26 



:and there is little doubt that when creosoted they will 

 answer well enough. 



For planting on mountain farms the Black-wattle has 

 ^these three grt-at advantages : 



(1) As it grows directly from seed sown on ploughed 



ground the cost of forming a plantation is less 

 than where young trees have to be planted. 



(2) The very rapid growth during the first two or 



three years enables it to dominate and suppress 

 the weeds at once. This is a great advantage 

 on mountain ground where the weeds grow so 

 rapidly. 



(3) The bark from the thinnings should repay the 



cost of the whole plantation in five years. 



Tn the Black-wattle S. African tree- planters have no 

 doubt one of their most valuable trees. Its oft-repeated 

 sweet-scented cream-coloured flowers and delicate, almost 

 fern -like, foliage, combine to render it one of their prettiest 

 trees. It flourishes in most parts of S. Africa, but should 

 not be planted on low, hot coast lands, nor inland where 

 the drought and frost are severe. 



The seed, which formerly cost 5s. or 6s. a pound, is now 

 obtained from the Government plantations and sold for 6d. 

 a pound. A pound contains about 28,000 seeds. 



Acacia cyclopis. CYCLOPIS WATTLE. 



The Eooikranz of the Cape Flats, at one time it was called 

 glaucophylla. The common Port Jackson Willow of 

 most parts of the Colony. Easily recognized by the promi- 

 nent scarlet aril or seed thread. Of little or no value for tan, 

 but a very vigorous grower. It was largely used by the 

 Forest Department in arresting the drift sands at Durban 

 Road, and has run wild at Mossel Bay, Humansdorp, Port 

 Elizabeth, and various other districts in the Colony. At these 

 places it takes its place among the indigenous shrubs, and 

 is being rapidly spread by birds, &e. This "Wattle should 

 not be planted where the more valuable kinds can be grown, 

 nor indeed near them, for it is very hardy, and is liable to 



