The Lyttelton Times

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 363, 26 April 1856, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times

Saturday, April 26. DrjKTNG the earlier part of the present session of the Provincial Council, Mr. Hall brought before the house a set of resolutions in order to form the basis of an Act for encouraging the planting and growth of forest timber in this Province. Although we very much doubt the necessity for legislation on such matters, still we quite agree with Mr. Hall that the planting of timber would be a very great addition to the wealth and convenience of the occupiers of land. Experiments have been tried on a very small scale, which have confirmed our belief in the success of planting on a more extended plan. Blue gum trees are now growing in the Province which have astonished our European notions of quick growth. We believe these trees have been planted only four years. In another year their value as timber will be at least 6d each. An acre of land properly planted would give upwards of 2500 of such trees. Seven years from the date of planting, the grower might realise from his plantation by the sale of young trees, which would then require thinning, upwards of £50 per acre, reckoning the young poles to be worth about Gel to 9d each on the ground, each tree being large enough to make one post and rail. The old stumps would reproduce an immediate undergrowth not prejudicial to the remaining trees left to produce heavier timber. Thus a iorcst once established would produce a periodical fall of timber without having its reproductive value at nil impaired. The- blue and

red Gums are particularly tenacious of hie, arid, we hear from good authority, that young shoots will rise from the roots of trees that have been destroyed even by fire. This season of the year is particularly suited to the consideration of this subject. The best encouragement to enter into an enterprise is the expectation of a larre profit. It mus'.be obvious to those who have had an opportunity of considering the matter, that planting is much required and that it must be profitable. Therefore the sooner it is begun the better ; and those who commence earliest will have the greatest advantage, for in the planting of trees lost time can never be compensated by any possible process.