Remarks on the Culture of Exotic Vegetables. 163 



SPARTIUM scoparium. Broom, Brem. 



This shrub, known only at present in a few gardens of the 

 Colony, will thrive in many places equally well as the furze. 

 The seeds are best sown where the shrub is intended to remain : 

 it is of particular service on loose sands, where scarcely any 

 other plant will grow, excepting the creeping grasses. Goats 

 are particularly fond of it ; and as it attains a considerable height, 

 it forms an excellent shelter for sheep, and appears to resist the 

 effects of the South East winds in their greatest strength. The 

 flowers are pickled and eaten as capers, and the young tops 

 have been substituted for hops; the twigs forma good thatch 

 for out-houses, and a cordage may be manufactured from them. 

 Neat and useful fences for the protection of young garden crops 

 may be made of the young branches, in the manner of matting 

 or reeds. They are also capable of tanning leather ; and pro- 

 duce a good fuel, where larger wood is scarce. The old wood is 

 used in veneering. 



SAMBUCUS niger. Elder, Vlier. Natural Order, Capri- 

 foliaceae, and Pentandria Trigynia of Linnasus. 



Cuttings of the young wood of this tree, about 12 or 14 inches 

 long, allowing for 6 or 8 inches to be put in the ground, may 

 be planted in hedge-rows, in any soil and exposure. It resists 

 particularly the effects of the sea-breeze, and forms an excellent 

 skreen to rear other trees under. It rarely produces fruit in 

 the warmer parts of this colony, but if planted in the colder 

 districts of Roggeveld, Bokkeveld, Sneeuwberg, &c. no doubt can 

 be entertained of its becoming of future service. If trained to 

 single stems, it will grow to the height of 18 feet : no quadruped 

 will eat its leaves. 



The wood of this tree is of great use to the mathematical 

 instrument maker and the turner, it being frequently substituted 

 for box-wood. The flowers, inner bark, and leaves, are used in 



{»erfuraery and medicine, and of the berry a warming and en- 

 ivening wine is made. 



This tree was introduced to South Africa previous to the year 

 1695, but its culture for useful purposes has hitherto been 

 neglected, being only occasionally seen in gardens as a foreign 

 curiosity. 



BUXUS sempervirens. Box Tree. Palm. Natural Order, 

 Euphorbiaceae, and Monoecia Tetrandria of Linnaeus. 



This tree grows freely from cuttings or layers, but is best 

 reared from seed. It is perfectly hardy, forms a complete 

 shelter wherever such may be required, and will grow in almost 

 any soil. It is fit for felling at the age of thirty years. Its wood 

 is of the highest importance to the turner and to the mathematical 

 and musical instrument makers ; it forms also the best blocks for 

 the engraver on wood. Its culture, whether for shelter or forest, 

 is highly recommended. 



Like many other exotic productions, it only as yet makes its 

 appearance in a few gardens. 



