December 6, 1894. 
OURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
511 
P erhaps a few notes regarding this part of the world, 
one of England’s latest possessions, may be of some 
interest to the readers of the Journal of Horticulture. Of our 
journey up the Zambesi and Shire rivers we will not say 
much. Suffice it, that we had a most delightful voyage; but 
what else could we expect, considering we had the good fortune 
to be on board the best, fastest, cleanest, and most comfortable 
steamer plying on the great Zambesi — namely, the mission 
steamer “ Henry Henderson ?” 
Shortly after leaving Chinde, the port of debarkation (formerly 
it used to be Tuilimane), we in due time reached Shupanga, where 
we went ashore, and visited the grave of Mrs. Livingstone 
(27th April, 1862). The Baobab tree under which she rests was 
measured by one of us, and found to be 50 feet in circumference 
5 feet from its base. What a splendid forest there is at Shupanga, 
and what magnificent trees grow therein. From this forest come 
most of the canoes used on the lower reaches of the river. Rose¬ 
wood we saw in abundance, also some splendid trees of Lignum 
Vitas. There is also a vast number of Mango trees, said to have 
been planted by the Jesuit missionaries centuries ago. We do not 
contradict the statement, for it may well be true, but to-day these 
trees are a living testimony of the good those early missionaries 
did. 
At Shupanga the Zambesi is much over 1000 yards wide, and 
beautifully studded with islands. Along the river banks grow 
many curious and beautiful plants and flowers. The most common 
are the Convolvuluses of various colours, climbing up to the tops of 
the trees, and hanging down in graceful festoons. Palmyra Palms 
are abundant all the way up the river, and are most invaluable as 
timber for house-building. We also noticed great tracts of the 
Zambesi Cabbage (Pistia stratiotes). Very fertile seemed the 
gardens of the natives. Along the river banks we saw considerable 
areas of Rice (the staple article of food of the natives on the river 
banks), Grround Nuts, Sorghum, Beans, Peas, and Sweet Potatoes. 
Maize, grown so much in the Highlands, does not seem to do so 
well in the lower districts. 
Ten days after leaving Chinde we reached Katungas or Port 
Blantyre, and here our river journey ended. After resting for one 
night we set off early the next morning to walk to Blantyre, 
a distance of twenty-five miles. For the first few miles of the 
journey we travelled over a comparatively level road, and then we 
came to the ascent of the hills, which in some places is as much as 
1 in 20°. However, after an hour’s steady climbing we reached the 
top, and right handsomely were we rewarded by the magnificent 
view that burst upon us. Away down on the plains the atmo¬ 
sphere was close, the air too thick and hot to breathe ; but here, up 
on the hills, how cool and exhilarating ! What a charming country ! 
What richness of vegetation ! A land that knows not frost or 
snow! and so, resting at the roadside under the shade of a 
Bamboo clump we uttered such expressions of approval, on this, 
our first entrance, into the Shire Highlands of British Centaal 
Africa. Continuing our journey we soon reached Mlame where, 
by the kindness of the present administration, a half-way house 
roughly constructed of Grass and Bamboo, has been put up for the 
accommodation of travellers, and here we rested for our midday 
snack. Mlame is fourteen miles from Blantyre, the metropolis of 
No. 754.—VoL. XXIX., Third Series. 
the Shire Highlands, and four hours’ walk through most beautiful 
scenery soon brought us to our journey’s end. 
The Church of Scotland Mission Station at Blantyre occupies a 
most delightful position, nestling amongst the many undulating 
hills for which the scenery of the Shire Highlands is justly famed. 
We entered the Station from the Mandala side, passing up a mile- 
long avenue of Eucalyptus trees, planted some thirteen years ago. 
They have now attained to a great height, some of them to nearly 
60 feet. In the centre of the square is to be seen a giant specimen, 
towering to a height of 80 feet, with a stem 18 inches in diameter, 
and as straight as a telegraph pole. The square in front of the 
church is a delightful spot. In the wide flower borders which 
surround it are to be seen such plants as Roses, Pelargoniums, 
Pentstemons, Dahlias, and Sweet Williams growing alongside ; 
Poinsettias, Clerodendrons, Hibiscus, and Plumbagos, bordered 
with Alternantheras; while the lawn in the centre is dotted over 
with some fine specimens of Conifers, Eucalyptus, two Cocoa Nut 
Palms, and some native trees. 
The kitchen garden covers an area of a little over 2 acres, and 
is laid out in the form of terraces, five in number. An irrigation 
stream, brought from a distance of nearly two miles, runs through 
the garden, and, but for a few weeks towards the end of the dry 
season, gives an ample supply of water, consequently vegetables 
can be grown nearly all the year round. Lettuce, Leeks, Onions, 
Carrots, Asparagus, Peas, Beans, Tomatoes, and English Potatoes do 
well, giving an abundant return. One cannot say the Cauliflower 
is a success. The plants grow well, but the “heads” are small, 
while Cabbages, as may be imagined, are a never-failing vegetable. 
We were rather interested in the propagation of the Cabbage, as 
practised at Blantyre. When the Cabbage proper is cut for table 
the stems are allowed to remain in the ground for a fortnight or 
so, by which time “ offshoots ” will have formed. These are taken 
off and inserted about 6 inches apart in the ordinary garden soil, 
which at Blantyre is of a light texture, a little sand being first 
placed on the surface, and are well attended to in the matter of 
watering, a process requiring to be done every day in Central 
Africa in the dry season. After about a fortnight or three weeks 
the cuttings are sufficiently rooted to allow them to be planted 
out, and in another four weeks’ time are ready for use. We have seen 
Cabbages grown in this way at Blantyre weigh from 15 to 25 lbs. 
weight. 
During the dry season, from May to November, all vege¬ 
tables are best grown in trenches. A line is set, and a trench 
taken out about a foot in depth, and the same in breadth, which 
is filled with water from the irrigation stream. After about a 
week some well-decayed manure is dug into the trench, and the 
seeds sown. In the rainy season ridges take the place of trenches. 
Turnip seeds germinate in from two to three days. Peas in four days. 
The varieties of Peas which seem to do best in this part are 
Lightning, Fillbasket, and William the First. We have never 
yet been able to grow Melons. They grow to a certain length 
until the fruit is the size of an Orange, and then the plants 
become cankered and ultimately die. 
About a quarter of the garden is devoted to fruit trees. 
Apples, both culinary and dessert, do extremely well. The trees 
are all about ten years old, though there are some fine young ones 
to be seen. Orange, Lemon, Granadilla, Guava, Peach, Pome¬ 
granate, Fig, Loquat, and Papayas are all grown. Cape Goose¬ 
berries have made their home in the Shire Highlands, and are to 
be found in nearly every village. Pine Apples and Bananas are 
equally as plentiful. A beautiful avenue of Lemon trees stretching 
through the station gives a never-failing supply of fruit, and in a 
tropical climate there are worse things than a “ Lemon squash ” 
when one is thirsty. 
Tea is also grown in the Blantyre Garden, though not to any 
great extent. In the dry season it is only by irrigating the plants 
that a flush can be had. Little over a year ago a conspicuous 
No. 2410.—VoL. XOL, Old Series 
