FORESTRY IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17986, 1 February 1924, Page 7

FORESTRY IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

COMBATING THE PESTS. EXTENSIVE AREAS PLANTED. "I understand that New Zealand claims to bo free from hardwood pests, but. personally I consider this is a very open question," stated Mr P. J. Drew, chief inspector to tho New South "Wales Forestry Commission, when in conversation with a ".Manawatji Daily Times" reporter on tho question of forestry in both New South Wales and tho Dominion. ! "Forestry in New South Wales is progressing rnpidlv," said Mr Drew, "mid under the present administration sylvi-culture is given a prominent place in forestry practice. Improvements to existing forests are proceeding apace under a well-thought-o;ut. system and working plans adopted by the Commission. Special attention has been paid to the growing of pinus insignis, and, in f;:et, the pine of alt species, and a great measure of success is attending the efforts of the authorities in this respect. "Some years ago tho Commission adopted tho New Zealand policy of utilising prison labour in the plantations, and a colony was established at Cape Hawke, and the planting of pinfes on poor, sandy soil was commenced. Tho result of this experiment has been very satisfactory, and the scheme is progressing well." Trouble with Posts. In. speaking on tho question of pests, Mr Drew said that New South Wales, like other Australian States, was troubled to a certain extent with various classes of timber pests — generally the borer in- its different varieties. As far as he could see, it wr« quiit© an iopen q;rVsl!i.on as to whether the Dominion was free from pests, as was claimed by seme of tho authorities, for, according t6 reports, pests. wero prevalent here as well as on. the other side.

The chief trouble as far as NewSouth Wales timber was concerned, was the powder, post beetle—lyctus brunneus —but this pest confined its depredations principally to sapwoods, and in no case had it been known to penetrate into tho heart of the tiniber. Practical measures were at the present time being taken to eradicate these pests, and with this object in view, ,the Commission had recently established an entomological branch, and had secured the services ' of Mr Walter Froggatt, who was a. recognised authority on the question, and who would go thoroughly into the matter. It was hoped that, as a result of his investigations, a workable scheme would be available whereby the Commission could combat the pests.

"We are looking forward," Mr Drew said, "to reading in the near future, of new forests, large and flourishing, and free from - all boring organisms, whether grubs or beetles." Mr Drew considered that the application of creosote was the only effective measure for the preservation 'of poles which were susceptible to pests. .Mr Drew mentioned the endeavours which are being made by the autho"rities in the Dominion to prevent the importation of round timber such as piles, poles, and logs with the bark on, and commended the policy as a progressive one, declaring that if the bark were broken in transit there was nothing to prevent the entrance of any insect that may desire to harbour beneath it. He pointed out, however, that in the case of turpentine piles, which were used extensively in Sydney harbour, the bark was left intact, the virtue obtained being that a layer of resin between the bark and the sap provided a great obstacle to the entrance of the teredo. Apart from this fact altogether, the timber referred to was the best pest-resisting timber in teredoinfested waters. It was now being proved that it was not necessary to have the bhrk intact, as was proved by the effect on the coastal vessels in N.S.W.. Some hardwoods, such as spotted gum, were invariably sheathed in strong turpentine, and this had been, found to Be effective in ' preventing the inroads" of the teredo navalis.

The powder' post beetle would not opc-rate in*green timber, and they .generally made their presence known from eight to ten months ".'after the timber had been sawn; This was attributable to the fr'.ct that they could not live in sap. This insect was similar to tho white pine borer, of which there was 'plenty in New South Wales.