THE BIG CROP.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 35, 12 June 1924, Page 2

THE BIG CROP.

SCIENCE OF FORESTRY. Growing the Tall Timber. Planting at Putaruru. Richly endowed originally with enormous areas of native timber—and very fine timber too—New Zealand in the past has generally regarded trees of imported varieties as virtually valueless except perhaps from the point of view of landscape beautification or shelter for farm stock. However, with the rapid exploitation <of the great wealth of native timber, for which the demand is getting ever greater rather than less, it has become evident that the end of these resources is approaching, though careful conservation may stave the day off foi* many years yet. Nevertheless , it well behoves the people of the country to now start making provision against that day, .and thus to New Zealand’s other prijmary industries has been added reIcently that of commercial afforestation, in which Afforestation, Ltd., can claim to be pioneers in the district. ON THE PROPERTY.

After. several months of preparation, the first 400 acres of this company’s 3GOO acres, at Putaruru, is now being planted in pinis insignis (or pinis radiata) trees. A visit to the scene of operations is decidedly interesting and instructive, especially if the visitor is' accompanied by the company’s chief forester, Mr. B. H. Goudie, M.Sc. Entering the property at the homestead end, about a mile from the Putaruru post office, it is seen that the first 100 acres or so, comprising fiat and undulating country falling • away to the Oraka Stream, is really being farmed, not used for tree-planting. In fact, here are some paddocks with a good sole of grass, while a big crop of soft turnips, another of autumn-sown oats, and a large extent of fallow land indicate that the plough has been busy here during the past few months. This piece is considered far too valuable for tree-planting. Crossing the Oraka, which is really a small river, a rough suspension bridge brings the visitor to the planters’ camp, comprising a wooden cookhouse and several comfortable tents on the flat bank of the stream in a sheltered glade. Here also are the week’s supply of seedling plants. In a bed about 15 feet square they look at a short distance like a heavy growth of vivid green moss in tiny waves. A close inspection shows them to be tiny pinis insignis plants. They are in bundles, the bundles being- in rows, the whole touching and making- a continuous mass of greenery, and comprising in all some 60,000 young trees. The forester explains that the seed from which these were grown was planted at the Rotorua State nurseries probably in October last. In January or February last they would be first “ wrenched'.” In other words, at each side of the seeding- beds, about 15 inches wide, spades were inserted and thrust under till they met. This cut the tap root and encouraged the growth of fibrous roots. This process was repeated cnce or twice again at intervals during the autumn, and then after the first winter frosts had further hardened the plants they were lifted, counted into bundles and the roots “ puddled.” This comprised dipping the roots into a thick mixture of wet mud and animal manure, of which they thereby received a protective covering. They were t-hen “ heeled in,” or in other wprds put down in beds as seen at the planters’ camp, until sent to the customer, who received them packed carefully in kerosene cases. Such a system is necessary where big numbers of plants, running into some millions as at the State nurseries, were handled. On receipt of the plants the customer usually heeled them in until planted.

Proceeding from the camp the visitor follows a natural gully leading up. into the high country which comprises much of the property. From a distance the property looks somewhat rugged but an inspection shows that there are natural road routes all through it, while the soil is largely a black loam—very rich looking—and the natural growth variates from lig-ht fern to very heavy tutu and fern. On the 400 acres now being planted this has been mostly burned off. This area is divided into blocks of 80 to 100 acres by roads and firebreaks about three-quarters of a chain wide. These are marked by plough furrows. Mr. Goudie explains that in burning the area, the roads, down which the timber will be brought in 20 years’ time or so when the “ crop comes to be harvested,” are mdfked out and then the firebreaks pegged out. The growth‘alongthe firebreaks is cut down and then burnt on its own. The areas can then be “burnt” without danger of the fire spreading beyond them. Follow-

ing (he burn a fresh growth of fern is already noticeable, and Mr. Goudie explains that this forms good shelter from the frosts for the seedling trees. However, it would not burn, and if the fires were allowed to spread beyond t-he areas to be planted the lollowing winter there would be a cumbersome growth of this new lorn, too green to burn, by the second winter. The firebreaks are mo. tly on the ridges, and their main object is to prevent any fires occurring in the forests later from spreading beyond the one block. They will be kept ploughed in future years to keep them clear of inflammable stuff. On a high point of the area now being- planted, overlooking the Rotorua railway, which skirts the property for five miles, are two seedling trees specially marked as having been planted by Messrs. Verc and Macklow, of Auckland, directors of the company, to commemorate the commencement of tree-planting operations there. PUTTING IN THE TREES. A gang of six men, under a foreman, are engaged in the plantingwork. The trees are planted Sft apart in rows that distance apart, making a total of 680 trees to the acre. The lines are indicated to the planters by flagged poles at each end and on any rise that might intervene. In cases where the burnt tutu or heavy fern intervenes the lines are cleared with a slasher.

The notch method of planting is used. The planter drives his spade in twice, making a right-angle cut (or, in other words, marks out half a -sod). With his spade still in the second cut he presses back the earth an inch or two, puts in the seedling tree, withdraws the* spade, and with a stamp of the foot firms the earth again, closing the cuts and leavingno mark that might attract a rabbit to scratch there. The whole operation is very quick and one man can Plant up to 1500 trees per day. At this rate the planting of the 400 acres will occupy about six weeks to two months. The company intends to plant 400 acres each year, harvesting a similar area each year as the trees come io maturity. Altogether this venture of timber cropping is one which has a peculiar Charm of its own, and it is no wonderyfhat other companies are foil owing- rt'Vte lead given by Afforestation, Ltd.,' some on a much larger scale, especially as the estimated profits -aie so big.