C.—IB

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APPENDIX I.—REPORT ON FORESTRY CONFERENCE IN SCOTLAND AND TOUR THROUGH AMERICA AND EUROPE. [By it. C. Robinson, Superintending Nurseryman for the South Island.] • Sir, — Tapanui, 11th November, .1914. I have the honour to present herewith a light review of investigations made with regard to forestry work carried on in the British Isles, America, Hawaii Islands, and part of France. The recording in this report of minute details and elaborate statistics is probably uncalled-for, although every effort has been made to disclose briefly and practically typical methods adopted elsewhere, sufficiently full to permit of a reasonable comparison being made of New Zealand measures with those of the countries visited. Should further information relative to any of the subjects discussed be required, it would be an easy matter, on reference to my notes, to submit a more lengthy contribution. It was quite impossible, however, to adhere to the excellent itinerary of travel, embracing Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, &c, kindly arranged for me by Professor Story, Mr. Forbes, and other experts, owing to the unfortunate outbreak of war, and, in fact, my position in southern France at one time was not an enviable one, particularly as travellers' cheques became temporarily worthless, and permission to sojourn in Bordeaux, and subsequent securing of passports to return to England became a somewhat difficult matter. There can be no doubt, however, that, notwithstanding the curtailment of the anticipated tour, much education in forestry matters generally has been gained, not only through the agency of personal inspections of nurseries, forests, and institutions, but by having come into contact and discussed forestry problems with many of the world's leading practical and scientific foresters, who have treated your representative with the utmost kindness and consideration. During the excitement occasioned by the thronging of the railway-carriages by French soldiers on their way to the front one of 1113' small packages, containing, among other possessions, many valuable forestry notes and photographs, was unfortunately lost, and has thus prohibited the use of illustrative work to some extent in this document. Itinerary of Travel. I left Auckland on the Bth May, and on arrival at Fiji inspected the Government Experimental Farm, which is devoted almost entirely to the cultivation of tropical plants and crops. The visit proved to be an educational treat, through the courtesy of the Director, although the existing conditions make the introduction of Fijian systems into New Zealand impracticable. On the 20th May we reached Honolulu, where much valuable work is being done by the Forestry Department, whose functions include the preservation of native forests, raising forest and ornamental trees for State planting and distribution to public bodies. Vancouver was reached on the 27th May, and, after interviewing Mr. McKay, District Forester, visits were made to Stanley National Park and the magnificent natural forests surrounding. At Victoria, 8.C., two days later much information was tendered by several experts relative to forestry work by the State, and it would appear that the conservation of existing forests and regeneration of the most desirable woods receive special attention at the present moment. Special visits to forests in British Columbia were made before returning to Vancouver on the 30th May, when I visited the large .Royal nurseries, and left via the Rocky Mountains for Medicine Hat, a rising town on the prairies. Inquiries were made into the raising and subsequent planting-out of trees in this very arid locality, but bej-ond the establishment of a huge glasshouse (costing £13,000, extending over 4 acres) for propagating purposes, and ornamental planting out of Populus balsamifera and Acer negundo in parks and avenues, and a heating system by natural gas, nothing very interesting was seen, nor did the working ideas appear to be worthy of introduction into Central Otago. Indian Head and Regina were visited on the 3rd June. At Indian Head the largest State nursery in Canada is situated, and nearly the whole day was spent in company with Mr. Ross, Superintendent of the Tree-planting Division, in inspecting the nursery, associated trial plantations, and seed-extracting house. The local experimental farm, under separate management, also provided much instruction. Continuing the journey across Canada it was thought desirable to make a stoppage at Winnipeg, where every assistance was given me by Professors Jackson and Lees to grasp the routine of forestry education provided by the modern University there. Chicago was reached on the 6th June, and educational institutions, museums, and parks were visited, after which Lake Michigan was crossed, and the scenic wonders of Niagara Falls and surrounding forests occupied two days before steaming over Lake Ontario to Toronto, which was reached on the 9th June. Toronto is the centre of forestry education for Canada. Mr. J. White (editor of Forestry Quarterly), Dr. Howe (botanist), Mr. Zavittz (Superintendent of Forests), and others spent nearly the whole day with me at the University and parks, detailing systems adopted. Dr. Fernow is the head of the forestry branch....of.. study, but, unfortunately, this gentleman was absent on an extended tour. On the 11th June I reached Ottawa, and, under the' guidance of Mr. R. H. Campbell (Director of Forests for Canada) and Messrs. Lewis and Morton (Consulting Foresters), inspected modern sawmills, paper-pulp mills, match-factories, paper-mills, large experimental farms, trial forest plots, &c, and, in addition, was made conversant regarding the recording methods at the office of the Department of Forests. In journeying from Ottawa to New York it was necessary to remain for a day at Buffalo. In New York (I.3th June) and surrounding district much of