To Increase Production

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 10, 20 September 1929, Page 8

To Increase Production

Tree-Growing on Farms $ "YH may be aye stickin’ in a tree, Jock, it will be growin’ when ye’re sleepin’," was the text upon which Mr. R. G. Robimson, Superintendent of the," Selwyn Plantations Board, based very interesting "Talk to Farmers": from 8YA on forestry matters recently. Mr. Robinson proved himself a complete master of his subject, and discussed the merit of afforestation on a. big scale. The principal point of his address, however, was that even medium or small farmers can profitably use trees as a means of both beautifying and benefiting their homesteads. Many farmers have portions of land where sutface cultivation is either difficult or undesirable-steep hillsides, light or ‘shingly surfaces, gorse or broom infested land being easily convertible into timber belts. Farmers were advised not .to "put ‘all their eggs in one basket" by using only one species of tree, but, rather to include various soft and hard woods that would combine usefulness for fencing, shed-building, fuel, culverts, telephone poles, etc. These should not be associated indiscriminately in single plantation, but in small blo so that the fast-growing trees would not overpower the slower-growing ees, While certain pests had ‘particularly affected. gum. growing in Canterbury, it was hoped that the liberation of parasites recently: undertaken would have the effect of counteracting them and tnaking this tree a profitabié.speculation again in that district. Spring planting was recommended as being better than autumn planting.