The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1886. PLANTATIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1359, 1 October 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1886. PLANTATIONS.

From the important part forests play in the economy of Nature it was in the highest degree necessary that, as settlement progressed plantations should be established on the treeless Canterbury plains. The Canterbury Plantation Board has accomplished a great deal towards the furtherance of this useful work, and settlers generally, have done their share. Of course, at the outset, the main desideratum in the trees selected was that they should be of a fairly hardy, rapid-growing species, and therefore Pinus Insignis and similar conifers received the preference. We think a mistake was made in so largely growing these trees, which, though excellent for shelter purposes, are good for little else. And within the last year or two they have been subjected to the attacks of a blight to which we believe they invariably succumb. This pest made its first appearance in the colony at the extreme south of this island a few years ago and it has ever since been gradually working its way northwards, and, till some means of checking its ravages are discovered, it is obviously useless to continue planting insignis, Austriaca, Scotch fir, and the one or two other pines liable to its ravages. We believe that the Plantation Board during the past season decided that in future it would not plant trees disposed to this blight, and it would be as well if private landowners would act likewise. Though it is now too late for anything to be accomplished this season, we would -point out the desirableness of greater care being exercised in the selection of trees for planting in future years, and that their value as timber producers should be taken into consideration. Cupressus Macrocarpa is a species which is deserving of more attention than it has hitherto received. This tree is used largely throughout the colony for hedges, but it is also a valuable timber tree. It is a handsome, rapid grower, and that it would thrive excellently here is evidenced by the fine plantation at Westerfield which was laid down by the late Mr Reid a few years ago. Larch, which, next to the oak, is probably the most valuable timber tree of Great Britain and certainly the most useful, and also the Norway and the American spruce and abies Donglasiiandtnenziessii mA others might enter largely into the composition of plantations. There aremany other varieties of trees which our soil and climaie would suit and when the proper time arrives we propose devoting a portion of our space to a description of these, for we consider that a little careful selection exercised now will result in a substantial benefit to this part of the colony a few years hence.