A VISIT TO THE LAKE COUNTY NURSERY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1262, 7 May 1886, Page 3

A VISIT TO THE LAKE COUNTY NURSERY.

[Contributed.]

About six miles up the valley of the Cardrona, ami situated on its right bank as you go from Pembroke to Arrowtown, lie? the nursery for forest trees, laid out by the committee of the Lake County Council, appointed for that purpose some six or eight years ago. Of this committee, the chairman is Mr Robert Mel ongal, of Pembroke, and his exertions on behalf of the establishment of this institution have, indeed, been most indefatigable ; and he has done much to make knowm tho benefits of the Nursery to all the surrounding district. It is even said that at h's own expense he has in several instances conveyed parcels of tress to various parts of the district, besides tak ing the greatest interest in ascertaining the results of all plan's that have lieen sent out from the Nursery. And, I believe, that it is chiefly owing to his efforts that a’l public bodies,not only in Lake County, but in other surrounding places, can have as many trees as they like to take away,free of charge. Certainly, without any il itiery, the Chairman an I committe of the Lake County Nursery deserve the greatest credit, from the people of the surrounding districts for their dis interested and public spiri in this matter. And I think that their efforts, in this most useful endeavour to clothe the nakedness of our treeless valleys and hill slopes of the interior, ought to receive some encouragement in n practical wav by the Government, the public, and from the local bodies, by the select’on and planting of suitable reserves for forests which, in the course of hot so many years would yield some return for the outlay end eventually pay handsomely. This is one of the matters which Sir Julius Vogel and the present Government regard as of importance to the Colony. A small sura judiciously expended, and under proper inspection, might find some work for the unemployed to plant several areas in Lake, Vincent, and Maniototo Counties, that would at no distant d ite prove of much value to tho State, as well as a great boon to the settlers of the interior. These remarks were suggested by a recent visit which I had the pleasure of paying to the Lake County Nursery, and the spot is well worthy of a visit by any one who has an hour or two to spare. One bright sunny morning, about a fortnight ago, we left Pembroke by the Cardrona road which now runs through to Arrowtown, and on which route Messrs Craig and Co. havo placed a biweekly coach between tho Arrow and Pembroke. thus connecting the Wakatinn Lake district with that of the Wanaka and Hawea. After crossing the Cardrona several times, and a drive along a very fair road, from which we got a grod view of tho track leading up to the Oiffel on our left, we reached the fsursery in about an hour. -Having found Mr Studholme, the curator, busy among his young plantations lifting some trees to be sent over the range towards Queenstown, wo were courteously conducted, by him over the grounds, and it was with the greatest pleasure fthat we gazed upon such a large number of healthy and thriving forest trees, of many species, in all their various stages of advancement. Mr Stn 1holme informed us that the County Council have altogether an area of about 100 acres in the valley, but at present only 25 acres are fenced in, all of which are planted ont as a forest with tho exception of about one acre and the nursing beds. It was indeed a sight refreshing to the eye to behold the luxuriant growth of this miniature forest, which is only some six years old. Most of the trees have attained considerable height, and Mr Studholrae told us that of those planted out, he had only lost two per cent., which is indeed very creditable. Tho various specimens of pines were delightful in their shapeliness and regularity, and amongst them we noticed very fine specimens of Eimts Insignia, P. Muricata, P. Montana, Crymessns Macrocarpa ; several Californian species, including Wellington!.!, Gigmtea, and other varieties. Besides j these were some fine specimens of Larch I (P. Lancia), which seem to thrive well in the district. This wnnld he a most useful and profitable tree for plantations if it were planted in quantity. In addition to the various kinds of Pines were also large and well-grown specimens of deciduous trees, including Sycamore, Ash, etc. Everyone

of these trees, covering the entile area planted out, looked vigorous and healthy and of large size for their years. The seedlines in the beds were also roost healthy, and had come un> thick and strong. Indeed, it is some time since we looked upon such a collection of Hue healthy forest trees in all their stages of growth, and the Nursery res fleets credit on its whole management, considering ihe limited fumls at the disposal of the County Council for the purpose. With such a supply of fine trees to be had at an almost nominal cost, surely our public bodies—at least those within Lake and Vincent County—ought to go in for planting as ranch as they possibly can, even though it were only to the extent of a few acres each season. And with such an abundant supply at hand every seHler might easily surround bis homestead or farm with a few hundreds of such trees, which in time would give beauty to the landscape, im* prove the climate, and supply, at any rate, timber for many useful purposes. After having thoroughly enjoyed our visit for an hour or so to this oasis in the treeless waste lands of the interior, we drove back again down the valley towards Albertown, and during the drive wo could not help reflecting how much it would change and beautify the aspect ot such valleys as those of the Cluthi, the Cardrona, the Lindis, or the Manuherikia were such little forests, as that to he seen at the Lake County Nursery, multiplied a thousand fold. And if the slopes of such magnificent lakes as the Wakatipu, Wanaka, and Hawea were, here and th»re even, clothed with a belt ot forest their charms would he enhanced a hundred fold. Assuredly such establishments as tbe Lake and Maniototo County nurseries, ana even also the one proposed for Vincent County, are well deserving of all the en« management that can be given to them both by the pubic and the authorities of the Colony.