2*46 THE lEISH FOREST PROBLEM. [Aug. 



THE IRISH FOREST PROBLEM. 



THIS question, raised in June by the remarkable evidence given 

 by Professor Howitz before the Committee on Irish Indus- 

 tries, will soon come before Sir John Lubbock's more recently- 

 appointed Committee, if the preponderating number of Irish 

 Members of Parliament upon it affords any index to the scope of 

 its inquiries. The sight of even five millions of acres in Ireland 

 devoted to sylviculture, fostering such indigenous native industries 

 as charcoal and basketmaking, is a pleasant one even in vision. Of 

 course there are the obverse aspects of the question, which must 

 be fairly discussed ere practical steps can be taken to realize the 

 future epoch of forestal happiness so enthusiastically held by some 

 to be in store for the Green Isle. So let us turn from imagery to 

 lacts. 



According to Professor Hull, the Director of the Irish Geological 

 Survey, there are roughly available for growing timber in Ireland 

 about 3,500,000 imperial acres, divided as follow^s : Donegal, 

 500,000; Londonderry, 100,000; Mayo, 360,000 ; West Galway, 

 700,000, including Connemara ; the Dingle promontory, 80,000; 

 Kerry, 600,000; Cork, 400,000; Wicklow and Wexford and the 

 mountainous district generally, 300,000; Downshire, 100,000; 

 and the central district, 400,000. Professor Howitz made an 

 extensive tour through Ireland in 1883 to ascertain how far the 

 climate and soil were suitable for tree-planting. He reported on 

 this to the House of Commons in January 1884. There appeared 

 no doubt that Ireland was at one time covered with forests, specially 

 of oaks. Very little of the soil of Ireland was not adapted for 

 planting. The outer western ridge from the Giant's Causeway 

 round to Killarney should be planted. Trees in Lord Powers- 

 court's demesnes showed indications of rapid growth. There was 

 great similarity for forest purposes between Ireland and the west 

 of America, where there are great forests. There w\a3 an absence of 

 hedgerow timber in Ireland, but hedgerows were not advisable, 

 because they took too much ground and too much nourishment 

 from the soil. Orchards attached to farms were rare in Ireland. 

 The climate of the south of Ireland was well adapted for fruit- 

 growing, and orchards would be profitable. Wood charcoal could 

 be made available for smelting iron. Grey willow made the best 

 charcoal. Leaves of trees are largely used for litter in foreign 

 countries. Hickory and walnut would grow well and furnish 

 valuable timber in some parts of Ireland. The climate was 



