TN
119
C32A5
1865

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
PARLIAMENT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

SELECT COMMITTEE TO
CONSIDER THE COLONIAL
BOTANIST'S REPORT

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

THE ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT
ONION OF SCUTH AFRICA.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

REPORT

DELECT COMMITTEE

APPOINTED BY THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

CONSIDER THE

!OLONIAL BOTANIST'S REPORT,

&»

" - 'X

onfer of

1865.

CAPE TOWN :
'SAUL SOLOMON AND CO., STEAM PRINTING OFFICE

1865,

C. 7-'G3, COLONIAL BOTANIST'S REPORT.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

REPORT

SELECT COMMITTEE

APPOINTED BY THB

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

TO CONSIDER THE

COLONIAL BOTANIST'S EEPOKT.

enter of tto Sqjislato djtomdl

1865.

CAPE TOWN :
SAUL SOLOMON AND CO., STEAM PRINTING OFFICE

1865.

C. 7— '65. COLONIAL BOTANIST'S REPORT.

TV
111

Hl

REPORT

OF THE

SELECT COMMITTEE appointed by the LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL on the 4th August, 1865, "to consider the
Colonial Botanist's Report."

PRESENT :
Mr. VIGNE (Chairman),

Mr. van Breda,
Mr. Busk,

Mr. Wicht.

The Committee appointed by the Honourable the Legis-
lative Council to consider the Colonial Botanist's Report for
1864, beg leave to present their report.

Your Committee are of opinion that the information
obtained from the evidence of the Colonial Botanist is of a
valuable and, generally speaking, practical character.

From his unavoidable absence on an official tour, the
Committee had it not in their power to complete their
inquiries ; but sufficient information was obtained to satisfy
them that there exists a necessity for a change in the system
of management of all the forests in the various parts of
the Colony, — which, from their great extent, and the
valuable timber contained in them, ought to be, and might
be made, a source of revenue to the Colony ; whereas the
trifling amount now received from them is scarcely sufficient
to cover the expense of their conservation.

In the opinion of your Committee, the present system on
which licences are granted for cutting timber is bad, and
should be revised. It yields only a trifling annual income,
and is very destructive by waste to the forests them-
selves, which are every day diminishing in size and value.
From the great extent of these forests, and their compara-
tively slight supervision, a compliance with the conditions
of the licences cannot be enforced.

1094?''

IV REPORT.

In the opinion of your Committee, the observations
contained in this Report respecting the formation of reser-
voirs, dams, and vleys or shallow lakes, for the preservation
of water, are deserving of serious consideration ; and if any
expenditure on public works is authorized by Parliament,
works of this character should occupy a prominent part.

The Committee, therefore, beg leave to direct the attention
of the Council to the further information elicited upon these
important subjects by the evidence which they have taken,
and to recommend that the same be submitted to His Excel-
lency the Governor for his consideration.

H. T. VIGNE, Chairman.
Committee Rooms, 6th October, 1865.

PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE-

Monday Uth August, 1865.

PRESENT :

Mr. Vigne, I Mr. Busk,

Mr. Cock, I Mr. Wicht.

Resolved, that Mr. Vigne do take the chair.

The Chairman reads Order of Council, dated 4th August,
1865, appointing the Committee.

Dr. J. C. Brown, Colonial Botanist, examined.

Committee adjourns till Wednesday, the 16th instant, #t half-
past 10 o'clock.

Wednesday, I6tk August, 1865.

PRESENT :
Mr. VIGNE (Chairman),

Mr. Pote,
Mr. Wicht,

Mr. van Breda,
Dr. Brown further examined.

Mr. Cock,
Mr. Busk.

Committee adjourns till Monday, the 21st instant, at 10
o'clock.

Monday, 2lst August, 1865.
PRESENT :

Mr. VIGNE (Chairman),

Mr. Pote, I Mr. van Breda,

Mr. Cock, | Mr. Busk.

Dr. Brown further examined.
Committee adjourns.

VI PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE.

Friday, 6th October, 1865.
PRESENT :

Mr. VIGNE (Chairman),

Mr. van Breda, I Mr. Wicht.

Mr. Busk, |

The Chairman submits draft Report.

Agreed to, and the Chairman instructed to report to Council
accordingly.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE,

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANIST'S
REPORT.

Monday, 14th August, 1865.

PRESENT :

Mr. VIGNE (Chairman),

Mr. Cock, I Mr. Busk.

Mr. Wicht,

Dr. J. C. Brown examined.

1. Chairman.] You are Colonial Botanist ? — Yes. Dr. J.G. Brown

2. You are aware. Dr. Brown, that this Committee , has Aug~[^~1865.
been appointed to consider your report? — I am.

3. You have bestowed considerable attention on agricul-
ture and arboriculture, and visited various parts of the
Colony ? — Yes ; I have been from this to King William's
Town, thence to beyond the Orange River, and from that to
Port Elizabeth. I have also visited Clanwilliam.

4. I believe the forests of this Colony are under the
supervision of superintendents at present, are they not? —
One of them, the forest in the district of Uitenhage, is under
Capt. Harison, as conservator of forests. Those of George
are under charge of the civil commissioner of George.
Those at the Knysna are under the civil' commissioner of the
Knysna. Those at Katberg and Cedarberg are understood
to be under the superintendence of the civil commissioners
of those places. I do not know whether it would be
premature to speak of the forests of British Kaffraria.

5. We would be glad if you can give us any information
regarding them ? — In Kaffraria the form of licences is
different from that of those given in this Colony, and I am
not aware that any conservator has been formally appointed.

6. Has anybody a right to cut wood there ? — No one has
a right to cut wood without a licence.

C. 7— '65, COLONIAL BOTANISTS REPORT.— 1.

B

2 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

7. Then the duty of the superintendent is to give a licence

Aug~14Ti865. tO CUt ?— YeS.

8. What is the nature of the licence to cut wood in the
George forests? — At George and the Knysna the licence
must specify the description of wood to be felled and
removed, and no licence must cover more than two loads of
any kind of wood. It must also state the number of men
intended to be employed in cutting the wood specified.

9. Mr. Wicht.] What is the charge for the licence? —
£1 ; but in Katberg it is understood that the charge per
licence is 6s., whilst in Clanwilliam no charge whatever is
made.

10. What may be the charge in the Tzitzikama forests ?—
I presume the same as at George and the Knysna.

1 1 . And in British Kaffraria ? — It is there charged by the
"saw," or so much for each saw, per three months.

