Continuous Forest Production.

Progress, Volume XVI, Issue 3, 1 November 1920, Page 66

Continuous Forest Production.

In the Forest Club Annual of the University of Washington, Associate-Professor of Forestry Burt P. Kirkland writes:—

“-There is a grossly mistaken idea that forestry is a matter to be considered after the forests are cut.' To do so is to lock the stable door after the horse is stolen. Practical forestry always starts while you have the forest, as the cost is then insignificant and such as there is is discharged by the continued sale of the mature timber.

“ Another mistaken idea is that a supply of timber sufficient to last for several years makes worry unnecessary about prices. As a matter of fact, prices rise as soon as the holders of the supply are able

to control the price situation. We have arrived at that stage in the lumber industry. We are paying from 10 dollars to 20 dollars more per M. to-day for lumber here because the exhaustion of eastern forests has thrown an unprecedented demand upon our lumber industry. In the past our fruit and other industries have, on account of our abundant forest supplies, been able to secure package material at such favourable prices as compared with the east as to go far toward paying the freight differential. This advantage will disappear long before our forests if we continue our present heedless policy, if, indeed, it has not disappeared already. I know of no graver handicap to the industries of the State than a restriction of forest supplies. As such restriction can easily be avoided by intelligent action now, seemingly it should be possible to enlist the support of the influential persons in all industries toward a constructive programme.

“ In my judgment there is nothing more important that your organisations can do or the immediate and permanent good of every industry in this State than two things;—

(1) See that the forests on non-agricultural lands in your section are put on a continuous yield basis as soon as possible. This means immediate action in order that while the remaining old timber is being cut, the large areas of immature timber already existing may be protected and brought to maturity to furnish a cut succeeding the present cutting. Following all cutting, except on agricultural land, new stands must be established and protected as a final step to insure continuous supplies of this essential raw material needed by every industry in the State, and in keen demand for domestic and foreign trade outside the State.

(2) With your permanent supply of raw material assured, you can proceed confidently to the securing of industries which make higher grade, utilisation of forest material than we yet have, industries with plants too expensive to be established except where the raw material supply is permanent, but which when established employ more labour and capital to work up a given amount of forest raw material and turn out a more valuable product, bringing far larger returns to your communities. 1 refer to such industries as pulp and paper, ethyl alcohol, wood distillation, artificial silk, etc., as well as industries using wood in its original form in woodenware, furniture, brushes, toys, etc. Most of your communities also need permanent plants manuacturing fruit and other packages needed, as shipping containers, for products of your industries. You, of course, also need to retain the local sawmill to furnish materials for building and other structural purposes. Outside this need the sawmill which destroys so much raw material for so little value in product can scarcely be considered an asset, unless used as an adjunct to other industries.

“ I am not advocating continuous forest production as a sentimental proposition, or as a preservative of our scenery, although as a result of it all

our rural land will be utilised either in farm or forest instead of a large part in unsightly waste, as now. This will maintain the entire region at its maximum possibilities of rural beauty, and no part of the country can equal us in this respect. My appeal, however, is purely and simply on a hardheaded business basis. Look over the industries in your community and see which does not use wood in large quantities, and you will see the importance of maintaining a full supply of this raw material. “ We have for some time had in mind presenting this matter to commercial and other organisations throughout the State. Should any of you so desire, we shall be glad to send a representative of our department to meet any of your organisations in your home communities to discuss this matter in more detail. .

Continuous forest production, of course, is, or should be, the aim of all forestry practice, but it is surprising how little this fact is appreciated, not only by the public, but unfortunately also by many of the officers engaged in forestry work. It is not long since in Australia—and it still holds, in fact, in the minds of many—that it was considered the main duty of the Forester, as regards sylvicultural practice, to go into the forest after the licensees and timber exploiters had done their work as it best suited them. The forest officer then proceeded to “ clean up,” to establish reproduction and to close the area indefinitely while the next crop is growing, the forest in the meantime being neither a source of revenue nor a support of industry, but a burden on the exchequer which can ill be afforded. This is not forestry, which, if it is to be effective and to result in the chief aim, namely, continuous forest production, must commence before the forest has the axe put into it and must continue thereafter.

The chief difficulties with the users of the forest in Australia have arisen through lack of appreciation of this fundamental principle of forest management, for its application means, of course, that the forester must control the work in the forest. In countries more advanced in forestry practice, the control of the forester is accepted without question, but in Australia the lesson has unfortunately-still to be learned.