Remarks on the culture of exotic vegetables, adapted for the soil and climate of South Africa

Abstract

This paper is the third part of a series of articles. See the first part: https://doi.org/10.21504/saqj.13.2653.

This paper provides detailed horticultural instructions for the successful cultivation of several valuable exotic plants—Coffee, Turmeric, Ginger, Arrow-root, Chestnut, and Walnut—within the climate and soil conditions of the South African Cape Colony.

Cultivation Highlights:

• Coffee (Coffea Arabica): Best raised from fresh seeds in a sandy loam. Plants should be set out at six feet apart in a quincunx pattern. Crucially, they must be headed down (pruned) to 9–12 inches initially to encourage lateral, fan-like branches, limiting height to 10–12 feet for better yields and easier gathering. The author suggests certain districts (Graaff-Reinet, Albany, George) are particularly suited, but doubts the profitability of large plantations due to foreign competition.

• Spice/Tuber Plants (Curcuma, Zingeber, Maranta): Turmeric, Ginger, and Arrow-root require similar treatment, mimicking their native habitat: moist, sheltered, and shaded locations with a rich, black vegetable soil (humus), which must often be substituted for the natural loam/clay. Covering beds with decayed leaves is essential to maintain warmth and moisture. For quick growth, especially for Arrow-root, water should be applied from reservoirs (warm water), not directly from cold springs, to avoid retarding growth.

• Nut Trees (Castanea, Juglans):

  • Chestnut (Castanea Vesca): Recommended for both timber and fruit. Prefers sandy loam with a dry bottom. Propagation is via large nuts; early fruit can be obtained by grafting by approach (arching) onto established trees.

  • Walnut (Juglans Regia): Requires loamy soil with sand/gravel. Fruit can be hastened by grafting and ringing (removing a ring of bark, then plastering the wound).

The author emphasises that the primary goal of this expanded culture is to enhance the domestic comforts and resources of the community, rather than solely creating articles for exportation.