10 KAURI GROWTH. 
later, averages one family (white) per 100 acres. In the wetter parts, re- 
sembling Waipoua in climate, all soluble plant-food except inside the 
forest is rapidly leached out of the soil by the heavy rains, so that 
excessive aud costly manuring is required, either for field crops or a 
good growth of grass. ' is 
The southern limit of existing wild forest of Kauri is detailed in 
Mr. Cheeseman’s monograph mentioned above and in the text-books. 
Approximately it is latitude 38°. Probably Kauri would thrive in 
cultivated forest along the warm coast lands as far south as both sides 
of Cook Strait—viz., the sea-coast climate of latitude 44°. , 
At Otaki, forty miles north of Wellington, is a planted tree looking 
as well as any I have seen in the north. It is twenty-eight years old, 
and is 30ft. high, with a diameter of 8}in. It has been bearing cones 
for several years. It is in a sheltered locality near the sea, warm even 
for this enervating coast land. 
The tree in the Wellington Botanic Gardens bears cones. 
There are actually planted trees of Kauri in Botanic Gardens as far 
south as Dunedin growing fairly, and said to be hardy, with a mean 
temperature scarcely above that of London, England. ‘They look fairly 
well, but naturally have not the vigorous appearance of the Otaki or 
New Plymouth planted trees, 
KAURI RATE OF GROWTH. 
DIAMETER-GROWTH. 
The Old Authorities.—Laslet, so well known for his classic on timbers 
used by the Admiralty in England, after his visit to New Zealand as 
far back as 1840-43, cited 13°4 rings per inch of radius as the average 
Kauri growth on four specimens he had—or, in other words, lin. of 
diameter-growth in 6°7 years, or 6 years and 8 months. 
In 1867 Dr. Hochstetter, in his book of travels in New Zealand, 
wrote that Kauri rings averaged ten to twelve per inch of radius, but 
he did not bring home the point that this was nearly double the growth 
of European forest-trees. 
In 1874 J. C. Firth, in an article on ‘‘ Forest Culture’’ read before 
the Auckland Institute, remarks: ‘‘ For instance, every foot in diameter 
of Kauri represents half a century.’’ (Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1874.) He 
Was not aware that this is double the average rate of normal timber- 
growth in the Pine forests of Europe. 
In 1876 Captain Campbell-Walker, the Indian forest officer, remarked, 
“The Kauri is a fast-growing tree.”’ 
In the report of the Timber Commission of 1909, p. 585, the Hon. E. 
Mitchelson was asked: ‘‘ The fact of the Kauri or other native trees 
growing 1 ft. in diameter in twenty-three years does not prove it is a 
fast-growing tree!—I say, for a hardwood that is very fast. @. Is not 
your land very good !—No, not extra good; it is semi-volcanic.”’ 
Mr. Mitchelson reported the following growth of native trees he had 
planted himself on his ground at Remuera, and invited the Commissioners 
to come and see the trees for themselves. At twenty-three years of age 
the following diameters: Kauri, 10in.; Totara, 13 Tt. 5 Rimu, 8 in.; 
Puriri, 9in. I remeasured these trees in 1916 and found the growth 
well maintained. 

