348 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [July 
areas planted with “ mother trees ” should be selected so that the maximum 
of spontaneous reproduction can be secured. 
Under the excellent general conditions which are present over the area 
in question the spontaneous spread of forest would commence within a 
comparatively short period from the time that the “ mother trees were 
established. Indeed, there is local evidence in favour of the anticipation 
that the seeding stage would be reached in from ten to fifteen years from 
planting in the case of some species. Trees 8 ft. in height may now be 
seen which have been produced from seed shed by “ mother trees ” less 
then twenty years old at the present time, proving conclusively that fertile 
seed was produced by these same trees several years ago. 
Size and Nature of Plantings. —The extent and nature of the plantings 
—whether individual trees, strips, or groups, &c.—would be governed by 
the area and configuration of the ground in the immediate vicinity, and 
by the area to be afforested. Advantage would be taken of any shelter 
provided by subalpine growth for the protection of the young trees during 
their first stages of development. 
Fencing against Stock , &c. —The erection of protection fences would be 
quite unnecessary, for there would be small likelihood of the young trees 
being destroyed by rabbits, hares, or sheep, the presence of these animals 
at the higher altitudes being approximately as 1 to 10 compared with their 
numbers on the country where regeneration is now taking place. The 
expense of fencing—so large an item of expenditure in the formation of 
our State plantations in the past—could thus be dispensed with. I may 
here mention that extensive tree-planting is being carried out by the State 
Forests Department on unfenced areas on the Kaingaroa Plains. 
Preparation of Seed-becl. —The preparation of a suitable germinating- 
bed is a matter which need not be taken into consideration here, as it is 
usually confined to natural regeneration under shelter woods. In any 
case, the nature of the area it is proposed to afforest would prohibit any 
artificial preparation ; nor would it be at all necessary, for the natural 
covering of tussock and other native plants affords excellent conditions at 
all times for seed-germination. 
Fires .—In order to minimize the danger of damage by fire it would 
be necessary to exercise control to some extent over the periodical burning- 
off practised on high country by station-owners. This phase of the ques¬ 
tion, however, should not present any great or insurmountable difficulty, 
as the owners or lessees would probably take such interest in the matter 
that necessary precautions would be observed. In any case, there are great 
areas where the sparse subalpine covering would not carry fire. No doubt 
arrangements could be made with those working this high country for 
pastoral purposes to undertake plantings to some extent. The beneficial 
influence of a forest covering in tempering the climate of these high alti¬ 
tudes would probably mean increased production over the whole area.' 
Tending. —With regard to subsequent care and attention, I would leave 
the whole matter to nature up to a certain period, and allow the universal 
law—“ the survival of the fittest ”—to exercise full sway until such time 
as the forester’s art may step in to the greatest advantage. 
Economic and General Considerations. 
It will be realized from what I have said that the country under con¬ 
sideration is not of a character likely under any other type of utilization 
to be capable of a large annual production. Consequently no economic 
loss of any consequence can result from the experiments I advocate, other 
than that incurred in the preliminary planting experiments. On the other 
hand, if the experiments are successful the economic gain will be enormous. 
