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4x YEAR 1905-1906. Kod.

J. MEDLEY WOOD, A.L.S.,

Corresponding Member of the Pharmaceutical Society , .
of Great Britain. :

DIRECTOR.

DURBAN :
Bennetr & Davis, Printers, GARDINER AND SMITH STREBTS,
1906.

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ERIE PIRES SSE EE SEES EN ERE REN remem ARENAS

Durban Botanic Society.

REPORT

ON

NATAL BOTANIC GARDENS,

July Ist, 1905, to June 380th, 1906,

BY

J. MEDLEY WOOD, ha
24867
Corresponding Member of ne pideinecdicita3 Society

of Great Britain.

DIRECTOR.

Durban Botanic Society.

President:
Sik B. W. GREENACRE, K.B.

Committee ;
Mr. T. W. EDMONDS Mr. M. S. Evans
Hon. R. JAMESON, M.L.C. Mr. H. H. PUNTAN
Mr. J. DICK Mr. W. BUTCHER

Government Members:
Mr. J. S. STEEL Mr. J. D. BALLANCE

Mayors of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, ex officio.

Sec. and Accountant: Creasurer :
Mr. G. BURGESS Mr. J. MEDLEY Woop, A.L.S.

Director :
Mr. J. MEDLEY Woop, A.L.S.

Curator:
Mr. JAS. WYLIE.

NATAL BOTANIC GARDENS.

2 9

BYE-LAWS.

The Gardens are open to the public every week-day from
sunrise to sunset; on Sundays from 2 o’clock p.m. until sunset.

Children under JO years of age, unless accompanied by
competent protector, cannot be admitted.

Persons accompanied by a dog or dogs cannot be admitted.

No vehicle shall be allowed entrance, and all bicycles
must be left at the gate, but upon application to the Director
or Curator, invalids in wheeled chairs may be permitted.

Admission may be granted to picnic parties if permission
be first obtained from the Curator.

Visitors are requested to keep to the paths, and any
person sliding, running or walking up and down the grassed
enbankments will be lable to be expelled from the Gardens.

Touching or handling plants, fruits, or flowers is strictly
prohibited, the indiscriminate use of butterfly nets is prohibited,
but permission to use such nets may be obtained from the
Director or Curator, and will be available for the day of issue
only. This permission will not be granted on Sundays, and
may at once be withdrawn if the privilege is abused.

All games, climbing of trees, shooting of guns or
catapults, throwing of stones or fruit, disorderly or indecent
behaviour, are strictly prohibited.

Any person abstracting, destroying, or damaging any
property of the Society shall be lable to be prosecuted.

The Director is hereby authorised to prosecute offenders
under the fore-going Bye-Laws whenever found to be necessary.

DPOCSCOOOe

The Jubilee Conservatory is open to the public as under:—

Week-days from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in summer; from 9 a.m. -
to sunset in winter; Sundays from 2.30 p.m to 5.30 p.m, in
summer; from 2.30 p.m. to sunset in winter.

The public are admitted to the Nurseries and Forcing Houses

on business only, during business hours, and on Sundays and
Public Holidays they are closed altogether to visitors,

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
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EE PO ©.

Botanic GARDENS, DuRBAN,

Berea, JuLy, i906.
To the President and Committee,

Durban Botanic Socvety.

GeNTLEMEN,

I have now the pleasure of presenting my Twenty-fifth
Annual Report on the work of the Botanic Gardens and Her-
barium under my charge, and again am pleased to say that the
Report is a fairly satisfactory one in I think every respect; we
have not suffered from either drought or floods to any appre-
ciable extent, and I am pleased to be able to say that the tree
of Arenga saccharifera which was blown over by the heavy gale
of May 31st, 1905, has now quite recovered and has borne
flowers. Our greatest trouble has been the malaria which has
been so prevalent, but which I am glad to say is now on the
decline; the work done by the Durban Corporation on the flat
below the Gardens has very sensibly diminished the number of
the mosquitoes which were the agents for its dissemination and
the cases of attacks of the disease are now much more rare’ In
consequence of this outbreak it was thought necessary to have
the pond at the lower corner of the Garden ground filled in.
In the early days of the Gardens, some 50 years ago Nymphewas
of several species were grown in this pond as well as some
other species of acquatic plants, but since the Indian houses
were placed not far from it, and its drainage interfered with
by different circumstances it had become somewhat of a nuisance,
besides forming a breeding place for the Anophiles mosquito,
so that a contractor was engaged at a cost of £00 to fill it up
with soil which with the consent of the Borough Eugineer was
taken from near the foot of St Thomas’ Road, temporary
portable rails having been laid for the purpose. It will be
necessary for the completion of this work to lay a drain from
the foot of the hill to the drain on the Corporation land, and
this will be done in the near future. The work at the nursery
was in danger of getting behind Land, consequent on one of the
gardeners who was constantly employed there leaving for his
home in Australia, the vacancy has now, however, been filled

8

and the work going on as usual. The fumigating house has
been in constant use, and plants are invariably sent out quite
free from insect pests; the house was examined by Mr. Berens-
berg, assistant to the Entomologist, and after some alterations
had been made, it was found to be quite efficient; the nursery
has also been examined by Mr. Claude Fuller, the Government
Entomologist, and found to be quite free from insect pests, and
he has given us his certificate to that effect.

The Refreshment Room alluded to in my last Report is
now completed, and was opened to the public on Monday,
April 2nd. Mrs. Malyon who has charge of it has given com-
plete satisfaction to the public, she having had considerable
experience in conducting a somewhat similar institution in
Cape Colony; it is fairly well patronised by visitors, and as it
becomes better known will be even more frequented than it is.
The charges are moderate, and the viands supplied are the best
of their kind. The building is roofed with Asbestos slate, and
the interior of the working room is lined with the same material ;
the building is square, the working and store room in the
centre, while the chairs and tables are arranged in a raised
verandah 12 feet in width, so that almost complete protection
can be had from both sun and wind from whichever quarter the
wind may be, and the floor is well raised above the ground. A
wicket gate has been opened close to the Refreshment Room,
and both are opened at 10 o’clock a.m. and closed at 6 o’clock
p.m. in the summer, and at sunset in the winter; a gong is
sounded 15 minutes before the gate is closed for the day, but it
must be clearly understood that there is no thoroughfare
through the Gardens, and that coloured servants are not
allowed to use the gate unless accompanied by Europeans, the
Society retaining the right to close this gate to the public at
any time that it may be found advisable or necessary to do so.

In consequence of great press of more important work the
Durban Corporation have not been able to commence the
hardening of Sydenham Road, which bounds the N.HK. side of
the gardens, and in consequence the fence which was to be
erected as stated in my last Annual Report has not been pro-
ceeded with, and itis, perhaps better that all the soil which
has to be taken from the Gardens should be removed before the
fencing is done; it is hoped, however, that it will be completed
before the next Annual Report is published.

On the occasion of the visit of the members of the British
Association tv South Africa in August last, many of the
botanical members visited the Gardens, and it is a matter for
regret that their time was so short, and that I was not able to
give the attention to them that I should have liked; all that I
met expressed their pleasure at what they were able to see

a ee gt eer

9

here, and every information possible under the circumstances
was given to them, Guide Books were freely distributed and as
freely made use of. I was especially pleased to meet with Prof.
Dr. A. Engler, a botanist who is well known all over the world,
and in the short time that he was in the Gardens he was good
enough to give me the names of three plants which he saw
growing, and which we have had many years, but of which we
knew the order only, but not the names; they are, Philodendron
radiatum, Schott, a native of Mexico, Syngodium auritum,
Schott. from S. America; and Rhaphidophora decursiva, Scott.
native of H. Indies, all belonging to the Order Aroidez, a class
of plants with which Dr. Engler is very familar. It may be
thought strange that in a Botanic Garden we should not know
the names of the plants growing in it, but one of these
plants was here unnamed when [ took charge of the Gardens
in 1882, another was given to us without a name by the late
Mrs. Schultz, and the third was purchased at a sale also
unnamed, and our Library is not yet sufficiently supplied with
books to enable us to identify specifically plants belonging to
this difficult order. Another plant which Dr. Engler noticed
we had from the late Col. Bowker also without name, and he
told me that it belonged to a new genus Predilanthus, nearly,
related to Huphorbia, but the specific name I do not know, nor
does the generic name appear in any book in our Library ; the
plant is I believe a native of Cape Colony.

Another singular plant belonging to the same Order, from
the higher districts of Cape Colony, has been presented by Mr.
J. Thode, but without name; it has not yet borne flowers, nor
shall we be able to identify it until the part of the Fl. Cap.
including this Order is published.

I regret to have to say that we again failed to rear plants
of Victoria Regia, the giant water lily ; seeds were planted, some
of which germinated, but the plants died before becoming large
enough to be put out. I hope for better success next sammer.
The Nympheas in the tank have been in flower most of the
season, and a species of Nelwmbium is doing fairly well, and it
is hoped will bear flowers next summer. The gold fish which
are in the tank keep it quite clear of mosquitoes or their larve.

I am sorry again to have to report that the behaviour of
some of the younger visitors to the Gardens is far from being
what could be desired, seats and plants are defaced by initials,
&c., being carved upon them, labels are defaced, broken and
frequently removed from their places, fruit and flowers are
stoleu, while the grassed banks are damaged by running or
sliding down them, and this not always by children, persons
who are quite old enough to know better are frequently known
to do the same thing. It is difficult to detect parties who are

10 :
guilty of these offences against the Bye-Laws, but the first one
that we do detect in the act will certainly be afforded an
opportunity of an explanation before the Magistrate.

I regret in consequence of the distured state of the couutry
the usual collecting trip could not be taken, so that we shall be
at some disadvantage for the present in not being able to
supply seeds and plants to our numerous correspondents as
usual, since we shall be quite restricted to the stock on hand,
which is not large.

