Am.  Jour.  Pharm.\ 
August,  19 18.  ' 
Cultivation  of  Buck  11. 
601 
probably  the  most  valuable,  as  it  contains  the  greatest  number  of  oil 
glands  in  its  smaller,  light  green  leaves.  It  is  more  compact  and 
dwarfed  than  the  kloof  buchu.  It  grows  from  3  to  4  feet  in  height 
and  is  often  found  on  mountain  slopes  at  an  altitude  of  1,000  to 
2,000  feet  above  sea  level.  A  red,  sandy  loam,  or  red  sandstone  and 
quartzite,  is  said  to  be  favorable  to  its  growth. 
The  third  species  (Barosma  crennlata)  has  larger  leaves  than  the 
others.  These  leaves  are  1  inch  to  iy2  inches  in  length  and  are  of  a 
smooth,  leathery  texture;  they  are  ovate-oblong  in  shape,  with  ser- 
rate or  granular  margins.  The  oil  glands  are  visible  on  both  sides 
of  the  leaf.  However,  this  species  of  the  buchu  is  not  so  widely  dis- 
tributed and  is  consequently  not  so  well  known. 
The  buchu  does  not  thrive  in  every  soil.  In  its  native  state  it  is 
not  found  in  earth  having  limestone  as  one  of  its  component  parts, 
nor  in  brackish  or  sandy  soil  and  stiff  clay.  On  the  other  hand,  a 
black  or  red  sandy  loam,  according  to  the  species,  impregnated  with 
decayed  vegetable  matter,  facilitates  its  culture.  However,  good 
results  are  said  to  be  obtained  when  the  plant  is  cultivated  on  sandy 
loam,  properly  drained  and  deeply  dug,  but  not  irrigated  by  brackish 
streams. 
Method  of  Cultivation. — Plants  can  be  grown  from  seeds  or 
cuttings.  In  case  the  former  method  is  used,  the  sowing  generally 
takes  place  before  the  weather  becomes  cold.  Boxes  and  beds  are 
used  for  that  purpose.  Boxes  are  most  often  filled  with  a  compost 
of  vegetable  mold  and  sand  in  equal  parts,  in  which  the  seeds  are 
buried  at  a  depth  of  about  one  half  inch.  They  are  then  generally 
placed  in  the  shade  in  a  warm  place  and  kept  moist.  After  a  few 
weeks  have  elapsed,  the  seeds  spring  up  and  the  boxes  may  then  be 
shifted  to  receive  the  morning  sun.  As  a  rule,  all  the  protection  that 
is  required  is  from  sharp  frosts  and  cutting  winds,  but  the  soil  should 
be  kept  moderately  moist  and  free  from  weeds. 
If  beds  are  used  they  should  be  dug  very  deep,  and  some  of  the 
soil  should  be  removed  and  replaced  by  a  vegetable  mold  and  sandy 
loam.  Sometimes  boards  are  placed  on  the  edges  of  the  beds,  or 
stones  or  sod  are  piled  around  them  from  12  to  13  inches  in  height. 
The  beds  are  generally  covered  with  branches  to  shut  off  most  of 
the  light,  as  too  much  exposure  to  the  rays  of  the  sun  at  first  often 
causes  damage.  As  the  seedlings  appear  more  light  is  allowed,  but 
they  should  not  be  exposed  to  a  baking  sun  to  any  great  degree. 
For  the  purpose  of  transplantation,  which  usually  takes  place  when 
