FOREST GRADE TREES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20678, 25 September 1930, Page 14

FOREST GRADE TREES.

SALE BY THE STATE. NURSERYMEN'S CLAIMS. Replying to recent statements concerning tho prices of Stale forest grade trees and thoso grown in private nurseries, Jlr. G. A. Green, Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Horticultural Trades' Association, staled yesterday that private forest nurseries were supplying forest grade trees at the same price as the State for similar varieties and grades, and on similar terms. Jn this connection several matters had to be considered, Mr. Green said. First, the Stale would supply trees only on a cash with order basis; second, private nurseries supplied only at Slate rates for cash with order; third, it was the exception for tho purchaser from private nurseries to send his cash with the order: fourth, grading was another important matter always to be considered. The average number of two-year-old trees grown to an acre varied, as follows: — Forest grade, up to 150,000; nursery grade, 25.0C0 to 35,000. This indicated a great difference in t lie cost of production, and therefore in price "also. "As with other things, it is a question of tho cost of production," Mr. Green said. "Many planters want larger trees a rid are prepared to pay (lie value for them, while others want the smaller frees at the lower price for cash'. If the farmer wants forest grade trees, the private nurseries can and will supply at State prices and in any quantity. 1 have not had one application for trees from or through arty farmers' organisation, but I have had intimation from private nurseries in both islands that there were hundreds of thousands of forest grade trees still'offering at the end of August at State prices and on Slate terms." Mr. Green said that apart, altogether from the association's undertaking to supply forest grade trees at State forest prires, the association was not a close rorporation. The law of supply and demand could surely be relied upon to keep prices at a reasonable level, commensurate with the grade of tree supplied and whether supplied for cash or on credit terms.