2G2 THE GARDENER. [June 



amongst the finest timber trees which the colony possesses — we allude 

 to Vitex litoralis. After the first few years of growth it begins to 

 assume form, which ever after marks it as one of the handsomest trees 

 of the forest ; and for the construction of wharfs and bridges, and 

 every variety of work where it is necessary that wood be placed under 

 water or deeply imbedded in the earth, its timber is considered invalu- 

 able. 



The New Zealand forest cannot be said to be rich in floral produc- 

 tions. There are, however, some which deserve notice. Foremost of 

 these, for peculiarity of growth and gaiety of flower, ranks the Rata 

 or Metrosideros lucida. It commences to entwine round other trees 

 as a very slim climber, but its growth is so rapid that it quickly en- 

 circles the whole tree. With every fold it tightens its grasp until all 

 vitality is entirely crushed out of the trunk round which it clung for 

 support. So does it enclose it with its own growth, that but for its 

 twisted form of timber nothing would remain to tell of the encofnned 

 tree. Many of them grow to an immense size, and the wood is much 

 used by wheelwrights for special purposes in the craft. Another member 

 of the same family, Metrosideros tomentosus, makes the forest some- 

 what gay during the months of December and January. Its flowers 

 are scarlet and of capitulum inflorescence. British residents have hon- 

 oured it with the name of " Christmas tree," and it goes to form 

 part in church decoration during that festive season. Another floral 

 attraction in the forest is Clematis Nova Zealandia. It provides 

 itself with a natural trellis -work by entwining the rugged stem, 

 and then hanging down from the branches in long festoons. The 

 flowers are pure white, and produced in rich profusion ; and being a 

 spring flower, is to the natives as a floral almanac, telling them when 

 to plant their much-prized Kumara or Sweet Potato. 



We might continue our list to a much greater extent, there being 

 140 different species of timber already recognised in the trade. These 

 few "jottings" will, however, give some idea of the forest-lands of the 

 " Britain of the South." William Forbes. 



Auckland, N.Z. 



LIBONIA PLOEIBUNDA. 



This is one of the most useful and showy of stove spring-flowering 

 plants, which produces its orange-yellow bells in great profusion 

 when carefully cultivated. The plant is simple to propagate 

 and cultivate, but is somewhat difficult to ripen into a free- 

 flowering state, unless its requirements are thoroughly understood. 

 Cuttings taken of it during the months of March and April, or 

 small plants of it purchased from the nursery, and grown on ; will 



