FORESTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1918, Page 2

FORESTRY.

OR. TREE-PUNTING AS APPLIED TO THE FARM. The following interesting and valuable address was given by Mr. B. Maxwell/of ItahctU, at New Plymouth,, on Friday,, in connection with the Winter Show: I have been asked to address you on tho subject of forestry as applied to tho farmer, and while I" am most willing to be of any assistance that I can, I confess that I feel I have a rather difficult task beforo mo in endeavoring to convey much information by means of a short address. However, I will do my best, in the hop® that at least my remarks may lead some of you to a desire for fuller information on such, an important subject The difference between planting for ornamental and shelter purposes and practical forestry has been aptly defined as "Tho art and practice of growing the largest quantity of the most valuable wood or timber upon the smallest area in tho, shortest time. That is an excellent definition, but I think it moy b® amended with advantage. You will note that that definition says "tho most valuable wood or timber." Well, that possibly was a sound, definition as applied to what I will here term Portly as "old-time forestry," but the conti'Uons have so changed—so greatly changed—in riTent years, with the- rapid depletion of vast natural supplies, the ever-increasing population, and most of all tho immensely extended purposes to which wood and wood products are now put. On these grounds I think the following definition which I take> the liberty of giving is tho more correct,, viz-., "The art "and practice'of growing the largest quantity of the most suitable kinds of wood or timber requisite to--supply* tho chief needs of the country or locality upon the smallest area of ground in tho shortest, time," r take thia opportunity of' endeavoring to Impress on all that the above embodies the true and essential- aim that should be tho guide of all forestry* operations in this country, whether •carried on by the State or by fanners, or others "Unfortunately the aim at tho- "most valuable" instead of the most rapid and suitable lias been, among- many causes, tho chief cause of not only great loss of money and: precious time, but has also- most Tegrottably been the-, chief •deterrent in. tree-planting. It will bfr my endeavor to-day to. try to remove the- greatest deterring cause, viz., the idea that trees for timber purposes- grow too slowly to bo- of practical service to their- planters, and to convince-you that many trees producla.? good and valuable timber can bo grown in an asfonfchinglyshort time. I would say, so rapidly that the old idea that tho man who plants is not performing a work that wilt profit himself, and thoso with, him, but only those who come after him, is-an, absurd idea. And even almost equally absurd is tho Idea that you must at least bfe young to hope to benefit, for I would go so far as to say that a man who has almost reached tho "allotted space" may justly have reasonable hopes of seeing practical and profitable; results from his planting. Presuming that my definition of practical forestry for these days is correct, then tho obvious. procedure of the intending plantee is to select and grow the trees that will thrive In his i locality and will produce the greatest bulk of I such quality of Umber as will reasonably meet his needs or those of his market in the shortest time. To assist you as far as I can in this direction Is what I desire, but unfortunately the timo available on such an occasion as this is quite inadequate for more than giving general Indications, for I must say a little as to the mßthod of raising seedlings,, trans-planting, and the system of planting and thinning most suitable for tree growing on the farm. But before entering on these and other details I will take the liberty of shortly referring to tho needs for, and advantages of, forestry generally, and the important part that planting on tho farm must play in any thorough scheme of afforestation. The covering of a large percentage of the total area of the country with forests or plantations fairly distributed throughout is requisite for tho insurance of equitable climatic conditions, conservation of water supply, distribution and retention of moisture, and the maintenance of the fertility of the soil. To many of us living in this country, which has hitherto,, since lis settlement, pursued a policy of ruthless devastation and destruction of its magnificent native forests, such a programme may seem an exaggeration, and a demand for an unreasonable proportion of the country to be given over to foerstry, but a little thought and knowledge of what Is dono in other countries will soon lead one to a right conception of the matter. Whilst there is not time here to enter on any discussion, I may just draw your attention to the fact that such a country as Germany, with its population of sixty-seven million, in an area of 208,830 square miles has 26 per cent., or just over a quarter of that area, in forest; New Zealand has a population of one million one hundred thousand—only one sixtieth of that of Germany—and its area is 1(14,350 square miles—or just one-half of that of Germany. M „ Now as to the advantages of local planting on the farm. First comes that of shelter—shelter of the home, for the stock, both from cold winds and from the heat in summer, and shelter for the pasture and soil from cold and drying winds. Next I will 1 mention tho beautifying of tho home, which, to my mind, ia tho most important of all. X tlunk no individual factor has a neater bearing in forming a lovo of home and country, and in tending to retard tile trend of population to the towns than hy making the home beautiful and pleasant by judicious planting. And last comes the practical utility in providing alt tiio needs of the farm in fuel, fencing, culvort and bridgo material, slabs, planks, palings. etc., for yards, pens and sheds, and the supplying of all such and milling timber to meet local needs. I have already indicated that tho chief deterrent to general afforestation and to local planting has been the erroneous idea that trees of value for timber are of slow growth, and, therefore, I will do what I can to remove that idea, by showing that there are trees which nvoduco timber suitable for all ordinary needs tlwt will grow with tho greatest rapidity. Success mostly depends on choosing the right kinds. Tho first thing to do Is to set out the reouirements in order of importance. For the farm they are much as I have already indicated, viz., fuel, fencing, splitting timher for pilings, slabs and planking, poles of nil sorts, including telephone and ease timber, building timber. Tho next thing is, what classes of trees will produce such timbers in tho shortest time? and, lastly, what particular kinds are likely to thrive best in tho locality.

