gardens from GolJen B.iy, Nelson, where the specimens were collected by Mr 0. Gamble, of the firm of Messrs Budden aud Co., nurserymen, of Neleon. Some of the ferns are both rare and valuable. Amongst them i9 the woolly tree fern, Dicksonia, lanata, which is remarkable for having its stem most frequently prostrate. There is the mountain umbrella fern, Gleiohenia alpina, a pretty little species of easy culture ; and the walking stick fern, Lomaria Fraseri, which produces a miniature trunk, two to four feot high, and about an inch thick, with a spreading crown of dark green fronds. There are also several kinds of the beautiful Lindsayas, which are usually considered the most difficult of the New Zealand ferns to cultivate j but here they are growing well, and sending up numerous young fronds. Numbers of the filmy fern (Hymenophyllum), about a dozen sorts, are also in the collection, and are all doing well. It seems to me a matter for regret that funds cannot be secured to erect a suitable structure for a fernery, wherein these most lovely plants could bo Bhown to advantage. And there is, in connection with this matter, the further consideration that many of the Native ferns are year by year becoming more rare, and that it is consequently highly desirable to secure a complete collection as early as possible. The value o* such a fernery would be almost incalculable. Innumerable applications are received from other countries, for ferns to be sent as exchanges ; but at present they cannot be supplied, owing to the difficulty experienced in propagating them without suitable appliances. Among the other plants collected by Mr Gamble, are several kinds of rata (Metrosideros), which certainly occupy a prominent position for their beauty. There are also some fine plants of the Nelson variety of the Nenei (Draeophyllum), a, plant of striking appearance, and very hardy. Some further contributions have been promised from the same district.