COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANTSl's REPORT. 17 



bably in other parts of the Colony, gentlemen competent to Dr. j.c. Br 

 give correct analyses of soils. AugTlJiri 



8.9. Mr. Cock.] Have you ascertained by analysis what 

 soil is the most favourable for the production of wheat ? I 

 have not done it personally, but I know that a silicious soil, 

 or soil containing a quantity of silex, is favourable. With 

 silex, lime, and phosphorus you may raise wheat anywhere. 



90. Would it not be desirable to analyse the "soil of a 

 farm subject to rust, and of others that never have rust, in 

 order to see what difference exists between them ? I do not 

 anticipate that the result of the analysis would throw much 

 light upon the rust, but the information would be valuable 

 for other purposes, and of far more value than the cost. 



91. Mr. Pote] Have you anything you can communicate 

 with regard to the scale disease of the orange tree ? I have 

 prepared and produce the draft of a report upon the subject 

 of the scale, which, if desired, can be appended as an 

 annexure to the report of the Colonial Botanist for the 

 current year. 



92. Mr. van Breda.} There is also a disease of the walnut, 

 the chesnut, and the apple tree ; have you also given attention 

 to these ? It is only of late that I have heard of the disease 

 affecting the apple tree, and now only hear of a similar disease 

 affecting the chesnut and walnut trees. If specimens of 

 these diseases be sent to me, I shall with pleasure examine 

 and report upon these also in the report of the Colonial 

 Botanist. 



93. Chairman.'] Have you anything to recommend on the 

 subject of forest economy ? I have brought with me state- 

 ments of the revenue and expenditure of the forests for the 

 last four years. From these it appears that the forests in the 

 district of George, in 1860, yielded a revenue of 312 7s. 

 7d., and the expenditure that year was 234 ; showing an 

 excess of revenue of 78 7s. 7d. In 1861, the revenue 

 was 293 18s. and the expenditure 234 ; showing an 

 excess of revenue of 58 lls. (For 1862, I have not been 

 able to obtain returns). In 1863, the revenue was 188; 

 the expenditure 234; showing a deficit of 46. In 1864, 

 the revenue was 164 17s. 5d., and the expenditure 234, 

 showing a deficit of 69 2s. 7d. Thus there was an excess 

 in the first two years of 138, and in the last two years a 

 deficit of 115 2s. 7d. On the four years, therefore, there 



o 



C. 7-'65. COLONIAL BOTANIST'S REPORT.-3. 