Mr. Wylie, the Curator, and Messrs. Rutter, McAlpine and
Bartlett are still with us, and deserve hearty thanks for the
manner in which the work has been carried on under very
serious difficulties, Mr. Wylie and Mr. Rutter have had repeated
attacks of malaria, quite unfitting them at times for duty;
native labour has been scarce, and at times unobtainable, and
the time of some of the indentured Indians has expired; two
have re-engaged, and it is quite uncertain when we shall obtain
those that were requisitioned for some time ago. Under these
adverse circumstances no improvements of any kind could be
undertaken, nor the ground kept in the order that we should
like to see it.

My hearty thanks are due to the Committee for their
valuable advice and assistance in all matters connected with
the management of the Gardens that have been brought to
their notice.

Packets of seeds have been received in exchange during
the year as under -—

Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta a eee 20
a Mauritius... sh 9

Botanic Gardens, Jamacia ... ee Ee 1
be Trinidad ... ad Me 1

ae i British Guiana Wee so a OS)

9 ‘s Sydney ... ods a ap

2 5 Congo ee Sh abe 1
From India, Donor unknown Ne: aes 6U
Bureau of Forestry, Manila, P.I. ee ou pelO
Department of Agriculture, U.S. America seh eo

i - Transvaal Hh
Se 7

W.E. Ledger, Hugland fee 1
A. Robertson Preschowsky, France ie ae 1
M. Buysman, Holland : 8
Reasoner Bros., Florida, U.S. Me a 4
C. Sprenger & Co., Naples Ge wee Ree 0)

11

‘Max Herb, Naples ... 29
W. E. Dowsett, Rhodesia 12
W. George ss 4
Mr. Swymerton . 2
C. H. F. Allen 4 2
Geo. Thorncroft, Transvaal .. 4
L. F. Brady ; 4
Mr. Williams 1
Mrs. W. Saunders, Cape Colony 1
Lieut.-Col. Wales, Natal 2
S. Large zy 6
Hon. R. Jameson a 4,
Dr. Telfer, Zululand 3
Dr. Hyslop, Maritzburg sie 2
R. W. Benningfield, Durban 1
Mrs. Cooley, Durban 2
W. R. Gordon, Durban , 5
Mrs. W. D. Rogers, Durban... 1
Mr. Tatham, Durban 1
J. F. Fette i hy a 19

372

a

Packets of seeds have been sent to the following persons
and institutions, but in consequence of the native rebellion very
few seeds have been collected.

Bureau of Forestry, Manila ... ee <a ao
U.S. Department of Agriculture be 3
Conservator of Forests, Maritzburg ee 2
S. E. Large, Mid Illovo ss Be ase 1
Geo. E. Hind, Durban si see Ste ues:
J. Burtt Davy, Pretoria ae 3

The following plants have flowered for the first time :—

Bauhinia sp., Rhodesia.

Tulbaghia violacea, Mrs. Todd, Maritzburg.
Nicotiana Sanderiana, Sander & Sons, St. Albans.
Ceropegia sp., Geo. Thorncroft, Barberton.

rs Zululand, collected.
Dendrobeum Fi ndlayanum.
Oncidium splendidum.

12

Plants, bulbs and cuttings sent away :—

Bureau of Forestry, Manila,

I box, 12 plants.

Conservator of Forest, Maritzburg, 4 tins, LUO plants.
Govt. Experiment Farm, Winkle Spruit, 4 plants.
r i , Cedara, 1 sack Agave rigida, var.

99 9 9°

sisalana.
» LU varieties Cassava.

. Empangeni, 4 plants.
J. Burtt Davy, Pretoria, 1 bag Stenotaphrum glabrum.
1 ,, Fourcroya gigantea.

Mosse: Phone: Rogers &

Wilson, Zululand, 200 Agave

sisalana.

John Gordon, Noodsberg, 6 varieties Cassava cuttings.

Mr. MacKonzict Dundee, 6

99 ”

S. EH. Large, Mid Illovo, '24 roots Ramie..

24
hi. Li iSenre Hill Crest, 24

Plants and bulbs received :-

» Rumex hymenosepalus.

” 9 99

Royal Botanic @uhdons: ‘Mannend) Do plants, 7 species.

Sander & Sons, St. Albans

Geo. Thorncroft, Transvaal
H. G. Williams i

L. F. Brady

Dr. Marloth, Cape Colony
Mr. Haw keawortl Natal
Major Silburn F
Mrs. Trotter .
Mrs. ‘Todd x
Mr. Hare -
Miss Ritchie a
Mr. Goldsworthy ie
Mrs. McCord a

9G Cle

144 tubers, 4 _,,

11 99 2 99

2 plants. =e

ANd ag Sih iro

2 99 2 99

I. 99 il 99

3 99 3 99

3 99 1 99

2 99 1 99

1 99 l bP)

l 8) 1 ”9

3a bulbs, 11) .;

l ” 1 ”
359 90

382 packets of seeds and 549 plants were received during
the year 1904-5, with the following results :—

PLANTS.
Dead on arrival ao 50
Died afterwards ah 65
Still in pots ... jee AO)
Planted in Gardens... 250
Previously tn stock sa 24

549

SEEDs.
Failed to germinate... 80
Germinated, but died

atterwards ... Be 45
Still in pots... 130
Annuals and vegetables 60
Not suitable for climate 20
Duplicates... aga

382

is

The following free grants have been made :—

Durban Home, plants Sich ence anes Ue ©)
” ” ” 2 17 6
Convalescent Home, plants _... 312 6
Government Asylum... af ha) Gaye 0,
Durban Corporation ... re: o 070
“ ; ee beg Bal Chih Oana)
i " sae aus 20" +0

CoFFEE AND THE HEMIUEIA.

As it frequently comes to my notice that in spite of what
has already occurred in Natal and other places, by the almost
complete ruin of coffee plantations by the destructive fungus
Hemileia vastatrix, some persons still cling to the idea that
coffee may still be successfully grown in the Colony and in the
Transvaal also, I think that it will not be out of place to give
some information as to what occurred here before the introduc-
tion of this pest into the Colony, and to state the conclusions at
which scientific men have come in the matter. In the year 1880
the Hemileia was not known in Natal, or at any rate it had not
been observed by planters or others, but in consequence of other
diseases or attacks of insects a Commission was appointed by
Governmeut to look into the matter, and the correspondence in
connection with this Commission is in my charge here, but I
did not receive it until some years afterwards. In all the
correspondence no hint is given by any of the writers as to the
presence of Hemileia in the Colony except in one case. The
members of the Commission were C. Manning, Hsq., J.P., D.
Brown, Esq, G. L. Smith, Esq., Sir J. L. Hulett, S. Crowder,
Hsq., Chairiaan. <A printed paper containing 24 questions was
forwarded to planters, and though the borer and bark diseases
are alluded to, the Hemileia is only mentioned by one person,
whose name I am not able to decipher with certainty, but it
appears to be H. F. Portel, and the letter is numbered (I think
wrongly) 94. He says ‘‘ Leaf disease most virulent, cause and
origin unknown, appeared in Ceylon in 1871 or 1872.” It is
somewhat strange that in all the correspondence this is the
only case in which the Hemileia is reported to exist in the
Colony, and so far as known to me, this letter received no
attention and is not even alluded to in the report of the Com-
mittee, which I have lately received from Government in com-
pliance with my request.

During the time that the Commission was sitting, and at
a meeting of the ‘ Natal Microscopical Society” held in 1887 I
read a paper entitled ‘‘ Notes on some Parasitical Fungi,” and
to this meeting the members of the coffee Commission were
juvited, but as they all with one exception lived out of Durban,

14

only one, Mr. S. Crowder, who lived in Durban and was Chair-
man of the Commission was able to attend. This paper had
special 1eference to two of these parasitic fungi, viz.: the
“Sugar Cane Smut” Ustilago Sacchari, Rabh. about which some
correspondence had taken place between myself and the Victoria
Planters Association, and an Hemileca which I had myself
collected and which is now known as H. Woodit, Kalch & Cook.
This fungus I had found upon two plants Vangueria infausta
and V. latifolca, and the following is an extract from the paper: —

‘“‘T now pass on to the particular plant the discovery
‘of which caused this paper to be written. When I first
“collected the fungus I failed to identify it, as it differed
“considerably from any other species which I had ex-
‘‘amined, and of the genus Hemileia I had no description.
‘My correspondent in Cape Colony also declared it to be
‘“¢indeterminable,’ but he had probably forwarded the
‘best of the specimens which I had sent him to Dr.
‘“‘Kalchbrenner, for some weeks ago the pamphlet which I
‘‘ have here in which the plant is described and figured was
‘forwarded to me from Kew. Upon the receipt of this
“pamphlet I was of course anxious t- identify the plant
“upon which I had found the fungus, and after some
‘little time I succeeded in doing so, and finding it to be
‘“‘Vanguerta infaustu, a plant belonging to the same Order
‘‘as the Coffee plant, I thought the matter of sufficient
‘interest to warrant further enquiry. The first question
‘“which may be asked is—What reason have you for
‘supposing that the fungus which has hitherto been found
‘“‘on Vanguerias only, will establish itself on the Coffee
‘plant, should Coffee be extensively grown here?

“Tt seems to me that if this fungus appears on two
“totally different plants, even though both plants belong
‘to the same genus, we may at any rate suspect that
“under favourable circumstances it will transfer itself to
“other plants, even though they do not belong to the same
‘‘genus, but only of the same Order.

“T have just referred to the Hemileia being found upon
“two plants belonging to the same genus, but I should
“say that the fact is not yet quite proved. I have here
‘a specimen of a fungus which I collected upon Vangueria
“latifolia, but the power of my microscope is not sufficient
‘for me to decide with certainty whether it is an Hemileia
‘or not, or if it be an Hemileia then itis H. Woodz, but
“T hope to-night with a higher power of the microscope
‘“we may be able to decide upon the genus at any rate.
“(Note-—The fungus on examination proved to be H.,

“ Woodit).

