STATE FOREST NURSERY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1928, Page 1

STATE FOREST NURSERY

EXCELLENT RESULTS OBTAINED. The State Forest Nursery at Back Creek is situated on a responsive soil and under the careful management and direction of Mr H. J. Screen, who is in charge, excellent results in tree planting are being obtained. Yesterday a visit was paid by some local citizens, and they were shown over the well cared for and well appointed grounds. The work at the plantation has progressed so far now, that, each successive year sees improving re-nil'. A great amount of experience as to the life and habits of the different kinds of trees is being stored, and a knowledge gained as to the more suitable trees lor the West Coast climate. There is a very considerable area included in the nursery plantation, about half of which is fallow, following special treatment by ploughing in oats and lupins to produce more humus in the ground. Iho planted areas have responded luxuriantly indicating a good strike generally, and the young trees are very healthy looking. Those planted from September onward are doing remarkably well, the line season being evidently a \eiy congenial period. The- trees of longer grow ill iiitd those in the second your lutve done well also, and it is an interesting experiment to note the growth within the period. Experiments have been carried out with various American and Japanese pines and the Australian euealxpti, and a great deal of intimate knowledge has been gained by a close study of the growth and habits ol the young trees. The difficulty in regard to transplanting some ot the pines will be obviated in the future by Die seed being soyn direct in the locality where it is intended to grow. Iliis will he it saving in labour, but chief of all ensures the future lift' ol the tree wilhou! imperilling its growth by interference witlt the tap root. In tlie study of the habits of the . habits of the trees, a good choice can now be made of those most suitable lor" differing soils and local conditions. A swamp tree is being cultivated which it has been found will flourish even in water, and Ibis should be useful in connect ion with sonic ot the Westland swamp lands. There are also trees suitable for bunch soils which will have a serviceable 1 ito also in assisting to stop sand drift . Eucalypti very suitable for polos, piles, and posts, are also being selected for planting out, willi special trees for fanners, suitable in providing posis and also firewood, Some of the young trees not considered suitable tor the Coast, will be exported to localities with higher inland altitudes where they will bo in more congenial condit ions. Time did not sultire for a visit to the plaining out ground along the Boss road, but better progress is being made in that (punter as a result of better selection, following the experience of previous years. The planting system has boon revised also as a result of knowlerge gained, and • •dvanlage accruing can be understiaid better a liure ii is stated that the sinces- siriko., in hist year’s planting of roughly halt a million voting trees, was 92 per cent. Ihe nursery this coming season will provide something like three-quarters of a million young trees for tlie local plantation on tlie Boss road, °n that it will be seen reafforestation wor.c is going abend very rapidly. •\t the nursery there are tour moil employed and a dozen at the plantation. Everything in anil about the nurserv is in excellent, order reflecting tlie fullest credit on the Manager" who is keenly interested in his work which lie is directing with the utmost zeal.