ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 51 
3. Foresrry, erc.—a. Arboretwm.—tThe colony does not at the 
present time possess a single arboretum of the first class. Our 
climates and soils are so numerous that it would be desirable to 
have arboretums in several districts, but even one arboretum in 
a suitable situation could be made of high educational value. We 
possess a number of collections of trees (the Botanic Gardens in 
Sydney being especially rich in species), but no real garden of 
trees. To possess its maximum value for the people of this colony 
an arboretum would require to be at no great distance from Sydney, 
but, in such a case, it would be almost necessary to have a small 
branch establishment in one of the colder regions of the colony. 
The present time is inopportune to suggest fresh expenditure, but 
perhaps it might be possible to set apart a considerable area (say 
two hundred acres), of Crown Lands in a suitable situation within 
forty or fifty miles of Sydney. It might be possible to establish 
within this area a Forestry School, where young men might receive 
education in forestry matters under conditions as they exist in the 
colony, and if the site of the arboretum were at no great distance 
from a natural forest, the educational advantages would be 
greater still. 
b. Danger of planting inferior species.—Whether plantations 
are made by the Government or by private persons, the importance 
of planting only useful species cannot be overestimated. I have 
Seen plantations in Australia which should now be revenue-pro- 
ducing, but the timber has no known use, and forms inferior fuel. 
It is, in fact, unsaleable. In re-afforestation operations, by means 
of our indigenous trees, it is necessary to emphasise this point very 
distinctly. This brings me to the seed-question. The selection 
of suitable seed is not by any means a matter resting solely with 
the seedsmen. Customers (official bodies and individuals), ask 
distinctly for seed of species which we know to be inferior. The 
reason of this is in some cases owing to the fact that through the | 
confusion of botanical writers in regard to the merits of trees of the 
especially difficult genus Eucalyptus, species have received praise 
which is really not due to them, and planters, observing these 
