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FOREST METEOROLOGY. The forest stations scattered over the country, would be 

 convenient as meteorological stations. Observations taken in towns are not seldom 

 unsatisfactory, owing to artificial conditions, and those secured at different points of the 

 country, by a set of intelligent observers, subject to regular supervision, would be of 

 much value. The want of data regarding the meteorology of the upper districts of Natal 

 is seriously felt whenever any information is required concerning the climate. In this 

 respect, Natal is behind most other portions of South Africa. 



NATIVE LOCATIONS. The management of the forests on native locations would be 

 generally similar to that of the forests on Crown Land, with the difference that they 

 would be managed for the benefit of the Native Trust. The more important forests 

 would be deinarkated and the remainder classed as undemarkated forest. Usually, the 

 forest guards in charge of Crown forests could also supervise those on locations, and I 

 am of opinion that separate appointments need not be made. The Native Trust might 

 contribute towards the salary of each forest guard who would perform the dual duties, in 

 proportion to the relative extent of the Crown and Location forests in his range. 



THORN BUSH. The dimunition of Thorn forests may be ascribed to the firing of the 

 grass, as it prevents the growth of the young plants that would have replaced those cut 

 down. The prohibition of burning over certain areas, might thus have the effect of allowing 

 the growth to recover in time. Mr. R. Topham states, in the Report of the Forest Com- 

 mission of 1880, that twenty-five years would be required, and adds : " I form this 

 opinion from a good example that has been under my care, and properly protected for 

 fifteen years. In 1864, it was three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and thirty inches 

 high : it now (July, 1879) has three stems together, diameter (three feet from the ground ) 

 18 inches." Elsewhere the Commission reports that " Instances are on record that where 

 plantations of the ordinary Mimosa, laid out artificially by sowing the seed in cultivated 

 lands, and protected from grass fires, attained growths of seven inches in diameter, and 

 the heights of ten or fifteen feet in ten years. The yield of an acre of ground in that 

 time being about fifty tons, would be worth about 50 as ordinary colonial fuel." The 

 bark of most of the species of Acacias is valuable for tanning, and should not be wasted 

 when the trees are cut down for firewood. Licenses should be issued at the different 

 Magistrate's Offices, where there are no forest guards or supervisors, for cutting greeu 

 firewood in thorn bush, and the license fee should not be less than ten shillings a load 

 The Thorn Bush could best be protected by the detachments of the Natal Mounted Police 

 stationed over the country, who could prevent unlicensed felling, the clearing of bush 

 for cultivation, and the firing in some cases. 



COAST FOREST. There is very little Coast forest on Crown land. Its management 

 can be simplified and would consist of : (a) the survey of each reserve ; (b) the cutting 

 of the trees over one foot in diameter, on one-fortieth of the area each year. The growth 