12. Are there any steam saw-mills employed ? — There is
at least one mill worked by water-power employed in the
Kaffrarian forests, and a special arrangement is made, but
upon the same principle.

13. Have you any idea of the quantity that can be cut
with one saw in three months? — I cannot tell.

14. What check is there that the party who pays so much
for a licence takes away only a certain quantity ? — In the
George and Knysna forests the regulation is that no timber
is to be removed from the place where it is worked, nor is
any to be sold till it has been inspected by the ranger, and
the proper endorsement made by him on the licence. Nor
is any timber to be taken to any private homestead to be
dressed. This must be done on the ground before it leaves
the forest.

15. Mr. BuskJ] Are these rules strictly adhered to? — I
believe not.

1 6. Mr. Wicht.] You do not know what is the charge per
saw in British Kaffraria ? — It is 50s. for three months ; but
I believe the arrangement has not been found to work well.

17. Are licences a sufficient protection to the forests ? —
They might be if the system were properly wrought out ;
but that is difficult, and probably impossible, without increasing
the number of rangers.

18. Are you aware that under Mr. Montagu, a former
Colonial Secretary, the system of licences was done away

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANISTS REPORT. 3

with, and that he rather encouraged the sale of forest land to Dr. j.c. Brown
private individuals ? — I have heard that Mr. Montagu waa Aug. 14, ises,
opposed to granting licences, and that he proposed the sale
of the forests.

19. Did that promote the sale of Crown lands ? — I cannot
tell.

20. Parliament then reverted to the old system of granting
licences. How many years is that about, do you recollect ?
— I suppose about ten years.

21. Did not those who had bought ground consider them-
selves ill used when the icence system was re-adopted ? —
They did. I am aware of the fact.

22. Is there much wood destroyed in these forests ? — A
great deal. There is very much waste.

23. A number of young trees are cut down to get at
a large one ? — In that way a great deal is destroyed ; and
also frequently a tree is half felled, and found unsuitable,
and it is left to decay. Sometimes large valuable trees are
cut down, and only a small portion of them used. Perhaps
a few beams of twenty feet long are required ; these are cut
out, and the rest left to decay. One case of this kind is
mentioned in my report on the Conservation of the Forests^
appended to the Colonial Botanist's report for 1 863. The
tree measured three feet six inches in diameter, and twelve-
inch beams only were required. No other appliances than
the axe and the adze being at command, it was cut to the
required length, and chips were cut off the one side and the
other till it was reduced to a slab twelve inches thick, and
this was sent to a saw-mill to be cut into such breadths as
were desired.

24. Mr. Busk^] Is the charge for licences, then, only
calculated for the worked timber ? — Yes. In the forests of
George and the Knysna a load of wagonwood consists of two
complete " loops." A load of yellowwood consists of eighty
cubic feet, if one log, or of fifty planks of twenty feet by
twelve inches by one inch. A load of stinkwood consists of
ten planks, twenty feet by twelve inches by three inches, or
fifty cubic feet.

25. Would it not be an improvement to alter the terms of
the licences to rough measurement, in order to prevent the
waste exemplified in your previous answer ? — I fear it would
be impracticable, more especially in regard to wagonwood.

4 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

/

Dr. J.c. Brown 26. Mr. CockJ] Would that apply also to large trees out
Aug. 14, 1865. of which beams and planks are cut ? — It is not impossible to
carry out such a measure, but it would be difficult. It is very
desirable that the forest-rangers should mark the trees to be
cut down ; but that, at present, is found to be almost imprac-
ticable ; and it would add to the difficulty if he had not only
to mark the tree, but to calculate the measurement of it. I
should also anticipate unceasing disputes between the ranger
and the wood-cutter in respect to the measurement.

27 Chairman.] What is the entire revenue derived from
the forests ? — It appears to have been last yenr under £275.

28. Mr. Wicht.] And what is paid to the rangers? —
iSomething under £1,000. The revenue is something under
£275 over the expenses of conservation and rangers. The
expense of conservation of the George forests was last year
about £65 over the revenue, and that is the case with others.
The Knysna forest and that of the Tzitzkamma are those
from which alone a free revenue appears to be derived.

29. Chairman.] Has there been any alteration with
regard to revenue during the last few years ? — About three
years ago the amount of proceeds was about £750, now it is
less than £275.

30. Mr. Busk] Can you suggest any mode by which the
waste, an instance of which you have quoted, can be preven-
ted in future ? — In my original report, already referred to, 1
suggest that encouragement should be given to private parties
to erect saw-mills ; the encouragement I contemplate being,
granting to them for a definite period of considerable
duration the exclusive privilege of cutting timber in a
well-defined locality of considerable extent, upon terms satis-
factory to all concerned, — satisfactory to them and remuner-
ative to the community for what is cut down or otherwise
destroyed.

31. Chairman.'] In your opinion, have the forests increased
or diminished within these last few years in size? — They
are being considerably diminished.

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANISTS REPORT. 5

Wednesday, 16th August, 1865.

PRESENT :

Mr. VIGNE (Chairman),

Mr. Wicht, Mr. Pole.

Mr. Busk,

Dr. Brown further examined,

32. Chairman.] You have stated to the committee that nr.j.a Brawn
considerable diminution has taken place of late years in the Aug. IG, ises.
extent of the colonial forests. Have you any suggestions to

oifer in regard to their preservation, or the planting of
trees ?— I reported fully upon the subject last year. Queries
have been issued from the Colonial Office relative to state-
ments in that report, and all of the replies received to these
queries, together with a great deal of additional information,
have come into my possession, any portion of which I am
prepared to communicate to the committee.

33. You referred to a letter to the Colonial Secretary.
Will you state the nature of that report? — In that report I
gave illustrations of meteorological laws regulating evapora-
tion, adduced a number of facts to show that the destruction
of trees desiccated the climate, reported a number of facts
illustrative of the waste of timber going on in the forests of
the Colony, and suggested certain measures with a view of
arresting this destruction of forest timber, and replacing,
by plantations, the trees destroyed.

