170 ^UW ZEALAND PLANTS. 



genera usually germinate with great ease : Sophora, Carmichaelia, 

 Veronica, Epilobium, Pittosporum, Melicytus, Pennantia, Hohcrin. 

 Celmisia, Hymenanthera, Gaya. Plagianthus, Fuchsia, Muehlenbeekia, 

 Calystegia, Notospartimn, Acaena, Rubus, Clematis, Leptospermum, and 

 Coprosma. Small seeds should be covered with very little soil. Seeds 

 are much better sown in boxes or pots than in the soil of the open 

 border. The soil in which they are sown should consist of 50 per 

 cent, or more of coarse sand. 



So far as a school-garden is concerned, it is quite out of the question 

 to draw up any general scheme. Everything depends upon the situa- 

 tion of the school, the enthusiasm of the master, and, above all, on 

 the interest of the scholars. Perhaps one rather narrow bed alongside 

 a fence, and out of the way of damage during the play-hour, would 

 in many instances meet the case. In other places certain corners 

 here and there would possess special advantages. The ground should 

 be dug deeply and the drainage be good. Every plant should be 

 labelled distinctly but not obtrusively. As w r ell as the name, the 

 place where the plant was collected should be noted. Labels may be 

 made of some durable wood (totara, for instance), zinc,* or iron. As 

 for the plants to be cultivated, that also will depend upon teachers 

 and pupils. At any rate, it is better to grow a few well than to have 

 many neglected. 



The following plants are easy of cultivation and not difficult to 

 procure : 



TREES. Sophora grandiftora, S. microphylla (kowhai) ; Plagianthus 

 betulinus (ribbonwoocl) ; Gaya Lyallii, G. ribi folia (mountain-ribbon- 

 wood) ; Hoheria (any of the species), (lacebark) ; Griselinia littoralis 

 (broadleaf), G. lucida, where hardy ; Pseudopanax crassifolium, P. 

 chathamica (lancewood) ; PhyUocladus trichomanoides (tanekaha, celery- 

 top pine) ; Nothopanax arboreum (ivy-tree) ; Meryta Sindairii (puka). 

 where hardy ; Metrosideros tomentosa (pohutukawa). where hard}' : 

 Agathis australis (kauri) ; Cory nocar pus laevigata (karaka), where 

 hardy ; Vitex lucens (puriri), where hardy ; Pennantia corymbosa 

 (kaikomako) ; Pittosporum Ralphii, P. cugenioides (tarata), P. tcnui- 

 jolhim (tawhiri), P. crassifolium; Brachy<ilottix reparul<i (rangiora), 

 where hardy ; Phebalium nudum ; Leptospermum ericoides (tree- 

 manuka) ; Myoporum laetum (ngaio). where hardy ; Olcaria Trarersii 



* Zinc labels can be easily written upon, using as ink a solution of sulphate 

 of copper. 



