304 Sssai/s. 



I have selected from the plants I have growing the names of such as are 

 deserving a place in the garden ; I have many other varieties that would 

 hardly repay the trouble of growing. I have also omitted any mention of 

 plants such as the Fuchsias, Geraniums, and herbaceous plants, because 

 they are well known, and a description of them would take too much room. 



I send a sketch of the shelter I hare adopted for protecting tender 

 plants in winter from frost. In form it is like the top of a basket, and is 

 supported at a height to allow of sufficient air and light to the plant by 

 three or four stakes driven into the ground. A little frost will find its way 

 through the wickerwork to the plant, which I think an advantage, as tending 

 to harden the plants by degrees. I have mine made of split supplejacks, but 

 willows will do as well, care being taken that it is not too open. I have never 

 found plants damp off with this covering. 



I have a few words to say as to the destruction of that pest of all pests, 

 sorrel, — one which appears to flourish all the better for the attention it 

 receives in digging it up and carefully collecting its roots. During the last 

 few years I have tried many of the recipes to get rid of this enemy to the 

 garden, but to no 'purpose ; at last I thought I would try constant hoeing 

 during the summer, Avhich I have done for two seasons, and found it answer 

 well. I simply hoe the ground very shallow on a dry day so soon as the 

 weed makes its appearance — a few hours' hot sun dries it up. This plan I 

 have found the most effective one I have tried, for many beds are quite free 

 from it, and in every place it was so treated it is fast disappearing. 



In concluding this paper, I may be allowed to hope that the information 

 contained in it will lead to a more general cultivation of the coniferous 

 trees in this country. I am quite aware that many of the rarer varieties are 

 not so easily obtained in this colony. To those wishing to procure them, I 

 would say, you can procure most of them from the nurseries in Australia. 

 It has always been a matter of deep regret to me that the Government of 

 the colony, in former years, did not establish a botanical garden for the 

 collection and propagation of trees and plants from different countries. Had 

 such been done, New Zealand might now possess one of the finest public 

 gardens, vrhich would be a credit and pleasure to its inhabitants, and a source 

 of utility in providing them with plants of a beautiful character. Perhaps, 

 when peace is once more restored to the Northern Island, we may hope to 

 gee some advance made in that direction. 



In conclusion, I will say to those who may peruse this jjaper, Be 

 merciful to any faults that are in it. It has no pretension to be written 

 by a botanist, but simply by a lover of plants. Many, no doubt, are in the 

 same position as myself ; and if they will give the result of their experience 

 as amateur gardeners to the public, they will be doing good service. 