34 You state that you have received replies to the
queries issued from the Colonial Office. Will you state the
nature of these replies? — One of the queries was, "To
what extent are your observations in accordance with those
reported by the Colonial Botanist?" Most of the gentlemen
furnishing replies confirm all I alleged, more especially in
regard to the great destruction of timber going on in the
forest, and the probability of this increasing the aridity of
the climate,

35. From whom were those replies received ? — The cir-
cular was addressed to all civil commissioners of districts in
which there are forests ; to all conservators of forests ; to
all forest rangers ; and to upwards of forty gentlemen residing
in different parts of the Colony of whom it was supposed

6 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

Dr. j.c. Brown that they might be able and willing to supply information
Aug. 16, 1865. such as was desired. Replies to these queries were received
from the following six gentlemen, taking an interest in the
conservation and utilization of the forests, viz. : J. Blake,
Esq., civil commissioner and conservator of forests in the
» district of the Knysna ; W. D. Vigrim van Alphen, Esq.,
civil engineer, George ; Capt. Harrison, conservator of
forests in the district of Uitenhage, and resident at the
Tzitzikamma; Mr. Pillans, ranger of Crown forests in dis-
trict of Van Staden's River; Mr. Nightingale, Ranger of Crown
forests in district of Alexandria ; and Mr. Small, of the firm
of Messrs. Haynes and Small, formerly proprietors of Vic-
toria saw-mill in forest near King William's Town. Replies
were also received from the following eleven gentlemen who
have given attention to the planting and culture of trees,
viz. : Lieutenant-Colonel Blagrave, late of Wynberg, and
formerly assistant superintendent of canals and forests in
Scinde; E. L. Layard, Esq., F.Z.S., M.E.S., &c., and
curator of South African Museum ; R. H. Arderne, Esq.,
one of the commissioners of Cape Town Botanical Gardens,
formerly timber merchant in Cape Town ; J. C. Holding,
Esq., secretary to the Western Province Agricultural
Society; A. G. Mathieson, Esq., overseer of plantations on
the white sands of the Cape Flats; J. Templeman, Esq.,
nurseryman and seedsman, Cape Town ; F. Metcalf, Esq.,
Voerhoeden, Caledon ; the Hon. H. T. Vigne, Esq.,
M.L.C., Tygerhoek, Zonder End River ; W. Tuck, Esq.,
superintendent of Botanic Garden, Graham's Town ; J.
Leonards, Esq., Somerset East ; and A. V. Jackson, Esq.,
Lower JNelspoort. Besides these replies received by the
Colonial Secretary in answer to the circular, several com-
munications upon one or other or all of the subjects referred
to in it have been made to myself by gentlemen to whom
copies of the circular had been transmitted. Relating to
forest economy, there have been seven communications, from
the Hon. H. Barrington, of Portland, near Belvidere,
Knysna ; C. Sutherland, Esq., resident at the Knysna, and
for many years past connected with the timber trade of that
port ; T. Bain, Esq., superintendent of road now being
made through the forests of the Knysna and in the district
beyond ; Dr. Lawrence, medical officer at convict station in the
Knysna forest ; C. L. Stretch, Esq., civil engineer, formerly

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANISTS REPORT. 7

engaged in prosecuting preliminary arrangements necessary Dr. j.c. Brown
for the making of these roads ; Mr. Falconer, formerly con- Aug. ir,, ises.
nected with saw-mill in Pirie Bush, near King William's Town;
and from a gentleman whose communication was marked
" private," and must, therefore he considered anonymous. From
gentlemen taking an interest in arboriculture there have been
received eight communications, from P. B. Richardson, Esq.,
Schoonberg, Langekloof ; Walter Smith, Esq., Hermitage,
Oatlands, Graham's Town ; the Rev. W. R. '1 homson,
Stockenstrom, Kat River; Robert Hart, sen,, Esq., Somerset
East ; Messrs. Parkes Brothers, Wheatlands, Graaff-Reinet ;
— Hobson, Esq., Ebenezer, Graaff-Reinet; Dr. Meullen,
Colonial Botanist, Melbourne ; and E. Brown, Esq., Laun-
ceston, Tasmania. Relative to the meteorological connection
of rain-fall and vegetation, —besides several which were
anonymous, consisting of published statements forwarded to
me, there have been two communications received from W.
L. Blore, Esq., Wynberg, secretary to the South African
Meteorological Society, and Mr. N. R. Janesch, police
magistrate, St. Helena.

36. Will you state the general bearing of these replies ? —
To the first query, the replies, as I have already mentioned,
are corroboraiive of what is stated in the report. The second
query was, " What is your opinion in regard to the practica-
bility and expediency of carrying out any or all of the sug-
gestions he (the Colonial Botanist) has made?" Most of the
answers go to show that it is practicable and expedient to
carry out such suggestions. The third query was, " What
other suggestions can you offer as a means of counteracting
the evils upon which he has reported?" Several suggestions
are embodied in the replies received ; one of which is the
establishment of a Forest Academy, which is recommended
by more than one of the gentlemen replying to the query.
Another is, the obtaining a report from some party in Europe
qualified to ascertain the economic uses to which our timber
can be applied. The fourth query is, "What information
can you supply in regard to the soil and situations to which
different species of indigenous trees are confined ?" The
information goes to show that they are almost exclusively
confined to mountain kloofs. The fifth query is, " Are you
acquainted with any experiments which have been made in
this Colony in raising from seed trees of South African or

8 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

Dr.'j. c. Brown foreign species; and if so, what were the results, and what
Aug. IP, 1865. were supposed to be the causes of success or failure ? "
On this subject much information has been supplied. The
sixth query is, " What trees do you consider most likely to
prove profitable in cultivation, what are the grounds on which
your opinion rests, and what is the course of procedure you
would recommend as most likely to secure success?" In
answer to this, a large mass of information has been received,
tending to show that is most expedient to attempt the artifi-
cial cultivation of Australian and European trees.

37. Mr. Wicht.] If the Australian trees are exposed to
frost, does it not tend to destroy them ? — It does, but there
are many districts of the Colony not subjected to frost ; and
there are European and other cone-bearing trees which can
withstand intense frost.

38. Chairman ] What sort of trees do you think ought to
be planted as the best species for this climate ? — Bluegura
and other species of Eucalyptus ; blackwood, and other
species of Acacia ; cluster-pine, or spar-denne ; stone-pine,
or kroon-denne ; and different species of oaks.

39. Do not pines stand drought better than any other
tree ? — I cannot say that they stand it better than all other
trees, but they do withstand drought, and grow in sandy
soil.

40. Mr. Pote.~\ They love a rocky habitat, do they not ?
— Several do.

41. Chairman.] Why are Australian trees preferable? — This
is a climate according to their native habitat, and, as a general
rule, we find that plants manifesting some of the specific quali-
ties which the species of Eucalyptae do thrive well in other
districts than those in which they are indigenous. For example,
it is alleged by Darwin : "Widely-ranging species, abounding
in individuals, which have already triumphed over manycom-
petitors in their own widely-extended homes, will have the best
chance of seizing on new places, when they spread into new
countries. In their new homes they will be exposed to new
conditions, and will frequently undergo further modification
and improvement ; and thus they will become still further
victorious, and will produce groups of modified descendants."

