The Cultivation of Buchu. 223 



THE CULTIVATION OF BUCHU. 



By E. H. CoMPTON, M.A., Director, and J. W. Mathews, 

 F.E.H.S., Curator, National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenboscli. 



(Reprints of this article will be issued as "National Botanic Gardens : Economic Bulletin 

 No. 1," and correspondence on the subject should be addressed to the Director. The 

 greater part of the article, including the whole of the information on practical methods 

 of cultivation, has been written by the Curator of the National Botanic Gardens, certain 

 othsr details having been added by the Director. — Editor.) 



Owing to tlie increased intere.st taken in the cultivation of bucliu,* 

 it is found desirable to publish the conditions under which such 

 satisfactory results have been obtained at Kirstenbosch, with impres- 

 sions gained from observations thereon. 



The site is that of an old vineyard and is on a sunny slope, with 

 almost a true north aspect. The gradient is about 1 in 15, which gives 

 a rapid run-off for heavy rains. 



The soil is a deep red sandy loam, rather adhesive when wet, and 

 caking somewhat on drying. It is evidently rich in iron but some 

 what deficient in lime for general crops. The sub-soil is a reddish 

 clay, with here and there seams of ironstone and quartz gravel. It 

 is " dry," that is, there is no "water-table," and consequently T^heie 

 is no stagnation of moisture around. Good peach, apricot, vine, or 

 hillside lands would suit buchu well. There is an abundant rainfall, 

 and the atmosphere is decidedly moist at all times, with an absence 

 of those scorching days under which some districts labour. 



Partial shade is beneficial, so that sites with an eastern or western 

 aspect would be advantageous. Dense shade is detrimental. 



"Dry" cultivation is practised, and is generally the most suit- 

 able for the western and south-western districts. Deep trenching, 

 2 to 3 spades deep, is essential to resistance to di-ought and the 

 longevity of the plantation. On " foul " lands the surface soil should 

 go under and virgin soil come to the top to obtain a " clean " surface. 

 Any hollows and humps should be remedied during the trenching, 

 which is best done in March. During April, after decent rains, 

 harrowing and light rolling should be carried on until a 'ine tilth 

 is obtained. 



No manure has been used, but where good rotten farmyard manure 

 is obtainable its use should be beneficial, either incorporated with the 

 soil or as a mulch. 



Sowing should follow as soon as the land is fit. Mark off the 

 ground in lines 3 feet apart. Where a Planet Junior sower is not 

 available drills must be drawn out 1 inch deep, and the seed spaced 

 therein not more than 2 or 3 inches apart by hand. Return the fine 

 soil as a cover with the back of a rake. The Planet Junior set as for 

 spinach will do all these operations at one trip at the speed of a 

 moderate walk. 



* The market price in Capetown of dried Barosma hetulma leaves in 1920 ranged from 

 ys, to lis. per lb. 



