Baber. — On the Groivth of Transplanted Trees. 313 



most of tliern have trunks not exceeding 7 feet in length, fit 

 only for coopers' staves or firewood. An observer will, however, 

 notice that where the trees were thickly planted, there the butts 

 are longer, and give hope of timber. 



Excepting a few easily found, the oaks in the Domain were 

 planted by Mr. Chalmers, domain-keeper, 22 years ago. These 

 22-year-old trees are equal in height to those in the Government 

 House grounds of 40 years, and have barrels varying from 

 18 to 25 feet in length ; and if attended to, which, I regret to 

 say, is not the case, these trees promise valuable timber. A few 

 years since the Press threw a deal of small ridicule on an 

 old colonist, then a member of the Domain Board, and invented 

 the term "Mitfordise." Time, however, proves that Mr. Mitford 

 was right, and planters will do well to follow his system of 

 trimming off lower branches, so as to produce straight trunks. 

 The best mode of raising oaks is to sow acorns five or six in a 

 place, thin out, and leave one to grow. 



The elm flourishes in gullies or low sheltered lands. It is a 

 greedy feeder, and (as will be seen in the table) attains a height 

 of 50 feet hi 33 years. When more extensively grown, it will 

 supply a substitute for puriri for railway sleepers. Good 

 examples of wych elms can be seen at Mr. Westwood's, 

 Rernuera, planted for shelter and ornament. Their timber 

 capability has been neglected. 



Of pines, I have selected two only, the Maritina and Stone 

 pine, which yield good timber ; that of the Insignis, so much 

 planted for its beauty and quick growth, is useless, save for fire- 

 wood. These, sparingly mixed, should form part of every 

 plantation. Some beautiful Stone pines, well trimmed and 

 attended, will be found at 'Mr. Dilworth's, Remuera, but I am 

 not able to give then- age. 



The table of 1885 includes two kinds of fruit-bearing yet 

 forest trees, well deserving attention, the walnut and the olive. 



The oldest walnut tree in or near Auckland is at Mr. T. 

 Osborne's, Manukau Road, Newmarket. It came from Hobarton 

 in 1842, was planted by the Rev. Walter Laury's tenant, and 

 has been cared for by Mr. Osborne for the last 38 or 39 years. 

 From this tree, and from five others raised from its nuts, Mr. 

 Osborne derives a revenue of £20 a year, £3 6s. 8d. a tree ; the 

 estimated value of the tree will be £5. The walnut bears fruit 

 eight years after sowing the nut. If proper care be taken, its 

 butt will rise to 12 feet, a handsome tree, producing a yearly 

 crop, and its timber valuable in the market of the world. The 

 walnut will not flourish on retentive soils, but grows freely 

 on volcanic land, and probably on stony land. 



The Olive. The oldest examples of this tree are to be found 

 at Brookside, Parnell, planted by the late Colonel Matson about 

 the year 1848. Growing on sloping ground on a clay soil, these 



