84 



coast where Acacias are abundant and hard woods super- 

 abundant, the Mock-acacia has little to recommend it except 

 its free self -propagation from suckers and some durability 

 of wood. The sucker shoots are useful for forest purposes, 

 though inconvenient in a garden or park. In the Karoo its 

 power of withstanding drought and severe frost render it 

 invaluable. 1 ounce of seed averages 1,316 grains. 



Rosa sp. ROSE, 



Various kinds of hardy single roses make useful and 

 beautiful hedgerows. Such hedges exist at Worcester, 

 Stellenbosch, Clanwilliam, in the Botanic Gardens at Cape 

 Town, and elsewhere. A rose hedge requires a rich soil 

 and plenty of water. It will not flourish like the three 

 common hedge plants Australian- myrtle, Kei-apple and 

 Hakea on poor dry sandy soil, but its beauty should give 

 it the preference wherever the soil is good and water 

 abundant. 



Salix sp. WILLOWS. 



Leaf-shedders. Willows succeed almost everywhere in 

 the Colony in damp situations, and provided the soil is 

 not very poor (Zuur veldt). They prefer running water. 

 Nearly always grown from slips. Of Osiers (basket 

 willows) there are several species growing in the Colony. 

 Osier beds might be formed with profit on many farms, 

 vide pages 101-102, " Journal of a Forest Tour." Only 

 practical trial will settle which kind of Willow will produce 

 good basket Osiers in any particular locality. We have 

 an Osier that makes up into good baskets in the Govern- 

 ment Plantation at Ceres Eoad and sample ploty of all the 

 best basket Osiers at Tokai. At Cape Town, Cane is 

 the principal material used in making the better class of 

 baskets. The Cane is imported from Calcutta for this 

 purpose. The Weeping Willow will grow anywhere but 

 best in the coldest districts. Then in times of drought it 

 is lopped to feed the cattle. 