42. You state in your letter to the Colonial Secretary,
quoting from a report as to the conservation and extension
of forests, the following statement : " The expense incurred

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANISTS REPORT. 9

annually in the conservation of the forests seems to be about Drj.c.Brown.
£1,300. By the sale of licences to cut timber there is
received about £2,050 per annum, leaving a balance of
£750." Upon what is that estimate founded ? — It is founded
upon the reports of the conservators for the preceding
year.

43. Can you give us any information as to what was the
expense of the conservation of forests when they were closed,
when no licences were granted ? — The expense of keeping
the forests of George and the Knysna closed was £370 per
annum, for which expense of outlay no return was received.

44. Mr. Wicht.] t believe it was on the ground of expe-
diency that the forests were reopened, the people formerly
employed there complaining that they had no means of
livelihood. But in your experience, with regard to these
abandoned forests, have you seen trees springing up indi-
genously ? — Yes ; but most of the trees are of slow growth.
All our valuable trees are of slow growth.

45. In what time do the valuable indigenous trees arrive
at maturity, such as the yellowwood, assagai, and stinkhout ?
— I will furnish the committee with the several periods of
their growth by quoting a

Memorandum showing the different Woods of value in the

forests of George, and the age at which they are fit to be cut

for Trade; furnished by Mr. Haswell to the Hon. Major

Hope, when that Gentleman visited the Forests as a Special

Commissioner in 1855.
1. — Yellowwood — Grows from seed only; must be 40 or 50 years

' old before useful timber can be cut from it.
2. — Stinkwood. — Shoots from the stump when cut ; it also grows

from seed ; must also be 40 or 50 years old to give good

timber.
3. — Assegai. — Grows from seed, and also shoots from the stump;

is used for wagonwood ; becomes useful after 7 or 8 years

growth.
4. — White Pear. — Grows from seed, and shoots from the stump ;

®f slow growth, and must be 20 or 30 years old to be useful

for wagonwood.
5. — Saffran. — Grows the same, and requires the same time to be

useful as wagonwood.
6. — White Eels. — Grows as the others, and requires from 30 to

50 years before useful ; it is used for boat-building, for

wagon sides, and chests.
7.— Red ditto.— Ditto ditto ditto.

C. 7— '65, COLONIAL BOTANIST'S REPORT.-2. C

10 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

Dr.J. c.Brmvn. g. — Ironwood. — Grows from seed ; of slow growth ; used for
Aug. 16, 1865. wagons and for firewood.

9. — Buckenwood. — Grows as the last, and short ; used sometimes

for wagonwood.

10. — Red Pear. — Grows from seed and shoots; used for wagon
asd mill-work.

46. With regard to the oak, does it not require a peculiar
soil to come to maturity ? — It does. Soil that contains a
small quantity of iron is favourable to it. Asa general rule,
soil suitable for the vine is favouruble for the oak.

47. It requires more moisture than the pine ? — It does.
The pine grows upon comparatively barren spots.

48. Chairman^] Can you inform the committee to what
extent the Crown forest lands were sold when the licences
were withheld ? — No ; that was before 1 came to the Colony.

49. Can you inform us what revenue was received from
the forests previous to licences being withheld ? — No ; I
know nothing of the pecuniary returns of the forests previous
to 1861.

50. Have you any idea what is the market value of timber
cut from the forests at present? — I suppose it to be upwards
of .£12, 000 from all parts. In forming this rough estimate
I proceed upon the return of Captain Harison, conservator
of the forests in George, for the year 1861. He gives the
market value of timber removed from the Tzitzikamma, Oli-
fants Hoek, Klein and Van Staden's Rivers, and Zuurberg ;
and it is nearly ten times the amount received for licence
fees and waste wood sold. Finding that last year there were
received from all the forests a gross amount of £1,463, I
consider I am safe in proceeding on the assumption of the
correctness of Captain Harison's estimate, and stating the
market value of the timber removed to be upwards of
£12,000.

51. Mr. Wicht.] Does this include freight, and the expense
of bringing it to market ? — I do not know. I presume not.
I think it was as taken out of the bush, and then sold.

52. Mr. Pote.] During your residence in the Colony, have
you had your attention directed to diseases in cereals? — I
have, both as regards the rust in wheat and the rust in oats.

53. And to the orange and apple disease? — I have gone
into the consideration of the orange disease fully ; but I have
only lately heard of the apple disease.

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANIST S REPORT. 1 1

54. And also to the o'idium in the vine? — I have. In
regard to that I may say there is no improvement on the old
plan of dusting with sulphur.

55. As this is an inquiry of great importance to the public
generally, would you favour the committee with your views
upon it ? — I will.

Monday, '2\st August, 1865.

PRESENT :

Mr. VIGNE (Chairman),

Mr. Wicht,
Mr. Busk,

Mr. Cock,
Mr. Pote.

Mr. van Breda,

Dr. Brown further examined.

56. Mr. Pote.] You promised, Doctor, at our last meeting, Aug 2i,
to lay before the committee your views on the diseases in
cereals? — I have prepared a report on the rust in wheat, and

the rust in oats. I am prepared either to read it or present
it as an annexure to my annual report.

57. Would you briefly state the purport of it ? — It shows
that what is termed " rust " in plants, as is generally under-
stood, is the effect of a fungoid growth, i.e. the growth of a small
fungus, the spores or seeds of which are infinitesimally small.
These float about, often filling the atmosphere, and wherever
they fall on prepared soil they germinate and grow. I have
reason to believe that the disease may have been introduced
into this Colony in the seed. The practical suggestions I am
prepared to give are substantially those given in a letter
annexed to the report of the Colonial Botanist for 1863, the
sum of which is, " It seems to follow that if the ripening of
the grain can be made to take place either at an earlier or a
later period than the period at which warm foggy weather
occurs, the evil will be diminished."

58. Mr. Cock.] Then I suppose dry, hilly situations will
be preferable, not being exposed to fog and moisture ? —
Generally.

12 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

. 59. Mr. van Breda.] Do you think the same observation
. also applies to barley ? — The disease in barley has not been
reported to me until now ; but the same remarks apply to the
rust in whatever grass-plants it attacks ; and I believe that,
substantially, the same remarks will apply to smut, red robin,
and other affections of the cereals.

