46 Report S.A.A. Advancement of Science. 



of Europe are distinguished by containing a very large amount of 

 lime, but a comparatively small amount of potash and phosphoric 

 oxide. In one of the principal works which deal with the subject 

 " The Chemistry of the Forests," the following statement is pro- 

 minently put forward : " It is of the utmost importance for a rational 

 system of forestry to remember that all kinds of trees require a ^ ery 

 large amount of lime as compared with the agricultural crops. A 

 large production of wood can only be expected where the soil sup- 

 plies besides the other mineral constituents, also the large demand 

 of trees for lime." I will only quote here from the same work, that 

 the beech tree takes of one hectare annually 96.34 Kg. of lime, and 

 the tir tree, which is extremely modest in all Its requirements, as 

 much as 28.61 Kg. These quantities considerably exceed the 

 amount of lime which is taken by the cultivation of wheat or potatoes 

 from the same area. What is known about the requirements of the 

 trees recommended here in South Africa for afforestation? Have 

 any investigations already been iiiade in this direction? Have these 

 important results obtained by the investigations into the composition 

 of soils been turned lo use by the Forest Department or in fruit- 

 growing? There have been very singular failures recorded in fruit- 

 growing in the Western Province, where the primary soils are very 

 poor in lime. It must be remembered that the apple and pear tree 

 require more lime than other fruit trees, and these again more than 

 the forest trees. Has any attention been paid to these vital questions 

 by the Forest Department or by Fruit-growers' Associations? I am 

 afraid it is not fair to ask such questions at a time when Forestry and 

 Arboriculture have been in existence in South Africa for only a few 

 years. The afforestation of South Africa, wherever it can be carried 

 out, is of such eminent economic importance that our Association 

 should take up a definite attitude with regard to this matter. The 

 South African Association for the Advancement of Science should 

 appeal to all the Governments of the South African States to com- 

 bine in order to establish one common Forest Academy for South 

 Africa. Such institutions exist in some of the Continental States, 

 <i.nd there should be no difficulty in establishing one for South Africa. 

 In this institution the young forester should be practically and 

 scientifically trained for his profession with due regard to South 

 African soil, climate, and forests. In this institution everybody 

 should be able to obtain information and advice on tree-planting and 

 fruit-growing. In such an institution those scientific investigations 

 of soils, requirements of trees, and other matters should be carried 

 out on which a rational system of forestry and arboriculture can 

 only be based, and the nurseries, plantations, and forests connected 

 with such an institution would soon yield sufficient value to make 

 it self-.supporting. 



I now appeal to all the members of the South African Associa- 

 tion for the Advancement of Science to give support to the move- 

 ment to induce the several Governments of South Africa to establish 

 one common Forestry Academy for the United States of South 

 Africa. 



