KAIAPOI FARMERS’ CLUB.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 593, 13 May 1876, Page 3

KAIAPOI FARMERS’ CLUB.

At the monthly meeting of this club, held at Monk’s Kaikainui Hotel, there were twenty-two members present, Mr J. Clark, chairman of the club presiding. The Chairman, in a few preliminary remarks, introduced Mr A. Duncan, Mr Duncan said : I chose this subject for consideration at your present meeting for several reasons, viz : Ist, it is a subject of which I have had considerable experience ; 2nd, yonr club, being mainly composed of persona who are freeholders, they have a direct interest in improving the appearance and value of their several properties; and 3rd, this is perhaps the most appropriate time of the year to have a subject of the sort ventilated. I need not enter upon the subject in its importance and bearing upon the wealth of the colony, both as regards its influence on the amelioration of the climate (a matter of vast moment to the farming community, and one which should receiv ? muchmoreattention and.consideration than is usually given to it) as well as adding to the material prosperity of ibe whole community. This view of the subject has been taken up by our Colonial Parliament at various times, and has now assumed a tangible form, in that the present Executive Government of the colony has invited the assistance of a gentleman of experience from India to inspect and report upon the forests of the colony, and the measures best to be adapted for conservingthem. I look forward with great interest to the report which will be forwarded by the gentlemen in question, and have no doubt hut the necessity for special legislation on the matter will have to be pressed on the attention of the Legislature. I may mention in passing that the question is considered of such national importance in several of the European states that “ verderers” are appointed to the charge of the State forests, and that the planting of waste tracts of country, the pruning and thinning of trees, and the falling of full grown timber, are in their hands. I will now proceed to give you my views on what may be considered the more practical part of my subject, and will first treat of the preparation of the soil. Some are of opinion that the ground for a plantation requires, or should have, as careful a preparation as for corn. Now I have no objection to a careful preparation for anything, whether oaks or fire, corn or cabbages, but in many situations such preparation is impracticable; in fact the bulk of plantations of forest trees of any extent is usually confined to situations that cannot be utilised except at a large cost for any other purpose. In a great many instances, on farms in this province, there are smaller or larger patches of inferior ground that are often left in their native state, because the cost of reducing or making them into productive paddocks would entail a larger expenditure than the reclamation would be worth, and it is just those particular portions of farms that are peculiarly adapted lor plantations of forest trees. Many of you, I have no doubt, will from recollection be able to call, to mind plantations of greater or lesser extent in the old country, where no preparation was given in planting the trees ; in fact, some of the largest and finest forests in Austria were planted in situations where it was impossible to have prepared the soil, 1 may also instance the very extensive forests of the Duke of Athole around Dankeld, Perthshire, and others in Cumberland, where in many instances soil had to be scraped together to cover the roots of the small trees, or the trees had to be set into rifts and fissures of the rocks. In many other cases, where the ground was covered with heath, the only preparation that was given was by having open drains cut at convenient distances to relieve the soil from superabundant moisture, and by burning the heath to allow of the trees being planted. This course, I understand, was employed to a large extent in the large plantations at Nerqnis, where the late Dr Thackaray carried out ideas conceived by him as to the proper course to be followed out in forest culture. The estate of “Jerquis is partly in the county of Flint and partly in Denbighshire, and was of such a poor character that he bought it for one pound per acre. So well, however, did the planting succeed that many articles were written, giving expression to the fact that it was a model forest, and was, besides, a source of great profit to its enterprising proprietor. I could give many other instances if it were necessary, to prove the fact that it is not required where planting is carried on to a large extent, to have the soil prepared, and I would go even further, and say that only in exceptional cases where specific objects are i,n view, such as planting shrubberies or small plantations, where cost is no object, that preparation is made for planting. In following up the subject we naturally glide from the preparation of the soil or rather non-preparation, to the next process requisite to consider, and that is, “ What is the best plan as regards distance to be followed out in planting ?” Here again I am afraid I will run against the preconceived notions, opinions, and practices that generally find favor amongst those who have tried their hands in the matter. Let me, however, observe in passing, that hitherto