PLANTING FOR SHELTER
Sir John Hall, K.C.M.G. Agricultural Conference, 1898
When requested to read to this Conference a paper on Planting, I said at once that on the general question of planting for the supply of timber and for climatic purposes, I could not undertake to speak, both because it should be treated of by a Forest expert, or at least by someone who has given closer attention to it than I have, and also because nothing like justice could be done to it in the very short time in which the Conference can probably allot to the question. I by no means undervalue the importance of replacing for our successors in New Zealand the supply of useful timber which we are now so rapidly destroying, or even of planting for ornamental purposes, and feel strongly that both should receive every encouragement. I have even planted a good breadth of Oak and other useful timber trees and find the work most interesting, but it would be worse than useless to go into these subjects in the few minutes which are at my disposal. I can only say a few words on the experiences of an early settler on the wind-swept and originally treeless Canterbury Plains, who felt bitterly the want of shelter for his stock and crops, who has for many years been endeavouring to supply this want, and whose planting has been chiefly for this purpose, and not for the value of the timber which these operations might supply.
For nearly fifty years my lot has been thrown on some of the windiest portion of our plains, where the only shelter which Nature provided was a few miserable Cabbage trees. I was told that the acclimatized sheep which I purchased had acquired the habit of holding on to the tussocks by their teeth: unfortunately I found this to be a delusion - they drove before the wind and rain as in a flat and unfenced country sheep will do, causing infinite trouble, confusion, and loss. Wire fencing to a certain extent checked the driving, but did not secure against loss during violent South-west gales, especially at lambing and shearing time. Gorse fences have been tried as some protection, but they are an endless source of expense, are insufficient shelter for considerable flocks, and are now becoming worthless through the mysterious disease which in this part of the Colony is rapidly destroying the gorse plant. The best, and in the long run the cheapest form of protection, appears to be belts of quick-growing bushy evergreen trees, so arranged as to give shelter from prevailing winds. These are most frequent and violent; from North-west and South-west, those from the latter quarter being often accompanied by heavy-beating cold rain, destructive to lambs and newly-shorn sheep. The belts had, therefore, to be placed as nearly as possible on the North-west and South-west sides of the paddocks, and it has generally been found desirable to give them the shape of the letter L, so that in the angle formed by the two sides of the letter stock can find shelter from whichever of the above directions the wind may come. The tracing on the table shows roughly the results which have been arrived at. The belts are generally one, though sometimes two, chains in width: this has been found amply sufficient.
Some belts on our Plains 10 and 11 chains in width have been made by the County Council, and deserve a word of explanation. In the Provincial days, the Provincial Government of Canterbury instead of selling all the land, as if might have done, made Plantation Reserves of many thousand acres, for ensuring planting on our treeless plains. The management of these lands was at first vested in a Plantation Board, but more recently in the County Councils. The Reserves not intended to be planted at once, have from time to time been leased. by public tender, and the rental has provided a fund out of which considerable portions of the remainder have been gradually covered with trees. It should not be forgotten that for this great improvement to our plains, and for the creation of a valuable asset in the shape of useful timber, without the cost of sixpence to the taxpayer, we are indebted to the forethought and judgement of Mr Superintendent Rolleston and his Provincial colleagues.
Coming to the general question of planting for shelter, I will now state as briefly as possible:
1. The plan on which my own work has been effected.
2. The kind of trees planted, and my experience with regard to them.
3. The cost.
4. The general effect on crops, pastures and stock.
l - THE GROUND PLAN
As already stated, the belts were generally made a chain wide. The rows of trees were placed nine feet apart, and were also nine feet apart in the rows. This may appear rather close for a permanent plantation, but it has not been found so. The trees have not interfered with each other: on the contrary, the close planting has been a great protection to the Pinus Insignis, which is a rather weakly rooted tree, and apt to succumb to strong wind unless well sheltered. Planted however in a somewhat dense mass these trees protect each other, and in spite of the violence of the gales to which my part of the plain is exposed, I have had wonderfully little loss. The belts were at first made in continuous lengths of great extent, but the occurrence of a few fires drew attention to the risk incurred by this plan of a plantation a mile or two in length being swept from end to end in the event of a fire taking place at the windward end of it. In later planting, therefore, gaps have been left, and in the earlier belts have been cut, one or two chains in width, and thrown open to stock: the grass on these gaps has thus been kept closely cropped, and the danger of fire going from end to end of a plantation is greatly diminished. I would strongly recommend this precaution in plantations of any great extent.
