Sessional_Paper_1887-1888 — Page 215

were propagated from the tree and planted for experiment on a piece of land which was subsequently utilised for a portion of the new Tytam Water-Works before I had any opportunity of dealing with the The result of the experiment was therefore lost in consequence of the destruction of the little trees. Last year another experiment was tried which it is to be hoped this time will have a chance of being undisturbed.

trees.

Thinning Plantations.

This work has been continued throughout the year in plantations which were sufficiently advanced. The thinnings have been disposed of by sale without difficulty. However extensively surplus wood may be produced there is no prospect of there ever being any difficulty in its disposal in this Colony.

Fire Barriers.

Grass fires during the dry season have always been numerous and extensive and besides burning the grass, which was of minor importance, the fires have in their progress naturally destroyed or damaged the small trees and shrubs which were on the ground, thus effectually preventing natural reproduction. The increase of fires and the rapid extension of plantations which required greater protection led me to devise a system of barriers to check the progress of fires. With the consent of the Government about 40 miles of these barriers were made before the dry season set in. The result has been even better than I anticipated. Besides a fire which occured from a bonfire at the Jubilee celebrations, there were only two fires which spread beyond a very small extent, and these two did not extend over more than five acres of planted land. In the vicinity of roads, paths, and cemeteries a great number of burnt patches of grass have been seen where the fires had been arrested by the fire barriers. There is no doubt but that for the existence of the fire barriers the fires which were arrested would have spread to a very great extent and have destroyed inmense quantities of trees. If these barriers are maintained, and other suitable precautions carefully observed, there is now hope of grass fires being reduced very much in area.

Protective Service.

An additional Forest Guard was placed on the staff in January. Forest offences do not seem to have increased during the year. The number of cases brought before the Magistrates by the Forest Guards was 27, that is 11 less than during the previous year. There is a great deal of trouble in keeping the guards up to their duty, in fact there is rarely any case instituted which is not done by pressure brought to bear on the guards by the Superintendent. This is not satisfactory, as the Forest Guards should be of a sufficiently high character to move themselves in matters instead of continually shirking their plain duty. This duty of continual surveillance of the guards is becoming more difficult and troublesome to perform as other duties increase and demand attention and time in so many other ways. There will, perceptibly, have to be some improvement in the protective service before long. I fear that we shall never get really effective Chinese guards, but the employment of efficient men would involve a greatly increased cost, however, the time may arrive when it will in the long run be real economy to incur this cost.

Ferneries.

The rockery in Glenealy Road near St. Paul's College, which I referred to in last year's report, has been constructed and is now partially planted. The older rockeries have been maintained in as good condition as circumstances would permit.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

CHARLES FORD,

Superintendent,

Botanical and Afforestation Department.