TRF.R PLAXTIXC IX RIIODKSIA. 63: 



from destroying the trees, as they were planted out at distances- 

 varying from twenty to sixty feet apart, and the ground not being 

 ploughed, it was hardly possible to clear sufficient space around 

 the trees to ensure their safety. This grass was about five feet 

 in height, so the almost impossible task of fighting the fires can 

 be well realised. 



Of course this mode of planting does not refer to the 

 plantation work, which was not undertaken for some three years 

 after the initial planting. The method that has been employed in the 

 jMatoppos for the past four years is to get the fresh ground well 

 ploughed at the end of the rainy season and left during the 

 winter, until the first rains of the following season ; then re-ploug'h. 

 harrow, and, if necessary, level; in the meantime the soil has 

 become aerated and disintegrated. After the young trees are put 

 out the ground is kept well cultivated by means of a horse-hoe 

 or a single-section harrow ; where the planting is sufficiently wide 

 apart, this cultivation is continued throughout the winter, with 

 the important result that the weeds are kept under during the 

 rainy season, and the subsoil moisture is conserved cUu-ing the 

 winter. 



I am strongly of the opinion that in cultivation lies the true 

 secret of success in tree-growing in this territory, i.e., Matabele- 

 land { in Alashonaland there is a much heavier rainfall, especially 

 in the noirthern parts ) , and unless it is kept up for the first year 

 little or no progress will be made. In the Cape, hoeing is done 

 occasionally to keep the weeds under, but here it is essential 

 if the trees are to be kept alive. Mulching is resorted to some- 

 times, but it is not to be recommended where termites are in large 

 numbers, as these are apt to attack the young trees so treated, 

 being attracted by the mulch. 



Sice of Trees i^'hen planted out. — With regard to the age and 

 size of the trees to be planted out here, I find that the Eucalypts 

 should be of such a size that it will not be necessary to cut their 

 roots in the nursery tins, as when this is done the plant at once 

 makes a certain amount of dead wood, and the termites will be 

 almost sure to attack it. The finest Eucalypts in the Matoppos 

 have been planted out when they were about two and a half to 

 three inches in height and about three months old. These trees 

 liave attained a height of sixty feet in six years, which may be 

 considered very satisfactory progress. Pines, Junipers, Callitris 

 and C}'press have mostly been two years old when put out. 



In-situ Soz^'iiigs. — This has been tried only with Black Wattle 

 (Acaeia decurren's) among the exotics, and has been quite a 

 success. The seed was sown three seasons ago, and the trees 

 are now on an average fifteen to twenty feet in height. The seed 

 germinated in a very even and healthy state, and after the young 

 seedlings were thinned out very few losses resulted. It is in- 

 tended to try Pine sowings next season, but it is doubtful if 

 they will be a success as the long, dry winter may prove too much 

 for them. All the seed sown in situ has to be treated with poison 

 to prevent them being destroyed by field-mice and other vermin. 



