RENEWING NATIVE BUSH.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14883, 24 January 1914, Page 8

RENEWING NATIVE BUSH.

WORK AT MOUNT TORLESSE. A good example of the preservation of native bush is the very fine reserve belonging to the township of Geraldine. This bush has, however, always been 'kept in its natural state, and the undergrowth was never allowed ,to bo destroyed by stock. Probably the best example of what may be done in the way of enabling a piece of native bush, to recover after all but the large trees had been eaten' out or broken down by stock is to bo seen at Major P. H. Johnson's homestead, Mount Torlesso station, Springfield. The largo trees are almost wholly black birch, with a few black pines and broadleaf. Up to eight years ago stock had the free run of the bush until there was nothing whatever left but the large trees. Major Johnson then fenced in forty or fifty acres on the.flat just behind the homestead, and now there is quite, a transformation. The undergrowth is so thick that one can only go through the bush by tho pathways that are kept open. A great variety of young trees, vines, etc., have sprung un from seed that must have lain dormant in the soil for years. Many varieties even are not known to have been growing in the bush before. Here and there fhe native etrawberry plant covers the ground, though usually only isolated plants are to be seen in the back country. The examplo that Major Johnson has set in the preserving and renewing of the native bush is a highly. commendable one, and now that there is so little left in Canterbury, it is one that might well be followed by others who have still sotne bush left on their properties. It was this care and forethought that preserved Doans'e Bush at Iliccarton from destruction. On the lawn at Mount Torlesse homestead aro two handsome black nines, a male and a female tree. It fs probably unique to see this native timber tree kept for ornamental purposes, and their preservation in this case has added greatly to the appearance of the grounds.