2 - THE KIND OF TREES MOST USEFUL FOR SHELTER PLANTING.
Upon this point I have, after many mistakes, arrived at a very decided opinion. In the first planting variety was a good deal sought after. The selection was generally as follows: - The first row from the windward side was Cupressus macrocarpa. Then three rows of Pinus Insignis, then two rows of either Spruce, Scotch fir, Larch, or Abies Douglasii; the front row consisting of deciduous trees, chiefly Oak and Silver Birch. It was hoped that this row would show in due season some of the fine Autumn tints which add so greatly to the beauty of woodland scenery in the Old Country. Some Bluegums were sown, but we had not then learnt which of the Eucalyptii would withstand the sharp frosts of the elevated part of our Plains, and not one in a thousand survived. The same may be said of the Wattle. At a lower elevation the Bluegum may stand frost, and in good soil it makes a good tree. It has been extensively planted by the County Council, but on the light stony plains many of these plantations are little more than a collection of good-sized whipsticks, and will never grow into timber. Stringy Bark has proved itself on such soil a more hardy and thriving tree. Peppermint Gum and Weeping Gum stand the frost better than the last two, but the only Eucalyptus which I have really frost-proof is the Cider Gum or mountain variety of the Eucalyptus Gum. For hills and other cold situations this tree will be found exceedingly useful. The Cupressus macrocarpa, when it has grown, makes an excellent shelter tree; but even on good soil it takes its own time about growing, and on the stony plain and in an unsheltered position its progress is so slow as to largely diminish its usefulness. Of other Conifers already mentioned the Larch, though of course an invaluable tree in suitable soil and climate, seems quite unsuited for our dry, stony land and windy climate. On some hill sides in Canterbury it is said to do well, but at best its growth seems much slower than in the moister climates of Scotland and England. Spruce seems also to require more moisture than it gets here in Canterbury. After several years fair trial in my plantations many thousands of these trees have been dug up, and replaced by Pinus Insignis: the few that remain make but very slow progress. Abies Douglasii or Oregon Pine is unable to stand our dry, thirsty summers, and those planted have, like the preceding, been generally improved off the face of the earth. There are some pines, such as the Coulteri, Laricio, and a few others, which I have not yet had much experience of. The Oaks and other deciduous trees moved very slowly in our light, dry soil, so much so as to prove quite unsuitable for "an old man in a hurry" for shelter to his land. They have nearly all been removed and replaced by Conifers. The one tree which is conspicuous for rapidity of growth and abundance of foliage, and which by it's strength of constitution is enabled to resist frost and drought and to thrive in the poorest soil, is the Pinus Insignis. Though sometimes attacked by the blight which has proved so fatal to Scotch firs and many other Conifers, I have never known the Pinus Insignis seriously injured by it. It is an abundant seeder, and is easily grown from seed.
Fault is often found with this tree on the ground of its instability. I think this may be largely provided against by close planting, and where this is not practicable by occasional topping. The timber is said to be of little value, and no doubt it is less useful than many other slower-growing varieties. But for indoor work it has been found useful when duly seasoned, and I have been recently informed that it is well adopted for butter boxes, of which I am glad to know that New Zealand will require a large supply. This statement, however, requires confirmation. A section of a seventeen year old tree is on the table, and I find it difficult to believe that for such timber many useful purposes will not be found. From the above summary it will be gathered that my later plantings have consisted almost entirely of Pinus Insignis, and where shelter for stock or for other purposes is required I can confidently recommend it as the best of all trees in circumstances resembling those of the Canterbury Plains. A tree which is not unlike the Pinus Insignis in appearance, and is also a valuable shelter tree, is the Pinus Muricata. It is more compact in shape, and affords good shelter but is less rapid in growth; at first sight it may be taken for a stunted Pinus Insignis. In Southland I am told it is found to possess the very desirable property of thriving well by the seaside, and in such positions should be a particularly useful shelter tree. It may be thought that I have ignored many varieties of Pines which have been successfully reared in New Zealand. I do not ignore them; many are beautiful trees and give valuable timber, but I contend that where shelter is the great object aimed at, and is wanted quickly, no tree that we know of can be compared to the Pinus Insignis.