60. Mr. Cock.~\ Have you been able to discover a remedy
for these diseases? — None other than bathing the seed.

61. Mr. Pote.] Then there is no remedy you are aware of
but that practised by the farmers now in reference to rust in
wheat and other grain ? — None. But I consider it desirable
that more attention should be given to the principle upon
which my suggestion in regard to period of ripening is
founded.

62. How do you account for the fact that where lands lie
contiguous to each other, sown with the same seed, and
subjected to the same mode of culture, one piece will develop
the rust and the adjoining piece will escape?-— Assuming the
fact to be so, there are at least two modes in which it may
be brought about. The wheat in the one field may be more
advanced in growth than the wheat in the other, and the
stalk and leaf be then in a state to supply the proper soil for the
germination of the spores. Or, from the direction of the
wind, spores may be blown upon the one and not upon the
other. You require spores and the proper soil. If you have
not both at the same time you will have no rust. When 1
speak of the soil, however, I mean, not the earth, but the
surface of the straw.

63. But does not rust attack grain in all stages of its
growth, except when it becomes too ripe ? — The stage of
growth at which it is most injurious is when the ear is filling.
If it attack the straw earlier, it produces little effect upon the
grain ; or if it appear later it produces little effect, and
therefore it is not likely to be remarked. But if at any period
of growth there be a thin film of decaying matter on the
surface of the leaf or straw, and spores be borne by the
atmosphere upon it, the disease will appear.

64. Do not the spores interfere with the rising and circu-
lation of the sap in the plant? — My belief is that the rootlets
of the fungi penetrating the cellular tissue of the plant do
affect the sap, and prevent its ministering to the full and
perfect development of the grain.

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANISTS REPORT. 13

65. Would not the rust, if it assail the wheat at an Dr. j.c. Br
earlier date, retard the developeraent of the plant, and pre- AugT^T
vent its growth ? — I cannot answer the question from personal
observation, but I hold that in every case the fungoid growth

must be injurious to the plant.

66. Chairman.] Are you aware of any greater inclination
in the hollo w-strawed wheats to take the rust than in the
solid-strawed wheat ? — No facts bearing upon this have been
observed by me or reported to me until now.

67. Mr. Pote]. Do you know anything of the nature of
the giant wheats ? — No, except that Mr. Sheriff, of Mungos-
wells in East Lothian, and other experimenters, have gone on
selecting productive ears and sowing them in successive
years until a sufficient quantity for sale had been produced.

68. Mr. van BredaJ] Are you aware that if you get seed
from any place about twenty miles distant from the place
where you intend to sow, neither rust nor any disease have
so much effect? — It is generally understood that change of
soil is favourable to the developement of a stronger plant
better able to resist disease.

69. But would you recommend when no change can be
made that they should use other manure than is customarily
taken, in order to give the grain what it would get in another
place ? — It is so difficult to ascertain the material which it
would be necessary to supply, and the quantity would be in-
finitesimally small. I consider that there would be more expense
in the present state of agriculture in the Colony to carry out
this measure than could be gained by it,

70. But I presume you would generally recommend change
of seed ? — Yes ; and if possible, seed produced in a district
where rust does not exist.

71. Mr Pote.] At what interval would you require the
seed to be changed ? - Every year, if possible. And two
farmers could easily arrange to interchange seed annually.

72. For instance, Caledon could exchange with Koeberg,
and vice versa ? — Yes ; or even farmers living twenty miles
apart.

73. Mr. CockJ] May not the poverty of the plant some-
times arise from the shallow ploughing ; and would not deep
ploughing be more beneficial to the plant ? — Much more
beneficial, even although it should only bring up a small
quantity of pot-clay to mingle with the soil. The sowing of

14 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

deep-rooted plants alternate years, also, is very important;
Aug. 21, 1865. and if, with this drainage, can be combined, the benefit will
be the more marked.

74. What do you mean by deep-rooted plants? — Turnips,
mangel-wurzel, and similar plants.

75. But would not the wheat itself strike deeper,
provided the ploughing were deeper, and consequently
give greater strength to the plant? — It would. But
alternating the crop of wheat with a crop of beans, mangel-
wurzel, or lucerne, would greatly improve the sub-soil for a
subsequent crop.

76. In the Eastern Province there is really no occasion
for drainage generally ; is it not so ? — I have already stated
in one of my published reports that paradoxical, as it may
appear, in this Colony drainage is not less necessary than
irrigation ; and this opinion I find confirmed by the obser-
vations of others. Within these last few days, I have had a
communication froii! a lady residing near Graham's Town,
detailing the marked benefit seen on one of the fields on
her husband's farm from drainage.

77. Speaking of deep ploughing, what is your opinion ;
supposing that deep furrows are made between every line of
sowing with the drill ? — It would be advantageous ; but unless
you have skilled ploughmen, the expense would be greater
than deep ploughing the whole field.

78. But I am supposing after you have sub-ploughed, in
sowing your seed with the drill, you leave an open furrow
between each line of drill, would that not give strength to
the seed sown ? — It would, if there be an excess of moisture
in the soil. I fear that otherwise, it would not, to the extent
of the expense incurred.

79 Chairman.'] You suggest in your letter to the Colonial
{Secretary, "the establishment of an experimental farm, where
the probability of profit being realized by the culture of
different crops and the utilization of their products may be
tested, and whence information on practical subjects connected
therewith may be supplied to all requiring it," Upon what
scale would you recommend such an institution to be forced;
and what part of the country do you consider best adapted
for this purpose ? — In an annexure to the report of the
Colonial Botanist for 1864, I have given in detail my views
of what is required on an experimental farm. I use the term

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANISTS REPORT. 1 5

" experimental farm " in contradistinction to " model farm," DT.J.C. Brown,
attaching no importance whatever to the latter. 1 have had Aug. 21, iseo.
correspondence with agriculturists in different part of the
Colony, some of whom advocate the establishment of an
experimental farm upon a large scale. My own views
are very decided in favour of a small scale ; and what
is principally required is, exact detailed statements as
to the soil used ; the hours occupied in preparing the
soil, sowing, and reaping ; cost of labour, cost of seed,
and market value of produce, — in order that it may be
seen whether it would be profitable or unprofitable in altered
circumstances to carry on the cultivation of that particular
plant upon a lar^e scale. With regard to the situation, it
ought to be near some large central market, that agricul-
turists might have an opportunity of visiting it, as well as of
reading what reports may he published.

