89 



GROWN LAND FOB PLANTING. Though the planting work ought to be centralised at 

 a couple of points to begin with, other pieces of Crown land should be reserved in suitable 

 spots to provide for future afforesting on a larger scale, as the country becomes more 

 densely populated, and its resources increase in proportion. And when the work on the- 

 Native forests and on the Gum and Pin9 plantations has become fairly organized, it would 

 be well to start a small plantation in the Coast districts, more as an experimental station 

 than as a source of revenue, where important plants of the tropics may be tried on ant 

 industrial scale. 



METHODS OF PLANTING. The most approved methods for the formation of planta- 

 tions and forest nurseries are described in Bagneris' Elements of Sylviculture ; and a 

 pamphlet by Mr. J. S. Lister on Tree planting in the Cape Colony embodies the results of 

 special experience in the fine Western Province plantations, it would be out of place,, 

 in a preliminary Report of this kind, to enter into details of plantation work. Generally,, 

 planting is to be preferred to sowing in situ, and a nursery is required, in each plantation, 

 for raising the plants. Planting is the more certain process and not more expensive if 

 the plants are put out young enough. It is now admitted that the younger the plants 

 the greater the chances of success, and at the Cape, trees are usually planted when they 

 reach a height of four to six inches. Transplanting before planting out, is useful with 

 most species, as it causes the formation of a good bunch of roots which render the plant 

 hardy. The nursery requires to be made in good ground not too rich, and a stream 

 should be close at hand for watering the plants. The soil should be well cultivated and 

 cleaned, which is conveniently done by raising a crop, of mealies or potatoes, that requires 

 hoeing and weeding. A fence is necessary round the nursery, if not round the plantation. 

 The making of nurseries will imply an additional outlay during the first year ; or else the 

 planting may be made less than in the succeeding years. 



PLANTATIONS OF INDIGENOUS TREES. 'The culture of indigenous trees is at present 

 too uncertain in its results to be undertaken on the same scale as that of some exotics.. 

 It will be useful for regularising the forest boundary in every deinarkated forest. Glades 

 and tongues of grass land running into the forest are numerous enough to afford work 

 for many years to come ; but the planting should at first be limited to that which may be- 

 done by forest-guards whenever leisare serves, and only a small expenditure should be- 

 allowed for the purpose. 



In addition, a Series may be formed near one of the forest stations, for the culture 

 of the indigenous species that have been recommended as being specially valuable, 

 namely, Outeniqua Yellowwood, Stinkwood, White Pear, Hard Pear, and Sneezewood. 

 But the work should be deferred until the exotic plantations are organized. 



