122 FARM BUILDINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA 



flooring, furniture, etc. South African blue gum timber decays rapidly 

 in the ground. 



Besides the above species of Eucalypts, a few other exotic timber 

 trees, suited to South African conditions, may be discussed. 



Other Exotic Timber Trees. — Acacia melanoxylon, or " blackwood," is 

 a shade-bearing tree producing strong, valuable timber, which is used 

 for furniture, etc. The timber resembles walnut. The tree should be 

 planted only in the cooler, moister districts, in deep soil. This tree 

 thrives in districts where black wattle (for bark) grows well. 



Cedrus deodara, or " deodar," is a Himalayan tree which thrives 

 best on cold, high lands. Besides being ornamental it produces valuable 

 timber, which is employed in North West India for all sorts of purposes 

 — carpentry, sleepers, bridges, furniture, etc. ; in fact it is the most 

 important timber tree in that part of India. 



Cwprcssus lusitanica, or " Portuguese cypress," is a handsome, 

 quick-growing tree, which requires a moist situation and not too much 

 frost to succeed. It produces good timber. 



Cvipressus sempervirens exists in two varieties, viz. : — 



1. Var : horizontalis, or " common spreading cypress," and 



2. Var : pyramidalis, or " common upright cypress." 



It is a hardy tree frequently planted in the Karroo. It prefers lime- 

 stone, and well-drained soils, and produces a first-rate timber which, 

 when mature, is nearly as durable as sneeze- wood. Var : horizontalis 

 should be planted in preference to var ; pyramidalis. 



Grevillea rohusta, or " silky oak," is a handsome, ornamental timber 

 tree, which does best with summer rains and semi-tropical temperatures. 

 It yields a light, handsome wood with a grain like oak, and is suitable 

 for furniture making, for which purpose it is largely employed in Natal. 

 The timber is ant-resistant. 



Pinus palustris, or "long- leaved pitch pine," is a very valuable timber 

 tree. It requires deep, sandy or gravelly soil, and a rainfall of from 

 30 to 40 inches. It will not tolerate shade. This tree is suited to the 

 Eastern Transvaal, and is growing well at Belfast. 



Pinus canariensis, or " Canary Island pine," is hardy against drought, 

 but tender to severe frost. It thrives in mountain climates. It produces 

 the most valuable timber of the common pines. 



Pinus halepensis, or the " Jerusalem pine," or " Aleppo pine," is very 

 hardy against drought and frost. It does best with winter rains, and 



