TREIvPLANTING COMPETITIONS IX NATAL. 



Bv lonx Spurgf.ox Hexkel. 



Before dealing with Tree-])lanting Competitions in Natal, 

 it is desirable to review what was done in a similar direction in 

 Cape Colony, as it has an indirect hearing (jn the resnlts obtained 

 in Natal. 



In 1894 the Honourable Colonel Schermbrucker, an enthu- 

 siastic tree-planter, introduced a motion in the Cape House of 

 Parliament relating to prizes for tree-planting. In terms of a 

 resolution of the flononrable the House of Assembly adopted, on 

 17th July, 1894, rejjorts were (obtained from Forest Officers and 

 Others on the subject of the encouragement of an extensive 

 system of tree-planting (z'ide Blue Book No. 62, 1895). 



iVs a result of the reports a tree-planting competition was 

 approved by Resolution of the Honourable the House of Assem- 

 bly on 24tli Jtdy, 1895. The terms of the competition were 

 published in (iovernment Notices 758 of 1895 and 207 of 1896. 

 For purposes of this competition Cape Colony was divided into 

 five areas, and three prizes of £500. £300 and £200 were ottered 

 for each of the five areas. 



The main conditions were the following: Awards were to be 

 made in 1901 by the Secretary for Agriculture. Intending com- 

 petitors were required to submit their names before the ist May, 

 1896. luich plantation was re(|uired to contain a minimum of 

 100.000 trees planted or sown in one block. No part of the 

 block to be less than 100 yard> wide. The trees to have an 

 es])acement of not less than 3 feci x 3 feet, or more than 6 feet 

 X 7 feet. Areas having fewer trees than i.ooo per acre to be 

 disqualified. The ])lantations were re(|uired to be j'jroperly 

 protected. Choice of species was left to the com|)etitors. but 

 it was stipulated that each species was to be planted in separate 

 grouj)s. At the time of judging the plantations were not to be 

 less than three years or more than six vears old from seed, and 

 reached the stage of clean sli'uis and close cano]\\-. 



I'or tliis coni])etilion entries were received as ioUows : — 

 4 f(jr Xo. I .\rea, comjjrising Western Districts, 

 n .. M 2 ,, .. Midland Districts. 



8 .. .. 3 ., ., South-l''astern Districts. 



20 „ ,, 4 ,, ,, North I'^astern and 



Transkei. 

 — ,. .. 5 ,. .. liechuaiialand. 



Total 43 



Of this number only 2 for No. 2 .\rea, 3 for Xo. 3 -\rea, 

 and 4 for No. 4 Area actually were judged, the remainder either 

 being withdrawn or were never started. For each of the areas 

 separate judges were appointed, h was found that some of 