The Kind of Trees. To meet Hie first four requirements, and the Inst, and nlso innny others such ns sleeners, piles, etc, nnd to do so in an astonishingly short time there in no class of tree .so proeminently suitable cs the sums (Eucalypti). Of there are inimimerahlo species and varieties —msinv hundreds —from which to choose. These hundreds afford a great range of sizes, hardiness or otherwise of growth, and qualities of timber. In size the gums rainre from giant trees over r.noft in height, rivalling the mamnmth trees of California, and of SO feet or more in dimeter, down to mere smth. Tn hardiness there is a Tange from such as will thrive well within the snow line to those which only thrive under humid and sub-tropical conditions --those that thrive in Scotland to those which mow with immense rapidity in the tropics. From those that, are generally found on poor, stnnv ridges and others growing in pure sand, to those that require humid, valley environment This <s a characteristic of all branches of the m.vrtie (Wvrtaeael family. As an instance. the gums. Angophoras. Ryncarplas, etc, of Australia, and the northern and southern lijtas, Pohutul-awas. Malrctawhakas and Manukas of New Zealand. Tor nrnctical pnrnos»s for the whole of New Zealand these hundreds can 1)0 reduced to a list of some forty Wnds, which list will afford ample choice for all the requirements named for any part of tho Dominion., I have a list hero of some fortr species, placed hi order of hardihood and tlio riite of growth and (Polities of efich nre indicated. Tho list Is available to such ns wish it., but I will not trouble you by Eolnpc through ?t now. and will confine my remarks to a few thoroughly Telinhle kinds that will ynoduce. under j ordinary conditions, nil tho reoinrements referred to in n very fow ycrrs. T will take'debt Icfnd?: -nnewhat m order of h'lrdibood. T pick them, not because I consider thfin the best cams, but because they are nlf hnrdv arc easilv raised, will thrive well undor ordinary conditions, throughout a wide wise of localities, prodnco fair to valuable timber, nid. above all, will do so in an amazingly short time. , _ y. Stuartiana. (the "nnnle-scented pnm ) It «s very bardv. transplant well, urowa freely under rouuh conditions, seldom produces more thnr. small Iwinehlels, not limbs; prows with lonp straight stems, with little taper; la most useful for raiK pr>les and many farmi purposes. but cannot, be relied on as durable m the ground. as onlv some varieties arc so. It Is a very rapid grower—in to IS feet by four Inches In three to four years Mine bave, under unfavorable condition"?, to ,vO feet, »tv 0 to Ift Inches, in 11 years. E Obliomi (S'rinjrvbnrk" of Tasmania, ot "Messmate" of Victoria —lt U from th'fl tree thot. the Hobart sbincles. oaiines and rails are snlit. Tt. is very hardy—far hard'er than Ibe • \>\wa Rum. Thouph not a verv aood transplanter, it grows marvellously under moat conditions. fiTows with a very straight sip.m, with lipht but. verv leafy seldom with heavy limbs, if planted reasonably dosely. The timber, though not. ranked amonpst the most dnrnble. is very valuaMe and suitable for nearly every purpose on the farm, and it crows in :t very' fow veaTS in'o a lnnrc, millnblo tree, producing timber suitable for nearly ovory purpose, Including hnildin**. except wheu RTeat strength nnd crreat durability are required. Its rate of growth is really marvellous. T hav* ,'ws hiph and over, by 12 or even it inches in diameter only in their ninth or ten'h year. I have measured trees over 80ft. high, I with a diameter of 19 to 31 inches, under 221 MM tfrfpit la

