18 MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 



THE KAFIR PLUM AS A SHADE TREE. 



Professor MacOwan, whose writings on South African plants are so 

 well known, showed the writer a row of Kafir plum trees which, by 

 his advice, were planted in the grounds of the Parliament building at 

 Cape Town. He pointed out that, owing to the situation of the adjoin- 

 ing houses, they were subjected to the most violent cross winds, and 

 that ordinary trees which had been tried there were unable to keep 

 their shape. A "southeaster" which came up before leaving Cape 

 Town permitted the writer to see how these trees were whipped and 

 beaten about with the winds from Table Mountain. It is truly 

 remarkable how well they bear the rough treatment. 



The evergreen foliage of this interesting tree is dense and dark, 

 and casts a deep shade, which in sunny climates is always a desirable 

 character. Its gray trunk and upright branches produce a graceful 

 vase form, while its bright red plum-like fruits show off in pretty 

 contrast against the dark background of leaves. 



These plums are nearly all seed, only a thin layer of subacid pulp 

 lying between the stone and the thin red skin, and though the} T are of 

 sufficient sweetness to be attractive to children, they would find no use 

 in our American households. 



The species is a tender one and could only succeed in the frostless 

 regions of the country, but its characters as a shade or avenue tree 

 should win for it a place among the ornamentals of the subtropical zone. 



According to the conservator of forests of Cape Colony, Mr. D. E. 

 Hutchins, the Kafir plum is a large timber tree of the eastern prov- 

 inces and produces a useful wood that is almost indistinguishable from 

 mahogany, and which, like the latter, requires careful seasoning. 



THE ROOI-BLOEM, A NEW CORN PARASITE. 



Plant introduction concerns itself with calling to public notice plants 

 which should not be introduced as well as those that are eligible for 

 cultivation. 



Professor MacOwan handed the writer the letters which are here 

 reproduced, and which rail attention in a forcible way to a parasite 

 of the Indian corn plant which might prove a great pest if once intro- 

 duced into our corn belt. 



The plant has caused damage among the mealies (Indian corn) in 

 Natal, and the Government entomologist, Mr. Fuller, has published 

 in his reports notices of its ravages. While it appears to cause the 

 most injury in poorly cultivated ground, and. in the opinion of Mr. 

 Fuller, requires only clean culture to get rid of it, it is no doubt a 

 pest that American corn growers should beware of introducing. The 

 danger of its introduction seems quite remote, since no grain is 

 imported from South Africa to America, but still it would be well to 

 guard against any chance of its being introduced. 



