NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS 37 
filled by gifts fiom all parts of South Africa. More than 1000 species were 
leceived before the end of November. Contributions of plants, bulbs, seeds, 
etc., may be sent free by post or rail if addressed 
O. H. M. S. 
The Director, 
National Botanic Gardens, 
Kirstenbosch, 
Newlands, Cape. 
The establishment of a large and representative collection of South African 
plants is not an end in itself. It is but a necessary preliminary to scientific 
and economic investigations, the need for which has been widely felt during 
recent years. To use to advantage the resources now available at Kirsten- 
bosch demands a staff and an equipment which must be supplied in the near 
future. In the meantime it is proposed to commence at once a study of 
certain well-known or reputed drug- and perfume-yielding plants. Prominent 
among these will be the Buchu. 
Everyone who has given attention to the Buchu industry is aware that 
it is capable of considerable development and that the key to its improve- 
ment lies in the study of the species from which it is derived — particularly 
of their behaviour under cultivation. The following is an extract from a 
letter (dated May 22, 1913) received from a Canadian medical practitioner: 
“I am interested in Buchu leaves.... It is very difficult for us to obtain 
sufficient and good supplies. I was wondering if our climate is enough like 
yours to permit their successful growth in this country.” 
If prompt measures are not taken to get the Buchus into cultivation 
in this country and to improve the supply of the drug, there is every 
possibility that the wild plants which yield it will be gradually exter- 
minated by the present methods of collection, assisted by fire, and that 
the Buchu industry will be transferred to other countries where the 
Barosmas have been brought into cultivation. 
The cooperation of those who may be in a position to supply seeds or 
plants of species popularly used for purposes of medicine or perfumery is 
invited. 
