6i4 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



mended the compilation of a statement of areas presumably 

 suitable for afforestation. Finally it was recorded that there 

 were complaints as to the incidence of rates on plantations, and 

 states that there was need for the immediate revision of estate 

 duties. 



As a result of these recommendations the Alice Holt woods 

 in Hampshire have been brought under a working plan to 

 serve as a demonstration area, and systematic courses of study 

 in forestry are now provided at Oxford, Cambridge, and Edin- 

 burgh Universities and at seven other schools and colleges, 

 not to mention lectures on forestry delivered elsewhere. More 

 recently the Inverliever Estate of 12,530 acres has been acquired 

 by the State with a view to experimental afforestation. 



The next step taken was the appointment in 1907 of a 

 Committee by the Department of Agriculture and Technical 

 Instruction for Ireland to inquire into "(i) The present pro- 

 vision for State aid to forestry ; (2) the means whereby in 

 connection with the operation of the Land Purchase Acts exist- 

 ing woods might be preserved and land suitable for forestry 

 acquired for public purposes ; and (3) the financial and other 

 provisions necessary for a comprehensive scheme of afforestation 

 in Ireland." 



The Committee in their report clearly showed the aid pro- 

 vided by the State to be inadequate, especially in view of the 

 incentive to the clearance of forest arising from Land Purchase 

 legislation. They gave actual figures to show how rapidly the 

 already small area of forest, some 300,000 acres, was being 

 reduced ; and how, in consequence, the home timber industries 

 which lack organisation will before long become extinct. They 

 then pointed out that but little amplification of existing legisla- 

 tion was necessary in order to render the policy of Land 

 Purchase peculiarly favourable to the initiation of a scheme of 

 national afforestation, provided facilities were given by the 

 State and funds made available. It was urged that at least 

 1,000,000 acres of forest was essential for the agricultural and 

 industrial requirements of the country. The necessary land 

 was shown to be available and 200,000 acres were estimated to 

 consist of large blocks suitable for State afforestation, while the 

 remainder might more satisfactorily be dealt with by county 

 councils and private owners. Definite proposals were made 

 for financing the separate schemes, and in the case of the 



