NATIVE FOREST AND PLANTATIONS OF INTRODUCED TREES. 155 
however, it is only very weak small island forest floras that disappear 
entirely with civilization, its pests, and the stronger trees that follow 
in its wake. There are not many instances of such disappearances of 
the native-forest flora. That of St. Helena has gone, but a remnant of 
the native forest remains in Madeira, sheltered by the invasive Cluster- 
pine, a tree which 1s spreading self-sown slightly in New Zealand. But 
in the small Canary Islands farther north the native forest has held its 
own against civilization for three hundred years; and, as far as 1 can 
see (after a careful study on the spot), it seems likely to do so when 
not purposely destroyed. 
Pessimists and illogical detenders of the present destructive forest 
policy of New Zealand have urged that these cases of perishing island 
floras apply to the forests of New Zealand. They read of these things, 
and apply them hastily to the fine forests of New Zealand, when there 
is no real analogy. The forest flora of New Zealand is a large, strong 
forest flora. a member of a geologically larger forest flora. Whether one 
takes the Kauri forests of the north, the Beech forests of the south and 
colder regions, or the ‘‘ mixed ’’ forest throughout New Zealand, there 
is no analogy with those weak island floras which have been displaced 
with the advent of civilized man. Give the New Zealand forest only a 
reasonable chance against destructive felling, grazing, and fires, and it 
is as strong as the forest of most countries. It is stronger than the 
native-forest flora of the British Isles, for instance. But to demarcate 
out isolated scraps all over the country under the name of ‘“ scenic 
reserves,’ to leave those unprotected, and expect them to last under a 
Spanish summer sun with the frequent fire-risk seems scarcely reasonable! 
STRENGTHEN, BUT DO NOT DHSTROY, 
In South Africa, where, no long geological time since, the forest was 
probably nearly the same as New Zealand, and where the ‘‘ Yellow-wood 
forest ’’ is strikingly like the New Zealand forest now, civilization has 
for the last thirty years ceased to appreciably destroy the native ‘‘ bush.”’ 
On the contrary, it is being strengthened and improved, though somewhat 
slowly, by the introduction of valuable timber-trees from other countries. 
The accompanying photograph shows the growth of Insignis-pine in the 
‘ eastern forests ’’ of the Cape. Some half-million exotic trees were being 
planted yearly before the outbreak of war; the valuable Camphor-tree is 
spreading, bird-sown; and the Australian Red Cedar is growing better 
than any planted Cedars I have heard of in Australia. In the west, near the 
Cape of Good Hope, the native forest was mostly destroyed centuries ago, 
long before forestry became a science. But remnants of the native bush 
still remain; and it is curious to note now, on the slopes of Table Moun- 
tain, the mingling of dark patches of the completely naturalized Cluster- 
pine (Pinus pinaster) and the glistening sheen of the indigenous white- 
foliaged Silver-tree (Leucadendron argenteum)—both trees cultivated 
enough in New Zealand to be well known, especially the Silver-tree on 
the hills around Wellington, 
Many foreign trees bear more seed and have a stronger natural re- 
generation than the New Zealand timber-trees. It is reasonable to sup- 
pose that they may eventually spread through the native forest as Gorse, 
Blackberry, and the host of introduced weeds have spread over the open 
country. It is possible that some of them may require a little artificial 
assistance (p. 116). But if so, being all trees selected for good timber 
and quick growth, they can afford to pay for it. 
