16 



reared, but as we had not sufficient ground ready on which to 

 plant them, they were handed over to Mr. W. R. Hindson, of 

 Stanger ; we put out 23 plants only, they were planted on 

 February 27th, 1899, and on February 12th, 1900, the stems 

 were cut, and when green they weighed 20 lbs., drying to 5 lbs. 

 On June 22nd they were cut a second time, the weight of the 

 green stems being 19 lbs., drying to 5 lbs., and they are now 

 ready for cutting again. It seems, therefore, that two cuttings 

 can be made in favourable seasons, perhaps three, but the last 

 season was as unfavourable as any that we have had for many 

 years. 



Cinnamomum cassia (Blume). — This is the tree that }delds the 

 " Cassia bark " of commerce. In the year 1885 I received, by 

 the kindness of Mr. C. Ford, Director of Botanic Gardens at 

 Hong Kong, a few plants of this species, two were put out in the 

 Garden, but have never thriven well, the climate being evi- 

 dently unsuitable for them, and I think it may be taken for 

 granted that the tree will not succeed in the coast districts. 

 Two plants were sent to the Botanic Gardens, Maritzburg, for 

 trial there ; these plants grew well, one of them was I believe 

 removed some years afterwards to make room for a building, 

 the other has made good growth, and has I believe borne seed 

 more than once. I think that the tree is well suited to the 

 midlands of the colony, but whether its cultivation would be 

 profitable I am at present unable to say. 



Ghrysophyllum cainito (Linn), " Star Apple/ 1 — This plant 

 was alluded to in my Annual Report for 1899, and we hoped 

 that we should during last season have had a larger crop of 

 fruit, and to have been able to report on it more fully, but in 

 consequence of the long drought all the fruit fell from the trees 

 when quite young, and not a single one came to maturity. It 

 is now again in flower, and we hope during the present year to 

 be more fortunate. 



Cola acuminata. — This is the tree which produces the Cola 

 nut of commerce, and I regret to have to report that all the 

 plants are dead ; the soil and climate do not appear to be suit- 

 able to the growth of the tree. 



Dipteryx odorata (Tonga or Tonquin bean). — One of these 

 plants died during the year, probably from attack of White 

 Ants, but the other two are doing well and are now more than 

 5 feet high, and will probably succeed if they survive this very 

 long drought. 



Jacaratida mimosifolia. — For several years after its first 

 flowering in the colony this tree failed to produce any seeds, 

 but last year a quantity of seed was collected, and it appeared 

 to me that it would be worth trial as a timber tree. Baron F. 



