SKILLED PROFESSION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 532, 16 May 1933, Page 2

SKILLED PROFESSION

CALLING OF FORESTBY LAIJDED BY NELSON MAN. The public, it is complained, notice only the two ends of f orestry the planting of a tree, and the cutting of it 'down. But as timher is a deferred crop, there is a long and vital period hetween the planting and th'e cuttipg — a. period of many years during* which skffled forestry (and therefore the skilled forester) is essential. Public opinion should he informed as to the value of the forester's seryices, I not merely at the tree ,s h eg inning , I not merely at its end, hut all the time. i The above summarises one qf th'e main themes of the presidential address delivered at the annqal meeting of the Institute of Forestry hy Mr. F* j W. Foster, Conservator of State Forests at Nelson. "The greater part of a forester's time," he said, "should be taken np in the protection, tepdjng and manageipent of the forest under his care. His job is to assist trees in their growth— the growing of trees as distinguished from stickjng small trees into the ground and cutting large ones down." There was a large attendance of members and considerable discussion. One of the main points at issue is whether it is wise to spend big sums on tree-plahting, and then cut. dowq the expenditure on maintenance, care and skilled supervision, endangering the wbole investment. Is it wise tp plant many trees and give little care l to their growth, or to plant less trees [ and giye jnpre care to their growth? i Ohviously, this question affeets the : livelihood of the skilled foresters that L are Tbeing trained and certiffed by l the School of Forestry, and talso afr > fects the protection of forest assets » (exotic and native) worth many mil- ? lipns. Is the forester worthy of his , hire?, I ■ ■