19 



for a new building, but did not recover after being trans- 

 planted. It is scarcely likely that the plant would be a com- 

 mercial success in Natal, unless, perhaps, in the lower parts of 

 Zululand. 



Ooffea, var Maragogipe. — This variety put forward has been 

 said to be proof against the coffee leaf disease (Hemileia 

 vastatrix), but the two plants that we have are in the season 

 covered with the spores of the fungus and flower, and bear 

 fruit very sparingly. 



Goffea sp., probably C. zanguebarice. — Seeds and plant of this 

 variety were received from Mr. R. Beningfield, who brought 

 them from the East Coast The plants have done well, and 

 have borne seeds abundantly. It is said that the berries are 

 used as coffee on the East Coast ; the flavour is said to be 

 pecular but not unpleasant. It is worthy of note that these 

 plants seem to be immune to the coffee leaf disease. They are 

 both growing, the one 18 feet and the other 22 feet from the 

 " Maragogipe," which is infested with the fungus, and leaves 

 covered with the spores have been placed upon them but so far 

 without effect. A trial will therefore be made of grafting the 

 ordinary coffee plant on the East Coast species as soon as the 

 plants that we have reared are large enough for the purpose.* 



Cassia florida, Vahl. — In Surgeon-Major Balfour's work on 

 the timber trees of India, it is said of this tree, "heartwood 

 almost black, used for shelves, walking sticks, mallets, &c." 

 A cubic foot weighs 581bs. In a full grown tree on good soil 

 the average length of the trunk to the first branch is 15 feet, 

 and average girth at six feet from the ground is six feet. Dr. 

 Watson tells us that the Cassia florida in Tenarassim has wood 

 " not inferior to ebony." Our tree was planted in 1884 ; the 

 soil is sandy and not very good, but the tree is now 60 feet in 

 height and the stem 3ft. 8in. in girth at about four feet from 

 the ground. It has produced seeds for several years past. 



Croton tiglium, L. —The seeds of this plant yield the Croton 

 oil, a dangerous drastic purgative. Out- plant was put out in 

 1901, and is now about four feet high and has flowered. 



Cichorium intybus, L. "Chicory." — This plant grows like a 

 weed, and its cultivation should be profitable. In addition to 

 the use of the root for mixing with coffee, the leaves also are 

 blanched and used for salads. 



* A sample of the roasted and ground coffee from this plant was sent 

 to Mr. T. W. Turner, of Durban, who kindly gave me the following 

 report on it : — " I have tested the sample of coffee submitted. It possesses 

 a herby flavour which makes it of little value as a coffee. When mixed 

 with chicory it is somewhat disguised, and may find a market for a cheap 

 class of mixed coffee. Value about 3d per lb. 



