REFORESTATION PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 284, 1 December 1925, Page 9

REFORESTATION PROBLEMS.

AMERICANS ACTIVELT WORKING.

ECONOMY IN USE OF TIMBER.

Many years ago the Xew Zealand Government, in order to encourage the planting of trees, set apart Arbour Day for that purpose. The Government has also done a lot in the direction of tree planting, but of late years public attention has been directed to the formation of companies for the purpose of growing timber for future generations. In America the work of timber planting trees has been undertaken on extensive lines within the last few years. This is stated to be largely due to the activities of what are termed "The friends of tho forest." An article appears in the October number of the "Timber Man" by C. M. Granger, of the United States Forest Service, which states that the extent of public interest in forestry is astonishing. Conventions of all sorts are giving forest conservation a place Iv the programmes. State after Stafc is being added to the list of commonwealths with a forest programme and organisation to look after it. New agencies are actively promoting propaganda favouring some phase of forest conservation. Mr. Granger writes: "Th* public obviously wants forestry and all that it implies, but does not usually know how to set about getting it. There is urgent need for directing public support to definite local programmes under local leadership. Herein lies a most promising opportunity for business men, whose experience' and insight gives them a practical grasp of what should be done."

The article points out that forestry is no longer an activity of national and State Governments, hut is becoming more and more a movement actively participated ill by private agencies anil land owners, it is resolving itself into a land use problem which directly or indirectly affects the common welfare in numerous vital ways. Mr. Granger emphasises the fact that the forest farm must he kept under crop, just as continuously as the fruit orchnrds. the cotton, and the grain land. Much thought is now being given ill America to the danger of a timber famine and the need for reforestation. Mr. Granger adds a few words of caution, namely, that at times aspersions are cast on the motives of some concern that has announced a reforestation programme. He writes, "I prefer to have faith in these programmes, but it is my conviction that any false moves will react to the great disadvantage of the proponent."

Mr. Granger also refers to the national movement for economy in the use of what timber is left. He claims that by saving waste in utilisation, the drag upon the national wood supply in America can be reduced by ope-fourth.