21:2 



& lanigera? Spartium jiuiceum, Spiraea Lindleyana, Syringa 

 vulgaris, Taxus baccata, I. b. var. fastigiata, Thuya occidentalism 

 Tilia sp., Ulex europaeus 4, Vinca major, V . minor and the 

 following fruits: — Currant, white 6, Currant, red 6. Gooseberry 

 6 varieties, 12 plants, Raspberry, double bearing 6, E., Yellow 

 Globe, G, It., FastoHf 6, Blackberry (Rub us fruticosus). 

 .Whether these plants arrived safely and became established is 

 unknown, but it appears likely that the plants of Ulex europaeus 

 may have been the parents of the numerous Gorse plants now 

 present in the Islands. The Laburnum is still to be found in 

 one or two places. 



Their introduction does not appear to have made much 

 difference to the general aspect of the Islands, for in 1870 the 

 Governor, Col. G. D'Arcy, wrote on 2nd May to Sir Joseph 

 Hooker that " the people of the settlement are very industrious 

 and very anxious to help themselves by raising vegetables, but 

 the wind actually blow r s the seed out of the ground," and asking 

 whether in his wide experience he could suggest any hardy tree 

 or bush to make a fence. He added, "there is not a tree or 

 bush on the islands of any kind." He had apparently over- 

 looked the Veronica, and Sir J. Hooker suggested that he should 

 try that. 



In 1886, Mr. Arthur Barkly, recently returned from the Sey- 

 chelles, relieved Governor Kerr for a year. After the luxuriant 

 plant growth of those islands he was unfavourably impressed by 

 the bareness of the Falklands, and during his term of office 



wrote to Kew for seeds or roots of any hardy bushes or shrubs 

 that would be likely to thrive ; he thought that they might be 

 expected to grow 12 or 15 ft. high, and that evergreen bushes 

 would greatly improve the appearance of the country. It is 

 not very clear whether seeds were sent on this occasion but on 

 10th June, 1891, a letter was received at Kew from the Colonial 

 Office saying that the Government of the Falkland Islands 

 wished for a small supply of seeds and plants, and asking 

 for the advice of the Director as to selection and packing. Seeds- 

 tor indoor and outdoor cultivation were obtained from Messrs. 

 Sutton and included Palms, Crotons, Caladiums, Magnolias, 

 Laurestinus, Azalea, Arbutus, Eoses and Hardy Ferns. A 

 more comprehensive list of plants was sent, however, with the 

 approximate price, apparently, for approval, but it appears to 

 have been rejected on account of expense. The Governor, how- 

 ever, was determined to procure seeds, and the Colonial Secre- 

 tary of the Falklands on his return home in 1891 was requested 

 to approach Dr. (Sir Daniel) Morris regarding plants or seeds. 

 In the end it was decided that an amount not exceeding £10 

 should be spent on seeds and plants, the amount to include 

 packing. The order was executed by Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, 

 and seeds of a variety of trees, including Pines, Birches, 

 Poplars, etc., were seat on 17th January, 1893. 

 . In 1893 Mr. Edward Eawlings wrote to Kew for advice- 

 respecting Pinus insignis, as his nephew, Mr. E. E. Tsiehol, was 

 desirous of attempting a plantation in the Falkland Islands. 



About 25 or 30 years ago Mr. Eobert Blake, a prominent 

 sheep farmer in the Falklands and now a Director of the Falk- 



