Tree Planting.

Some time ago the Department appointed a highly qualified Forestry Officer to care for its forest property, its groves and plantations, and he is applying to his work the principles of aesthetic forestry, especially in the selection of appropriate trees for planting in settings which will help to add aesthetic value to the relations between railway premises and the cities or the countryside they serve.

At present the Department operates two nurseries which contain approximately three million trees, mainly eucalypts. These will be planted in various parts of the country, but mainly on a consolidated area near Waihi.

page 44

page 45

Here there was last year planted and sown some 230 acres in various species, mainly eucalypts, and in addition near the main Waihi-Tauranga highway, a two-mile strip of Red Flowering Gum with an outside line of pohutukawas, the object being to obtain bright colour for a considerable part of the year, the two species supplementing each other.

The plans for the coming winter include the planting of the greater part of three thousand acres, near Waihi, together with small areas in various other localities.

“You'd hardly believe,” he said to the Chum who'd dropped in, “how pernickety some men are when buying a pipe. A bloke blew in yesterday who priced all my choicest briars and ended up by buying a ninepenny Cherrywood.” The other chap laughed. “Good job,” he said, “smokers aren't like that when it comes to tobacco. Generally smoke same old brand?” “That's right, one of my regulars has been smoking same brand for 25 years.” “What's his fancy?” “Same as your's—Cut Plug No. 10.” The caller nodded, “I sure freeze on a good thing when I strike it; what's the other toasted brands, again?” “Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish, Riverhead Gold, and Desert, Gold: When I open a case of tins it's empty in no time. Smokers can't resist toasted.” “True, O King!—I know I can't!” “Yes, toasted has a lot to recommend it,” said the tobacconist, “being toasted it's practically without nicotine, the flavour's O.K., and it has a bosker bouquet.” “You've said it,” laughed his pal, and with a “Cheerio,” he went his way.

The present condition of the railway plantations is perhaps the best indication of the attitude of the Department and its servants towards trees. The trees have been carefully guarded, and such plantations as at Papakura, Rotorua and Rollestion are amongst the best existing samples of early plantations.