15

“ Another point upon which information may be
“wanted is as to the extent of the damage done by the
‘“Hemileia to the plants on which it is found. I have rot
‘‘vet had much time to observe, but it appears to me that
“the damage done to the plants of Vangueria infausta is
“equal to that done by H. vastatria on coffee trees in
‘Ceylon, the leaves of the shrub turn yellow, wither and
“fall off, leaving the plant somewhat almost bare, and I
“think that it will be an exception if any amount of fruit
‘be found on a tree which bas been severely attacked. I
‘do not remember to have seen any badly affected tree
“with much, if any fruit upon it, though I gathered a
‘“week ago a number of fruits from a tree which had
‘scarcely a trace of the fungus upon it. I have also found
“another fungus upon the Vanguerija, an Aecidium [| think;
‘it may easily be distinguished from the Hemileia by its
‘‘more definate sori and cellular peridium, but I do not
‘‘think that it damages the trees to the same extent as
‘does the Hemileia, and I have occasionally found both
“fungi upon the same plant. One question occurs to me
‘‘as being worthy of further investigation, it is this, is it
‘possible that the Aecidium is but another form of the
‘‘Hemileia? You are aware that the existence of poly-
“morphism in these fungi has only been completely
‘proved within the last few years, and both good instru-
‘‘ments and careful observers are required to determine
‘with certainty whether any two forms belong to the
‘‘same cycle or not. Whether the Hemileia has two or
“three forms or not, is, perhaps, only interesting to men
‘of science ; its effects upon the plant which serves as the
“host remain still the same.”

In the year 1882, I removed from Inanda, where I had
lived for some years, and came to Durban as Curator of the
Botanic Gardens, and in 1884 while passing Lower Umzimkulu
I collected Hemzleca Woodii on Vanqueria infausta and showed
it tc Mr. Walter Bissett, who thinking that it was H. vastatrix
became rather alarmed, as he had seen the ravages that this
fungus had made in Ceylon. J explained to him that it was H.
Woodii not H. vastatrix, but advised him to have all the plants
of the Vanyueria in the vicinity rooted out and burned, as I
felt sure that it would eventually transfer itself to the Coffee.
A few weeks afterwards the true H. vastatriw was found upon
some Coffee trees belonging to Mr. D. C. Aiken. I therefore by
request accompanied Mr. Harry Bissett to Maritzburg, where
we saw Sir Chas. Mitchell, and as the result of the interview,
Government purchased the small patch of Coffee and the trees
were cut down and burned, the roots being unfortunately left

16

in tke ground, but a few weeks afterwards the fungus was
found plentifully at the large plantations of the Natal Land
and Colonization Co., at Reit Valley, and afterwards at several
other places, so that the attempt to exterminate the pest proved
a failure. At that time so far as known to me these two species
of Hemileia were the only ones known to science, but a short
time since I received from the Director of Kew Gardens a
number of the Kew Bulletin, contailaing a monograph of the
genus Hemileia, showing that four species are now known and
described, and further that H. Wood:: has been found at the
following places: Natal on leaves of Vanguerza infausta, Burch.
V. latifolia, Sound, and V. euwonymoides, Schwein, f; at Bukoba,
Kilimandscharo on V. madagascariensis, J. KF. Gmel; Lindi
German East Africa; on Coffea Ibo, Froehner; Java, on various
species of Gardenia: Queensland, on (fardenia edulis, F. v. M.
At the commencement of the article in the Kew Bulletin, it is
said :——

“It is somewhat remarkable that no attempt appears
‘‘to have been made by those engaged in studying the life-
“history of Hemilera vastatriz, Berk. and Broome, the
‘cause of the much dreaded coffee-leaf disease in Ceylon
‘‘and elsewhere, to ascertain whether or not an Aecidium
“condition existed; the presence of both Uredo- and
‘““Teleuto-spore stages strongly suggesting the probability
‘of the presence of such.”

This probability receives further support from the fact
that there exist ‘‘four species of Aecidium as yet not
‘correlated with Uredo or Teleuto-spore stages, parasitic
‘‘on the same or closely allied plants as those on which
“the various species of Hemileia are parasitic, and also
“occurring in the same countries as the latter.’ These
species are as follows :—

Aecidium Vanguerie, Cooke, on Vangueria infausta,
Burch, and V. latcfolia, Sond, Natal. ‘‘ Often on the same
‘‘ plant, sometimes on the same leaves as Hemileva Woodi1,

“K.& OC.” (Cooke, Grevillea, x. p. 124.)

Aecidium Pavette, Berk. and Broome, and A. flavidium,
Berk. and Broome, on Pavetta indica, L. Ceylon.

Aecidium Plectronice, Cooke, on Plectronia Gueinzit, J.

M. Wood, Natal.

‘Should heteroecism be proved to exist in the genus,
“the fact would be of value in any attempt to arrest the
‘“‘extension of parasitic species. Two species, Hemileia
“ vastatria, Berk and Broome, and H. Woodiz, Kalchbr.
‘“‘and Cooke, are now known as parasites on species of

in

17

“Coffea, and as these species are shown to be parasitic on
‘several other Rubiaceous plants belonging to different
“genera, which have an extended geographical range,
‘their distribution should be carefully studied by those
“interested in the culture of coffee. The establishment of
‘‘a coffee plantation in a district where those species of
‘“‘Hemileia capable of infecting coffee are at present on
‘indigenous vegetation, would be tempting providence, and
“probably result in disaster.”
The note ‘often on the same plant, sometimes on the same
leaves as Hemileia Woodw. K. & C.” was sent by myself to
Kew, and copied by Cooke in Grevillea. Vol. 10, page 124,

Cinnamomum cassia, Blume. (Cassia lignea). In a previous
part of this report I gave an account of the damage done to
this tree in the Gardens by some unknown person or persons,
but as a specimen of it is in Maritzburg Gardens, succeeding
much better than our tree has done, and is, I understand,
bearing seed regularly, it will not be without interest if I givea
short account of its introduction into the Colony, and especially
as it appears likely to succeed well in the midland districts. In
May, 1881, Mr. Chas. Ford, the Director of the Botanic Gardens
at Hong Kong, was, at the instance of Sir J. D. Hooker, per-
mitted to visit the Cassia growing districts in China, as the
origin of the Cassia bark was involved in some ‘“‘ mystery and
uncertainty ;”» he was quite successful in identifying the tree,
and published a useful report of his work from which I make
some extracts. He brought back with him a number of young
plants, a few of which he kindly sent to us, and in my report
for 1885, I stated that ““ When the plants arrived from Hong
Kong many of them were dead, but by the care and attention
of the head Gardener the remainder survived.” Two of them
were planted in the gardens, one of which did not survive, two
were sent to the Botanic Gardens at Maritzburg, one of which
has done well, the other was I understand cut down by mis-
take, as by changes of Curators the name had been lost, and so
far as known to me this is the only tree now left in the Colony,
unless plants have been distributed from Maritzburg.

Mr. Ford says that it is a medium sized stiff ornamental
tree, and the largest seen was about 40 feet high with a trunk
about 3 feet in circumference, which was said to be 50 years
old, and that this is the only species from which the Cassia
bark, buds and leaves of commerce are obtained. The tree
was not met with anywhere in a wild state, nor could any
native be found who knew where it did grow wild, though
Dr. Thorel states, that it grows ina wild state in the forests
of Cochin China, about 19 deg. North latitude. The yield of
the trees are as follows:—

18

“Bark. When the trees are about six years old, the
‘first crop of bark is obtained. The season for barking
“commences in March and continues until the end of May,
‘after which the natives say the bark looses its aroma,
‘“‘and is therefore not temoved from the trees. The
“branches, which are about an inch thick, being cut to
‘* within a few inches of the ground, are carried to houses
‘“‘or sheds in the vicinity of the plantations. All the
“small twigs and leaves being cleared off, a large bladed
‘“‘knife, with the cutting edge something like the end of a
‘budding knife, is used to make two longitudinal slits,
‘and three or four incisions, at sixteen inches apart, round
“the circumference through the bark; the bark is then
‘loosened by passing underneath it a kind of slightly
“curved horn knife with the two edges shghtly sharpened.
‘Pieces of bark sixteen inches long and half the circum-
‘‘ ference are thus obtained.

“The bark, after its removal and while it is still
‘“‘moist with sap, 1s then laid with the concave side down-
‘“‘ wards, and a small plane passed over it and the epidermis
“removed. After this operation. the bark is left to dry
‘for about twenty-four hours, and then tied up in bundles
“about eighteen inches in diameter and sent into the
‘merchants’ houses in the market towns.

“ Leaves.—The leaves, which are cleared from the
“branches that are barked, are carefully preserved and
“dried, and afford by distillation cassia oil. A large
“quantity of leaves are sent to Canton, where I was told
“the operation of distilling is performed.

““'T wigs.—These are removed from the cut branches
‘“‘at the same time as when the leaves are obtained. They
‘“‘are a marketable commodity for native uses.

‘“‘ Buds.—Cassia buds are the immature fruits. They
‘are gathered when about one-eighth grown. Budsand the
“seeds which are annually required for sowing, are
“obtained from trees ten years and upwards of age that
“are left standing at about fifty and a hundred feet apart
‘amongst the trees which are cut down every six years for
“their bark. These seed-bearing trees are not cut, unless
‘there is a demand for the very thick bark on their
“trunks, when some of the trees which can be conveniently
‘spared are sacrificed. The yield per acre of bark is said
“‘to be about 1,470 lbs., but the trees are only barked once
“in six years. The leaves yield a small income. The
“buds, which are gathered annually, realise 15 dollars per
‘picul (1335 lbs.), but no satisfactory information could
‘‘be obtained as to the yield of buds per acre.

19

“The total export for 1881 was 54,526 piculs---broken
“bark 3,129 piculs, buds 1,729 piculs, twigs 6,941 piculs,
“and bark of twigs 2,832 piculs, the picul being 133% lbs.,
“the total value of these exports in that year being
“¢ 329,694 Haikwan taels, but the value of this coin is not
“‘siven except that it equals 1.46 dollars, the value of the
“dollar in China I do not know.”

