HORTICULTURE IN NKW ZEALAND, 



157 



flowers of various lines and colours, has been introduced into Kngland, 

 and has hcen vciry much improved under cultivation. 



New Zealand produces many varieties of the (joranium family of 

 plants, amongst which are the ' Matuakumara,' the Cut-leaved (jeraniiim. 

 There are four species peculiar to New Zealand, bearing pink Mowers, often 

 measuring j inch across. Another variety is the f'elaryonium aw train, 

 Maori name ' Kopata.' The Ilowers are pink, small, hut many together. 



There are also several varieties of ( hud is corniculata. 



Another beautiful tree is the Vysoxylum, or, as the natives call it. 

 ' Kohekohe,' found in the North Island only, and attaining the height of 

 L0or50 feet, blossoming in dune, when the long drooping bunches of pale 

 coloured flowers, measuring from H to l!i inches, are very attractive. The 

 Ilowers contain a large quantity of honey, which is eagerly sought after by 

 the ' Tui,' one of New Zealand's beautiful birds, which from giving forth 

 a sweet note of bell-like sound, and possessing two long white feathers at 

 the throat, goes by the name; of the ' Parson Bird.' 



There are several members of the Buckthorn family. romadarris 

 clliptica, native name 1 Kumarahou,' has handsome and variegated foliage, 

 mixed with old-gold coloured blossoms. 



Of the SajnudacMfi then; are two genera, the Dodouaui and 

 Alectryon. The best of the former is the ' Ako Ake,' a small tree 

 sometimes attaining the height of tt() feet. The ' Ake Ake ' blossoms 

 in September and bears small unisexual (or on some plants both 

 male and female) Ilowers. The wood is used by the natives for the 

 manufacture of clubs and other warlike instruments, or rather I should 

 say was used. It is very hard and of lasting endurance. The Maoris 

 term it sometimes ' Ake Ake Ake,' meaning ' For ever and ever.' The 

 Alectryon is represented by the ' Titoki ' or ' Titongi,' attaining the Insight 

 of 50 or 00 feet. The timber is of line grain, great toughness, and adapted 

 for the purposes of the machinist and shipwright. It bears large panicles 

 of small dark crimson flowers, followed by luscious-looking crimson berries, 

 which the native children eat with relish. 



Another beautiful tree, and to tin; natives a useful one, is the ' Karaka,' 

 which bears a tempting-looking golden fruit about the size of a I'lum and 

 shaped like an egg. The Maoris relish it as a staple article of food. 

 The ' Karaka' could be cultivated in the southern parts of Kngland. 



One of the most beautiful flowers native; to New Zealand is the 

 Crimson Clianthus — the ' Kowhai-ngutu,' ' Kaka,' or ' Parrot's Bill '—a 

 branching shrub, flowers scarlet. There is also a yellow variety. Tin? 

 plant varies in size from a small shrub to a tree from thirty to forty feet 

 high, its masses of pendulous golden and crimson flowers making a striking 

 picture on the landscape;. 



The Saxifrage family is well represented in New Zealand in many 

 different forms herbs, shrubs, and trees. One of the most beautiful is 

 the native Lilac, also the ' Tawari,' the latter blossoming in the warmer 

 latitudes, with long lanceolate; leaves and large white flowers. It would 

 prove a beautiful addition to the sub-tropical garden. 



There are also many varieties of the Stonecrop family of plants. 



Also the JJrosera or Sundew section is represented by many species. 

 Various experiments have been made; to test the digestive powers of these 



