7.
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devoted to new sections which can be developed strictly for
that purpose.
In other words, it will be necessary to create
Forest Reserves additional to those enumerated in the
Superintendent, Botanical and Forestry Department's
memorandum sent under cover of despatch No.744 of 4th
October, 1938, and to provide the money to plant them up,
maintain them and protect them. Such areas will of necessity
have to be well away from road communications or protection
will prove to be costly. It is thought that a programme of
this nature should be considered in order that definite
timber reserves may be built up. The economic side of such
a programme is a different matter, for every thing will be
against cheapness of working e.g. distance from transport
facilities, cost of protective and maintenance services, etc.
However, the need for additional afforestation is apparent
if only from the points of view of water conservation and of
agriculture.
In view of all this it is obvious that the Botanical and
Forestry Department must have a clear policy to pursue.
This it has and it may be summed up as follows:-
To maintain and protect present afforested areas.
To create new Forest Reserves.
To study silvicultural methods and endeavour to improve
local practices thereby, especially in respect to
"leased forest lots".
To obtain accurate data on local forestry matters
generally.
To experiment with exotic timber and economic tree
species.
To make available the results of its work generally, both
locally and in other Colonies.
To obtain economic returns on its work if it proves
possible to do so.
To carry out this policy it is apparent that it needs all