A FORESTRY SCHOOL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 April 1926, Page 8

A FORESTRY SCHOOL.

AN INTERESTING PERIOD. An interesting report on the work of the three-day Forestry School arranged for school inspectors and instructors commencing at the State Forest Reserve, Wkakarewarewa on April 7, was submitted to the Taranaki Education Board yesterday by the senior instructor in Agriculture, Mr. R. J. Eidling. Mr. Ridling, together with three instructors and two agricultural instructors of the district, attended the school, at which there were 'l'l visitors. The board received the report and decided to thank Mr. 11 idling ior his action fti advising the board concerning the school. The first day, said the report, was spent in examining various species ox trees planted for demonstration posses in the gounds, and a general dis mission ensued upon the suitability or various species for different parts of New Zealand. Demonstrations of the raising of trees under glass house conditions, and of planting in beds and in line were also given. J Very interesting instruction was given on Thursday upon the methods of nting under nursery conditions and in school nurseries, the demonstrator making the methods of planting re•ommended for schools most clear aim concise. Attention was also given, to the treatment of the seedlings from the time of germination to the time of lining out and eventually packing and despatch. The most interesting feature was the practice of wrenching in the seed beds to encourage fibrous root growth as against first pricking out and ultimately wrenching m line. The adoption of this will save a great deal of time in school work. The remainder of the period was devoted to an examination of the seed extraction plant and a motor drive through the plantations where demonstrations of the suitability of different methods of planting, the necessity of tliining after each five year period, and the gradual improvement of the soil fertility through the development of a forest floor were made. Before the class finally disbanded the following resolutions were _ passed to be forwarded to the Education De-

partmeiit: That in order to simplify the work of formation of nurseries and to increase efficiency, it is considered wise to reduce the number of species for any one school to four, being two eucalypts and two coniters. In special circumstances the number be increased on recommendation of the instructor Suitable species to be recommended by the State Forest Service and lists ”to be supplied to instructors. Selection of species for individual schools to be left to th© discretion of the inspectors. That special nursehies lie formed at selected schools at which refresher courses for teachers could he held by the instructors. Time spent by. teacher at such course to count for practical certificate in agriculture. That it is advisable to encourage the establishing of a school plantation when suitable land is procurable, such plantation to form- a school endowment. That the Education Board shall not apnrove of the formation of a plantation without a suitable guarantee for its upkeep. That the free gift of shelter trees to schools last year did much towards stimulating interest in forestry. It is considered that, in the best interests of the movement, such gifts he continued.