TREE-BREEDING EXPERT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29671, 15 November 1961, Page 4

TREE-BREEDING EXPERT

Visitor From Japan

About 50,000 acres of forest a year was being planted in Japan, said Mr N. Seine, a forestry research expert from Japan, yesterday. Mr Seine works at a Japanese Government tree-txreeding station on the northern island of Hokkaido. He is in New Zealand to study the methods used by tbe New Zealand Forest Service.

hi tbe next two days he wiH visit Hanmer Springs, where he will inspect the Hktxner and Balmoral forests, ata the Eyrewell forest. Mr Seine speaks very little and conversation with him is conducted mainly by writing notes, as he had a good grasp of written English. When a reporter asked him in writing what wm the most common type of tree in Japan, he received a Hat of about 12 species, all described by tibear bofoniciil dboms. Mr Setno said that his main work at the Hokkaido island station was the improvement of trees by tbe study of their breeding. About 70 per eent. of Japan’s total area was under forest, and wood played an important part in tbe economy. It was mainly used for building, the manufacture of plywood and the manufacture of wood Sei no. who is the first! tree-breeding expert from Japan to visit New Zealand, visited Rotorua and Kawerau before coming to Christcfacwch. He has been in New Zeaiaod since November 8 and win leave for Japan by way of Australia on Friday.