Khaya senegalensis, A. Juss. ‘Gambia mahogany.” In
my last Annual Report I gave some extracts as to the value of
this tree for its timber and stated that plants of it had been
reared and some of them had been handed over to the Natal
Agricultural Department for trial at the Experiment Station.
The tree continues to succeed well near Durban, and is of
fairly quick growth. A further supply of seeds has been
received from Mr. Swymerton, plants have been reared, and a
few are promised to the Conservator of Forests, Transvaal, for
trial in the low country.

Macadamia ternifolia, F. v. M. “ Queensland Nut.” We
have in the Garden two trees only of this species, which have
been here for many years, since the name appears in a list of
trees in the Gardens published in 1876, but is there stated to
be ornamental only, but an article has appeared in the
“Tropical Agriculturist” for February of the present year
which shows that the tree has an economic value also. The
article is by Mr. H. F. Macmillan, the Curator of the Royal
Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, Ceylon, and I take the liberty
of quoting a portion of it.,

‘The nuts are borne on spikes 4 to 7 inches long, each

“being of the size and shape of large marbles, about ? of

‘‘an inch in diameter. These have an agreeable flavour,

‘‘which, according to some tastes, is richer than that of

“the Hazel-nut. Their chief objection is, perhaps, their

‘very hard shell, which requires extra strong nut crackers

“to break. A wag has suggested that this explains the

“derivation of the name ‘ Macadam’ having reference to

“the inventor of the system of road-making of that name.

“The tree, however, has been named in honour of Dr,

‘‘ Macadam, a scientist of Victoria. ¥ hd hp

‘It is uot generally known how largely nuts of

“different kinds figure in the list of commercial fruits

‘‘and food products or the world. Some nuts afford a

“very wholesome diet, as for example Chestnuts, which,

‘being made into flour, are a standard article of food in

“some districts of Southern France and Italy, whence, it

“is said, 30,000,000 bushels are exported to England and

‘ America every year. In Spain and elsewhere the culti-

20

“vation and export of Hazel-nuts form a considerable
“industry, whilst the Pecan, Hickory, and Walnuts are all
“largely cultivated and of considerable commercial
“importance in Hurope and the United States. Brazil
“Nuts and Butter Nuts form an export from South
‘‘ America amounting to close on 8,000 tons a year, and the
‘‘demand for these is only lhmited by the supply.
‘Pistachio nuts are a favourite delicacy, and are largely
‘eaten by the Turks and Greeks, being also, according to
‘Rev. Firminger, ‘ obtainable in great abundance in the
‘cold weather in the bazaars of most parts of India.’
“These are not, however, produced in India, but probably
“in Asiatic Turkey, whence about 1,300 cwts. are yearly
‘imported by England alone.

‘“ Authorities on the subject claim that nuts, especially
“the larger and more important kinds, are a nutritious
‘wholesome food, and predict that the time may come
‘‘when they will form one of the staples of human food.
“ Vegetarians generally advocate extended cultivation of
“the better kinds of nuts; these may be conked and pre-
‘pared into numerous dainty dishes, which ure claimed to
“be good substitutes for flesh food.”

Our trees are not, perhaps, in a suitable place, and do not
not bear fruit in such abundance as stated in the above article,
but they bear every season. The great drawback is the great
hardness of the shell, and it would probably be necessary to
remove it before offering the kernels for sale. We shall try to
rear plants when the nuts are obtainable.

Eleusine coracana, Gaertner. ‘ Upoko.” This grass was
figured in “ Natal Plants,” Plate 440. Since the publication
of that Part a letter appeared in the “ Agricultural Journal ”
from Mr. W. R. Gordon, which I take the hberty of quoting
entire, as it may be useful to farmers and others.

“T forward you a sample of native millet, also a few

‘head which ripened off last—not a good sample—as the

‘‘main crop has been reaped. I should say it would be a

‘ splendid thing to feed cattle and horses on when green,

“It comes up like grass and throws out ratoous, so that

“from a small quantity of seed a large piece of ground

“can be planted. It does not require to be planted very

“thick. I have not seen Japanese millet, but I should say

‘the ‘ poko’ is better which has been known to the Natives

“of the Colony for many years and regularly planted by

“them in certain districts of the Colony. They mix it

‘with amabele to make beer and also grind it for porridge,

“The Indians like it, and give a good price for the grain.

21

“They call it ‘cowree,’ and say it is the same as their
“Indian millet. I do not know whether any of the
“farmers have tried it in the upper districts of the Colony
‘“‘—none have done so about here that I am aware of. My

‘‘ coolie gardener procured the seed for me from some of

“his friends near Pinetown, and was a very small

“quantity. It was planted on about an eighth of an

‘acre of land, and produced nearly five muid sacks of

“seed and about a ton of straw. The stubble when

“ploughed in will make excellent manure to invigorate

“the soil. As a feed for winter chickens | find it

“cannot be beaten, and to those who want to go in

‘for poultry farming it is invaluable. It should be

“planted about October for seed, and for fodder or

““oreen feed for cattle in winter somewhat later. It

‘“‘must not be allowed to get too ripe before reaping. The

“Indians say they put it in heaps in India and muzzle two

‘oxen which are worked around to tread the heads and

“the seed drops out. I performed the operation in a more

“simple way by making my Indian walk on it. He him-

“self suggested this process, as I knew little or nothing

“about it. After it is reaped it must be allowed to dry

“for about a week, and the seed then drops out when

“ touched.

“Tf any of your readers would like to try and grow

“some I can supply them with seed in 10 or 25 Ib. bags.

“You might insert this letter in the ‘Journal’ if you

‘consider it of sufficient interest or of any value to the

‘farming community.”

Baron Mueller says that “ horses prefer the hay to any
other dry fodder in India,” and also that “ H. indica, Gaertn.
only differs as a variety.” H. indica is very common in Natal,
usually near farm houses and cultivated ground, but I have not
noticed that cattle are partial to it. It bears grain in
abundance and probably, when in seed, cattle take the seed
only, as I have observed they do with Hragrostis curvula, Nees.
in the upper parts of the Colony, where it is known, as | was
told by a farmer, as “seed grass.” This grass is also figured
in “ Natal Plants,” Plate 439.

Coleus sp. ‘‘Izambane.” I also received from Mr. Gordon
a few tubers of this plant, which the Natives cultivate for
food. It will be noticed that the Native name is the same as
the one used for the common potato. This plant has always
been known by this name, which was afterwards applied to the
potato when it was introduced by Huropeans. The tubers were
planted and yielded a large crop of small tubers, with a few of
about 2 inches in diameter. I had a couple of them cooked

22

They were not unpalatable, and the plant would no doubt
improve by cultivation. The whole of the tubers that we have
will be re-planted, and further trials will be made. Very few
flowers, and no seed vessels were produced, so that [ cannot be
quite sure of the genus, but hope to examine it more care-
fully during the summer. Another species of, [ think, the
same genus is cultivated by the natives in Zululand. Lobtained
flowers and leaves of it some vears ago, but we have never had
it in cultivation; the flowers are blue, while the one we now
have bears white flowers ; the leaves also are different.

As I have frequent inquiries about rubber-yielding plants I
venture to repeat, with a slight addition, an article which I wrote
for the “ Farmers’ Magazine” some years ago and which may,
perhaps, be found useful.

Some Nores on Puants YreupDiInGc Inp1a RUBBER.

A correspondent down South writes to me as follows about
India Rubber :—

“Ts it a sort of cultivation to be risked on our Natal Coast
Lands? The extraordinary demand for Rubber in connection
with Bicycles, tyres of Motors, carriages generally, and otherwise
is creating a bit of bustle over the tropical world, and specula-
tors will eagerly work upon this to float schemes and Joint Stock
companies. Witness the Prospectus sent me from London last
mail, which I enclose to you for information, and return if you
would not mind the trouble. But will not Rubber do on the
coast ?”’ |

The Prospectus enclosed to me is one issued by a company
with a proposed capital of £406,000, with the object of acquiring
certain estates on the Pacific coast of Mexico, on which it is
estimated that there are 350,000 rubber trees, and as the Mexican

rovernment grant a subsidy of 3 cents for every Rubber tree
planted, it is proposed to extend the cultivation of this tree, in view
of the greatly increased demand for rubber for tyres for cycles
and motor cars. The botanical name of the tree which it is
intended to plant is not given in the prospectus, but it is almost
certainly either ‘‘ Castilloa elastica”’ or ‘“ Hevea braziliensis.” In
addition to this it is proposed to cultivate trees yielding the
‘““Chicle”” gum, for which there is a large demand in the United
States of America. As I have had several other enquiries about
this matter, I propose to notice shortly the trees from which the
rubber of commerce is chiefly obtained, and add a few observa-
tions on their suitability or otherwise to the climate and conditions
obtaining in Natal.

23

The trees yielding rubber commercially all belong to one of

the three orders—-Apocynacee,

Kuphorbiacez or Urticacew—

while the one yielding the ‘‘Chicle” gum belongs to the order

Sapotacee. These plants are as_ follows, alphabetically
arranged :—

Alstonia plumosa (Labill) ‘- Fiji rubber” .. -. Apocynacess.
Castilloa elastica (Cerv) .. ‘¢ Central American ” Urticacen.
Chilocarpus viridis (new sp.’ Apocynaces,
Ficus elastica (Roxb) .. .. ‘Assam rubber” -- Urticacezx,

» Vogellii (Mig) : ‘Liberian rubber” .. 53

Fosteronia floribunda (G. F, W.

