The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1925.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1925.

.MORE ABOUT AFFORESTATION. Aijvkhtino to the subject of afforestation mentioned in an earlier issue, a booklet on the oucalvpts in New Zealand has been supplied us giving particulars of the various kinds of trees considered suitable for planting in the Dominion for utility purposes. I ha booklet is compiled by the State Forest Service and represents the deductions made by the Conservator at Rotorua as to tbi? utility ol the trees for general purposes. The Ixmklct bears out the impressions we have formed as to the suitability of the timber for local purposes, and suggests th.a practicability of planting in such country as is available here It. is noteworthy that the experiments front which the writer’s opinions are deducted were carried out in the Rotorua and Waikato districts, but a. good deal of the soil formation, in the former at least, is very much akin to that of Westland pnhaki I and. Climatic conditions have to lie taken into account in conjunction with the soil. The encalypts make large demands on soil and moisture, and some will fail utterly if plenty of moisture is not available. All species ar? more or less susceptible 4 to saline winds, ami seldom make satisfactory growth near the sea coast unless sheltered from winds directlv off the sea. There is evidence of this in tho failure of the trees planted below the hospital grounds on the Arahura road, to make satisfactory growth or useful wood. Yet we know that trees which have been planted removed from the direct influence of salt breezes have done well about the town, and even a short distance inland, as for instance, Hau Flail Hill and Kelly’s Terrace. This should encourage local action in the matter, and there seems no doubt if a wise selection of species is made, the growing of the trees should prove very profitable. The species present a wide range of choice as regards durability. For strength and long Ufa there are several kinds enumerated in the booklet- which will supply most local needs. From another source we learn that the eucalyptus Macarthuri is regarded as very durable for piles and

fencing, but of inferior quality for tbo saw bench. At the same time there is also the disposition to crack. It is easy, however, to transplant. This I>artieular class grows well on rich moist land, and in good moist lands makes rapid growth, but in dry soils it is slow and branchy in habit. There are other classes which are quoted in the booklet a.s being suitable for practical purposes such as bridge and culvert building, but the. .satisfactory feature is that the afforestation of the cucalypts can be carried out profitably, and looking to the future should certainly be done in this territory. It is the timber which on the vliolc will give the most suitable results, in that there is now a demoud'for the hardwood, and as time goes on that demand will lie more intense. The native for* osts of Westland will of course last for several decades, but that is no reason why a serious beginning should not he made with a. class of treo most likely to meet the demand of the times, 'lhe profit- from such a plantation is very promising for the reason that the timber is of quick growth. There are cases where under congenial conditions, the tmcalypts have grown twenty foot in two years. That is a remarkable instance no doubt, but is indicative of the rapidity with which the timber will come to maturity, 'faking aM the circumstances into account there appears to be a. good deal of wisdom in tho suggestion to set about tbo afforestation of the eucalynls in Westland, and it is not too soon to make a beginning, in fact the sooner the better.