246 FOKESTRY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 



3. Area of Forests. 



The area of the natural forests amounts to 225 square miles, 

 of which 77 are fairly timbered, the rest being more or less 

 scrub. Owing to the small area, the State has planted, with 

 great success, 25 square miles with conifers, making up to 

 date the total forest area 250 square miles, all belonging to the 

 State. 



4. Relationship of the State to the Forests. 



Legislation. — The Forest Act of 1882 provides that the control 

 of the forests shall vest in the Commissioner of Forests with ample 

 powers to deal with all circumstances which may arise. 



Administrative Methods of the Department of Forestry. — An 

 efficient system of fire protection has been in progress for many 

 years. The planting of waste and poorly-timbered areas was 

 commenced over 40 years ago and 25 square miles have been 

 successfully stocked, partly with hardwoods and partly with 

 pines. Some of the latter, 37 years old, have lately been cut and 

 yielded an average annual increment of 222 cubic feet per acre, 

 including all material down to 3 inches. 



Assistance given to Forestry. — The Department has given during 

 38 years 10,140,000 plants to private applicants and corporations, 

 as well as expert advice when asked. 



The Forest Authority. — The Forest Department is administered 

 by the Conservator of Forests, subject to the control of the 

 Commissioner of Forests, who is a member of the Government ; 

 the former is assisted by a forest inspector and foresters and 

 assistant foresters, foremen and nurserymen. 



Education, Research and Experimental Work. — The subordinate 

 staff obtain their training in the forests. The higher officers are 

 now trained at a forestry course established at Adelaide Uni- 

 versity, but the State is taking part in the project of establishing 

 a high-class School of Forestry in New South Wales. 



The Lecturer in Forestry has carried out some useful work of an 

 experimental character on the artificial seasoning of timber. 



No data are available from which the Increment, Utilization, 

 Forest Industries, Exports and Imports, or a summary could be 

 given. It can be stated only that the consumption far exceeds the 



