388 Transactions. — Botany. 



Akt. XXXIV. — Remarks on New Zealand Trees planted at 

 Paratvai, Thames, at and subsequent to the Year 1873. 



By J. W. Hall. 



[Read before the Auckland Institute, 7th October, 1901.] 



It is much to be regretted that a well-organized arbore- 

 tum for indigenous trees and shrubs has not been established 

 in each of the great centres of population. The extensive, 

 and frequently wanton, destruction of the native bush has 

 been going on at such a pace that it will soon be difficult, if 

 not impossible, to get sight of some of the rarer species. And, 

 unfortunately, the planting of our beautiful New Zealand 

 trees has not generally been adopted, perhaps from the mis- 

 taken idea that they are difficult of culture. Partly to dis- 

 prove this, but principally because I had a great liking for the 

 occupation, I some thirty years ago began a plantation on a 

 piece of land at Parawai, Thames. My success may be 

 gauged by the report just read by Mr. Haszard, giving the 

 data and measurements he has so kindly taken.* 



One plantation is in a rather shallow gully, and is about 

 an acre in extent ; the other is on a gently rising hill, 

 and is about 2 acres. The trees are grown under almost 

 natural conditions, without cultivation, and were gene- 

 rally less than 1ft. high when planted. A hole about 2 ft. 

 square was dug for their reception, and a handful of bonedust 

 added. The plants were then left almost unattended, except 

 that the fern and scrub were occasionally cleared from around 

 them. Unfortunately, a few fir trees, originally intended for 

 shelter, were left too long — indeed, some are there yet — and 

 thus the growth was impeded. 



Measurements of the pohutukawa and puriri were difficult 

 to obtain, as these trees, especially the pohutukawa, run much 

 to branches. The latter tree should be more extensively 

 planted than it is at present. It is easily grown, and, unlike 

 most New Zealand trees, will bear a slight scorching. It 

 would be a very suitable tree for planting on railway cuttings 

 and embankments, as its closely matted roots would prevent 

 the ground from slipping. One of my pohutukawas, planted 

 about thirty years ago, is quite 40 ft. high, and makes a pro- 

 digious display of deep-crimson blossoms about Christmas time. 

 It is greatly to be regretted that more of these fine and useful 

 trees have not been planted in the Auckland Domain and 



*See Art. XXXI II. 