Mey) of ‘‘ West Indian rubber” Apocynaces.
Fosteronia gracilis (Muell) Ay ie
Hevea braziliensis (Muell) “ Para rubber ” Euphorbiacez.
Leucanotis eugenifolia (A.D.C. ) Apocynaceze.
Landolphia florida (Bth) ‘* African rubber ”’ wile 3;

4 Kirkii (Dyer) af Pe
* Owariensis oe aD -
Petersiana (Dyer) . rp ‘
Manihot Glaziovii (Muell) ‘Ceara Scrap” EKuphorbiacez.
Sapium Aucuparium (Jacq) “ Colombian rubber ”’ ss
Willughbea flavescens (Dyer) Apocynacee.
Achras sapota (Linn) ‘“Chicle Gum” Sapotacez.,

From the foregoing list we may, I think, delete the following
for the present, as the plants are not sufficiently known as sources
from which rubber may be obtained, or the trees are not likely to
be suitable to our climate, though one or more of them may yet
be tried here, if reports as to their suitability for the purpose
should prove to warrant it. ‘They are as under :—

Jhilocarpus viridis, Ficus Vogellid,
Fosteronia floribunda and gracilis, Leaucanotis eugenifolia,
Sapium Aucuparium and Willughbea flavescens. The remainder
I will take in alphabetical order :—Castilloa elastica (Cerv), a
native of Central America, which yields what is known as
“Central American Rubber.” In 1875, Mr. Robert Cross was
sent by the India Office to obtain seeds of this tree; some 7,000
seeds were sent to Kew, but all failed to germinate. Mr. Cross
then despatched a large number of cuttings which were pro-
pagated at Kew, and sent to the West coast of Airica, Ceylon and
Java. From Ceylon the late Dr. ‘Trimen reported that the plant
required a more tropical climate than that of Peradiniya, and the
plants were removed to a lower elevation at Heneratgoda. In
- 1880 Dr. Trimen reports: Our largest trees at Heneratgoda have
now a circumference of nearly 17 inches, at a yard from the
ground. In October, 1882, the same writer reports :—‘‘ We have
some sturdy little seedlings coming on from seed. The rubber
from Castilloa strikes me as the most satisfactory sort growing
here, the proportion of caoutchouc in the milk being larger than
in any of the others.” As to the yield, Mr. Cross, a competent
authority, says :—‘‘ A Castilloa tree, if carefully and judiciously

Alstonia plumosa,

24

tapped, may be expected to yield about 12 lbs. of rubber per
annum,” but a writer in the “ Tropical Agriculturist ”’ of March
in the present year actually estimates the yield at 965 lbs. per
tree in the 8th year, which, he says, at 2 shillings per Ib. gives
£98 10s. per tree per annum, and on that basis he is able to show
a profit of £47,620 in the 9th year for a plantation of 500 acres,
and by such wild statements as this, the public is often deceived.
We have in the Gardens one plant of this species, which makes
satisfactory growth in the summer months, but dies down again
every winter. If the growth of this plant had been anything
like what it is in tropical countries, it should now have been 8 or
10 feet high, but actually it is not more than 18 inches. I,
therefore, reluctantly come to the same conclusion for Natal as
Dr. Trimen did for Ceylon at Peradiniya, viz., that it requires a
more tropical climate for its successful cultivation.

Ficus elastica (Roxb). This is perhaps the best known of
all the trees that | have enumerated, it grows well in Natal, and
at Home is very much used as an ornamental plant, for which
purpose in its young state it is well adapted, but between that and
its growth as a rubber-producing plant there is a wide difference,
as [ will try to show. The Kew Bulletin of September and
October, 1896, has an article headed “Cultivation of India
Rubber in Assam,” from which I make the following extracts :—

“The Assam Rubber Plant (Micus elastica ‘ Roxb’) is a large
evergreen tree, found in damp forests from the base of the
Sikhim Himalaya eastward to Assam and Arracan. The Govern-
ment of India issued directions in May, 1884, that for 5 years
from that date the Assam plantations should be increased by 200
acres a year. The Government of India also desired that in
order to test the financial results of the cultivation of this
rubber, 50 mature trees should be experimentally tapped
annually. In the reports of subsequent years, the results of
these experiments are fully given. ‘The amount of rubber
obtained showed singular irregularity year by year. It varied so
greatly that while the yield in one year was as much as 26 lbs.
per tree, it would fall in another year to a little over 2 Ibs. The
value in money depended, of course, on the market, but at an
average price of Is. 6d. per lb. the extreme yield per tree varied
from 39 shillings to 36 shillings.

The fluctuation of yield of one and the same tree in different
years are therefore very considerable, and they remain up to
the present inexplicable, since the officers under whose personal
supervision these experiments were made have not been able to
find out any reasons for, or causes of, these very material fluctua-
tions. ‘here is another point of practical importance. It is well
known that Ficus elastica will grow with undiminished rapidity
and luxuriance, in situations remote from the hills, but in such
jocalities it fails to yield caoutchouc, Hence, Mr, Mann concludes

25

that no greater mistake could be made than to start plantations
of this tree in the plains of Bengal. This is true also of many
parts of the world where the tree has been introduced. In spite
of the abundance of the tree under cultivation in the tropics of
both the Old and New World it has nowhere proved valuable for
the production of rubber except in the mountainous parts of Assam.
The Conservator of Forests says: ‘‘it requires an exceedingly
damp atmosphere to do well,’ and therefore thrives best at the
foot of the mountains. As these conditions do not exist in Natal,
and as from our experience of the tree in these Gardens, | judge
the yield of sap to be very small indeed, this plant may very
safely be left out of our calculations.

Hevea brasiliensis (Mull Arg).—A large tree which is usually
60 feet in height, with a diameter of 6 inches when first tapped
for the juice. ‘The rubber obtained from it 1s known as “ Para”
and fetches the highest price in the market. It is a native of the
forests of the Amazon, where it abounds and attains a large size.
The soil in which it grows is deep and rich, mainly alluvial,
sometimes a stiff clay, and is frequently inundated during the
wet season. The temperature is very equable, ranging from 73
to 95 Fahr., the mean for the year being 8]. This condition of
temperature is an important one, as is proved by the failure to
grow these trees in Northern India, where the nights of the
winther months are cold, while in Ceylon and South Burma it is
said to be a success. The highest monthly rainfall of about 15
inches is in April. The rest of the year is called the dry season,
though there is scarcely a week without some showers. The
atmosphere is excessively damp. The bulletin of the Botanical
Department of Jamaica, from which the foregoing is condensed,
says :——‘* The Para rubber will probably only succeed in Jamaica
in districts with an annual rainfall of 75 inches, at elevations not
at any rate greater than 2,000 feet. In Assam the plant failed,
and it is stated that this failure had been anticipated, and is
attributed to the comparatively low temperature in Assam. Dr.
King, Director of the Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, reports that—*‘ It
is in vain to hope that this species can ever be cultivated to profit
in this part of India, | believe it is useless to try it anywhere in
India, except in the South of Burma, the Andamans, or perhaps
in Malabar. While plants in Ceylon were 30 feet high, those of
the same age in Calcutta were barely 6 feet. In the same year
(1879) Dr. Kirk says—‘ The Para isa less quick grower than
the Ceara, and does not branch.” In 1880 the late Dr. Trimen,
Director of the Botanic Gardens at Peradiniya, Ceylon, says :—
“The cultivation of Para rubber will be probably found to be
satisfactory only in rich land, when the temperature is high and
equable and the rainfall large,’ If these statements are correct,
and I believe they are, all hope of successfully cultivating the
Para rubber plant in Natal may certamly be abandoned,

26

Landolphia florida (Bth) and allied species :—-These are the
plants yielding the ‘‘ African Rubber” of commerce, which is
exported in quantity from both the East and West Coast. The
genus contains Il species, 8 of which are natives of tropical
Africa, and from 4 of these species the rubber is obtained, the
remainder either not yielding rubber at all, or at any rate have
not so far been recognised as yielding it in quantity. The range
of these plants is from the Congo on the West Coast to Zanzibar
on the Kast Coast. ‘The rubber was first shipped from the West
Coast, and afterwards in quantity from the Kast Coast, where it
is collected from Delagoa Bay to the Zambezi. The two species
most valued are L. florrda and L. Kirki, the last maned one
being said to yield the best rubber, and in the largest quantity,
and this plant is, | think, confined to the East Coast. In 1879
the export of rubber from Mozambique attained a value of
£50,000. The whole of these plants are climbers, and succeed
best in damp forests, where they climb the trees to a great height.
It has been suggested that to simplify the collection of the rubber,
the stems might be cut down every year, crushed between rollers,
and the rubber then dissolved out by bi-sulphide of carbon, but
Iam not aware that this process has ever been tried. L. Kirki
is said by Sir John Kirk, its discoverer, to be the only species
considered to be of value by the people of the Dar-Salam district.
He also says:——‘‘It undoubtedly yields by far the greatest
quantity, and also the best.” These two species are now in
cultivation at the Botanic Gardens, where they seem to do well,
but grow slowly. An attempt will be made to propagate them
during next season, and the plants will be placed in a more
suitable situation than they occupy at present, so that we may be
able to report more fully upon them in the future.

“ Manthot Glaziovit (Muell)—This is the tree yielding the
‘“Ceara Scrap” of commerce, and is a native of the Ceara Coast
district of Brazil. Mr. Scott Blacklaw, an expert who visited
Natal in 1882, told me that to all appearance our trees were as
fine for their age as any that he had seen in South America. As
to the growth of the trees here, there 1s no difficulty whatever,
they grow rapidly, appear perfectly healthy, and can with the
information we now have, be propagated largely. Unfortunately,
our trees were raised from cuttings, not from seed, the con-
sequence being that they are branches, not trees, and therefore
any experiment as to the yield of rubber per tree are likely to be
fallacious. Some years ago a number of them were handed over
to Mr. A. Wilkinson of Ottawa, who reported that they grew
well, the yield of rubber was not satisfactory, and he has I believe
rooted them all out.

