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gullies, transplanting the flagging shrubs, with roots bruised and ruptured, to 

 the open borders of the garden or shrubbery, where, in all probability, they are 

 eqiially exposed to theicy blast of the south-west gales and the desiccating influ- 

 ence of the parching noi'th- wester. Let the intending grower place some portion 

 of a decaying log, rich in its panoply of various-hued lichens, beside the newly 

 removed plants, and a convincing proof will be afforded of the sudden change 

 of atmospherical conditions they are expected to encounter and survive, as he 

 gazes on the shii veiled objects to which a few days exposure has meta- 

 morphosed the luxuriant lichens. An equal want of consideration for the 

 habits of plants may be noted where alpines (to which a free circulation of air 

 is a necessary condition of healthy growth, if not of life), have been buried 

 beneath the shade and drip of overhanging trees. To these hints as to the 

 desirableness of shelter in the tender stage of their earlier growth, should 

 perhaps be added, that planting in too close proximity to fast growing but 

 exhaustive Eucalypti sliould also be avoided. 



Amongst the groups of plants on the cultivation of which it is proposed 

 to offer remarks, many will be found of the most ornamental description, 

 beautiful in foliage, compact in form ; some, from their habit of growth, adapted 

 for training as impervious screens ; from the many flowered corymbs of others, 

 fragrant odours ai'e diffused ; whilst the native hardiness of several species, 

 points them out as worthy of cultivation from their being calculated to afford 

 gi'ateful shelter in the bleakest situations. All are desirable acquisitions to 

 the garden, the shrubbery, or the plantation, and have a right to and are 

 worthy of a home in public Botanic Gardens of the colony. 



In view of the pi^ogress which is being made in the formation of planta- 

 tions, by the efforts of many enterprising settlers in several districts in both 

 islands, the value of many species of native shrubs, as nurse plants for 

 sheltering exotic forest trees, must be recognized, as their aid during the earlier 

 and tender stage in the life of many a valuable timber tree, will be found 

 materially to assist its successful acclimatization. Coprosmas and Olearias at 

 once occur as groups admirably adapted for this purpose, from their hardiness 

 of constitution, closeness of foliage, and the ease with which they can be 

 removed with safety. 



It is to be hoped that the formation and proper organization of Botanic 

 Gardens will not be much longer deferred ; each year's delay is a national loss, 

 whether it is considered from a scientific, ediicational, or commercial point of 

 view ; by the establishment of such gardens, it is not meant that such institu- 

 tions should be considered as carried out successfully when certain reserves of 

 land are set aside, and marked off on a map. In order to confer the greatest 

 amount of public benefit, such establishments should be carefully but vigorously 

 administered. Appi'eciative foreigners are ever anxious to obtain collections 

 of our native flora, and interesting exchanges Avould soon occupy an important 