80. Mr. van Breda.'] Would you include experiments
with different kinds of manure? — Yes, certainly. And in
my report for 1864, at pages 76 to 80 are given illustrations,
of how I consider accounts of such experiments ought to be
preserved.

81. Have you any information with regard to manuring
with guano, as to what length of time you may continue to
use it on the same land ? — As long as you please. Its effect
is limited to the season in which it is used. You may go on
applying it for twenty years, provided the crop requires it.
Most of the beneficial effects are experienced only in the
year when it is employed, but not all the effects, for the
luxurious growth which it induces tends generally to improve
the land.

82. Have you observed that land manured for several
successive years with guano becomes exhausted, and will
produce nothing ? — It will always produce something, but
may fail to produce the crops, required, because the luxu-
riant growth to which it has ministered may exhaust some
other constituent of the soil necessary to the production of
that plant.

83. What sort of manure would you most recommend for
wheat? — It would depend entirely on the character of the
soil. If it be clay, what is required is simply sand.

84. Do you consider that the use of powdered lime on the
surface would be at all serviceable in checking rust? — I

16 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

nr.j.c. Brown, question if it would have much effect in preventing rust.

Aug. 21, U65. But lime, as a manure, is much required in this Colony ; and
I fear we are pursuing a suicidal policy in exporting quan-
tities of bones from this Colony, where both the lime and
the phosphorus in the bone are so much wanted for agri-
cultural purposes. In Europe they know the value of these
substances, and therefore they hold out the bribe of a high
price to induce us to export them. It would be far better
if they were kept and used here.

80. Chairman.] In a dry climate like this, what soil is
best suited for wheat ? — Sandy soil, on the whole.

86. Mr. Cock.} A great deal of the soil in the Eastern
Province will not bear manure, being rank and strong. Are
you aware of this ? — I am now aware of it.

87. Then do you not consider it would be a great advan-
tage if you had an opportunity of travelling and coming into
communication with the farmers in various parts of the
Colony ? — Very great. I have traversed some parts of the
Colony at my own expense, I proceed to-morrow on a similar
professional tour, and arrangements have been made for con-
ferences being held with agriculturists in villages on my
route, and at farms in central positions. At such conferences
I have received a great deal of information calculated to be
useful in other districts, and have, I believe, supplied infor-
mation deemed valuable by those who attended the confer-
ences in question. The only difficulty is the want of
pecuniary means, the whole of the expenses of such journeys
having to be made from my own resources. I have, how-
ever, no reason to complain, as I was distinctly informed
before leaving England what the terms of the engagement
were. In illustration of the importance of such tours through
the Colony, I may state that my time has been occupied
constantly with correspondence arising out of my tour of
1863, but the whole of the letters I received came from those
parts of the country through which that tour led me. From
other parts I have scarcely had a single letter, showing by
contrast the effect of such communication with the farmers.

88. Chairman} Can you analyse earth yourself, or do
you know anybody else in the Colony that can do so? — I
could in five minutes put any farmer upon a simple plan of
analysing earth so far as he requires to analyse it ; and there
are in Cape Town, Graham's Town, the Knysna, and pro-

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANTSl's REPORT. 17

bably in other parts of the Colony, gentlemen competent to Dr. j.c. Br
give correct analyses of soils. AugTlJiri

8.9. Mr. Cock.] Have you ascertained by analysis what
soil is the most favourable for the production of wheat ? — I
have not done it personally, but I know that a silicious soil,
or soil containing a quantity of silex, is favourable. With
silex, lime, and phosphorus you may raise wheat anywhere.

90. Would it not be desirable to analyse the "soil of a
farm subject to rust, and of others that never have rust, in
order to see what difference exists between them ? — I do not
anticipate that the result of the analysis would throw much
light upon the rust, but the information would be valuable
for other purposes, and of far more value than the cost.

91. Mr. Pote] Have you anything you can communicate
with regard to the scale disease of the orange tree ? — I have
prepared and produce the draft of a report upon the subject
of the scale, which, if desired, can be appended as an
annexure to the report of the Colonial Botanist for the
current year.

92. Mr. van Breda.} There is also a disease of the walnut,
the chesnut, and the apple tree ; have you also given attention
to these ? — It is only of late that I have heard of the disease
affecting the apple tree, and now only hear of a similar disease
affecting the chesnut and walnut trees. If specimens of
these diseases be sent to me, I shall with pleasure examine
and report upon these also in the report of the Colonial
Botanist.

93. Chairman.'] Have you anything to recommend on the
subject of forest economy ? — I have brought with me state-
ments of the revenue and expenditure of the forests for the
last four years. From these it appears that the forests in the
district of George, in 1860, yielded a revenue of £312 7s.
7d., and the expenditure that year was £234 ; showing an
excess of revenue of £78 7s. 7d. In 1861, the revenue
was £293 18s. and the expenditure £234 ; showing an
excess of revenue of £58 lls. (For 1862, I have not been
able to obtain returns). In 1863, the revenue was £188;
the expenditure £234; showing a deficit of £46. In 1864,
the revenue was £164 17s. 5d., and the expenditure £234,
showing a deficit of £69 2s. 7d. Thus there was an excess
in the first two years of £138, and in the last two years a
deficit of £115 2s. 7d. On the four years, therefore, there

