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polished it bears a considerable resemblance to plain mahogany." In order to thoroughly test the question as to the rapidity of regeneration in the various classes of beech forest, we recommend that the Government cause to be made at an early date an expert survey of the beech forest; such a survey would settle not only the question of profitable regeneration, but the state of the trees with regard to disease would be determined. This latter is a matter of much moment, since it is highly probable that much of the contradictory evidence regarding the durability of the timber has arisen through diseased trees having been converted. As a part of the proposed survey of the beech forest, the timber of the different species could be tested in several directions. Regarding the popular names of the various species of New Zealand beech there is the greatest confusion. In the first place, the incorrect term " birch " is of almost universal application throughout the Dominion, and under this head are included not only the beeches proper (Fagus*), but also the tawhero or kamahi (Weinmannia racemosa), the tawhiri , (Pittosporum tenuifolium), the tipau (Myrsine Urvillei), and putaputawheta (Carpodetus serratus). This grouping together of absolutely different timbers under the one name " birch " is bad enough, but it is a small matter compared with the fact that each species of beech (Fagus) bears a different name in different districts. Thus Fagus fusca is known as " red-birch " in Wellington and as " black-birch " in Westland, in which district " red-birch " is the kamahi, while " black-birch " is Fagus solandri in Canterbury. So, too, Fagus Menziesii, the species esteemed for furniture, is " brown-birch " in Southland and " silver-birch " in Wellington, while it is called in some places " white-birch " and " red-birch." It is plain that such confusion of names must lead to endless mistakes in regard to the proper timber being supplied, and that much monetary loss might accrue thereby. We therefore consider that the Government should issue an illustrated pamphlet on the value of the different beech timbers in which definite names are applied to the different species. We propose that the misleading term " birch "be abandoned, and that the name " red-beech," " black-beech," and " silver-beech " be applied to Fagus fusca, F. Solandri, and F. Menziesii respectively. These names should be alone used in the publications, advertisements, and tenders of all Government departments. 4. as to whether or not, in view of the large and increasing demand for White-pine Timber in Connection with the Butter Industry, the Exportation thereof should be wholly or partially prohibited. In order to deal satisfactorily with the above important subject, the matter must be approached from several points of view, two of the most important being a consideration of the value of land for farming purposes on which the white-pine grows, and whether it be feasible to find another timber suitable for butter-boxes, and, we may add, cheese-crates, when the supply of the above timber is exhausted. The white-pine, or kahikatea (Podocarpus dacrydioides), either forms pure forests of that tree alone on low-lying swampy ground so far as tall trees are concerned, or grows in much lesser quantity mixed here and there with the other trees of a New Zealand pine forest. In the pure white-pine forest the yield may occasionally exceed 80,000 superficial feet per acre, though it is generally less than half that amount. In the mixed forest the number of whitepine trees varies greatly, but the yield is almost invariably less than that of the rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum), with which it is associated. As is well known, the soil of the white-pine swamps, when drained and the trees removed, forms the richest of agricultural land, which when grassed is of extreme value for dairy farms. The mixed forest, too, where the whitepine is a subordinate tree, is frequently situated on good agricultural land.

* We are using the generic name Fagus as it is the one in common use in New Zealand rather than the correct name Nothofngus,

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