3 - COST
The cost of such belts of trees as I have described depends of course largely on the cost of fencing which, with an ordinary standard and wire fence, is generally about 10s a chain. The land should be prepared by ploughing and subsoiling, which the farmer will probably do himself. With land thus prepared there has been no difficulty in letting contracts for the planting with the trees and at the distances I have named for about 5s. an acre, the Contractor undertaking to replace any misses for the two following seasons. I have, however, found it more satisfactory, instead of contracting for the planting to grow my own trees and do my own planting. It can then be done at the exact time when the season and the state of the weather makes it desirable to transplant, and the young trees being placed in their new beds immediately they are taken from the nursery, they and their roots have no time to dry and wither, and a frequent cause of failure is thus avoided. The precise cost of planting in this manner will of course vary under various circumstances, but I am satisfied, by considerable experience, that it is not only more successful but also less expensive than the contract system, even at the moderate price I have mentioned.
4 - GENERAL EFFECT ON CROPS, PASTURES AND STOCK.
It is difficult to state with precision what the effect of plantation shelter is on crops or grass, but no man can look at the growth of either for any distance to which the shelter of the plantation extends, without being satisfied that on our plains, crops are enormously improved by it. I am not overstating the case in asserting that when the trees have reached a height of 20 feet, both crops and grass are twice as good for 20 chains from the belts, as they are beyond their shelter. Of the extent to which live stock are benefited, there cannot be any doubt whatever. They soon learn to avail themselves, of their own accord, of the shelter provided for them while the plantations are still fenced, and when the growth of the trees and the roughness of their bark allows them to be thrown open to stock without danger of being injured by being barked, sheep as well as cattle and horses show an intelligent appreciation of the value of the overhanging foliage, both in stormy and also in extremely hot weather, and thus pass with comfort and safety through days and nights which previously would have involved very serious loss. Of the especial value of such protection at lambing time, I need not speak. When the trees can safely be opened out, it is a good plan, instead of throwing open the whole belt, to move the inner fence half-a-chain back. Stock can thus have the overhead shelter of one half of the belt, while the lower branches of the other half are protection from boisterous, driving wind. The only fault to find with my own planting, and it is a very serious one, is that there is not a half or a quarter enough of it. If I were in the fortunate position of being able to say that "money is no object" I would at once quadruple the extent of the plantations with advantage to myself and with benefit to the country, by increasing the produce of the land. But much against my will, I have been compelled of late to reduce my planting, for the simple reason, that while wool has gone down, taxation has gone up, and the spare cash which in former years was appropriated to a useful public as well as private improvement, in these latter days has been appropriated by the Colonial Treasurer.
GENERAL REMARKS
As I have already stated, I do not propose to go into the large question of the necessity for the conservation of Forests in New Zealand, or for their replacement where destroyed. There are probably few countries in which this destruction has been carried on at a more rapid rate, and where the usual results of such destruction are more certain to follow. In many localities the clearing from timber is of course justified as a preliminary to the more profitable occupation of the soil but in too many instances the forest has been recklessly burnt on hill tops and hill sides which will not for years to come, if ever, be of any use for cultivation or even for grazing. If this process is continued, not only will many springs and streams be reduced, if they do not altogether disappear, but we shall be within measurable distance of the day when timber in New Zealand will be insufficient for our own requirements. Attempts have been made, in which I am glad to think I had a hand, to preserve some portion of our timber supply by making Forest Reserves to a limited extent; but these are only a fraction of what is required if many of our mountain sides are not, in a few years, to be generally denuded of forest, retaining no moisture and growing no useful herbage. Leaving this question, I will only add a few words as to the attempts which have been made by the Legislature in New Zealand to encourage private planting. The first attempt on record was that of the Canterbury Provincial Council, which, by Ordinance forty years ago, provided that any lessee of private land who with due notice to his landlord planted useful trees on his leasehold, should, on the expiration of his lease either be paid the value of his trees, or be entitled to cut them down. I do not think this privilege was made much use of.
