19231 WILSON, NORTHERN TREES IN SOUTHERN LANDS 6T 



topped crown. In England it has proved hardy only in the most favored 

 regions but there it is the fastest growing of all the species of Pinus. Just 

 when and how it was introduced into Australia I have not been able to dis- 

 cover but no doubt the credit belongs to one of the Botanic Gardens all 

 of which have shown noteworthy enterprise in introducing trees, shrubs 



and herbs. 



>/ 



Hobart, Tasmania, published in 1857 the tree is recorded as being in 

 cultivation there. From Australia it was carried to New Zealand. It is in 

 southeastern Australia and New Zealand where this tree has found itself 

 and demonstrated its great value for forest planting. Its value to South 

 Africa seems to have been an independent discovery. A tree was growing 

 in the Municipal Gardens at Cape Town and J. S. Lister, then Conser- 

 vator of Forests, being engaged in experimenting with all sorts of exotic 

 trees for forest planting, determined to make a small plantation of it at 

 Tokai. This was done in 1889 and the result as already described has 

 astonished everyone. Quite unheralded came this Californian tree to the 

 antipodes where it is destined to become of vastly increasing value and 

 probably the most important softwood tree for many southern lands. 

 The success of this tree proves two things. First, the indispensable value 

 of botanic gardens and arboreta in every country. Secondly, that a tree of 

 little value for its timber in one country may be of enormous value in an- 

 other. A third fact which this tree clearly demonstrates may be set down, 

 namely that no one can properly appraise the value to the world of any 

 one species of tree. Experiment alone can prove this and even then the 

 results are conclusive only for the district and perhaps immediate neigh- 

 borhood where they are carried out. 



In the Cape Province of South Africa, Insignis and Pinaster Pines 

 thrive where a winter or all the year round rainfall obtains but are liable 

 to disease where the rainfall is a summer one. Insignis but not Pinaster 

 thrives under the same seasonal rains in New Zealand, Tasmania and 

 southeastern Australia and both fail in those parts of New South Wales 

 where a summer rainfall obtains. But in Western Australia where the 

 rainfall is a winter one Insignis does not promise to be a permanent success 

 on sandy soils whereas Pinaster does. On good soil, however, the story 

 will probably prove to be different. 



The Landes districts of southwestern France have abundantly de- 

 monstrated the usefulness of Pinus pinaster Ait. so it was natural that 

 Governments through their advisors and foresters should early introduce 

 this Pine for planting on sandy coastal areas in the antipodes. Its greatest 

 success in southern lands is at Cape Town. There it has found a suitable 

 home and is thoroughly naturalized both on the better soil of the Cape 

 Promontory and on the sandy flats which separate Table and False Bays. 

 It grows more slowly than Insignis Pine but the rate of growth exceeds 

 what we of the North are accustomed to consider satisfactory. Around 

 Port Elizabeth it does well and at Grahamstown the municipal plantations 



