ARBORICULTURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2243, 10 June 1881, Page 3

ARBORICULTURE.

Before proceeding Wlta condensed notes on the principal timber trees, 1 wiu ? all attention to an erratum in the laat article—instead of Quercus oher, it ought to have been Q. robur. Also, I would like your readers to understand that trees, cultivated solely as ornamental ones, will not find a place in these contributions to your valuable paper, as my present object is to prove and demonstrate how tree planting can be one of the most profitable, as well as the most beneficial, industries in Canterbury. For this purpose I have taken a cursory glance at the deciduous timber trees, and with your kind permission 1 will, on a future occasion, enumerate the evergreen ones, and describe to the best of my ability the principles of arboriculture, upon which the success of timber • growing depends. Alder—This tree is adapted for planting in wet places, and if accommodated with loamy or a good clay soil, and a little shelter, will produce good-sized timber, which is used for a variety of purposes, and is of great value on account of being able to withstand the decomposing effects of water. Its bark is also valuable as a yellow dye, and for tanning. Castanea vesoa, or the sweet chestnut, is one of the best hardy deciduous trees to be found in temperate regions ; when grown to perfection it presents a noble appearance, and is one of the few trees possessing height and breadth together. The timber can be put to many uses ; planted as coppice it furnishes the poles for hop-growers ; it is very muchliko, and is often mistaken for some varieties of oak wood, over which it has the decided advantage of arriving at maturity in half the time ; for, unlike the oak, its sapwood soon changes into heartwood, and is therefore valuable when young. In durability it ranke very high, and reports have been received from Canada of posts having been taken up in a sound state after twenty-five years standing in the ground. The American form, which is hardly distinguished from tbs European species, is one of the largest trees in that country, and is greatly used for agricultural purposes, such as posts and rails. The chestnut is not accommodating to soil or position, and never does well, unless planted in rich loam, with a gravelly or dry clay subsoil, and well sheltered, as it is liable to be injured by strong winds. When on a subsoil of rock debris, in close plantations, it is often seen with a clean straight bole of 50-60 ft. in height. Being rapid growers, they are well adapted for drawing up or nursing other trees in newly formed plantations. • Horse chestnut, a tree of very little value j timber useless, except as firewood, is greatly damaged by the wind, and only has one good point about it—a rapid grower, which is new countries is of considerable importance. It requires a rich loam and a damp bottom to flourish.

The lime tree, of which there are three good varieties, is worthy of cultivation in a country where local manufactures are to be fostered, as it produces a light, soft and close grained, timber, suitable for the making of small articles, and is especially used for carving. One variety is said to be the best honey-producing medium in the world, for tho honey of bees kept in the vicinity of lime plantations excels in quality and quantity that of any other. The bark produces the universally used bast-mats, which form a considerable part of Russian exports. It requires a deep loam and a moderately damp situation. Poplar—There are four species of this family worth planting, Populus alba or _ the Abele tree, P. tremula or the aspen, P. nigra or black poplar, and P. dilatata or Lombardy poplar. The abele and aspen produce a light, soft, and durable timber, when not required to be in the earth ; the wood of the black poplar is suitable for flooring boards, especially when we consider its slowness in taking fire, for it will smoulder for hours, and is, therefore, unfit for firewood j Lombardy poplar is good for all sorts of packing cases, owing to its lightness and not splitting when nailed. They are all rapid growers, and not particular as to soil, providing there is plenty of moisture.

Walnut, or Juglans regia, is a valuable timber and fruit tree. The wood is greatly prized on account of having the rare quality of strength, elasticity, and lightness combined. It grows to a profitable size when planted in deep loam, and even in shallow rich soil when the taproot is cut, so compelling the roots to keep near the surface, as they have a tendency to penetrate deeply, I might also state that for the production of length of timber the plants should be from seed, and for quality and quantity of fruit the plants should be budded or grafted. The black walnut, a native of North America, is a much larger tree than the English one; its timber ie extensively used for mechanical purposes in that country. Hickory, the well-known American timber, is the product of at least three species of Carya, allied to the walnuts ; the smoothleaved variety of Carya porcina is stronger and better than any other kind of hickory; this species is a very lofty tree, and in its native land generally abounds in the vicinity of swamps j the paeane nut hickory delights in growing on the banks of rivers, whilst the mocker nut hickory, and the shell bark hickory have the opposite habit of growing in mountainous yet fertile soils ; the wood of all the species is used for all sorts of mechanical and economical purposes. In mixed plantations they thrive under the same treatment as the walnut.

Mountain Ash, on account of its erect habit and rapid growth, is a valuable tree for planting as a nurse and shelter to slow growers, also as thriving in any soil and upon bleak elevations. Its long shoots are extensively used for hoops, orates, &0., and its close grained, strong and elastic wood is much used by wheelwrights, and takes a fine polish. Wild cherry, of which Prunus avium is the largest in growth, often commands a high price amongst cabinet-makers when of a reasonable size; it is also useful for planting where birds are to bo encouraged, Requires good' soil, but not damp underneath; will stand in open situations.

Laburnum—This, when grown properly, f produces a high-priced wood, in great demand , by cabinet and furniture and musical instrument makers; also for pegs, pullies, &o. It requires to bo planted in masses or close plantations, so as to bo drawn up, when it often reaches 40ft in height and from Ift to i 2ft in diameter. As a rule it is not particular as to soil, but does best in deep sandy loam. ' The variety of color depends upon the quality of the soil. The False Acacia or, as it is often called, locust tree, produces a timber worth having in an agricultural country, for in durability it ranks next the oak. This tree, which is indigenous to North America, has not come up to the expectations of its advocates as a timber tree ; still, it is useful for a good many purposes, and has the rare virtue of forming heartwood while young. Ohbis. Mtod, Riveilaw.