The South Australian Naturalist. 
17 
year round, the fallen leaves of the forest holding the water as 
in a sponge. VVe were informed that before tree planting was 
systematicall)’ attempted, the streams were dry through the 
greater part of the time, and became destructive torrents during 
a few days in the year. 
Bellchambers and Other Forests. 
The commissioners were particularly delighted with their visit 
to the Bellchambers Forest, where, for the first time, the mem- 
bers of the commission made close acquaintance with the Aus- 
tralian fauna. It was a novel experience for them to find kan- 
garoos, wallabies, opposums, and native bears proving singularly 
tame and friendly. The members enjoyed a day's deerstalking 
in the Hughes Forest, and secured fine heads of mountain deer 
and mountain goat. A visit to White Forest enabled them to see 
Australian birds in this sanctuary. The figures in connection 
with the Cleland Park, recently extended to the Summit Station 
and hangar grounds, showing a net profit of 23/- per acre per 
annum, proved of great interest. In this connection the commis- 
sioners quote the well-known figures of 32/- per acre profit from 
the State forests as a whole, excluding, of course, the Sowden 
Museum of Sylviculture, the Ising Arboretum, and the Corbin 
Pinetum, which are maintained mainly for scientific investigation. 
The commission makes grateful acknowledgement of the world- 
wide influence of the Osborne Botanical Experimental Station, now 
established for 45 years, and lavishly endowed from private bene- 
factions. The commissioners state that one investigation lately 
made by the station is likely to save the United States forest 
service at least two million dollars a year. 
Profitable Timber. 
'The members expressed great surprise at the amount of 
private planting done through the ranges, but the figures obtained 
show that in suitable areas there is no crop so profitable as timber. 
The}^ warmly approved of the regulation that in the proclaimed 
areas no tree should be cut down without the approval of the 
forest ranger. There are man\^ eulogistic references to the tree 
planting and to the rivalry of suburbs with respect to their parks 
and arboretums. The commissioners were Impressed with the 
effect of the enhancement of the beauties of the city by tree plant- 
ing in attracting so many hundreds of families of means to settle 
in the garden city. They met scores of wealthy people who had 
been attracted by the beauty and healthiness of our city. The 
report draws particular attention to tlie economics of the forest. 
In addition to the immense revenue from timber, the secondart' 
industries are a great benefit to the city, and the profitable em- 
