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EXPERIMENTAL PLANTATIONS. 
ESTABLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 1898-1914. 
THREE KINGS, NEAR AUCKLAND. 
FORMER SITE OF THE WESLEY TRAINING COLLEGE. 
The planted areas lie within the bounds of a long extinct volcano. The 
planting was done partly on slopes of the original tuff crater and partly on decom¬ 
posed lava and scoria. Exotic conifers, oaks, nuts, eucalypts, and some native 
trees were included in the selections. Where browsing animals have been excluded, 
the plantations now form miniature forests with richly carpeted floor and increas¬ 
ing undergrowth of native shrubs. The blocks and belts of trees arrest the pre¬ 
vailing winds and soften the frosts of winter. The soil is good; the rainfall 
generous. 
The eucalypts range in age from 13 to nearly 30 years. About 80 species 
were tested. The experiments strongly demonstrated the demand of the eucalypts 
for climatic grouping. Such species as are included in Group i. soon showed their 
need of a higher mean annual temperature. At the reverse extreme species in¬ 
cluded in Group vi. languished because the mean temperature was too high for 
them. Some of the species included in Group v. grew rapidly to large dimen¬ 
sions, but gave cause to suspect that their optimum would be attained further south 
or at higher altitudes. 
The species best adapted for cultivation at Three Kings were found in 
Groups ii., iii., and iv. But even here there was room for discrimination. Some of 
the species in Group ii. demanded hotter summers, some of the species in Group iv. 
colder winters, than the genial even climate of the Auckland Isthmus could offer 
them. But allowing for all deductions, it is no exaggeration to say that a thousand 
vigorous and very beautiful specimens are to-day finding a congenial home at 
Three Kings. Many of them represent species with a high reputation for the 
value of their timber, and thus claim economic status as well as beauty. 
PAERATA. 
WESLEY TRAINING COLLEGE FARM. 
Here a great deal of the soil is heavy adhesive clay. For best results in tree 
culture, it needs subsoil ploughing and underground drainage. Planting was begun 
in 1914, and some time will be required yet for competently testing results. The 
three species of Eucalyptus that give best promise are E. botryoides, E. pilularis, 
and E. saligna ; but many others are doing well. The trees were planted in chain¬ 
wide belts for shelter against the westerly winds. Some species have had their 
tender foliage cut back by these winds. Others have not suffered any injury. 
The large number of species planted and the conditions of planting present an 
object lesson to all who are planting or intend to plant in this or in any similar 
locality. 
