RELATIONSHIP OF THE STATE TO THE FORESTS. 211 



Most of these were planted in the Transvaal and Orange Free 

 State on the treeless high veld. 



The Department is always ready to give advice without charge, 

 as to the selection of species, methods of cultivation, valuation 

 of plantations, &c. The Department's officers also give lectures 

 on forestry questions. 



The Government Land Bank of the Union advances money to 

 farmers for planting at 5 per cent., for 30 years. Tree planting 

 competitions are held under the auspices of the Natal Agricultural 

 Union and the Natal Royal Agricultural Society. The scheme 

 is being continued by the Union Government. The result of 

 these competitions up to date has been the planting of 2,115 acres. 



Forests and plantations are taxed at the same rate as land 

 without trees on it ; that is to say, the forest or plantation, as 

 such, bears no burden beyond the ordinary land tax. 



(f ) The Forest AutJiority. — The Department is controlled by the 

 Chief Conservator ; it is a branch of the Department of Agricul- 

 ture. The Union is divided into 7 conservancies, each presided 

 over by a Conservator of Forests. Each conservancy is divided 

 into a number of districts. The number of District Forest 

 Officers is at present 25, but a considerable increase is under 

 consideration. Each district comprises a number of forest 

 stations or patrols in charge of foresters. 



Attached to the office of the Chief Conservator are 3 forest 

 officers who devote their time to research and technical matters. 



(g) Education. — No forest school for the instruction of members 

 of the superior staff exists in the Union, as the number of recruits 

 is only one or two a year. Such officers are recruited, as far as 

 possible, from South African students who!have obtained the degrees 

 or diplomas of recognised European or American forest schools. 



The subordinate staff is recruited from South African youths 

 who have served a satisfactory apprenticeship at a forest station 

 and thereafter passed through the school for foresters and forest 

 apprentices conducted by the District Forest Officer at Tokai, 

 Cape Peninsula, who is guided by, and directly responsible to, 

 the Chief Conservator of Forests. The course comprises 1 year 

 and 9 months. 



(h) Research. — The Department has as yet no laboratories for 

 research, and mycological, entomological and chemical work has 



p 2 