It is a tree which, it is said will thrive in poor soils, where
other plants would not be likely to succeed, but it is a soft-

—_

27

wooded tree, and very likely to damage from strong winds, and
certainly would not on that account prove satisfactory in exposed
situations. In 1889 we experimented by tapping the trees, and a
small quantity of rubber was sent to the Director of Kew
Gardens for report, and I extract the following from my Annual
Report for that year :—
“The specimen of Ceara rubber is very interesting.
“<This rubber is ordinarily seen in the form of tears
‘““agolutinated together. I never saw before a specimen in
“which it was wound off in the same way as the Landolphia
“rubber of the East Coast of Africa. Your sample is
“evidently of very good quality, and no doubt what is
“ “stated in the Kew Report for 1882, page 40, would pretty
‘“* well apply to it.’ The following is the extract referred to
“by Mr. Dyer: ‘Has a dry and compact appearance, is free
“from extraneous impurities, and from its tolerably uniform
“*condition, has been collected with care. It agrees in all
‘““vespects with Ceara rubber of good and sound quality.
““When washed and dried it gives a loss of 8 per cent.
““This loss is much less than is met with in Ceara of the
“ “finest quality, and may probably be accounted for by the
“small bulk and facilities offered by time, mode of packing,
““and transit to the escape of the natural moisture of the
“*product.’ ‘The article concludes by saying: ‘ This sample
“““was valued June 22nd, 1882, as worth 2s. 9d. to 3s. per
““pound. A sample of Para rubber sent from the same
““ place was valued at 4s. per pound.’ ”’

In conclusion, [ have only to say that from consideration of
the above information, together with reports from other sources,
I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the climate of
Natal is not tropical enough for the successful cultivation of
rubber. Its rainfall is not sufficiently large, its atmosphere too
dry, and its winter temperature too low for the trees to grow with
the vigour that they do in more favourable climates, or to produce
an amount of sap sufficient to make their cultivation profitable.
The Landolphias only remain as yet uncertain, but I hope that
before long we shall be able to report upon them, whether
favourably or otherwise [| am as yet unable to say.

The “Chicle” gum noticed in the prospectus, and from
which a large revenue is expected by the projected Company, is
the product of a tree named Achiras sapota, but better known as’
bearing what is popularly called the ‘Sapodilla Plum.” This
tree has been for many years in the Gardens. but is only 4 feet
high, while in its native country it attains a large size. Our
plant flowers every year, but has never produced a single fruit,
and to judge from its size and rate of growth I should Say that
the Chicle gum would have to realise a very high price to make
the cultivation of the tree profitable in Natal,

28

T have only to add to this now, that an article has appeared
in “Indian Planting and Gardening” from which I give the
following extract :-—

“The Ceara Rubber tree (Manzhot Glaziovit) is now
‘attracting more attention than it did some five years ago,
“when it was brought prominently into notice in these
“columns. ‘Those who are thinking of planting this tree
‘will be interested to learn that it has been seriously sug-
‘‘oested to grow it as an annual crop like sugar. [. Manser,
“of New York, puts the following questions to the ‘India
“Rubber World’ (March, 1906): ‘Ina late number of your
‘““ paper you advocated planting Ceara rubber as an annual
“crop like sugar cane, stating that at least as much rubber
‘““*should be produced per acre as cane produces in sugar.
“* As I take it, cane produces at least one ton of sugar per acre,
“*and I beg to ask: (1) Could a ton of net rubber be harvested
“‘vearly from such a field of one-year-old Ceara rubber
“cane? (2) What soil, etc. is required?’ ‘The editor of
“our contemporary replied as follows: ‘These questions
“<form a problem that it would be difficult if not impossible
“to answer satisfactorily at this time. <A solution is being
“earnestly sought, however, and those making the experi-
“““ment are confident of achieving success. We shall keep a
‘“<close watch on this phase of the rubber industry and shall
“publish the result of our observation at as early a date as
‘““*yossible. With regard to soil and climate suitable for
“«nlanting Ceara, it is probable that arid land and a tropical
“*elimate in which there were marked wet and dry seasons
“* would be the best.’ ”

Without at present offering any opinion as to the feasibility
of this plan, I can only repeat that the tree grows quite well in
the coast districts of Natal, but I do not think it likely that
a ton of rubber can be obtained from stems of a year old.
The same method was suggested some time ago for obtaining
rubber from Uryptosiegia madagascariensis, Linn., a plant which
also succeeds well in Natal, but I have heard no more of it,
nor do I know whether the experiment wat ever tried.

I have the honour to be,

Gentlemen,

J, MEDLEY WOOD,

‘29
PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

REPORTS.

Botanic Gardens, Tobago.
b v4 British Guiana.
a. “ Capetown.
¥ 4 Sabarunpur.
He uo Maritzburg.
Ms r Singapore and Penang.
Sydney, N.S. Wales.
i ue Zurich, Switzerland.
Missouri, U.S. America.
% te and Museum, Berlin.
. ii and Parks, Mysore, India.
ie / and Agricultural Department, Gold Coast.
and Board of Agriculture, Jamaica.
Conservator of Forests, Ca pe Colony.
Director and Trustees Field Columbian Museum, Chicago.
Annual, G. Merck.
Provincial Crop Reports, Nova Scotia.
Secretary of Agriculture, _,,
Director of Agriculture, Tr sngeenl
Albany Museum, Grahamstown.
Work at Sugar Experiment Station, Jamacia.
Rubber on the Gold Coast.
Berichte-uber, Land-und Forstwirtschaft in Deutsch Ost-A frica.

BULLETINS.

JamaicaVol. 3, Part 9; Vol. 4, Parts 2, 3, 4.

Trinidad Nos. 47, 48, 49.

Straits Settlements Vol. 4, Nos. 10, Li. Vol. 5, Nos. 1 and 2
University of California Ag. Ex. Station, Nos. 166 to 171.
New York Botanical Garden.

Koloniaal Museum te Haarlem.

Jardin Botanique de L’Ktat a Bruxelles, Vol. 1, fase. 5, 6.

Royal Gardens, Kew,

Kew Bulletin, Current Nos. and Appendices to date.
Milling and Commercial Value of Grades of Wheat.
Manual Experiments with Sugar Cane in Leeward Is-
lands, 1903-4.
Seedling and other Canes in Leeward Islands.
7 Barbados.
Sugar Cane Experiments i in Leeward Islands, 1903-4.
Report of Work on Samalkot Experiment Sugar Farm,
Madras.
West Indian Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 4; Vol. 6, No. 1.
Flora Tropical Africa, Vol. 4, Sec. 2, Parts Ll and 2.

30
Imperial Department of Agriculture, West Indies.

Agricultural News, current Nos.

West Indian Bulletin, current Nos.

Seedling Canes and Manurial Experiments at Barbados.
Cultivation and Curing of Tobacco.

Cultivation of Oranges in Domenica.

Manurial Experiments with Sugar Cane in Leeward Islands.

United States Department of Agriculture.

Prickly Pear and other Cacti as Food for Stock, by David
Griffiths.

Bees and Flowers, by HE. L. Bouvier.

North American Species of Festuca.

Tobacco Investigation in Porto Rico.

Hixperiment Station Records, current Nos.

The Evolution and Significance of Species, by O. F. Cook.

The Sunia Reclamation Project, by J. P. Lippincott.

The Evidence of Evolution, by Hugo de Vries.

The work of the Relamation Service, by F. H. Neuch.

Relation of Wing Surface to Weight, by R. Von Lenden-
feldt.

The Sautias or Taniers of Porto Rico, (Colocasia anti-
quorum).

Bureau of Agriculture, Philippines.

Soil Fertility, by L. C. Welborn, Chief of Bureau.

New or Noteworthy Philippine Plants, by E. D. Merill.

The Source of Manila Elemi, by E. D. Merill.

Philippine Journal of Science, Vol. 1, Parts 1 and 2.

Bulletins (5, in one part) Government Laboratory, Manila.

Polypodiaceze of Philippine Islands, and New Species of
Hdible Phillippine Fungi.

University of California.

Asparagus and Asparagus Rusts in California, by E. R.
Smith.

A New Wine Cooling Machine, by F. T. Bioletti.

Tomato Diseases in California, by R. HE. Smith.

Asparagus Rusts Control, by R. H. Smith.

Commercial Fertilizers, by G. Roberts.

E. de Wildeman.

Enumeration of Plants, collected by Emile Laurant in
Congo,’ Free State

Mission of Emile Laurant, 1903-4, with plates.

Studies of Flora of Congo. Illustrated.

31

G. G. Lloyd.
Lycoperdiacew of Australia, New Zealand and Neigh-
bouring Islands.
Puff Balls and their Collection.
Bulletins of Lloyds Library.
Mycological Notes.
Dr. Saunders, Director Experiment Farms, Canada.
Bulletin, No. 50 of 1904.
Potato and its Culture.
Report Experiment Farms, 1904.

Evidence of Dr. Saunders before Commission on Agriculture
and Colonisation.

Agricultural Department of Tiansvaal.
Agricultural Journal, Current Nos.

Agricultural Department, Victoria, Australia.
Journal of Agriculture, Current Nos.

Agricultural Society of Western India.

Cultivation of the Grape in Poona and the Deccan.
Agricultural Jourual of Western Asia, April to July, 1905.

Royal Gardens, Calcutta.

Annals of Royal Gardens, Calcutta, Vol. 10, Part 2.
Sundry Pamphlets on Botanical Subjects.

Department of Agriculture, Capetown.
Agricultural Journal, current Nos.

Imperial Botanic Gardens, St. Petersburg.
Acta Horti Petropolitani, Vol. 24, Part 2.

Agricultural Department, Straits Settlements.

Experimental Tapping of Para Rubber, by H. N. Ridley,
B.L.S.

Agri-Horticultural Society, Madras.
Proseedings of, current Nos.
Indiana Academy of Science.
Proceedings of, Illustrated.
Agri- Horticultural Society of India.
Proceedings of, current Nos.
J. H. Maiden, F.L.S.
Critical Revision of the Genus Kucalyptus, Part 7.

32

Various.
Agricultural Co-operation, by E.

F, Mullin. Author.
Bietrage zur Flora von Africa. Dr. R. Schlechter.
Botany of N. Western, N.S. Wales, F.

Turner, F.L.S. Author.
Ceylon Circulars, Nos. 1-3 and 5-13

inclusive Director.
Chemist and Druggist, current Nos. Publishers.
Diseases of Apples, Cherry, Peach and

Plum, by BE. Mead Wilcox Author.
Filices Madagascariensis, by Prof.

Palacky Author.

* Foliar Periodicity of HWndemic and
Indigenous Trees in Ceylon, by H.

Weight Author.
Farmers’ Advocate Publishers.
Gleanings of Bee Culture Publishers.
Journal Linnean Society, Vol. 37 J. Medley Wood.