A more successful piece of legislation was enacted by the Colonial Parliament in 187l. This provided that any person planting approved Forest Trees on his own land should, when at a given age, they were certified to be of a specified number to the acre and in thriving condition, be entitled to receive two acres of Crown Land for every acre so planted. This Act gave a great stimulus to planting in Canterbury and other parts of the Colony where timber was scarce, and many of our best private plantations were commenced through the encouragement which it afforded. The Act was more than once amended and extended and did much good. An opposition was however made to it, which I have never been able to understand, and in 1885 the Act was repealed. and private planting was discouraged and checked. Sir Julius Vogel obtained the assent of Parliament to an attempt to promote Forest Tree Planting by the Government and to the establishment of a School of Forestry with an endowment of £10,000 a year. But soon after his retirement efforts in this direction were allowed to lapse. Recently, I understand Government plantations have been established in the Waikato and in Central Otago; in other parts of the Colony this is left to private enterprise. Such enterprise is in some of the more advanced of the States of the American Union encouraged. by the exemption from rates as well as taxes, for a specified time, of all land covered by plantations at the cost of private individuals. I venture to think that it is worth consideration by our legislature and Government, whether by some such measure, or by some other means, encouragement could not be afforded to our country settlers to plant for shelter, as well as for replacing to some extent, the valuable stores of timber which are so rapidly disappearing from this Colony.
In conclusion, I must repeat that I do not profess to have spoken as an expert in Forestry - I have only endeavoured to give the experience of an individual farmer who has attempted planting for shelter, and to tell the results obtained and the lessons learnt under given circumstances, and in a specified locality. Under other circumstances perhaps, different results might have been arrived at. I am more anxious to learn than to teach, and I hope therefore, that the time at the disposal of the Conference will admit of my paper being discussed and criticised, and that we may have the benefit of the advice of others who are engaged in similar undertakings, and who believe like myself that we are not only doing good for ourselves, but promoting largely the prosperity of our adopted country.
The plantations in Hororata cover an area of 280 acres, extending in belts of one to two chains wide for a distance of 19 miles. There are also five miles of plantation made on reserves by the Selwyn County Council. Oaks and ash have made splendid growth in the heavier lands; birch has also thriven remarkably well. There is a large assortment of Conifers. The plantations were commenced about twenty-five years age, most of which now form valuable shelter belts. A reference to the map will show the disposition of the several belts which were planted in such a manner as to afford the most complete shelter from the prevailing winds. (Editor, N.Z.C.J.)
[Printed in the New Zealand Country Journal]
When requested to read to this Conference a paper on Planting, I said at once that on the general question of planting for the supply of timber and for climatic purposes, I could not undertake to speak, both because it should be treated of by a Forest expert, or at least by someone who has given closer attention to it than I have, and also because nothing like justice could be done to it in the very short time in which the Conference can probably allot to the question. I by no means undervalue the importance of replacing for our successors in New Zealand the supply of useful timber which we are now so rapidly destroying, or even of planting for ornamental purposes, and feel strongly that both should receive every encouragement. I have even planted a good breadth of Oak and other useful timber trees and find the work most interesting, but it would be worse than useless to go into these subjects in the few minutes which are at my disposal. I can only say a few words on the experiences of an early settler on the wind-swept and originally treeless Canterbury Plains, who felt bitterly the want of shelter for his stock and crops, who has for many years been endeavouring to supply this want, and whose planting has been chiefly for this purpose, and not for the value of the timber which these operations might supply.
For nearly fifty years my lot has been thrown on some of the windiest portion of our plains, where the only shelter which Nature provided was a few miserable Cabbage trees. I was told that the acclimatized sheep which I purchased had acquired the habit of holding on to the tussocks by their teeth: unfortunately I found this to be a delusion - they drove before the wind and rain as in a flat and unfenced country sheep will do, causing infinite trouble, confusion, and loss. Wire fencing to a certain extent checked the driving, but did not secure against loss during violent South-west gales, especially at lambing and shearing time. Gorse fences have been tried as some protection, but they are an endless source of expense, are insufficient shelter for considerable flocks, and are now becoming worthless through the mysterious disease which in this part of the Colony is rapidly destroying the gorse plant. The best, and in the long run the cheapest form of protection, appears to be belts of quick-growing bushy evergreen trees, so arranged as to give shelter from prevailing winds. These are most frequent and violent; from North-west and South-west, those from the latter quarter being often accompanied by heavy-beating cold rain, destructive to lambs and newly-shorn sheep. The belts had, therefore, to be placed as nearly as possible on the North-west and South-west sides of the paddocks, and it has generally been found desirable to give them the shape of the letter L, so that in the angle formed by the two sides of the letter stock can find shelter from whichever of the above directions the wind may come. The tracing on the table shows roughly the results which have been arrived at. The belts are generally one, though sometimes two, chains in width: this has been found amply sufficient.
