MITIGATION OF FLOODS IN THE HUNTER RIVER. 127 



are all practical, and if they be given a fair trial I think 

 that it will be found that they are based on sound principles. 



1. Intelligent control of ringbarking or felling. This is the 



beginning of all things, the attempt to get at the little 

 rifts in the ground-surface that have such mighty 

 consequences. 



2. Repair of little incipient rivulets by gradual replanting 



or placement of obstructions (logs etc.). 



3. Planting of Willows and other trees, shrubs, grasses etc. 



4. Chamfering of the banks. 



5. Fencing of banks. 



6. Burning as much as possible of the dead timber and 



branches to prevent their finding their way into the 

 water-courses and scouring the banks. There is an 

 especial abundance of dead timber after a drought. 



Appendix I. — Mountain torrents in Europe. 



I add a statement from one of the best modern works 

 on forestry 1 in regard to flood mitigation in Europe. The 

 mountain torrents are, as a rule, different in character from 

 the Hunter River and some of the methods in vogue in 

 Europe would be impracticable here on account of the 

 expense. I repeat my advice " to meet the danger at its 

 source." Let us guard against undue erosion by the creek- 

 lets and creeks, and the big river will largely take care of 

 itself. I am only referring to floods which have their origin 

 in the Upper Hunter. 



"Private agency can usually do nothing or little to pre- 

 vent floods. The action of the State is indispensable, as 

 the cost of the erection and maintenance of the works 

 necessary to secure this object is quite out of proportion 

 to the value of the property on which they must be erected, 



1 Schlich's "Manual of Forestry," Vol. iv., page 501. 



