Afforestation.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 7, 1 March 1919, Page 460

Afforestation.

Departmental Officer’s Views. Before the Science Congress recently held at Christchurch, Mr W. G. Morrison, of the State Forestry Department, Hanrner Springs, read a paper on ‘Natural Afforestation in the Mountain Area of New Zealand.” He. said that up to the present time the planting of trees on a large scale in New Zealand had been confined mainly to an altitude of considerably less than 2500 feet, and no effort had been made to establish forests according to the methods of nature, namely, by naturally-sown seeds from small groups of trees, or even from isolated individuals. He said there was no doubt as to the best method of conducting afforestation. In the science of foresty, more than in any other science, long views were necessary as the final harvest was not reaped for many years after the sowing, perhaps not for forty, fifty, sixty, or even a hundred years, but the returns were rich, and no more profitable proposition could be undertaken by the State.

He suggested that to meet the conditions of the scheme a clause' ight be inserted in any lease covering high country reserving the right of the State to plant trees, for natural regenration purposes over all areas at altitudes of 3000 feet or 3500 feet and over. It was fairly certain that that would not interfere with profitable pastoral country. The scheme certainly recommended itself on the ground of economy, combined with efficiency.

Moses proclaimed only ten commandments as against President "Wilson’s fourteen, but then Moses didn’t have the Germans to deal with.