CAPE COLONY. 139 



have been so destroyed in the past that they now contain no 

 timber of commercial vahie. 



The stock of commercial timber generally in the indigenous 

 forests is small. Moreover, ^Yitll the exception of the Clan- 

 wilHam cedar, natural reproduction is weak and artificial pro- 

 pagation difficult. The indigenous species are also of slow 

 growth. As to the Clanwilliam cedar, it will thrive only 

 under special climatic conditions which are fonnd in 

 certain limited parts of the Colony. Under these circum- 

 stances, the authorities decided to establish extensive 

 plantations of exotic species. 



Up to date, about 24,000 acres have thus been planted with 

 a variety of species, selected according to the climate of the 

 different parts of the Colony. The number of species is 

 great, and only the more important ones can here be 

 mentioned : — 



Pinns innaster (cluster pine) thrives excellently along the 

 southern coast of the Colony, where the rainfall is sufficient. 

 About 8 tons of seed have been sown annually. 



Finns innea (stone pine) was introduced by the early 

 settlers, but some 30 years ago it was attacked by a fungoid 

 disease which has almost exterminated the species. 



English oak, as well as white and black poplar, have also 

 been successfully introduced. Of eucalypts, a great variety 

 of species have been planted. 



Various other species of pine, cypresses, juniper, cedar 

 {Ccdrns drodara), and Australian wattles are also represented. 



During the last 22 years, about i;300,000 have been 

 invested in these plantations. Some of them yield already a 

 substantial revenue, and it is estimated that if another -40,000 

 acres of plantations, costing X'500,000, are added. Cape Colony 

 w^ill be supplied with timber altogether derived from its own 

 plantations and natural forests. 



In addition to what has been stated, the Government of 

 Cape Colony encourages tree-planting by private proprietors. 

 The Government forest officers help by advice in the form of 



