2 



A. — NOTES ON TREES SUITABLE FOR PLANTING IN AND ABOUT TOWNS IN THE 



WEST INDIES. 



A very large number of seedling trees can be supplied from the Gardens at the nominal price of 

 Id. to 3d. each. Carriage is not undertaken by the Department, but can be arranged for at the rate 

 of about 2 dozen plants for 3s. 



The trees should not be planted closer together than 20 or 30 feet, according to the length of the 

 branches. If it is found possible to plant them a*t regular intervals, it is preferable to have all the 

 trees in one street of the same kind ; if, on the other hand, they stand at irregular intervals, it is better 

 to have a variety. 



In forming new streets, the rule to be adopted for the position of the trees on the road is that 

 they should be 4 feet from the foot path, and clear of the water-table. They should never be planted 

 on the foot-path where they would hinder foot-passengers, and raise the pathway by the growth of 

 their roots. 



In a road or street, the holes should be dug larger than in ordinary ground, about 5 feet wide 

 at the top, and 5 feet deep. The earth taken out from holes in streets should be replaced with good 

 soil well mixed with well rotted manure. 



If an iron grating is placed on the surface round the stem, the soil remains soft, and allows water 

 and air to penetrate to the roots Probably the best plan in this climate would be to have a kind of 

 grid-iron arrangement with the bars attached by nuts, so that as the stem expands, the innermost bars 

 could be removed. The grating should be at least 3 feet square. 



It is also necessary to protect the young plants by means of upright guards, which should be 4 

 or 5 feet high ; and stakes are necessary until the plants are well established. Pruning is constantly 

 necessary to keep the trees within bounds, and to give them a good shape. The tree3, especially while 

 young, require constant watering. 



The following are a few of the trees suitable for planting : — 



The Eucalyptus or Gum trees are natives chiefly of Australia v?here they form forests, but they 

 are also found in the Malay Archipelago. They are the largest trees in the world, some which were 

 measured proved to be more than 400 feet high. The leaves hang vertically, thus giving a remarkable 

 character to the scenery. Several species of Eucalyptus grow more quickly than any other tree ; the 

 timber is at first soft, and is easily felled, split, and sawn, but when thoroughly dry, it becomes as hard 

 as oak. 



Eucalyptus trees have acquired a reputation for planting in malarial swampy ground, and that for 

 two reasons, first because they absorb an immense amount of moisture from the soil, practically draining 

 it, and secondly, because there is a large quantity of aromatic essential oil contained in their leaves, 

 which becomes oxidized by the action of the air, and produces an active disinfectant, — peroxide of hydro- 



The "Red Gum Tree" {Eucalyptus rostrata) of Southern Australia thrives in wettish soil with a 

 clayey sub-soil, even when the water is slightly brackish. It is recommended as an antiseptic tree for 

 cemeteries in tropical countries. It is of rapid growth, often attaining a height of 65 feet in 6 years, 

 eventually reaching to a height of 200 feet. The timber is thought highly of, lasting well above or below 

 ground or in water. The government of Victoria, whenever practicable, use no other timber for 

 bridges and railways ; as railway sleepers it lasts 12 years. 



The Yate Tree (Eucalyptus cornuta ) of South-west Australia, is reported to have reached a height 

 of 8 or 10 feet in the first year in plantations at Lucknow. It prefers a wettish soil The wood is 

 equal to the best ash. 



The Iron-bark Tree (Eucalyptus Leucoxylon) supplies a valuable timber, worth 2s. 5d. a cubic 

 foot in Melbourne. The wood bears twice the strain of American oak or ash. The tree grows to a 

 height of 100 feet ; it is generally found on slaty formations, but accommodates itself to any soil. 



The Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta "j is said to thrive best in low, sour swampy ground near 

 the sea-coast. It grows 100 feet high with a grand mass of foliage, and resists cyclones better than most 

 other Eucalyptus. Llt _ 



Other desirable Eucalyptus are the Manna Gunf Tree (E. viminalis), the flooded Gum Tree 

 (E. saligna ), the Tallow Wood (E. microcorys),th.e Red Gum Tree (E. tereticornis), and the Stringy 

 Bark Tree ( E. obliqua ). A mass of information is contained in Baron von Mueller's Works. 



The Tamarind (Tamarindus indicus) though of slow growth, is suitable for planting near houses, as 

 it is large and ornamental, affording pleasant shade with handsome, fragrant flowers. The fruit is use- 

 ful, and the timber is beautifully grained and valuable for building. 



Bauhinia variegata, a native of India and China, is a beautiful shrubby-looking tree of 20 to 30 

 feet in height, suitable for open spaces. The flowers are handsome of a rosy-white colour. The dark 

 wood is sometimes called Ebony, but is of little use. The astringent bark has been used as a tonic in 

 medicine, and also for dying and tanning. Bauhinia megalandra, a native of some of the West Indian 

 Islands, may also be planted in the same way. 



Cassia siamea (also known as Cassia florida) grows to a height of 80 feet at Castleton. It has large, 

 showy, yellow flowers. It is a native of India and Malaya. Cassia Fistula, the India Laburnum, has 

 flowers of the same kind, it is a middle sized erect tree, reaching a height of 40 to 50 feet. The pulp 

 round the seeds is a mild laxative. 



Lagerstroemia Flos-Reginae (Queen's Flower) when in blossom, is one of the most showy trees of 

 the Indian forests. A moist, damp climate is most suitable for its growth and for the full develop- 

 ment of its rose-coloured blossoms. It reaches a height of 50 to 60 feet. The timber is blood-red, and 

 as it lasts well in water, it is used for boat-building. In Burmah, it is employed more than any other 



