AVENUES. 197 



2. Adverting to par. 2 of Dr Cleghorn's letter, the Government 

 are of opinion that the watering and general care of the trees 

 belong to the Municipal Commissioners, where the road is within 

 their district. They accordingly resolve to request the Commis- 

 sioners to state if they are willing to pay for the same. 



J. D. Bourdillon, 

 Secretary to Governmefit. 



INSTRUCTIONS FOK PLANTING TREES, WITH A LIST OF THOSE BEST 

 SUITED FOB AVENUES ALONG PUBLIC ROADS.* 



So little attention has been paid to the planting of trees along 

 the roads, that healthy or well-shaped ones are seldom seen ; and 

 to remedy this defect, the following instructions are drawn up : — 

 It is usual to plant large branches of the portia (Thesjpesia po- 

 pulnea) and banyan (Ficus Indica) trees in such a slovenly 

 manner, that there is little probability of the trees thriving or 

 being ornamental. The portia and banyan branches selected 

 should be straight, neatly trimmed, of an uniform size, and 

 planted perpendicularly (not obliquely as is generally the case). 

 A fence of bamboos is required to protect them from cattle. 

 Prickly pear (Opuntia DiMenii) is unsightly, and should not be 

 tied on the trees. The branches of the babul (Acacia Arabica), 

 and other thorny plants, make good fences, and are cheaper than 

 bamboos. After the cuttings begin to throw out young shoots, 

 they should be carefully pruned, two or three of the strongest 

 near the top beingselected as leading shoots, to form the future tree 

 The young trees require water regularly in hot and dry weather, 

 care being taken that they are not loosened at the roots, which 

 cause the trees to lean to one side. To raise young trees from 

 seed is a slower process, but it is the best and most natural 

 method. The trees are more regular in their growth, and last 

 twice as long as cuttings. Portia trees, grown from large 

 branches, are usually decayed in the centre, and the branches are 



* The above instructions contain the experience of Mr K. Brown, Super- 

 intendent of the Agri-Horticultural Society's Garden. — H. C. 



p2 



