72 
GROUP V. E. AMYGDALINA. 
Observation in Tasmania followed by the study of 
New Zealand has made it easy to understand and appreaatetf“ J*™* “ d 
expressed bp M.iden end Rodw.y, E. "e Sind M. 
for a group of indefinitely differing but veiy closely leiam 
Some of the trees grow large enough to provide logs tor the sawmill and p 
for carrying electrfc wires; others are small and of little economic value Some 
trees carry 8 dead bark of the “peppermint” type on their stems; others shed their 
dead bark right down to the ground. Juvenile leaves are on some plants sessile, 
but more frequently they are petiolate. On some adult trees the leaves are /Sin 
or more wide; while on others they are almost linear In inflorescence lie 
differences are less marked. The umbel is several-flowered, the hd of the bud a 
small low dome with central projection. The anthers are remform. 1 he npe seec - 
cups are pear shaped or hemispherical and vary in lateral diameter from 3/ 3m. o 
a little over Min.; the valves being level with rim or slightly proti uding. 
The mature wood of E. amygdalina is light brown to dark brown in colour. 
When well grown and thoroughly ripe for use, it is dense, strong, and very 
lasting in the most trying of situations. It was chiefly under the name of Black 
Peppermint that the timber won its imputation lor durability, but, on the authoiity 
of the Tasmanian State botanist, Mr. L. llddway, we may now regard that 
reputation as belonging equally or almost equally to the White Peppermint. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
Success in cultivating E. amygdalina in New Zealand will depend primarily 
and mainly upon obtaining a supply of seed from large and vigorous parent tiees. 
If we breed from dwarfs and weaklings, we must expect crops of dwarfs and 
weaklings. After seeing the species in its various forms in Tasmania and then 
studying our own exotic specimens, it is impossible to resist the inference that 
much of the seed we have used here must have been taken from plants ol small 
dimensions and inferior strain. In view of so much evidently wrong selection it is 
gratifying to find that the best Tasmanian forms have gained a footing in several 
New Zealand localities. It will be sufficient to cite three examples. They are as 
follows: — (1) “Tunanui”, near Hastings (Sir Andrew llussell). Some of the 
trees here carry persistent sub-fibrous dead bark on their stems, while others are 
smooth nearly down to the ground; most of them are large and good. (2) “Cheviot 
Hills”, North Canterbury (Lady Campbell). Here, again, there are trees with 
more or less persistent dead bark on their stems and others from which nearly all 
dead bark has fallen away. Some of the specimens are large enough and tall 
enough for carrying the heaviest electric power wires. (3) “Happy Valley”, 
near Motunau, also in North Canterbury (L. IT. Campbell). The specimens 
here are numerous, but of younger age, and have scarcely yet settled their bark 
habit. 
E. amygdalina appears to be capable of flourishing on drier and poorer 
country than is required by most of the valuable eucalypts. If we add this merit 
to the great durability of the mature wood, the species will stand well commended 
for further and more extended trial in this country. But only right seed will 
produce right trees. Choice lies between obtaining such seed from largest and best 
typical specimens in Tasmania and seeking permission to collect from best 
acclimatized specimens at “Tunanui” or at “Cheviot Hills.” 