Some belts on our Plains 10 and 11 chains in width have been made by the County Council, and deserve a word of explanation. In the Provincial days, the Provincial Government of Canterbury instead of selling all the land, as if might have done, made Plantation Reserves of many thousand acres, for ensuring planting on our treeless plains. The management of these lands was at first vested in a Plantation Board, but more recently in the County Councils. The Reserves not intended to be planted at once, have from time to time been leased. by public tender, and the rental has provided a fund out of which considerable portions of the remainder have been gradually covered with trees. It should not be forgotten that for this great improvement to our plains, and for the creation of a valuable asset in the shape of useful timber, without the cost of sixpence to the taxpayer, we are indebted to the forethought and judgement of Mr Superintendent Rolleston and his Provincial colleagues.
Coming to the general question of planting for shelter, I will now state as briefly as possible:
1. The plan on which my own work has been effected.
2. The kind of trees planted, and my experience with regard to them.
3. The cost.
4. The general effect on crops, pastures and stock.
l - THE GROUND PLAN
As already stated, the belts were generally made a chain wide. The rows of trees were placed nine feet apart, and were also nine feet apart in the rows. This may appear rather close for a permanent plantation, but it has not been found so. The trees have not interfered with each other: on the contrary, the close planting has been a great protection to the Pinus Insignis, which is a rather weakly rooted tree, and apt to succumb to strong wind unless well sheltered. Planted however in a somewhat dense mass these trees protect each other, and in spite of the violence of the gales to which my part of the plain is exposed, I have had wonderfully little loss. The belts were at first made in continuous lengths of great extent, but the occurrence of a few fires drew attention to the risk incurred by this plan of a plantation a mile or two in length being swept from end to end in the event of a fire taking place at the windward end of it. In later planting, therefore, gaps have been left, and in the earlier belts have been cut, one or two chains in width, and thrown open to stock: the grass on these gaps has thus been kept closely cropped, and the danger of fire going from end to end of a plantation is greatly diminished. I would strongly recommend this precaution in plantations of any great extent.
2 - THE KIND OF TREES MOST USEFUL FOR SHELTER PLANTING.
Upon this point I have, after many mistakes, arrived at a very decided opinion. In the first planting variety was a good deal sought after. The selection was generally as follows: - The first row from the windward side was Cupressus macrocarpa. Then three rows of Pinus Insignis, then two rows of either Spruce, Scotch fir, Larch, or Abies Douglasii; the front row consisting of deciduous trees, chiefly Oak and Silver Birch. It was hoped that this row would show in due season some of the fine Autumn tints which add so greatly to the beauty of woodland scenery in the Old Country. Some Bluegums were sown, but we had not then learnt which of the Eucalyptii would withstand the sharp frosts of the elevated part of our Plains, and not one in a thousand survived. The same may be said of the Wattle. At a lower elevation the Bluegum may stand frost, and in good soil it makes a good tree. It has been extensively planted by the County Council, but on the light stony plains many of these plantations are little more than a collection of good-sized whipsticks, and will never grow into timber. Stringy Bark has proved itself on such soil a more hardy and thriving tree. Peppermint Gum and Weeping Gum stand the frost better than the last two, but the only Eucalyptus which I have really frost-proof is the Cider Gum or mountain variety of the Eucalyptus Gum. For hills and other cold situations this tree will be found exceedingly useful. The Cupressus macrocarpa, when it has grown, makes an excellent shelter tree; but even on good soil it takes its own time about growing, and on the stony plain and in an unsheltered position its progress is so slow as to largely diminish its usefulness. Of other Conifers already mentioned the Larch, though of course an invaluable tree in suitable soil and climate, seems quite unsuited for our dry, stony land and windy climate. On some hill sides in Canterbury it is said to do well, but at best its growth seems much slower than in the moister climates of Scotland and England. Spruce seems also to require more moisture than it gets here in Canterbury. After several years fair trial in my plantations many thousands of these trees have been dug up, and replaced by Pinus Insignis: the few that remain make but very slow progress. Abies Douglasii or Oregon Pine is unable to stand our dry, thirsty summers, and those planted have, like the preceding, been generally improved off the face of the earth. There are some pines, such as the Coulteri, Laricio, and a few others, which I have not yet had much experience of. The Oaks and other deciduous trees moved very slowly in our light, dry soil, so much so as to prove quite unsuitable for "an old man in a hurry" for shelter to his land. They have nearly all been removed and replaced by Conifers. The one tree which is conspicuous for rapidity of growth and abundance of foliage, and which by it's strength of constitution is enabled to resist frost and drought and to thrive in the poorest soil, is the Pinus Insignis. Though sometimes attacked by the blight which has proved so fatal to Scotch firs and many other Conifers, I have never known the Pinus Insignis seriously injured by it. It is an abundant seeder, and is easily grown from seed.