not much, if any, actual planting has been done on any extensive scale, with a view to the ultimate value of the timber as a crop. What has been done has been mainly for the purpose of shelter, and for that it matters little whether the trees have a straight stem or not, as their ultimate value is not taken into account, it being no element of consideration, or next to none, in the original conception of the work ; bui I would submit, even in all cases, shelter can he conbined, and more speedily and efficaciously combined, by doing the work in the manner I shall recommend, as well as being ,H source of profit, from the thinnings that •will have to be made from lime to time as the plantations increase in growth. Any person planting for timber should have his -mind made up prior to commencing operations, as to the sort of tree that is ultimately:

to be allowed to grow to maturity. I have considered the matter very carefully, from an economic point of view, and am of opinion that there is no hard wood tree that will give greater returns than the English oak ; next perhaps in value I should recommend the ash. Amongst pines, we have a greater variety, such as Scotch, Austrian, Corsican, larch, spruce, the Douglas fir, the maritime pine, and numerous others; but situation has a very great deal to do with pines as regards their ultimate value, as I have proved from experience that whilst larch and Douglas fir will not give satisfaction if planted on our alluvial plains, they make splendid trees for planting on our colder uplands, and the precipitous sides of our hills. The growth of the various sorts of trees in different localities can only be ascertained by actual experiment, and it would be a matter of great and positive advantage if those who have tried trees in the different localities in the colony, would, through some medium or other give the results of their investigation, and detail the experience gained as a guide for others, and so avoid mistakes. I will now proceed to discuss the question of thin as against thick planting. In thick planting you at the start fix on the variety of tree that you intend to occupy the ground permanently, or up to the time that it arrives at its full maturity. These are usually hard wood, and are planted from seven to ten feet apart, according to the object in view, filling in firs as nurses, so that the trees stand from three to three and a half feet apart, and this close planting is for the following reasons:—ln all cases where trees are raised for timber as well as shelter they should be kept rather closely together than otherwise, and upon observation the most advantageous distance throughout the whole time that a plantation remains as such, should be, that the distance from each other is about onethird of the height of the trees; this is as a general rule. When trees are kept growing at a less distance than one-third of their height they become tall, slender, and weakly, and if grown at a distance from one another greater than than mentioned, they become branchy, do not increase proportionately in height, and the timber is generally coarse. As regards fir trees, no pruning should be allowed, as it invariably injures the quality of the wood, as well as the health of the trees; and if they are kept as nearly as possible at the distance specified above, they will naturally prune themselves as they advance in height; for as soon as the lower branches of the fir tribe become confined, and a want of air ensues in the body of the plantation, they gradually die and fall off without in the least injuring the quality of the timber. Every one who has any experience of plantations must see the force of what I have said, as the shelter given draws the tree up into a fine boll or straight even stem, thereby improving the ultimate quality of the wood, and gives the plant the character of a tree. So much for thick planting. Now as to thin planting; that is, planting six, eight or more feet apart. On this system, say at the medium distance of seven feet apart, taking 1117 plants to the acre, let us see what would be the result. The trees cannot afford the necessary shelter to each other ; they grow branchy and scrubby, and when they do in the course of years receive shelter from each other, they have become so coarse in their habit that they require an excessive amount of pruning, which checking the flow of sap, throws the tree back for a considerable time, or produces the worse result of having a large amount of twigs springing from the place where the branch was lopped off. But let me put the case more definitely. Suppose the case of a plantation of twenty years’ standing on this system of thin planting. During the first three years there would be very little progress in the growth of the young trees, and from the extremely thin scattering of plants over the ground, the death of a very few plants per acfe would cause very large blanks in the plantation, there being no provision made for the going back of a few plants, as is the case when the trees are planted more closely. During the fourth year, the young trees will show more vigorous symptoms of growth, and would spread out, particularly their under branches, upon the surface of the ground, in order to support themselves from the effects of the storms ; but they would not make a corresponding growth upwards until the fifth year, when they