SOUTH AFRICAN FORESTRY. 7 



is almost exclusively used for these plantations is Cluster-pine (Pinus 

 pinaster}. This is a tree which has become completely naturalized 

 in the South-west of Cape Colony, and which, by means of planta- 

 tions, is spreading elsewhere in South Africa. Cluster-pine is largely 

 used for sleepers in the South of France and the North of Spain. 

 It is so hardy and grows SO' vigorously along the Southern Coast of 

 South Africa that Mr. J. S. Gamble (author of the classical work on 

 Indian timbers) is of opinion that it should be given the preference 

 to Gums in sleeper plantations. It is spreading self-sown up the crags 

 of Table Mountain, and out over the sands of the Cape Flats. The 

 Cape Forest Department uses about twelve tons of Cluster-pine seed 

 yearly in its re-foresting operations. So far, it is free from any- 

 serious pests, insect or fungoid. From its great enemy, fire, it is 

 protected by cutting up the pine plantations, like a chess-board, with 

 protective strips of Eucalypts. These Eucalypt fire-lines are pro- 

 ductive instead of being a source of expense, and are more effective 

 in arresting sparks than the usual cleared or plowed fire-lines. 



The other pines that have grown largely enough to be now con- 

 sidered naturalized are : 



Pinus insignis, or Insignis pine. 



Pinus halepensis, or Jerusalem pine. 



Pinus canariensis, or Canary Island pine. 



Pinus pinea. The Stone-pine, or Umbrella-pine, of Italy, has 

 been grown at the Cape for 150 years or more; apparently it was 

 introduced before the Cluster-pine. But about 25 years ago it was 

 attacked by a fungoid disease Peronospera sp. and has now 

 ceased to have any importance as a forest tree. Pinus insignis 

 suffers from a variety of diseases ; it can no< longer with safety be 

 planted in large masses, for which purpose its place may be taken 

 by its home associate Pinus muricata. The beauty and rapid growth 

 of the Insignis pine will, however, ensure its continued planting as an 

 ornamental tree. 



The four Pitch-pines of the Gulf States of the United States of 

 America are being planted with caution. They are climatically 

 suited only to the wettest parts of the Southern coast. They are : 

 Pinus australis. 



mitts. 



cubensis. 



,. taeda. 



OTHER TREES. 



Besides the Eucalypts and Pines a great variety of other trees 

 are being planted in Cape Colony. It would take too 

 long even to enumerate these. The Cedars alone would 

 require a paper to themselves to describe. , About twenty- 

 five species yielding Cedar or Cedar-like wood are under cul- 

 tivation. These are absolutely the most valuable timbers grown in 

 South Africa, but they have not the economic importance of the 

 Eucalypts and Pines on account of their slow growth. These trees 



