NATURE—AND MAN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11949, 20 May 1933, Page 12

NATURE—AND MAN

TREES FOR WELFARE

PLANTING SEASON BEGINS

(Edited by Leo Euuniug)

How closely comes that phrase “Tree of Life” to the welfare of humanity! That truth is well recognised in Portugal where the wayfarer sees this prominent, notiiicc. i-d who pass by and would raise your hand against me, hearken ere you harm me. I am the beat ot youi hearth on tho cold winter nigts, the friendly shade screening you, from the summer sun, and my fruits arc refreshing draughts quenching your thirst as you journey oil. I am. the beam that bolds your, bouse, the board of your table, the bed on which you lie, and tho timber that builds your boat. I am the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead, the Wood of your cradle, and the shell of your coffin. I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty. Ye iwlio pass by listen to my prayer: Harm me nob.”

FATAL FOLLY IN MANY COUNTRIES.

In a review of man’s shortsighted blunders against his own living, Sir Ray Lankester remarks : “lb is in culling down and burning forests of large trees that man has done tho most harm to himself, and the other living occupants of many regions of the earth’s surface. We cau trace these evil results from more recent examples back into remote past, iln fact, whether it is due to man’s improvident action or to natural climatic change, it appears that the forma .ion of ‘desert’ is due in the first place to tho destruction of forest thc consequent formation of a barren, sandy area, and the subsequent spreading of what we may call the ‘desert ulcer’, by the blowing of the fatally exposed sand and the gradual extension, owing to the action of the sand itself, of the area of destroyed vegetation. Sand-deserts are not, as used to lie supposed, sea-bottoms from which the water retreated, but areas of destruction of vegetation—loften. (though not always) both in ■Central Asia- and in North Africa (Efeypt, etc.), started by the deliberate destruction of forest by man, who has cither by -artificial drainage starved the forest, or by the simple use of the axe and fire cleared it away.” New Zealand ha-s suffered much from that kind of folly, and will suffer if the people fm‘l ro develop a selfprotective forest-sense. They must become tree-minded but- not iwoodenheaded. for the benefit of themsehes and their children.

SWITZERLAND IS WIDE AWAKE.

In a well-reasoned, far-seeing review, under tho heading “The Partnership of Wood and Water,” Dr. Huns Burger, of the Swiss Forest Institute, shows how Switzerland is working on a sane forest policy which gives a much-needed lesson to New Zealand. “The Swiss nation.” the expert says, “has realised the importance of protecting its forests. A law adopted by a popular vote, demands that the wooded areas of Switzerland never bo diminished'. Iu the protection forests of the Alps the private proprietor cannot- fell a tree without the permission of the forest superintendent. As a- compensation for this reduction in the rights of possession tho State subscribes large sums to the building of roads uud to afforestation in the protection forest districts.”

PLANT WITH BRAINH. When a student- asked the great English painter, John Qpie, ho.w te mixed his paints, the reply was: “with brains.” That answer c3u apply to a wide range of human affairs, including the planting of trees and shrubs. It must be remembered that a young tree or shrub which has been lifted from a nursery for transplanting may he regarded as a patic-nt suffering more or less from an operation. -Some of the root -system has been checked, and tho young thing must he treated considerately when it is -being platted in its new home. The ground should ho carefully prepared, the roots must be spread out, and firmly fixed in their new abode by stcadv pressure of earth upon them. The mention, is a reminder of the saying that persons ivith large feet should be successful tree-planters if their feet are actuated by -brains. Now that autumn rains have given the grounds a good soaking in many parts of New Zealand, lovers of trees and birds should undertake some planting—'preferably native trees and sbrubs which will provide nectar or berries for tho birds.

SHANGHAIS OF PITILESS BOYS An Akaroa correspondent, complaining about tho barbarous use of shanghais by small boys against white-eyes, has asked AAhcther these birds are protected by law. Unfortunately they are not totally protected, but they desorvo to be, except, porbapS, in vineyards when tlio grapes aro ripe. Strictly speaking, ‘ white-eyes are not natiyp birds. It is commonly belie vod’that dliev arc Australian migrants, which reached Now ) Zealand in about the' middle -of last, century, Tliey were first observed' in the.southwest of Otago, and gradually, spread northward until they . hccamo,numerous in many districts of- tlio North and South Islands: In flip Aviuter of 1556 largo numbers of tli birds visited gardens of Wellington prOA'ince, and made such a> strong , attack on tho 'woolly-aphis of. apple trees'that they -received tho.name (‘blight bird.- •: These busy, enemies of injects . and •other pests of- gardens and orchards may take a little fruit, but surely, this comparatively light'toll can bo regarded as'wages- lor ' very... valuable •'services. A-boy. who pel7jeGiP.es. -the idainty,'friendly little urgent' need of- some, civihsmg influ r once. IP moral-suasion .is. effective" a fair measure of corporal, punishment, would, he hare justice from the -white-eyes’viewpoint. . , .

MONUMENT TO SEA-GULLS Ef. f UTAH, j >

When the Latter-day Saints ( (known as Mormons) of Utah, U.S.A., were expecting a good harvest in ' 1848, they were dismayed by the arrival of hordes-of locusts among the young crops. Tlie whole population—with all manner of tools and fire—-fought in vain against the devouring enemy which threatened complete destruction of the vegetation. Then suddenly came help from the air. Great flocks of seagulls swooped upon the insects, and thoroughly checked the raid. The birds gave’ similar saving service in the two following years, and sc/ well earned the gratitude of the Mormons that a law was passed for the protection of scurgulls, and a monument "was set up in their honour. at a cost- of 12,000 dollars. Bronze tablets on each or three sides of the base depict phases of the cricket plague, and a representation of . the birds alighting in the fields is made on top of. the shaft. The fourth side has a brief inscription—a tribute to tlic birds’ service to the State.. On a smaller scale seagulls work for farmers in various districts or New Zealand. They follow tho plough and eagerly eat harmful grubs.