would be settled in their state, both as regards roots and lower branches. During the following two years they would become strong, lusty plants, but still would not he inclined to grow so much to height as in breadth of branches, and in the same manner the trees would continue to grow until they had got so close to one another as to be a little confined in the side branches, when they would begin to grow taller than to breadth. This state the trees very probably would not attain until nearly the end of the twenty years. This is on the supposition that the circumstances, both as regards soil and situation, are ordinarily favorable ; but if the soil and situation are not favorable for the growth of the trees planted, they very probably would not be in a very healthy state when they attained the age stated, but would, from the want of shelter, be hide bound and altogether worthless—either as timber or for the producing of shelter ; and I may further say were the soil favorable to the growth of the trees planted they would, from being long exposed, and not producing shelter to one another for a very long time, become a mass of strong side branches, with an extremely coarse unequal stem. And here too, at twenty years of age, you have a plantation, under its most favourable circumstances, without having produced one shilling of profit in the interim to its proprietor —not even a post or rail to mend the fence that surrounds it—and at the end of the time worthless, except for firewood ; and what I have stated, I beg to say, is no imaginary idea. Thin planting can only be necessary and commendable in one case, and that is upon steep banks and slopes of glens, as then you will find that, although you should plant upon the surface of the bank or slope at seven feet distance, measuring upon the slope, the stems of the trees, when they grow up alongside of one another, would be found to stand about the distance that I have already recommended. Contrast with this the result of close planting, as I have shown in a former part of this paper. No doubt curing the first four or five years the growth of the young trees would be much the same ia both cases ; but after that period, when the young trees began to grow vigorously, and afford shelter to each other, instead of the energies of the plants being directed to the throwing out of side branches, they are directed to the forming of a proportionate boll or stem, and to the height of the tree at. the same time, which is the very model of; perfection in the growing of timber j

and indeed this constitutes the particular art in forest tree culture, not to allow the trees in any plantation to become either too bushy or too tall, but to direct the growth in the middle course, so as to form both proportionately andatthe same time. If proprietors were to adopt the system of thin planting, no profitable return could be derived from land much within a period of thirty years, more particularly in a high lying situation, and even then a return would in many cases be out of the question, for in an uncongenial soil, trees planted upon it thinly never will succeed ; but where shelter is produced, even in an uncongenial soil, trees will mostlydo well and become of useful size. In leaving this part of my subject I may state that I am enunciating no new principle in the planting of forest trees, but am detailing the plan—l may almost call it the systematised plan—adopted in Britain, where forestry has been practised for a long series of years, and where the different systems have been tested by careful experience, extended over a great many years, by persons competent in all the details of the subject. I may instance the late Duke of Portland, as well as the present Duke, who have carried on the largest planting operations on their extensive estates for two generations, and who nearly always, except in exceptional circumstances, plant at no greater distances than apart from tree to tree. I will now say a few words on pruning, which is a very necessary operation if valuable timber is the object, and I must not be thought to be stultifying myself in already stating that as regards firs no pruning should be allowed, as the side branches of fir trees, where close, die off naturally, and a stroke with the back of a billhook will be sufficient to break them off short at the stem of the tree. The case is different where two leaders have formed ; one of these must be cut away else two stems will grow up and spoil to a large extent the value of the timber. In hardwood, the planter will have to exercise a careful supervision, as they are inclined when young to have more leading shoots than one, and to throw out stronger side branches as well ; these will have to be shortened. The proper plan to adopt is that when young trees have more leading shoots than one, the best, healthiest, and most upright shoot should be selected as the leader, and the adjoining ones shortened to half the length of the selected one. These shortenings should include any branches which are gaining a disproportionate ascendency over the other branches. By this means the sap has a less superficies to cover than when the branches are allowed to extend to an improper length and thickness, and in consequence there is a greater supply of sap, both ascending and descending, for the production of leaves and wood. I have attempted to show in