AFFORESTATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 613 



fresh stimulus to be given to forestry at the beginning of the 

 nineteenth century. A number of plantations made then are 

 now mature, or becoming so, but want of scientific knowledge 

 in establishing and tending the plantations has generally 

 detracted greatly from their success. It is the inferior quality 

 of the home-grown timber, together with the rapidly increasing 

 imports of foreign timber, that has brought the consideration of 

 forestry and its prospects in the United Kingdom to the front 

 during the past few decades. 



In 1885 a Committee was " appointed to consider whether, by 

 the establishment of a forest school or otherwise, our woodlands 

 could be rendered more remunerative." The Committee recom- 

 mended the establishment of a Forest Board to organise 

 instruction in forestry. Further they reported that having " had 

 evidence that, apart from any immediate pecuniary benefits, 

 there would be considerable social economical advantages in an 

 extensive system of planting in many parts of the kingdom," 

 the subject was one of great importance, and well worthy of 

 early consideration. Little action was taken on this report, 

 although some attempt was made to organise forestry in- 

 struction. 



Again in 1902 a Committee was appointed to inquire into 

 and report upon " the present position and future prospects of 

 forestry and the planting and management of woodlands in 

 Great Britain. And further to consider whether any measures 

 might with advantage be taken for their promotion and en- 

 couragement." The report of the Committee again dealt chiefly 

 with the question of forest education, recommending the pro- 

 vision of courses suitable for each class of trained forester 

 required. To enable the training to be complete it was urged 

 that two areas of forest of from 2,000 to 10,000 acres, one in 

 England and one in Scotland, be acquired as Demonstration 

 Areas. Apart from direct instructional purposes it was pointed 

 out that these forests were required to provide practical demon- 

 stration of the most perfect technical and economic developments 

 of forestry, of the expenses likely to be involved and profits 

 to be realised. The Committee further stated that they did 

 not feel justified in urging the Government to embark forth- 

 with on any general scheme of State Forests, although they 

 held the question of the planting of suitable lands under 

 the control of the Crown to be worth attention, and recom- 



