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11. Arundo phraymites, Linn. (Phraymites communis, Trin.). The "Bamboo Reed" of New South 
AVales and many other parts of the world. It grows naturally along the margins of lagoons and 
water-courses, and its growth should be encouraged on the Lower Hunter. I believe it to be the 
' Small Cane " referred to in the enclosed letter to me by Mr. Charles Ledger, the well-known 
South American traveller of "Cinchona Ledgeriana" fame: "The valleys of the Sam;', and 
Locumba are somewhat like those of the Hunter. In the first (Sanaa) is situated 30 miles of 
sandy plains near Tacna (Peru). During December, January, February, and March (or rainy 
season) its river, increased by the rains in the interior, rushes down its course from west to east 
with great force, undermining the banks on both sides, carrying away in that manner acres of 
hoil where the banks are not protected by rows of small cane growing to a height of 10 to 12 feet. 
This small cane breaks tlie force of the rushing waters, and thus the river overflows its banks 
without carrying away the soil as formerly. In the same way the valley of Locumba is protected, 
indeed all valleys so situated in Peru." 
15. liambusa yracilis, Hort., and B. nigra, Lodd. Two more small bamboos that I can recommend as 
bank-protectors. 
16. Arundinaria falcata, Nees. One of the smaller Himalayan bamboos recommended for soil-binding. 
Small bamboos of any species should be tried on the Lower .Hunter. They spread from the roots 
and their tough stems are very tenacious of life. 
17. Cyperug alternifuliu,lAnn. An ornamental sedge from Madagascar, which flourishes in damp 
situations. 
18. Alesembryanthemum (equilalerale, Haw. The well-known " Pig's Face " of our coasts. A succulent- 
leaved plant, which is useful as a sand-binder where there is not much traffic over the plants 
themselves. 
19. Phormium tenax, Forst., and P. Colensoi, Hcok. f. Two species of the well-known New Zealand 
flax, which possesses considerable merit as bank-protectors. 
20. Plumbago c^pensis, Thunb. A well-known shrub which forms a dense bushy growth. 
21. Rliagodia hastata, R.Br., and R. Billardieri, R.Br. Two of our salt-bushes that may be recom- 
mended as sand-binders in brackish or seaside situations. 
22. Rubin tinctorum, Linn. The " Madder " of Europe, which forms a low, smothering growth. It is 
worthy of a trial as a soil- protector. 
23. Lippia nodiflora, Linn. A low-growing plant which forms a mat on nearly pure sand. It belongs 
to the Verbena family, and has been found on the coast at Tuggerah Lakes and further north. 
The smaller L. repenx is worthy of trial. It has been recommended for very dry situations, 
forming a close turf 
4. Nurseries. Each land-owner should have his own nursery of trees, shrubs, 
&c. The river oaks yield abundance of seed, and they are easy to rear, and the 
raising of trees and other plants is not beyond the power of any intelligent citizen. 
No one doubts the capabilities of our people as eradicators of vegetation ; it should 
be brought home to them that it is to their advantage to act judiciously in a contrary 
direction. 
VIII. Summary of Proposals. 
I will now summarise my proposals for the mitigation of floods. They are not 
sensational, but they are all practical, and if they be given a fair trial I think that 
it will be found that they are based on sound principles. 
1. Intelligent control of ringbarking or felling. This is the beginning of all 
things, the attempt to get at the little rifts in the ground-surface that 
have such mighty consequences. 
2. Repair of little incipient rivulets by gradual replanting or placement of 
obstructions (logs, &c.). 
