812 Transactions. — Botany. 



Some years ago, Dr. Carl Fischer raised kauri seedlings in a 

 very clever way. Bamboo canes from fruit cases were cut in 

 lengths of 5 or 6 inches, placed upright in a boarded case, and 

 tilled with earth. The seed sown in them germinated well. There 

 was no difficulty in transplanting, as bamboo and seedling could 

 be put into the ground together. What became of these seed- 

 lings I never learnt. The trees in the Government Domain, 

 planted by Mr. Chalmers, domain-keeper, show by their growth 

 that the kauri may be classed amongst profitable trees. Puriri 

 comes next ; the demand for this timber is every year increasing, 

 also its value. Comparison between the tables of 1872 and 

 1885 shows that, although the trees increased slowly in height 

 after 20 years, the succeeding 13 years have added a good deal 

 to their bulk. The value given is estimated at the present price 

 of fencing-posts and house-blocks. 



Puriri when young is subject to be killed by frost. It thrives 

 best on hill sides, and the more surrounded by other trees the 

 better. When planted the stem should be cut off G inches above 

 the ground ; two or three shoots will result, and grow straight 

 up. When fit for poles one or more can be cut, leaving the best 

 for timber. I have examined a great many transplanted puriris 

 and have not found any appearance of makaroa, the worm 

 which bores the tree in its native forest. 



I place pohutukawa next in value. No tree is easier raised ; 

 hundreds of plants can be obtained from sandstone cliffs, and 

 nine out of ten will grow. Its rate of growth is rather slower 

 than that of puriri, as also its rate of bulk increase. When 

 thoroughly dried it is a durable wood, and in withstanding con- 

 cussion I think it is superior either to puriri or oak. 



Totara is now being taken care of by settlers, as it comes up 

 in many places spontaneously. My record goes back only 20 

 years, too short a period to form an opinion. 



Tanekaha, in many places, is being ruthlessly destroyed for 

 the sake of its bark. For this reason it may be a valuable tree. 



Titoki will serve to fill up a plantation ; its slow growth will 

 perhaps be compensated by its usefulness in the manufacture of 

 tool-handles, etc. Warengapiro, a cabinetmaker's scented wood, 

 will serve also to fill up. Its growth is very slow ; its foliage 

 never yields to the strongest gale. The demand for this wood 

 will increase. 



Of matai, towhai, and mairi, particulars are not given. 



Of our English trees, oak claims precedence. The oaks in 

 the Government House grounds are the oldest in tbe Provincial 

 District. The acorns were sent from Sydney, and sown by Mr. 

 Cleghorn, Superintendent of Public Works, in the Government 

 Gardens in 1841 or 1842. The seedlings were planted out in 

 1844 or 1845, so that these trees are 40 years old. Beautiful as 

 they are, these trees have been neglected for timber purposes ; 



