106 J. H. MAIDEN. 
and many others should be freely grown. The seeds of 
Acacias maintain their vitality for a considerable period. 
Casuarina—various kinds of Belar and Bull Oak. I would 
also introduce the Desert Oak (C. Decaisneana) of Western 
Australia, the Needlewood (Hakea leucoptera) and many 
other trees and shrubs. 
One plant of Porcupine Grass extends in an ever widen- 
ing circle, the centre becoming dead and hollow. This is 
a most important natural sand-binder for the sand-hills and 
should be conserved. The native grasses in general should 
be encouraged, as I have already indicated. 
Turning to exotic plants, some of the Cow-peas (Vigna 
Catjang) have been recommended as sand-binders. I 
would also try the sheeps’ Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) 
with its large root stock. 
On the Mesas of Arizona and Western Texas is found 
the ‘‘running mesquite ’’ (Bouteloua oligostachya). This 
would probably be worth a trial. 
The Carob tree is very drought-resistant and might be 
further experimented with. So also the Pepper Tree 
(Schinus molle) a useful shade tree, though not of use for 
anything else. 
Amongst economic plants the Date Palm takes high rank 
and it has for many years been acclimatised in the desert 
country north of South Australia. I have tasted very fair 
dates from these palms for several years. | 
“The results of an experimental planting made by the U. 8. 
Division of Forestry in 1890 on the sand-hills of Nebraska seems 
to have proved that the Banksian Pine (Pinus divaricata) is one 
of the best adapted species for planting in arid conditions.”? 
But, as I have already observed, if we could get the 
depots I have advocated established or promised, I could 
get many kinds of seeds for experimental purposes from 
the arid country in India, North Africa and the Western 
United States. 7 
1 Foréstry Quarterly, No. 2, p.80. See also “‘ Notes on Sand-drift es 
ing in Nebraska,” U. 8. Year-book of Agric. (1895). 
