278 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Ocr., 1902. 
Foururr ManaGement DiscusseED AND PRESCRIBED. 
(7) Basis of proposals. (1) Working circles how composed; reasons for their 
formation. (2) Compartments; justification of the subdivisions adopted. (8) 
Analysis of the crop; method of valuation employed. 
(G.) Method of treatment. (1) Object sought to be obtained. (2) Method of 
treatment adopted. (3) Exploitable age. 
(77.) The fellings. (1) The general working scheme; calculation of the 
possibility. (2) Period for which the fellings are prescribed. (3) Areas to be felled 
annually or periodically ; order of their allotment. (4) Nature of and mode of 
executing the fellings; forecast of the condition of crops at their conclusion. (5) 
Tabular statement of the fellings to be made. 
(Z.) Supplementary regulations. (1) Cleanings, thinnings, or other improve- 
ment fellings. (2) Grazing and other rights. (3) Sowings, plantings, or other works. 
special to each circle. (4) Improvements common to the whole area. 
: (J.) Miscellaneous. (1) Miscellaneous prescriptions. (2) Changes proposed 
in the forest staff. (3) Financial results of proposed working. 
(K.) Appendices. (1) Maps. (2) Description of crop in each compartment, 
written or by stock maps. (3) Valuation surveys; written record of the results of. 
(4) Kates of growth; records of observations made. (5) A concise summary (by 
working circles) of the prescriptions of the plan. (6) Miscellaneous statements. 
“With a view to bringing all important forests, as soon as possible, under 
systematic management, the first working plans may be of a simpler description, and 
based on such data as may be readily obtainable, to be substituted by more accurate 
plans as to the detailed information required for their preparation becomes available.” 
(Indian Code.) 
When the working plan is approved by the Government or, as in the case 
of railway schedules, by Parliament, it should only be set aside by an Act of 
Parliament. 
It will be seen from the above necessarily brief sketch that forest conservancy is 
a business which, to succeed, must be conducted on regularly formulated and business 
lines, and by persons whose business it is. 
The yoluminous information collected from many works by Royal Commissions, 
Conferences, and the like, has a value which is by no means to be deprecated. lt 
is most useful as educating the public and public men as to the necessity for action, 
and, what is of more importance, as to the fact that action will pay. But it must not 
be regarded as taking the place of practical action, and there is a danger that the 
voluminous nature of the evidence and the great expense of printing, fees, travelling 
expenses, &c., involved in its collection, may defeat the very object of its collectors. 
The assistance which the science of forestry derives from the science of meteor- 
ology, and the advantages I have derived in my study of Australian climatic con- 
ditions, from a long association with Mr. Wragge, both as the observer of one of his 
branch-meteorological stations and his personal friend, and the strong views he has 
always expressed as to the advantages of forests from a climatic standpoint, render it 
appropriate that I should agree to his request to say a few words on my favourite 
pursuit and study in the pages of his new and journalistic venture, to which I wish a 
career as prosperous as it is certain to be useful. 
I may be allowed, in conclusion, to quote the words of one of the most brilliant 
scientists, economists, and financiers of our day, Sir John Lubbock : “ The reckless and 
wanton destruction of forests have ruined some of the richest countries on earth. 
Syria and Asia Minor, Palestine, and the North of Africa were once far more Porwleae 
than they are at present. They were once lands ‘flowing with milk and honey,” 
according to the picturesque language of the Bible, but are now in many places 
reduced to dust and ashes. Why is there this melancholy change? Why have 
deserts replaced cities? It is mainly owing to the ruthless destruction of the trees 
which has involved that of nations. Even nearer home a similar process may be 
witnessed. ‘he French Departments, the Hautes and Basses-Alpes, are being 
gradually reduced to ruin by the destruction of the forests, cultivation is diminishing, 
vineyards are being washed away, the towns are threatened, the population is 
dwindling, and unless something is done the country will be reduced to a desert.” 
Again: “The region of the Landes, which fifty years ago was one of the poorest and 
most miserable in France, has now been made one ‘of the most prosperous owing to 
‘the planting of pines. The increased value is estimated at no less than :1,000,000,000 
francs.” 
Only a month ago Dr. Maxwell complained that the injudicious cutting of forest 
on hill slopes of little value for cultural purposes was seriously affecting the sugar 
industry in Queensland. 
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