Fault is often found with this tree on the ground of its instability. I think this may be largely provided against by close planting, and where this is not practicable by occasional topping. The timber is said to be of little value, and no doubt it is less useful than many other slower-growing varieties. But for indoor work it has been found useful when duly seasoned, and I have been recently informed that it is well adopted for butter boxes, of which I am glad to know that New Zealand will require a large supply. This statement, however, requires confirmation. A section of a seventeen year old tree is on the table, and I find it difficult to believe that for such timber many useful purposes will not be found. From the above summary it will be gathered that my later plantings have consisted almost entirely of Pinus Insignis, and where shelter for stock or for other purposes is required I can confidently recommend it as the best of all trees in circumstances resembling those of the Canterbury Plains. A tree which is not unlike the Pinus Insignis in appearance, and is also a valuable shelter tree, is the Pinus Muricata. It is more compact in shape, and affords good shelter but is less rapid in growth; at first sight it may be taken for a stunted Pinus Insignis. In Southland I am told it is found to possess the very desirable property of thriving well by the seaside, and in such positions should be a particularly useful shelter tree. It may be thought that I have ignored many varieties of Pines which have been successfully reared in New Zealand. I do not ignore them; many are beautiful trees and give valuable timber, but I contend that where shelter is the great object aimed at, and is wanted quickly, no tree that we know of can be compared to the Pinus Insignis.
3 - COST
The cost of such belts of trees as I have described depends of course largely on the cost of fencing which, with an ordinary standard and wire fence, is generally about 10s a chain. The land should be prepared by ploughing and subsoiling, which the farmer will probably do himself. With land thus prepared there has been no difficulty in letting contracts for the planting with the trees and at the distances I have named for about 5s. an acre, the Contractor undertaking to replace any misses for the two following seasons. I have, however, found it more satisfactory, instead of contracting for the planting to grow my own trees and do my own planting. It can then be done at the exact time when the season and the state of the weather makes it desirable to transplant, and the young trees being placed in their new beds immediately they are taken from the nursery, they and their roots have no time to dry and wither, and a frequent cause of failure is thus avoided. The precise cost of planting in this manner will of course vary under various circumstances, but I am satisfied, by considerable experience, that it is not only more successful but also less expensive than the contract system, even at the moderate price I have mentioned.
4 - GENERAL EFFECT ON CROPS, PASTURES AND STOCK.
It is difficult to state with precision what the effect of plantation shelter is on crops or grass, but no man can look at the growth of either for any distance to which the shelter of the plantation extends, without being satisfied that on our plains, crops are enormously improved by it. I am not overstating the case in asserting that when the trees have reached a height of 20 feet, both crops and grass are twice as good for 20 chains from the belts, as they are beyond their shelter. Of the extent to which live stock are benefited, there cannot be any doubt whatever. They soon learn to avail themselves, of their own accord, of the shelter provided for them while the plantations are still fenced, and when the growth of the trees and the roughness of their bark allows them to be thrown open to stock without danger of being injured by being barked, sheep as well as cattle and horses show an intelligent appreciation of the value of the overhanging foliage, both in stormy and also in extremely hot weather, and thus pass with comfort and safety through days and nights which previously would have involved very serious loss. Of the especial value of such protection at lambing time, I need not speak. When the trees can safely be opened out, it is a good plan, instead of throwing open the whole belt, to move the inner fence half-a-chain back. Stock can thus have the overhead shelter of one half of the belt, while the lower branches of the other half are protection from boisterous, driving wind. The only fault to find with my own planting, and it is a very serious one, is that there is not a half or a quarter enough of it. If I were in the fortunate position of being able to say that "money is no object" I would at once quadruple the extent of the plantations with advantage to myself and with benefit to the country, by increasing the produce of the land. But much against my will, I have been compelled of late to reduce my planting, for the simple reason, that while wool has gone down, taxation has gone up, and the spare cash which in former years was appropriated to a useful public as well as private improvement, in these latter days has been appropriated by the Colonial Treasurer.
