THE NECESSITY FOR FORESTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2409, 3 May 1900, Page 75

THE NECESSITY FOR FORESTING.

INTERVIEW WITH MR PETER BARR,

V.M.H.

Hearing that Mr Peter Barr, Victorian Medallist in Horticulture, who recently suggested some improvements in our city reserves interested himself greatly in the matter of forestry, a member of our reporting staff interviewed him with the view of ascertaining his views on the subject. Mr Barr, having mentioned that he had been in America, was' asked what was being done there in the way of foresting, and in replying said : " Twelve months' sojourn in the United States and the eastern parts of Canada convinced me that a timber famine was withir measurable distance owing to the reckJeps destruction of trees. The United States may at the present time be said to dejjend largely on Canada for their supply of timber ; and it may also be said that in Canada the forests on the St. Lawrence have been divested of their most valuable trees'; so that each year the woodman has to fall farther back for his supply of timber. When at Salt Lake City attending a forestry committee it was stated by one of the members that a load of lumber could not be obtained in that city, but had to be procured from a considerable distance. The inhabitants of Utah were beginning to feel the nscessity-for re-foresting and aforesting; and an agitation was commenced in the summer of 1898 with the object of getting their canyons planted with timber that would be suitable for general purposes. Nothing, however, was being done in the matter by the State. The agitation to jvhich I refer was simply one started by tlie people to bring pressure to bear upon the Government. It was felt generally throughout the United States that something was wrong, but all the influential portion of the community were bent upon money- making, and the politicians in filling their pockets. At Washington the Department of Agriculture were alive to the neces&ity of something being done in regard to the matter, but had taken no action. At Ithica, in connection with the Cornell University, a school of forestry — the first in the United States, — was commenced in the winter of 1898, and a large tract of land purchased for operating upon with the view of trainingforesters, and demonstrating what could be done in the way of planting an economic timber. At Ottawa experiments had been carried on for about 10 years touching the growth of trees, and as to what sort of trees should form a forest. The general conclusion arrived at was that a mixed forest would bo the most suitable; but no further action had been taken, so that it may safely be said that unless a school of forestry was established the Canadian Government were uselessly spending money."

Asked as to whether he had made any inquiries with regard to forestry in this colony, Mr Bftrr replied : "I have been very much pleased since my arrival in New Zealand to find that the New Zealand Government have taken action in regard to this important matter, and have now three nurseries' for the rearing of forest trees. It is to be hoped that the movement will be continued with increased energy, and more especially as the head forester is a man of zeal and possesses an extensive knowledge of the' trees suitable foi the production of timber. It is true that the result will not be seen for many years. At the same time the present generation are bound to provide for the coming generation. At the nursery at Rotorua, which I have carefully inspected, they are doing valuable work in the way of raising young trees, and in making preparations" for planting this_season. A large force of Maoris had been employed in preparing spots for the planting out of the young forest trees ; and no doubt during the present auttimn and winter many thousands will be put out. The tract of land at "Rotorua is very extensive, and the available land for raising seedlings is als ■) considerable, so that 10 years should show favourable results. I understand that experimental stations have been established to ascertain what trees will do best, therefore I do not expect after this preliminary knowledge is gained that there will be many failures ; and even if the present generation do not reap any profits from the forests, they will have the pleasure of seeing their charming country beautified."

In answer to a question as to whether there were any suggestions he would make for carrying on the work already begun in the colony, Mr Barr replied: "No further suggestions beyond urging the extension of the present operations and foresting and aforesting in the shortest possible time all the waste lands in the North and South Islands, not trespassing on the land capable of being used for the raising of crops or the rearing of cattle. I may, however, say that I was glad to learn that Mr Matthews was in no way hampered in his operations. And the Government have a right to feel that he, and he only, is responsible for the value of the work done in the planting of trees throughout the country."

In reply to other queries Mr Barr said this question of forestry was an all-important one. This had been recognised by the German Government, who were at the present time doing the best work in that way, and their forestry laws were of the most stringent character. He thcraght that ther^ ought to be very stringent laws here against forest fires, and qualified foresters ought to have charge of the forests. Schools of forestry ought also to be established throughout the British dominions where men could undergo a thorough training in all that appertains to forests, and their development and preservation. The destruction of timber during tho laat 50 years had been so great that if it wont on at the same rato without fresh forests being planted the result would be that theia would be a timber famino within 50 years, or. perhaps, j, muob. shorter j^eriqjjy