14 MARCH 1931, Page 13

A form of forestry, calculated to breed envy in any

Brit ish afforester, begins to flourish. IVIten an altitude is at last reached, which forbids the growing of beans, sweet potatoes, sugar, vines, bananas or even bamboo, the land is planted with pines, chiefly pinaster, and from these a not unluerativc Crop may be reaped within the short period of seven years, which altogether defeats in speed even the pines insignis of New Zealand or the cricket willow of Essex. It is cut for fuel, and the trees are trundled down the cobbled roadways of the steep slopes with the minimum of cost and labour. The wise rule prevails here, as in Austria, as it should prevail the world over, that lie who fells a tree must plant at least one other. Of course, in most places the easy fertility of the tribe of pines and firs does the work automatically. It is said in Newfoundland, for example, that nothing less drastic than three rapidly consecutive fires will prevent a sufficient crop of seedlings springing from the ashes.

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