tho poorest, and will, in favored situations, such as in deep gullies, roach a height of nearly 300 feet by 14 to 10 feet in. diameter. Thia, liko many others of the sums, can be grown a groat number to tho aero. E. Amygdalina ("Peppermint")-—ls a very hardy lieu, easily raised from seed; ono of tho best transplanters. Grows in tho iworcst of soils, and grows to a great slzo ia decp gullies. It b a beautiful tree, in all stages of growth. Though all varieties of it cannot he Tolled upon for durability in the ground, the Blaclc Poppermint of Tasmania produces a valuable lasting timber, durable, when young, for fencing, etc. Tt is Jin excellent fuel, and very oasUy split, and is sullablo for general purposes. It jjtowb rapidly—:>fsft by joins, in eight years. E. Itegnaus (tho "Glnnt Gum"). —Is a tree of immense size. Specimens have been measured over 300 ft. in height;-, nnd others over 30ft. in diameter. This is tho rival of the giant trees of California. Tt is nn extremely, handsome tree; is enslly transplanted, and is a good doer, Out prefers low. moist situations. It is of very, rapid growth. Mine at 9 years are .up to .45 to 50 foot in height, by ten Jpchcs! I; ' •'' ' " "Mountain Ash".—ls a very fine free, growingto almost the dimentions of the Regjiaus. It Is allied to !ho stringybark (Obliqua). Ia hardy, nnc! suitnble for highfcr country; as its' natural hnbitat is in tho snow-clad uplands, H [produces timber of general value,..i?-light in I weight nnd color, strong, suitable for girder?,' j beams and bridgo' work, 'building /)nd joinery;'; janirt is very durable.'except underground. Tite j seed has high germinating qualities, and it | a very free natural self reproducer, i The yoim(T i trees grow perfectly straight, and in great deri- J ! sity. It would be profitable'to nlant-this tree, as close as about 5000 to the. acre;. Its growth is rapid. . .. These are all the gtiiris'thai t frili refer tbhere, hut they are: efficient' to 'vrovftte. yntt* with a choice, and-you will tho .der> scriptions and by the rates'of growth glveit' (which you can rely onV -that the Rowing of such gums will provide the farm with .practical-; ly all its needs in timber, and do ao .in a very, shOTt time —firing, poles and rails of" all sorts in five or six years; posta, etc.,'ln eight or nine; splitting timber a year or ftwo later-j. while sawing timber will be' available In about twenty. Most gums tvill re-grow rapidly from tho stump. Just here I would like to remark that tha well-laiown Blue Cum has been a ,t)ad frfendj to-the gum family, for it Is looked upon by maris* as The Gum, and it has given the; family, a bad reputation, for It is fastidious as to situation, not generally hardy, nuite useless when young, and very liable to blight. Though li rapid grower, it 1 snot a rapid grower of good timber. There are so many better gums that I would never include it in a list. Now fo rfbo other needs —case and light building timber. For these purposes- no tree: In the whole world can approach in rate of growth the Dnus Insienus (Radlata).—l look upon thoPinus Insignia as one of the mo9t, If not tho most, valuable trees there is. Not that , its timber si very durable, or of very fine quality*, but because the tree equdls, if not excels, any other In one quality, and far,. far excels all others in another quality, viz: For the first, it grows and thrives in ns great a Tange as any other tree, and a much greater range than any other fast-prowing tree. In New Zealand it wit! grow from the North Cape to tho BltjiT,, from the sea coast to the interior, from- the level, low land to the high, hilly country; in the poorest soil and in tho richest And, for the second. It far surpasses any other tree to its immense rapidity of growth. (To be continued.)'