o

C. 7-'65. COLONIAL BOTANIST'S REPORT.-3.

18 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

Dr.j.c.iiTown. was an excess of £23 3S. ; being an average annual excess
Aug. 21, .1865. of £5 15s. 9d. — The forests in the district of Knysna in
1861 yielded a revenue of 1,285, and the expenditure was
£451 ; showing an excess of £834. In 1862, the revenue
was £1,087 10s., and the expenditure £416 ; excess £671
10s. In 1863, revenue £735 4s.; expenditure £422;
excess £313 4s. In 1864, revenue £635 17s. 6d. ; expen-
diture £422 ; excess £213 17s. 6d. In these four years,
therefore, the Knysna forests produced an excess of revenue
over expenditure of £2,032 lls. 6d. ; being an average
annual excess of £508 2s. 7|d. — With regard to the forests
in the district of Uitenhage, these are all under the super-
intendence of one conservator, and a portion of his salary
* -v ought to be assigned to each ward ; but the statements of
accounts laid before Parliament make it more convenient to
reckon the salary, &c., of the conservator as the expenditure
at Zitzikama, and the salary or allowance to forest-rangers
as the expenditure at the several wards intrusted to their
charge. — The forests in the Zitzikama in 1861, yielded a
revenue of £645 19s. 4d. (the market value of timber
removed being £6,142 19s.), and the expenditure was £278;
showing an excess of £367 19s. 4d. In 1862, the revenue
was £541 16s. Id.; expenditure £278 ; excess £263 16s.
Id. In 1863, revenue £377 17s. lid. ; expenditure £254 ;
excess £83 17s. lid. In 1864, revenue £534; expen-
diture £254 ; excess £280. Excess in four years £995
13s. 4d.; average annual excess £248 18s. 4d.— The Oli-
fant's Hoek forests produced in 1861, a revenue of £63 13s.
Id. (market value of timber removed £410); the expen-
diture being £97 ; showing a deficit of £33 6s. lid. In
1862, the revenue was £61 Is. 6d. ; expenditure £97 ; deficit
£35 18s. 6d; 1863, revenue £35 16s.; expenditure £85;
deficit £49 4s. ; 1864, revenue £60 15s; expenditure £85;
deficit £24 5s. Deficit in four years £142 14s. 5d ;
average annual deficit £35 13s. 7d. — The Klein and Van
Staden's River forests produced in 1861 a revenue of £30
10s. (market value of timber removed £360); and the
expenditure was £50 10s.; showing a deficit of £19 10s.
In 1862, the revenue was £41 10s.; expenditure £50;
deficit £8 10s. In 1863, revenue £8 10s.; expenditure
£50; deficit £41 10s. In 1864, revenue £19; expen-
diture £50 ; deficit £31. Deficit in four years £100 10s. ;

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANISTS REPORT. 19

average annual deficit £25 2s. 6d. — The Zuurberg forest Dr.j.c. Brown.
in 1861 produced a revenue of £66 3s. lOd. (market value AugT^Tses.
of timber removed £492) ; and the expenditure was £140 ;
showing a deficit of £73 16s. 2d. In 1862, the revenue was
£27 14s. l±d. ; expenditure £183; deficit £155 5s. 10d.
In 1863, revenue £41 4?. ; expenditure £165; deficit £123
16s. In 1864, revenue £48 16s. 3d. ; expenditure £165;
deficit £116 3s. 9d. Deficit in four years £469 Is. 9d ;
average annual deficit £117 5s. 5d. — From the statements
made, it appears that last year the total revenue from the whole
of the forests was £1,466 6s. 2d ; and the total expenditure
was £1,210. There was an excess of revenue over expen-
diture on the forests of the Knysna and Tzitzikama of £493
17s. 6d. ; but a deficit in the case of the forests of George,
Olifant's Hoek, Klein and Van Staden's Rivers, and Zuur-
berg, of £240 lls. 4d. ; leaving a clear excess of free
revenue of £253 6s. 2d. Two years ago the free revenue
was £750 ; and the average free revenue for the four
years reported was £584 15s. 2Jd. or £331 9s. above that
of the last year. The free revenue during the period
diminished year by year.

94. Mr. van Breda.} Can you recommend any other mode
of taking care of the forests than what is now pursued under
the superintendents? — Without disturbing existing arrange-
ments much might be done ; but to secure the full benefit of
the forests to the Colony, my belief is that very great changes
will be necessary.

95. Will you give us an idea of the changes you would
recommend ? — I consider it expedient that whatever changes
are made, the expense should be met out of the revenue to be
derived from the forests ; and to show what can be done by
simply appropriating the free revenue of the forests to the
improvement of the forest economy of the Colony, I would
submit for consideration the following measures : I. With
a view to the conservation of the existing forests against the
ravages of fire, I recomend : First, the publication and
enforcement of the law of the Colony in regard to bush fires.
And, secondly, the offer of a reward for such information as
may lead to the conviction of the offenders, to be paid to
forest-rangers and others alike. II. With a view to the
conservation of the forests against reckless and illegal dis-
truction of timber by wood-cutters, I recommend : First,

20 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

br.j.c.rrown.jhe republication and enforcement of the law of the Colony
Aug. 21, 1865. in regard to the cutting of timber. Secondly, the procuring
of accurate reports and diagrams of the boundaries of private
property bordering on forests belonging to the Crown.
Thirdly, an increase, if necessary, of the number of rangers,
and of the remuneration allowed to them for their services.
Fourthly, the commissioning of some one acquainted with
forest economy to visit all the forests of the Colony, and,
after inquiry and personal observation, to report what
practicable regulations would secure a greater measure of
uniformity of usage in the management of the forests, and
what special regulations may be further required for the
management of any. III. With a view to the promotion
of arboriculture throughout the Colony, I recommend :
First, that seeds, and to some extent seedling trees, obtained
from the forests, and also seeds of Australian and European
trees, such as blue-gums, Port Jackson willows, black-woods,
oaks, pines, &c., be placed at the command of civil commis-
sioners, with permission to employ prisoners in sowing or
planting these in suitable places within the districts over
which they are appointed. Secondly, that such seeds and
seedlings be placed also at the command of municipalities,
agricultural societies, divisional councils, and other official
bodies holding land in trust for the benefit of the community.
Thirdly, that arrangements be made for the supply of such
seeds and seedlings on reasonable terms to the public so long
as this may be deemed necessary, or possible without
interfering injuriously with the accomplishment of the
same thing by private enterprise. IV. With a view
to the developing of our timber trade, and so making
the forests a more productive source of revenue, I recom-
mend : First, the preparation of a detailed report of each
forest, specifying the boundary and extent of each patch or
clump ; the different kinds of timber trees growing in each
of them ; the numbers, either proportional or absolute, of
each different kind ; the general magnitude they have attained,
and the situations they generally occupy, stating what num-
bers or what proportions are of easy access, or of difficult
access, or in situations altogether inaccessible, but which may be
made accessible at a moderate expense. At present, we cannot
tell what we have. Suppose a demand were to arise for a parti-
cular kind of timber, and the purchaser were to say, " I

