74 THE GEORGE AND KNYSNA FORESTS. 



ment present themselves. Trees of all ages, of all species, are 

 scattered more or less evenly through the forest, and when only 

 certain species are taken the equilibrium of distribution is dis- 

 turbed. In such a case a forester's main duty is to endeavour 

 to dispose of faulty and mature trees only, reserving the most 

 vigorous; to find a market for such species as are not in demand, 

 and to do his best to foster a natural regeneration in the cut-over 

 areas of the species most desired. Owing to limited funds in 

 the earlier days, natural regeneration was left to take care of 

 itself. Observation of many areas has shown that regeneration 

 has, generally speaking, been excellent. The openings in the 

 canopy made by the felling of trees have been taken possession 

 of by a young growth, and, though interfered with by weeds for 

 a time, has successfully stocked the areas. A singular feature if 

 the abundance of stinkwood (Ocotea bullata). Not only do 

 vigorous trees develop from the vegetative buds on stumps of 

 the felled trees, but the admission of light enables an immediate 

 response to be made by the numerous suppressed trees of the 

 same species. Uusually the suppressed tree dies down to the 

 ground, and from the collar a vigorous shoot starts, and in a 

 great number of cases develops into a large tree. Other valuable 

 species, such as Curtesia faginia and Apodytes dimidiata, are 

 scarcely ever absent from the regeneration areas. 



A disappointing feature is the non-response to increased 

 growing space by some of the suppressed trees. The only 

 explanation which occurs to the writer is that these trees, though 

 small, are really of great age ; have passed their period of height 

 growth, and are only capable of crown development. 



The selection system continues to be used, for under present 

 conditions no other can very well be practised, because of the 

 absence of a demand for fuel and light material, and the cost of 

 transport to centres where a demand exists. In recent years a 

 demand has arisen for many species hitherto not used, and if the 

 demand continues the forest administration will be able to intro- 

 duce a more intensive system of management, and combine the 

 selection system with that of the group system. 



During the past three years a more intensive system of 

 management has been followed, with the object of maintaining 

 the forests in their maximum producing capacity. A greater 

 number of mature trees are marked for felling, and increased 

 attention is given to the development of the reserved growing 

 stock. Gaps, caused by felling operations, are planted up immedi- 

 ately. The tree to be used for this purpose was the subject of con- 

 siderable study. In many places indgenous species soon make 

 their appearance; in others, again, a weed growth covers the 

 area and retards natural regeneration. It was observed that an 

 exotic tree — the Blackwood (Acacia mclanoxylon) — was capable 

 of withstanding considerable shade ; experiments were made, and 

 gave results which warranted the use of the tree for planting or 



