September, 1952 THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST 
Page eleven 
Originally published in 1948, a 
second edition has just been 
issued. Broadly dealing with the 
cultivation of all trees and shrubs 
suitable for Australian conditions, 
“Trees and Shrubs for Australian 
Gardens” by E. E. Lord is a valu- 
able addition to our literature on 
this subject. In fact it is when we 
turn our attention to the chapters 
dealing with native plants one can 
safely say that a new type of book 
dealing with the cultivation of 
native plants has been created, for 
the writer is not aware that any- 
thing of a similar nature has 
previously been published about 
Austrailian plants. 
Its usefulness can only be gauged 
when we closely examine the con- 
tents of the chapters headed, 
“Descriptive list of the Eucalpyts”; 
“Acacias”; “Australian Trees”; 
“Australian Shrubs”; or the lists of 
plants for the various specified 
/ones — “Southern Victoria, etc.” 
‘Cool Mountain,” “Adelaide, 
Northern Victoria, etc.,” “Sydney, 
etc.” 
Over 60 species of Eucalypts are 
described, the selection covering 
species lor all types of habitats, but 
a number of these are of the “flow- 
ering” type. One wishes a little 
more emphasis had been placed (so 
far as South Australia is concerned) 
on drought resisting species, fov 
neither E. salubris “Gimlet” nor 
E. salmanophloia “Salmon Gum” 
are given. The selection is much 
better with the Acacias — of which 
over 70 species are listed and de 
scribed. Here are included a large 
number of species found naturally 
growing in the “mallee,” Murray 
Lands, or the “Centre.” All of 
these should, and can be used in 
greater numbers by all who wish 
to establish plantings in the drier 
districts of this or other states. 
The general lists of Australian 
trees and shrubs are good. When 
reading through them one realises 
how many we in South Australia 
never cultivate, mainly because 
they are not available locally. One 
is thankful that G. W. Althofer, 
Dripstone, N.S.W., can supply 
many of them, for some of the gems 
listed should be seen every day 
rather than only at the Wild 
Flower and Nature Show! A num- 
ber of species of Australian conifers 
are listed — Callitris , Actinostrobus , 
A ra ucari a , A ga t h is , Po d oca rp us — 
which are suitable for cultivation 
in and around the “settled areas.” 
The Angophoras, A. lanceolata 
which is only now receiving the 
attention it should for its beautiful 
pinkish-white bark; Bauhinia Car- 
roni, a lovely specimen which 
exists at Bel tana — Br achy chiton; 
Casuarina , surely a most neglected 
genus — species of which are invalu- 
able for farm shelter. Over 25 
species of Melaleuca are included, 
numerous species of Hake a, Gr evil- 
lea, Banksia, Myoporum , Pitto- 
sporum are listed, as are such plants 
as Stenocarpus , Cedrela , Ficus , 
Sy near pi a, etc. 
When we glance through the 
shrub list, the paucity of species 
we cultivate is astounding! Numer- 
ous genera and species of the Legu- 
minosae, Myrtaceae , Protaceae, 
Rutaceae are given, any of which 
would be equal to, if not better 
than many of the exotics grown 
today. A useful chapter on Aus- 
tralian climbing plants is included 
and the hah hat lists warrant 
careful persusal by anyone about to 
commence a home garden. 
The book is a most ambitious 
work, and the fact that a second 
edition has been called for and is 
now available confirms the need for 
