TREE PLANTING IN RHODESIA. 6l 



ta)iica have also done very well, making good growth and not 

 suffering from the frost. A large number of C. sempervirens have 

 suffered from what I take to be sun-scorch ; this occurs at the 

 extremie top of the tree, and has been found to affect them on 

 dfferent soils. 



Pinus. — ^Of the Pine family, P. longifolia, or Cheer Pine, 

 has done better than the others, and as it is of great economic 

 value, containing tar and turpentine and bark for tanning, it 

 should be grown extensively. P. halepensis (Allepo Pine), P. 

 pinasier (Cluster Pine), P. insignis, and P. Canariensis (Canary- 

 Island Pine) have also done splendidly in the Matoppos. 



Callitris. — ^Of the Callitris family C. calcarata, C. robusta, C. 

 rhomboides, and C. Whytei seem to have done best: their growth 

 has been remarkable, and there is little doubt as to their ultimate 

 success ; I have no record of the loss of a single tree of this 

 species in the Alatoppos, either by drought or frost. They are 

 all of good quality timber, and, being ant-resistant, should be 

 extensively grown. The wood is very valuable for furniture and 

 buildmg purposes. 



Eucalypts. — Of the Eucalypts, the following are the most 

 promising, their relative value being in the following order : E. 

 salinga, E. tereticornis, E. robusta, E. citriodora, E. polyanthcmos, 

 E. rednnca, E. sidcroxylon and E. rostrata ; most of the others 

 have done fairly well, but E. go>iiplioccphala, E. sahnonophloia^ 

 E. amygdalina, E. salnbris and E. Icucoxylon have failed. 



Miscellaneous Species. — Dealing with a few other species of 

 the most successful growth, I might mention Albiszia lebbek 

 (Siris acacia). This is a fine avenue tree, and produces a good 

 deal of gum. The Jiinipenis Bennudiana (Pencil Cedar), /. 

 Virginiafia (Red Cedar), and /. Me.vicana have done remarkably 

 well, and should be extensively planted: practically no losses 

 have occurred through termites, drought or frost. The /. Benmi- 

 diana is a faster grower than the /. Virginiana and /. Mexicana- 

 All of these appear to thrive on the poorest of soils. Juglans 

 nigra (Black Walnut), Fraxinus Americana (American xA.sh), 

 Grevillea robusta (Silver or Silky Oak) — the latter a quick grower 

 and good drought resister* — should be given a good trial through- 

 out this territory. Cedrela toona (the Singapore Cedar), a very 

 valuable cedar-like timber, much prized in India, has done well, 

 and it would appear not to be affected by frost or drought. 

 Jacaranda mimosafolia, a handsome tree which furnishes a beauti- 

 ful and fragrant kind of Palisander wood [vide von jMueller), 

 is a rapid grower, and although slightly affected by the frosts for 

 the first two years, appears to be very hardy when older : a 

 splendid tree for avenues. 



From a general survey of the results of experiments carried 

 out in the Matoppos, it is evident to my mind that afforestation 



* The timber of this tree is much valued for furniture, and it has done as well 

 as any other species, being such a valuable timber and apparently growing 

 vigorously on pcor soil. 



