572 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



The British Forestry act, which went into ef- 

 British feet in the fall of 1919, "promises a good begin- 



Forestry Act, ning, and will lay the foundation of a real and 

 igig assured and established industry of the State." 



This act was made possible by the shortage of 

 timber during the Great War which forced the British Commons to 

 realize that England had to depend on wood transported by water, a 

 supply that might be largely cut ofif by the future development of sub- 

 marine warfare. Therefore a home supply of timber had to be grown ; 

 this had the added advantage of giving employment to ex-soldiers and 

 keeping them on the land away from congested labor centers. A 

 digest of the act is as follows : 



"(1) To appoint eight Forestry Commissioners, two have special 

 knowledge and experience of forestry in Scotland and one at least to 

 have a scientific and technical knowledge of forestry. Not more than 

 three Commissioners to be paid, their combined salaries not to exceed 

 i4,500 per year (normally $31,915). The term of office of a Com- 

 missioner to be five years. On a casual vacancy occurring the vacancy 

 to be filled' pro tern, by a person appointed by the King. Commis- 

 sioners to be eligible for reappointment. One of the unpaid Commis- 

 sioners to be a member of Parliament. 



"(2) The Commissioners to appoint such paid officers and servants 

 as they think necessary, under Treasury sanction. 



"(3) The powers and duties of the Boards of Agriculture for 

 England, Scotland, and Ireland in relation to forestry to be transferred 

 to the Commissioners, unless otherwise mutually agreed. The Com- 

 missioners to have power to purchase or take on lease and hold any 

 land required for afforestation; to sell or let land unsuitable, or ex- 

 change it for other land that is more suitable ; to purchase standing 

 timber, sell, or otherwise dispose of timber belonging to them, to make 

 advances by way of grant or loan to persons in respect of afforesta- 

 tion ; to undertake the management or supervision on agreed terms, or 

 give assistance or advice in relation to the planting or management of 

 any woods or forests belonging to any persons ; to establish or assist 

 woodland industries; to collect and publish statistics and information 

 relating to forestry ; to make inquiries for the purpose of securing an 

 adequate supply of timber in the United Kingdom. 



"(4) The Commissioners to have power, on notice being given to an 

 occupier of land, to destroy rabbits, hares, or vermin likely to damage 

 trees or tree plants and to recover the cost incurred from the occupier. 