the foregoing remarks the methods to be adopted in carrying out planting operations, but another question will arise in your minds, and that is—‘ls planting profitable?” Time will not permit me to do more than slightly touch on this phase of the subject, but I would submit that if you have not a large profit, you have comfort, beauty of scenery, the increased value of your open lands, now effectually sheltered from the winds, and thus improved in climate. I very much doubt whether it answers so well to plant good land as to farm it skilfully, but with respect to poor lands, the question is different, and there, we apprehend, little doubt can be entertained of its being reasonably profitable. If land will bear corn profitably,let corn bethecrop,butif land will not carry farm produce then it must be admitted that timber should be planted. I trust, in conclusion, that the remarks on “ Forest Tree Planting” that I have attempted this evening, may be of some advantage to your club —that some of your members may have learnt, however imperfectly it may be, that improvements may be made on their properties which will tend to increase its value and be a means of developing a taste for improved rural scenery, the need of which is patent to every careful observer. In reply to the chairman, he said he had not alluded to the blue gum, as ash and oak were preferable, for they would thrive on inferior land and become more profitable. On Mr White’s land at Byreton he instanced the fact that the oak in a single season had grown from 6ft to Bft.- The gum was also a bad neighbor to other trees, and the timber of little use except for firewood; blue gum could also be obtained in large timber easily from Australia. In reply to Mr Coup, he said the larch did not do well on the plains, and the nor’-westers whipped the tops off ; yet at Oulverdon they grew vigorously, and were not affected by that wind ; this tree was in its habitat on the hills. The Douglas and Insignis pines he could not recommend, unless for belts as shelter ; they would make firewood as soon as the gums. In answer to Mr Parnham, he said oaks were not expected to thrive in the sand, the maritime pine was the best for sandy beach, as instanced in the forest of some thousands of acres planted 200 years ago by monks on the Biscayan coast, which now kept the sand down, and was a very productive forest. In reply to the chairman, he said the way to plant Scotch firs was to put in the plant and press the soil on the roots in a way so as to disturb it as little as possible, enabling the ground to retain the moisture needed by the plant. In answer to Mr M. Jones he said he had not had experience in the culture of black or white pines, bnt was informed by nurserymen in the North Island, who had the advantage of climate, that those pines were difficult to rear. The supply of native timber, the Government having resolved to conserve our forests, would be equal to the demand till the English timber grew. In answer to Mr Young he said it would do well to plant acorns 3ft apart. Ho had advised Mr Harman on land' near Rolleston to use a double furrow plough with marker, and have boys to put in the acorns and cover them. In reply to Mr Revell he raid it was a mistake to weed about the trees, for the grass or weeds kept the ground moist around the young trees, and very soon, if left, also the trees at 2.|ft apart would be close enough to prevent grass growing. Mr Jones considered timber growing was profitable. On Dr Thackaray’s estate alluded to, the annual income from the sale of trees sold to be cut down was between £2OOO and £3OOO. Mr Duncan observed that on the Duke of Athole’s estate the timber was worth more than the fee simple. On some portions, viz, on cliffs, it was wonderful to see the trees growing where they could only be planted by lowering a person over the cliff. In answer to Mr Coup, he replied the slugs on the rose, apple, cherry, and thorn did not attack forest trees so far as his experience went. To Mr Revell, the growing of such trees as the gum might carry off malaria and tend to lessen fevers. The destruction

of small birds in Prance was an instance of the spread of insects to an alarming extent, which latter began to disappear when the law was enforced preventing the wholesale destruction of the feathered tribe. Mr Young—Then yon think the-law should, compel us to keep ao many sparrows to the acre. [Laughter.! Having answered a number of other questions of lesser interest, a general discussion ensued, and finally, on the motion of Mr Parnham, seconded by Dr Dudley, a vote of hanks was accorded to Mr Duncan for his valuable remarks. Mr Duncan thanked the club for its vote, remarking that he was pleased with his reception and the manner in which his remarks had been discussed. .He staled that it was intended to start a quarterly farmers’ magazine, and he trusted the farmers would be found ready to contribute to its columns and otherwise support it. The Chairman read a letter from Mr Brown relative to the establishment of a cheese factory on the American principle. It was resolved to send Mr Brown an invitation to attend the next meeting. On the motion of Mr J. Walls, seconded by Mr J. Birnie, it uas decided that a public meeting be held on May 25th, for the purpoose of arranging an amalgamation of the ploughing match committee and the club. The meeting then adjourned.