142 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



17. The Empire Forestry Journal.^ 



By Fraser Story. 



The present number covers a very wide field, there being 

 articles on afforestation in the Sudan, Tanganyika, South Africa, 

 New Zealand, Kenya Colony, Malaya, and Canada. 



Probably the most important paper, judging both by its scope 

 and its wealth of detail, is that on the forests of the Union 

 of South Africa, by Mr C. C. Robertson. In this article the 

 main types of timber-yielding forests, namely, the cedar forests, 

 the mixed yellow-wood and broad-leaved forests, and those 

 of the coastal or sub-tropical districts, are first dealt with. The 

 scrub forests are then described, followed by an account of 

 the savannah forests. In each case particulars are given of 

 the principal trees which occur in these regions, with notes on 

 the class of timber produced. A very interesting section of 

 the paper is that which records the history of forest adminis- 

 tration in the Union. This is brought up to date by a full 

 description of the organisation of the Forest Department, with 

 special reference to the research work which is being carried 

 out. It appears that about 900 square miles of economic 

 forest are in the hands of the State, while approximately 1900 

 square miles of woods and plantations are under municipal 

 and private ownership. This is very little in comparison 

 to the total area of the country — only about one-half of one 

 per cent. — but the Forest Department is pursuing a forward 

 policy with marked energy, and is meeting with deserved 

 success. The promotion of private enterprise in afforestation 

 occupies a prominent place in the work of the Department. 



Mr John D. Sutherland also contributes an article on South 

 African forestry, and particular interest attaches to his paper 

 in view of the extensive tour which he made recently through 

 the forests of the Union. From personal observations he is 

 able to testify to the splendid work which is being done by 

 the Forest Department, under the able direction of Mr C. E. 

 Legat. Freed from any official connection with that Depart- 

 ment, Mr Sutherland is able to give us his views on various 

 aspects of afforestation in South Africa, and to include a vivid 

 description of various operations which came under his 

 ^ Vol. iii., No. I, July 1924. Price 4s. net. 