» Of Mycology, current Nos, Publishers.
» Quarterly, of Commercial Re-
search Liverpool University Directors.

Mango, The, by Marshall Woodrow Author.
Pharmaceutical Journal, current Nos. Publishers.
Repertorum Novarum Specierum Regni

Vegetabilis, by Frederic Teede Author.
Some Aspects of Vegetation at Home

and Abroad, by Prof. F. E. Weiss Author.
Trade between S. Africa and Australia,

by H. J. Scott Author.
‘Vegetable Production:” Life of Rev.
Manasseh Cutler Author.
West Indian and Guiana Ferns Guiana Bot Gardens.
Purchased.

Botanisches Centralblatt; Gardeners’ Chronicle; Indian
Gardening; Journal of Botany ; Tropical Agriculturist.

OA ARO) oe

4

.

3

Abstract of Meteorological Observations for Year ending 30th June, 1906.
TAKEN AT THE NATAL OBSERVATORY, DURBAN. READINGS, 9 a.m anp 3 P.M.

Reading of Barometer reduced to sea level and 32° Fahrenheit. A light wind has a mean force of 1:00. A fresh

wind a mean force of 2°00. 10 corresponds to an overcast sky. Zero to a clear sky.
ee er

; 1905. | 1905. (1905, 1905. | 1905. | 1905. | 1906. | 1906. | 1906 | 1906. | 1906. | 1906. Vieni
July. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Jany. | Feby.| Mar. | April.! May. | June.

ag _Q— ue —— | | CO

Teen bie o| aria GA See Lie peciGreme b MiB eeulueErmeel Iba Leder. | In. | In.

Barometer—Highest ... | 30°648) 80°535, 80°430) 30°509} 30°386) 30°262) 30:308| 30°301| 30:365| 30°401| 30:632! 30°479] 30-648
Lowest... | 29°&76} 29°793) 29 687} 29°654| 29°714) 29-647) 29-696] 29°699] 29-625] 29:814! 29°811] 29-811] 29-625}
Mean, 9 a.m. | 80°349] 80°229) 30.104) 30:109} 30°120] 30°025) 29-985! 30:053} 30-098 30°133' 30°208) 30 206] 30°135}
Thermometer in Shade— | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Deg.*| Deg.
Highest ... |83°9 |842 | 846 |869 |89'1 |90°7 |97-2 |92:°0 |89:71 |840 |183°7 |82-4 |97-2
Lowest ... |47°3 | 47:2 |506 |49°5 |544 /616 |62;8 |60°1 |61°2 |540 |50°8 |50°8 | 47-2
Mean,9am. |61°8 |62°5 |682 |706 |71:3 |749 |785 |764 |73:4 |69°7 | 66:3 | 62°8 |69-7
Mean Reading of
Maximum Thermometer | 75-4 | 72°99 |763 |77:°2 |778 |81°7 |861 |841 /|81:4 |78°3 1761 |76°7 |78:7
Minimum rf 53°7 54:4 | 592 |61°8 |63°3 |67'4 |70°4 |676 |66:0 {61:9 |59:°0 |546 |61°6
iene In. In. In. In. In. In. ims In. In. In. iba, In.
Rainfall in inches & WA e29F ROS Set (oor |e o:Ole| 29t5u2 G6 dle| 4A:Gilei S66) | la7onl) IeOgml aqess
Nowoiedays on which’ | No. | INoss| Noy<i- No |) No: _|-“No; ‘No. | INo: | No: -| (No. | No» | No.) No:
rain fell ae ae 4 13 16 14 16 22 16 15 AF 14 ts) 5 16)
Winc—Mean Force of ... 62 sO2e |) elcaky: 92 eAel6n 100 ‘79 Si ‘87 ‘87 ‘89 ‘87 ‘91
Cloud—Mean Amount of | 166 | 458] 4°80 | 5741] 637 | 681 | 607 | 488 | 5°73 | 4-00 | 265 | 1:93 | 460
|

&

34

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wxevarcetttah edb att ath ab tab had ligdgaaaae.

‘ALZIIOS DINVLOG Nvaana

Colonial Herbarium.

REPORT
FROM

July fst, 1905, to June 80th, 1906,

J. MEDLEY WOOD, A.L.S.,

Corresponding Member of the Pharmaceutical Society

of Great Britain.
DIRECTOR OF BOTANIC GARDENS,

DURBAN.

COLONIAL HERBARIUM.

During the year ending 30th June, 1905, the number of
specimens in the Herbarium have been increased from 34,061 as
stated in my last Report to 35,924. Of these 10,590 are South
African and 25,334 from foreign countries. ‘The whole of these
specimens are mounted and in their proper position in the
Cabinets, there are a few more still to mount, and we havea large
number available for exchange with other Botanists aud Botanical
Institutions.

We have sent away during the year named specimens of the
Natal flora as under :—

Biltmore Herbarium sae ie Been Og
Yu-Shun-Kudo, Japan ... ee sei 202
U.S. America, National Herbarium ... 123
Ki. M. Reineck, Germany | Xs. ssoyav LOO
M. Petitmengen, France ... ee Tee AUD)
C. G. Pringle, U. 8. America i Seay 442
Mir Be Somes. RA baer
F. M. Reader, Wiistralia Et ca Stee
Prof. J. Macoun, Canada sles fa 498
C. Copineau, France... be 200
J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Sydney ae at hOO,
Calcutta Royal Botanic Gardens ne # 98
K. Moullifarine, France ... wre ee, LOO

1,695

The following are unfortunately omitted from last year’s
Lepore ——

J. Burtt Davy, F.0.5, Govt. Herbarium, Pretoria

(Foreign) .. 670
Prof. MacOwam, Govt. Herbarium, Capetown aa as 04
J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Govt. Herbarium, Sydney .. 88
Geological Survey, Canada ea eee!
Dx. R. Schlechter, Germany ro ei!)

1,704

A large number of these last named ones were foreign
specimens of plants already represented in our collection.

4

We have received specimens in exchange as under :—

Biltmore Herbarium, U.S. America ... Paints Bes)
Dr. Bolus, Capetown... Le Msi 1b2/5)
KE. E. Galpin, F.L.S., Queenstown ... swe 130
Prof. Palacky, Bohemia ... ae sa i Hoh
Geo. L. Fisher, Canada ... sie sSUxpwaee
Yu-Shun-Kudo, Japan ... de ae, NOU)
M. Copineau, France... ae .34) 4 A96
J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Sydney se ... 204
Royal Gardens, Calcutta ee Re rast 214)
F. M. Reader, Victoria ... Ere Seated fi
M. Petitmengen, lrance ... BS see Ok
Prof. J.. Macoum, Canada as weit’ (B89

1,866

It may be noticed that the number of specimens received
does not agree with the number placed in the Herbarium. ‘This
is caused by the fact that amongst the parcels received from
different correspondents there always occur duplicates, that is,
specimens that are already well represented in our collection, and
which have been received from other correspondents. ‘This
necessitates much work, since it is imperative that every specimen
shall be verified as to whether it is in the collection or not. If
not, it is poisoned and mounted. If already there, it is com-
pared with our specimen and the best one, or often both are
retained. ‘This is, of course, quite unavoidable, and occupies a
large amount of the time of the assistants, as also does the looking
out of parcels of specimens for sending away, for care must be
taken not to send duplicate specimens to the same correspondent.

In my last report it is stated that the plant Moraea spathacea
Ker. had been three times sent to me for indentification, being
supposed to be poisonous to stock. Since then the plant has
been tested and reported on by District Vet. Surgeon 8S. L. Amos,
who kindly sent to me a copy of his report, which concludes as
follows :-—

“From the manner in which this plant was eaten, the
‘clinical symptoms produced and the post mortem examina-
“tion, | have no doubt in my mind that the plant Moraea
‘““spathacea is poisonous to cattle and a very dangerous -one
“to have near any grazing ground. A small quantity is
“quite sufficient to produce clinical symptoms, and not a
“large quantity is required to be eaten to prove fatal.”

During the year two other plants have been sent for identifi-
cation under the idea that they were poisonous to cattle. They
are Diclis reptans, Bth. and Senecio buplewroides, D.C, The first-
named I believe to be harmless, while I do not think that cattle often

5

if ever, eat the second. Since then the two closely allied plants,
Senecio Burchelli, D.C. and S. latefolius, D.C., have been found
to be injurious to cattle, full particulars of the experiments are
given in the “ Cape Agricultural Journal” for May of the present
year. Both of these plants are natives of Natal. The former is
found in the midland and upper districts. ‘he latter I have
gathered at Inanda, and it is very closely related to S.
bupleuroides D.C., which is now known to be poisonous, or at
least very deleterious, to cattle.

In my last Annual Report I gave a list of plants which had
been identified during the year, and in many cases information
as to their properties, and [ now give a similar account of this
work for the past year.

1. Identification of a plant, Crassula urborescens, Willd. ;
probably introduced.

2. Examination of several specimens of plants which were
thought to be poisonous to cattle; all proved to be harmless but
one, which was most likely a Phytolacca, but better specimens
were required to be quite certain.

3. Kxamination of a grass from the upper districts which
proved to be Bromus wnioloides, H.B.R.

4, Identification of an Orchid, Mystacidiwm filicorne, Ldl.

5. Examination of 19 species of plants from Rhodesia, most
of which were identified and the names forwarded to the sender.

6. Identification of three species of plants gathered near
Barberton, Transvaal.

7. Identification of a grass which was said to remain green
during the winter months in the upper districts ; it proved again
to be Bromus unioloides, H.B.K.

8. Information as to the probability of the cultivation of
Ginger being successful in the midlands of the Colony.

9. Identification of Barosma lanceolata, Sond., which was
supposed by the sender to be a heath, the plant really belonging
to Rutacee. =

10. Identification of three Orchids, belonging to the genera
Disa, Satyrium, and Hulophia, the specimens not being suffi-
ciently complete for certain specific identification.

11. Identification of Morcea spathacea Ker, now known to be
poisonous to cattle.

12. Indentification of Diclis reptans, Bth., thought to be
poisonous to cattle,

6
13. Information as to the growth of Pzthecolobium Saman,
Bth., the so-called Rain tree in the gardens; the reputation that
this tree has had of attracting rain is purely mythical, its powers

in this respect being no greater than those of other trees of
similar habit.