GENERAL REMARKS
As I have already stated, I do not propose to go into the large question of the necessity for the conservation of Forests in New Zealand, or for their replacement where destroyed. There are probably few countries in which this destruction has been carried on at a more rapid rate, and where the usual results of such destruction are more certain to follow. In many localities the clearing from timber is of course justified as a preliminary to the more profitable occupation of the soil but in too many instances the forest has been recklessly burnt on hill tops and hill sides which will not for years to come, if ever, be of any use for cultivation or even for grazing. If this process is continued, not only will many springs and streams be reduced, if they do not altogether disappear, but we shall be within measurable distance of the day when timber in New Zealand will be insufficient for our own requirements. Attempts have been made, in which I am glad to think I had a hand, to preserve some portion of our timber supply by making Forest Reserves to a limited extent; but these are only a fraction of what is required if many of our mountain sides are not, in a few years, to be generally denuded of forest, retaining no moisture and growing no useful herbage. Leaving this question, I will only add a few words as to the attempts which have been made by the Legislature in New Zealand to encourage private planting. The first attempt on record was that of the Canterbury Provincial Council, which, by Ordinance forty years ago, provided that any lessee of private land who with due notice to his landlord planted useful trees on his leasehold, should, on the expiration of his lease either be paid the value of his trees, or be entitled to cut them down. I do not think this privilege was made much use of.
A more successful piece of legislation was enacted by the Colonial Parliament in 187l. This provided that any person planting approved Forest Trees on his own land should, when at a given age, they were certified to be of a specified number to the acre and in thriving condition, be entitled to receive two acres of Crown Land for every acre so planted. This Act gave a great stimulus to planting in Canterbury and other parts of the Colony where timber was scarce, and many of our best private plantations were commenced through the encouragement which it afforded. The Act was more than once amended and extended and did much good. An opposition was however made to it, which I have never been able to understand, and in 1885 the Act was repealed. and private planting was discouraged and checked. Sir Julius Vogel obtained the assent of Parliament to an attempt to promote Forest Tree Planting by the Government and to the establishment of a School of Forestry with an endowment of £10,000 a year. But soon after his retirement efforts in this direction were allowed to lapse. Recently, I understand Government plantations have been established in the Waikato and in Central Otago; in other parts of the Colony this is left to private enterprise. Such enterprise is in some of the more advanced of the States of the American Union encouraged. by the exemption from rates as well as taxes, for a specified time, of all land covered by plantations at the cost of private individuals. I venture to think that it is worth consideration by our legislature and Government, whether by some such measure, or by some other means, encouragement could not be afforded to our country settlers to plant for shelter, as well as for replacing to some extent, the valuable stores of timber which are so rapidly disappearing from this Colony.
In conclusion, I must repeat that I do not profess to have spoken as an expert in Forestry - I have only endeavoured to give the experience of an individual farmer who has attempted planting for shelter, and to tell the results obtained and the lessons learnt under given circumstances, and in a specified locality. Under other circumstances perhaps, different results might have been arrived at. I am more anxious to learn than to teach, and I hope therefore, that the time at the disposal of the Conference will admit of my paper being discussed and criticised, and that we may have the benefit of the advice of others who are engaged in similar undertakings, and who believe like myself that we are not only doing good for ourselves, but promoting largely the prosperity of our adopted country.
The plantations in Hororata cover an area of 280 acres, extending in belts of one to two chains wide for a distance of 19 miles. There are also five miles of plantation made on reserves by the Selwyn County Council. Oaks and ash have made splendid growth in the heavier lands; birch has also thriven remarkably well. There is a large assortment of Conifers. The plantations were commenced about twenty-five years age, most of which now form valuable shelter belts. A reference to the map will show the disposition of the several belts which were planted in such a manner as to afford the most complete shelter from the prevailing winds. (Editor, N.Z.C.J.)
[Printed in the New Zealand Country Journal]