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANIST'S REPORT. 21

require stinkwood; how many cubic feet can you furnish Dr.j.c. Brme*.
annually?" There is not a man in the Colony who can tell. Aug. 21, ises.
" How many stinkhout trees of three feet diameter have you ?"
Not a man in the Colony can tell whether there are a thousand
or a hundred thousand. " What is the extent of your forests ?
Are there a hundred square miles, or six hundred square
miles?" It is the same. We cannot tell any customer
what we have. In order to obtain proper reports on this
subject, it would be perhaps necess«ry to get surveys made
by professional men ; but this done, the various forest
rangers might furnish accounts of the different clumps, at
very little expense. I have here a map of the Knysna forests
by the Surveyor-General, with the particulars of their con-
tents furnished by Mr. Bain; but when we get beyond this,
between the Knysna and the Tzitzikama forests there is a
large space of unexplored forest. Of the Tzitzikama forest
I have a similar chart, with annotations, furnished by Capt.
Harison. But of the intervening forest, nobody can tell what
is its extent, or what it contains. Nobody has ever been
through it; although 1 believe Mr. Bain has offered to take a
pack ox, and, with six coloured men, cut his way through and
report. And even the Knysna forest is but little known. A
gentleman from the Knysna writes to me by last mail that he
observes that in the Government returns the property
in that district is valued at £77,000, but he says if the
Government would open up the forest, it would be worth,
perhaps, £400,000. It is very desirable to have some
accurate information on this subject. The reports which
I suggest would entail some expense for surveys ; but
the rangers could provide the particulars as to the
contents. Secondly, I recommend the preparation of a
report on the fitness of the timber of different trees
growing in this Colony for employment in turning, veneering,
and other modes of manipulation, founded on experiments to
be made by some properly qualified person. I believe there is
a great deal of information available on this head which only
requires to be collected and tabulated. This would incur
some little expense, but not great. And, thirdly, I recommend
the procuring information in regard to the most approved
measures of forest economy which are applicable to the
management of the forests of this Colony by commissioning
some one acquainted with these forests to visit the forest
schools of Germany, and, if it be thought desirable, to visit

22 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE SELECT

Dr.j.c. Brown, also the forests in other parts of Europe, and report thereafter

Aug. 21, 1866. what is seen, or suggested by what is seen there, applicable to

the management of forests in this country, whether relating to

matters connected with private enterprise or Government

control.

96. You are aware there is an importation of foreign wood
into this Colony, for sleepers for railways, and purposes of
that nature. Do you not think that this Colony is able to
supply timber well adapted for such purposes? — 1 am aware
of the fact ; and there will always be an importation of
timber into the ports of the Colony, so long as it can be
imported at a lower price than it can be cut and brought to
these ports from our forests. But there are districts of the
Colony so far from any port that timber could be raised there
at a much lower rate than that at which foreign timber can
be conveyed from the port. It is also ascertained that
much of our forest timber is suitable for railway pur-
poses; but I think it not improbable that, if the economic
uses to which that timber could be put were ascertained, it
would be found that its price in the market of the world is
such that it would be extravagance to employ it as railway
sleepers, and more economical to sell it for other purposes,
even though iron or timber sleepers should be imported from
Europe.

97. Would you recommend our colonial wood as sleepers.
Is it equal to those imported ? — The best authority on that
subject is Mr. Bourne, who, I believe, has made experiments
on the subject, the results of which I have not seen. But I
have with me records of experiments made by others, which
show that several of our indigenous trees yield a timber well
adapted for such purposes. The Cape cedar is fast disap-
pearing from the Cedar Bergen ; but it supplies a wood
which seems almost indestructible by damp. I was told in
the district of Clanwillian of posts which after thirty years'
exposure in the ground were not decayed to a greater depth
than the thickness of a sheet of paper; and a post which must
have been in the ground a hundred years was still immovable.

98. You have observed that there are few new plantations
going on in this country, and that in a few years there will be
few plantations left, owing to the destruction going on. Do
you consider that the Government should give encouragement
or support to any one who can show the greatest number of
trees planted ? — Yes.

COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL BOTANISTS REPORT. 23

99. Is there any further observation you would wish to
offer in connection with the development of the agricultural Aug. 21, 1865.
resources of the Colony ? — I can only state, briefly, that every
month is adding to my knowledge of these resources ; that I
see no probability of our vegetation ever obtaining the luxu-
riance seen in some tropical regions ; but that I see no limits
to the increase of which our marketable products are suscep-
tible. Some of the measures which I deem requisite to this
end I have enumerated in a letter to the Hon. the Colonial
Secretary, appended to the report of the Colonial Botanist
for 1864. These are the following:

1. An attempt to arrest the desiccation of the soil and climate,

which has been, and is being occasioned by the burning of
the veld, by the partial or entire abandonment of the preva-
lent practice.

2. An attempt to counteract the desiccation of soil and climate

which has already been effected by the destruction of herbage
and bush in time past, by the general and extensive planting
of forest trees.

3. An attempt to increase still further the humidity of the climate,

by the formation of inland sheets of water, either with or
without appliances for the irrigation of arable land.

4. The establishment of an experimental farm, where the proba-

bility of profit being realized by the culture of different crops
and the utilization of their products may be tested, and
whence information on practical subjects connected therewith
may be supplied to all requiring it.

5. The procuring from other countries information, over and

above what is accessible in the Colony, in regard to arbori-
culture and forest economy, in regard to methods of conduct-
ing experimental farms, and in regard to markets which are
open for our products, the uses to which these products are
applied, and the possibility of presenting them in a state
calculated to secure a greater demand or higher prices.

To the statements made in support of these suggestions in the
letter referred to, I would respectfully solicit the attention of
the committee. They will be found in pages 149, 150 of
the report. Not less important than these suggestions do I
deem the attention which is being given to measures calcu-
lated to facilitate the transport of agricultural products. It
would be easy to increase these products at once ; but the
expense of transport would render the increase unremunera-
tive. While such matters may engage the attention of the
Executive and the Legislature, I deem it of importance that

24 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, ETC.

. attention should be given by agriculturists to the improve-
21, 1865. ment of the quality, rather than to the increase of the quantity,
of any one of our agricultural products. In illustration
of the importance of this, I would refer to the remarks
I have made in letters appended to my reports on wine-
making, and on the preparation of aloes. And as one
means towards the accomplishment of all that is desired, 1
consider it expedient that there should be some one official of
whom it might be required to report upon all communica-
tions made to the Government on subjects connected with
irrigation, forest economy, arboriculture, horticulture, agricul-
ture, and botany. Such an official does the Baron van Collet
D'Escury appear to have been, while having the designation
of Inspector-General of Lands and Forests ; and in other
lands similar duties have been discharged by officials under
other designations. The grounds upon which I consider it
expedient that some one should be charged with such duties
I shall hold myself prepared to state in detail if ever the
measure come under discussion, and a statement of those
grounds should be required. Beyond these, I have no further
observations to offer, but any information in my possession is
at the command of the committee, either now or afterwards.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY

Los Angeles
This book is DUE on the last date stamped belov

University of California

SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY

405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388

Return this material to the library

from which it was borrowed.

000

553908 5