14, Identification of 9 specimens gathered near Durban,
some of them being escapes from cultivation.

15. Information as to the dgaves, Fourcroyas, and Phormium
tenax, Forst, grown in the Colony, and as to where plants could
be obtained.

16. Identification of an Orchid Habenaria bonatea, Reichb. f.
17. Identification of a grass from the upper districts which
proved to be Bromus unioloides, H.B.K. 7

18. Identification of an Erica from ’Nkandhla.

19. Identification of a weed Gomphrena globosa, Linn., which
was said to be rapidly spreading in the Colony.

20. Identification of 9 specimens from Drakensberg.
21. Identification of 11 indigenous plants.

22. Identification of Watsonia densiflora, Baker, a very im-
perfect specimen, it was thought to be injurious to cattle, no
flowers were present, and it was most probably thought to be
Morea spathacea, Ker.

23. Identification of a Silene, most likely 3. Thunbergiana,
E. & Z., but specimen was imperfect.

24. Identification of a grass Anthistiria imberbis, Retz.

25. Identification of 9 indigenous plants with remarks about
some of them.

26. Identification of a grass Loliwm multiflorum, Lam., a
native of Europe, found in a field in the upper districts.

27. Kxamination of a grass, a species of Festuca, not indi-
genous, and most probably worthless, also an imported Oenothera.

28. Identification of flowers of Adenum multiflorum, Klotsch,
with information as to where plants of this species are likely to
be met with.

29. Identification of Senecio bupleurowes, D.C., which is
thought to be poisonous to cattle, with remarks as to its habitat.

30. Identification of 8 species of indigenous plants collected
on the hills above Maritzburg.

31. Examination of a species of Kniphofia, which was said
by the sender to yield a good fibre.

7

32. Examination of three species of grasses from the upper
districts, viz.: Bromus maximus, Desf., a grass which it would
be advisable to eradicate; a species of Festuca probably a good
pasture grass, and a species of Danthonia ; the specimens of the
two latter were two small and incomplete for certain identification,
and were probably accidentally included in the parcel.

33. Identification of Centawra melitensis, L., which was
found growing with Algerian Oats, the seeds having been im-
ported. The Centaurea is a native of Europe, and is occasionally
found as an alien in Britain.

34, Examination of a species of Hchiwm, which was thought
by the sender to be indigenous, but is really an escape from
some garden.

35. Identification of Vanguerta lutifolia, Sond., an indi-

genous plant, and one of the plants infested by the destructive
fungus Hemileta Woodii, Kalch & Cook.

36. Identification of 6 indigenous plants from the upper
districts.

37. Identification of 7 indigenous plants.

38. Identification of 12 species of Transvaal plants, six of
which were not in our collection.

39. Identification of a grass Anthistiria imberbis, Retz. var.
Burchellii, Stapf., known in the upper districts as “ Blue grass.”

40. Identification of a grass Bromus maaimus, Desf., with
information as to the difficulty of eradicating it when it has once
become established.

41. Identification of Isoglossa Woodii, C. B. Clarke, Syn.
Ecteinanthus oriqganoides, T. And., with information as to its
peculiarity of not bearing flowers every year.

42, Identification of a tree Ximenia caffra, Sond.; the fruit
is eatable but rather acid, and the seeds contain a quantity of oil.

43. Identification of a grass Bromus arvensis, Linn , a native
of Europe, not previously recorded from Natal, but has been
found in Cape Colony.

44. Identification of fruit of Ximenia caffra, Sond.

45. Identification of a plant found in cultivated ground on
the midlands ; it proved to be Sclene Burchelli, Oth., an indigen-
ous plant.

46. Identification of a native heath, Hrica Woodiz, Bolus,
gathered near Mooi River.

47. Identification of Huphorbia Tirucalli, Linn., supposed to:

be valuable as a source of gutta percha, with information as to
previous trials of species of Euphorbia which were thought to be

8
useful as yielding “vulcanite” or “ebonite,” but these trials
seemed to prove that the industry would not be likely to bea
commercial success.

48. Information as to the plants Tacca pinnatifida, Baker.,
Maranta arundinacea, from both of which ‘arrowroot” is
obtained.

49. Examination of seeds and seed vessels of an Atriplex
adhering to Mohair; the plant was almost certainly A. holocarpa,
F.v M. The sender was of opinion that on account of their
property of so readily adhering to wool, that the plant might
possibly prove a nuisance in sheep farming districts. As I have
no information as to their being so in other countries I sent the
specimen with the wool to J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Director of the
Botanic Gardens at Sydney, asking for information on the
subject.

50. Identification of 3 indigenous plants from the upper
districts.

51. Information as to fibre-yielding plants suitable for the
‘Colony, and identification of a leaf which proved to be that of
Agave americana, Linn.

52. Information as to fibre plants, with special reference to
Agave rigida, Mill. var. s¢salana, and to Fourcroya.

53. Information as to fibre-yielding plants generally, but
especially to the species Agave and Fourcroya.

54. Same as above, this and the previous application being
from different persons in different parts of Transvaal.

55. Identification of a plant, which was correctly supposed
to be injurious to wool; it proved to be an introduced species of
Alternanthera. (This application was from Cape Colony.)

56. Identification of a grass, Panicum pyramidale, Lam. var.
hebetata Stapf., found near Newcastle. ‘This variety was not in
our collection.

57. Information as to the probability of success of rubber
and vanilla growing in Madagascar.

58. Examination of a mushroom, which was almost certainly
Agaricus (Lepiota.) africana, Kalch. ‘This fungus is certainly
not poisonous, and is probably edible, but the specimen sent was
not quite complete.

59. Identification of an indigenous, fibre yielding plant
Sanseviera thyrsiflora, Thunb, with information as to be fibre
obtained from this genus of plants.

Oe ee a ed ee:

9

60. Examination of an Orchid which proved to be Mystaci-
dium filicorne, Lal.

61. Identification of leaves of a tree from East Coast, whose
seeds are said to contain 30 per cent. of oil; it proved to be a
Trichilia.

62. Identification of seeds of Trichilia emetica, and informa-
tion as to the probability of obtaining same in quantity for the
purpose of soap making.

63. Identification of leaves of a plant, no flowers being
obtainable, the plant was almost certainly Platycarpha glomerata,
Less., the object of the sender being to ascertain whether the
plant was likely to be useful for fodder, but of this I have no
information, the plant is not common, and exists so far as known
to me in Natal, only in Weenen and Klip River Counties.

64. Identification provisionally of a tree, leaves only being
sent; the tree is almost certainly Bridelia micrantha, Planch.

With reference to the grass Bromus maximus, Desf., which
is apparently spreading in the Colony, since it has been sent to
me for identification from different parts of the Colony, as will be
seen by the present and also my last Annual Report. I find in
the “Cape Agricultural Journal” for June last a note by Mr. J.
Burtt Davy, the Government Botanist for Transvaal, which I take
the liberty of quoting as follows :—

“The grass you send is as you suggest the ‘ Broncho’

‘“orass of the Mediterranean region, Bromus maximus, Desf.

“Tt is one of the most injurious veldt weeds that can be

“introduced into the country. As a rule, stock dislike it

“even when young; as it matures, the long barbed awns

“get into their nostrils, mouths and eyes, often doing

“damage ; it also damages wool, and finally, on account of

“its hardy drought resisting qualities, it is able to overtop

“and choke out better and finer grasses, which may make

“slower growth. I would therefore advise that Cape

“farmers and stockmen should take a little trouble to

“eradicate it before it takes hold of the district. I may say

“that I have seen thousands of acres of valuable stock veldt

“an California which have been ruined by this and other

“‘ orasses, such as Bromus rubens and B. mollis.

As one of my correspondents expressed his intention of
cultivating this grass I think it advisable to give this warning.
It was figured, with full description, by Dr. Stapf in ‘“ Natal
Plants,” Vol. 5 Part 3, Plate 458.

It was suggested to me at the time of the visit of the British
Association that I should write a revised list of the plants of
Natal. This is now nearly completed and will be published by
the South African Philosophical Society when ready. As soon

10

after that is published as possible I propose to revise and publish
with consent of the Committee the more popular list which has.
been in hand for so long a time, and which has been delayed
partly by the press of other work and partly on account of the
changes which are being made at Kew in the nomenclature of
the species of the Order Asclepiadacex. From the information
already given in the Flora of Tropical Africa I might be able to
work out the species that we have, but unfortunately there are-
many of which we have no specimens, and even if we had them
IT should still be at a loss to supply the new specific names. It
has therefore been suggested that the list should be published,
leaving out the Asclepiadacez, but I have not yet decided to do.
so. It will depend upon how long it is likely to be before the
part of the Flora Capensis containing this Order is published.

Three Parts of ‘‘ Natal Plants” have been published during
the year, viz., Part 4 of Vol. 4, completing the volume, and Parts
2 and 3 of Vol. 5, which contain grasses only, Part 4 of Vol. 4,.
and Part 3 of Vol. 5, being issued simultaneously. One Part
more will complete the 5th volume, and I am pleased to be able
to say that with very few exceptions all the known indigenous
grasses will be figured when the volume is completed, and in
addition some will be figured with which we are not credited in
the Flora Capensis.

At the end of September, 1905, Miss Dean left, and has since:
married, and in March of the present year I obtained the services
of Miss Neuman, and hope to be able to retain her for a time at
any rate. She has been engaged in preparing specimens for the
Herbarium Cabinets, entering them, looking out parcels for
exchange, and various other necessary work, while Miss Franks
in all her spare time has been engaged in dissecting and making
drawings of the grasses which remain yet to be figured. As in
consequence of the native disturbance very little collecting has.
been done during the best of the season, we have to fall back on
our unnamed specimens, many of which have in consequence of
press of other work been put aside for the time, and I hope to
get many others ready for distribution as soon as the grasses are:
out of hand.

J. MEDLEY WOOD,
Director..