society's meeting with interim forest authority. 29 



I would like Lord Lovat to tell us whether he concurs in the idea 

 that we should get large supplies from France." 



Lord Lovat. — " I think it would be extremely difficult I 

 have planted 350 acres, and have promised to plant 1200 to 1300 

 acres this spring. I have applied for Scots pine seed to the 

 extent of 8500 lbs., but it looks as if I was not going to get it. 

 I think you would have difficulty in getting it, man-power being 

 as short there as it is here. Any seed there is available we 

 ought not to have the least difficulty about. The officer in 

 Paris is Colonel Sutherland, who would be able to help us in 

 this matter, as would also Colonel Graves, in America." 



Mr Acland. — " We ought, I am sure, to help Mr Duthie and 

 others who may have difficulty about permits for the importation 

 of seeds. If we can do anything we shall be glad to do it. We 

 shall arrange before we separate that anything of that kind 

 should come to us." 



Mr Duthie. — "There is one point about the buying of seed 

 being centralised." 



Mr Acland. — " An obvious difficulty. I agree that it would 

 not be wise for a Central Forest Authority itself to go into the 

 business of growing seeds, and that that should be left to 

 nurserymen and others whose profession it is. That is obvious, 

 and I agree. Then it is also suggested that we should make 

 provision for the supply of these seeds. Supposing we have, 

 later on, agents who are in touch with collectors and are getting 

 supplies of seeds, what will be the position if the nurserymen do 

 not wish to take over the seed at a price which will remunerate 

 us for the price we have had to pay for it? Later on there will 

 be competition. It will be difficult to be in a position of being 

 responsible for seeds and yet not going into the business of 

 supplying seeds." 



Sir John Stirling-Maxwell. — " It is largely a question of notice. 

 If notice is given in time, you would obtain supplies of seed to 

 meet that demand." 



Mr Acland. — " We could not expect nurserymen to take seeds 

 if they could get them cheaper elsewhere." 



Mr Duthie. — " Ten years ago I got through Government agency 

 the names of all the reliable collectors in America. I have had 

 to drop every one. They gave me Colerado Douglas for Pacific 

 Coast Douglas, and Picea alba for Picea sitchensis. I think 

 it was the home Authorities buying seed in London that 



