ARBORICULTURE.—VIII.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2582, 17 July 1882, Page 3

ARBORICULTURE.—VIII.

Apart from the principal object of planting trees for the production of timber, there are numerous reasons and requirements which the forester must take into consideration. In studying trees and their various habits we are at once impressed with the fact that in the “Design of Creation ” there are trees adapted to every variety of soil and position; trees whose very forms are in unison with ragged' mountains, bare bills, stony steppes, sandy deserts, hot plains, swamps, and rich alluvial. Those who have seen the locust tree and data palm in Egypt, the tamarisk on the banks of the Sues Canal, Boswellia at Aden, the sal tree flourishing on the open plainsof India, the mangroves blocking up the mouths of rivers on the east coast of Africa, the Euphorbias and aloes on Teneriffe, Oedsr Swamp in Virginia, and the hard vertical loliaged gums of Australia will readily admit of the above stated fact—that there is not a place in creation (terrestrial) for which man could not find and establish vegetation. So that when wa have only a small place like Canterbury to supply with suitable trees, tho matter becomes exceedingly simple, and landholders, with soil varying from a bed of shingle to a veritable quagmire, can have all the eyesores of their estates clothed with vegetation, providing they think out the matter aud do not plant indie jriminatolly. The first special locality which we will now consider is swampy lawds, for cf all the desciiptions cf waste lands these ought to receive the first attention of the planter.

inasmuch as they are unfit for cultivation and pasturage if left unplanted, aud when stocked with trees suitable far such places, the growth is very rapid, and a beneficial Influence upon the dry ' surrounding country is sooner effected than when dry barren p’—«» are planted. In this previnoe there are m. tracts of land of a very wet and sour and on the majority of estates small swamps are to be seen, which shcnld all be filled up with trees, especially these which are at the heads or sources of streams, for in planting these localities we not only reclaim the hitherto waste, but protect and increase the flow of springs. Foremost among trees suitable for planting in wet land is tbe alder, or Alans glut!nosa, which can often be seen growing in several feet of water. When planted thickly on marsh land it is surprising how soon this remarkable tree will absorb tho water, and. transform a soft bog into solid and comparatively dry land. Although luxuriating ia water, it will grow equally as well In other situations, providing tbe soil is deep and tolerably rich. The timber of this tree is of first-rate quality, and uied for a variety of purposes, principally in tho manufacture of gunpowder ; it is also the best timber for standing the decaying effects of water. The bark is rich in tanning qualities, and prod noe» an excellent yellow dye; so that altogether this tree ought to command the attention of all persons interested in the future welfare of this province, and should be planted largely by farmers who have soluble places for it. The birch ie also capable of flourishing in swamps, and has often been

designated the "Amphibious tree,” oa occount of being able to grow in all equations, from a dry elevation to that of submerged land. This tree will no doubt be the one most largely planted on the plains, where, on account of its power of bending to tba winds and rapid growth in shallow Boils, it is fast becoming a favorite. The elder, or sambucus niger, is another tree of this, description, and although it produces no timber of great value, is worth planting when the reclamation of bogs is under oon» sldcration, and also when quick shelter is desired,' for, like the preceding one, it will grow on tho bleakest place imaginable, TaxodicEn diVich&ns, or the Virginian swamp cedar, is without a dcuht the most valuable of trees for occupying low, damp situations. Those who have seen it in such placeo can testify to its rapid growth and bold straight appearance which it always assumes. The fern-lika form of the leaves, and graceful habit, have already made it a favorite in ornemantal planting; and the great value of the timber which it soon runs into should induce planters to avail themselves of this tree specially adapted for growing in nwamps. The Oryptomerias, both elegans and japonic®, do splendidly in wet land, and on oma 1 estates where it is desirable

co ocn7erc a piece oi very wet laira xutu nu ornamental block of trees, these two, with, the Taxodir.m Bed Eatiaospora tquarrosa form an admirable group, and would be found flourishing where the majority of ornamental trees must perish. From what I hare seen of this province the principal things required by farmers to make them comfortable are shelter for themselves and their cattle; plenty of firewood cloce at hand, and plantations from which they can obtain posts end rails as required. Those who have streams running through their farms, river beds, swamps or any damp low-lying patches can soon surround themselves with these comforts, if they planted such places with willows, poplars, gums, birch, elder and alder, all of which can be obtained at a trifling cost, and entail no risk or difficulty in establishing; the willows and poplars have not received the attention they deserve, and have often been overlooked in favor of worthless trees whiciL' never produce wood even fit for firing. K*ny homesteads at present destitute of shelter, and paying dearly for fuel, should long before this nave had these things in abundance, and when we consider the small outlay and facilities for obtaining willows and poplars of every description in this country, it is the more remarkable that there should be a place in Canterbury without a good belt or clump of such trees. In some localities, swamps have an evil effect on the atmosphere, and the planting of such places should receive the attention of communities os well as individuals ; for it is well known that such trees as the tazodium, alder, and eucalyptus have the power of of destroying malaria which often infects lowlying districts. At several places in India, Italy, 8. E. Africa, and America this result has been accomplished; and when we consider that it is not merely the absorption of tbs foul water by the roots of these trees, which brings about this wonderful amelioration of climate, but the leaves in their respiration end transpiration play the most important part in destroying the germs of dilease, which seem to originate in such places, it becomes evident that oar city of Christchurch would bo greatly benefited by a judicious planting of those trees which have in other countries tended to abolish diseases arising from stagnant and marshy lands. Ohms. Mtjdd, I Dnncva and Son’s Exotic Nursery, * Opawt—