718 llEVIEWS OF BOOKS. [Mar. 



products. The peoples appear to be keenly intent on trade, but are 

 greatly hampered by the difiiculties and costs that attend the trans- 

 port of goods, which is accomplislied by means of caravans. There 

 is an excellent coloured map of the region dealt with in the paper 

 attaclied to the number. 



The remainder of the number is well filled with the report of the 

 "Proceedings of the Society," "Geographical Notes," and " Eeviews." 



A VERY seasonable circular on the subject of the Afforestation of 

 Waste Lands, which is being distributed l)y Messrs. Little & Ballan- 

 tyne, nurserymen, Carlisle, has readied us. It is addressed to laud 

 proprietors, and is full of practical and convincing facts and 

 suggestions on the subject of planting uncultivated lands. The 

 somewhat unreasoning apprehensions of landowners in view of 

 possible changes in the laws relating to land should not influence 

 them to stay their hand from effecting improvements, the results of 

 which cannot in any way be affected by any possible legislation in 

 the future. AVhatever the nature of impending changes in that 

 direction may be, it is certain that a just regard for the rights of 

 proprietors to the possession of the land, and the fruits of capital 

 invested in permanent improvements therein, will be fully recognised 

 in their construction. The depressed state of agriculture and con- 

 sequent superabundance of labour, and the unusually low price of 

 nursery stock which prevail at the -present time, offer exceptionally 

 favourable circumstances under which to prosecute such improve- 

 ments. The results of planting up the hundi'cds of thousands of 

 waste lands that exist in every county in the United Kingdom, 

 would be the amelioration of the climate by the creation of shelter, 

 which would render agricultural lauds adjoining the woods more 

 valuable as well for stock as for crops ; the increased shelter and 

 pasturage for game would greatly enhance the value of property 

 from the sportsman's point of view ; and the most important and 

 most direct result would be the yearly incxeasiug value of the crop 

 of timber on lands which are worthless for any purpose except timber 

 growing, thus adding gTeatly to the wealth of the nation as well as 

 the individual. Provided the selection of trees is rightly made in 

 the first instance, that is, that trees well adapted to the soil and 

 situation only are planted, and are well managed afterwards, it 

 can be shown that enormous profits can be realized from otherwise 

 worthless land. Such is the tenor of tliis circular, and, considering 

 the vast importance of the subject from the national as well as from 

 the individual point of view, we hope this address of Messrs. Little 

 & Ballantyne, to the landowners of the whole country, will not be 

 made in vain. 



