48 
Beafforeitotvm. 
Regeneration has taken place over practically all the flooded country; seedlings appear quickly 
after the debris on the forest floor has been burnt off ; wherever much cutting of mature timber has taken 
place, and where the forests have been swept by fire. 
Rate of 
The rate of growth varies considerably and is dependent on character of soil, situation as regards 
drainage and frequency of flooding. In some instances, trees attain milling size under thirty years, but 
it is only under exceptional circumstances. Trees have recently been felled near Mathoura from land 
which I am creditably informed was cleared twenty-four years ago. Some of the trees had a centre girth 
circumference of 7 feet, and over 30 feet length of bole. On Millewa State Forest, on land near the bank 
of the river rarely flooded, which was cleared and cropped after 1870 for some years, there is now a forest 
of young trees 2 feet to 5 feet in girth at 5 feet from the ground. I am of opinion that these trees get good 
root water. Under other circumstances not so favourable to a rapid growth, I am of opinion that it takes 
from sixty to eighty years for trees to reach the felling girth namely 8 feet G inches measured at 5 feet 
above the ground. 
[Acquires a girth of 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet in thirty years Evidence of Mr. James Shackcll, M.L.A., 
before Victorian Commission on Vegetable Products]. 
Rainfall and Climate. 
Annual rainfall, sixteen inches. Mild winter climate, with occasional heavy frosts. High tem- 
perature in summer; a dry heat ranging from 90 to 110 degrees. 
Damage caused by Fire. 
Extensive damage has been caused to these forests in previous years by severe forest fires, and it is 
only by taking effective measures to prevent the spread of fire and to minimise fire risks that we can avoid 
similar losses in future. 
Protective measures against Forest Fires. 
Measures have been taken to establish effective firebreaks on these State Forests during the past 
two years ; and four small gangs of men are now engaged in the preparation of breaks in different parts 
of the reserves where the greatest danger is believed to exist ; and while they are, carrying out the work 
of clearing breaks, their services arc always available at short notice for any outbreak of fire ; they are 
provided with fire-fighting tools for the purpose ; they have also got their horses and vehicles or bicycle 
so that little time is lost in reaching a fire a few miles distant. 
Permanent Residential Overseers are to be stationed on each of our main reserves ; these men will 
keep firebreaks in order, and be constantly on the watch for fires during the summer months. 
The breaks now being made are 4 chains in width. In their preparation, advantage is taken of 
existing roads and creeks, and where possible the latter are cleared of all debris. As far as can reasonably 
be done traffic is being diverted to the firebreaks that are being cleared through the forest. A width of 
from 12 to 15feet is being cleared on either sideof the 4chains,in order to enable us to use a road-scraper 
for the purpose of scraping off the grass, and it is proposed to burn off the grass and debris within the 
4 chains early in the summer of each year. When these main firebreaks are completed, it will be necessary 
to make intersecting breaks ; the first, to protect the best areas of young timber ; and others to be made 
after these until we have a complete scheme of fire protection. Once the breaks are made the cost of 
maintaining them will be light, but the whole scheme, in my opinion, hinges on the appointment of active 
and intelligent Overseers. 
v Ir (cultural ///< /<>/.//, rate. 
Forest improvement work has been carried out on these reserves during the past two and a half 
years, at a coat of 11s. IJd. per acre ; the total area improved during that period being 5,987 acres. 
It is very desirable, in order to promote a more even and more vigorous growth of seedlings and 
spar timber, that judicious thinning should be carried out on the more densely timbered areas, and that 
inflammable debris should be burnt off, in order to protect these valuable areas from total destruction in 
the event of forest fires. We propose to enter upon this work as soon as our firebreak scheme is com- 
pleted. 
