GAME PRESERVING 



Scots fir at no very distant period. They ascended the hills 

 on the Cairngorms to 1400 or 1500 feet, and in Yorkshire 

 to 2400 feet.i 



Even in remote historical times, such as those of Canute, 

 the forests had become seriously and dangerously destroyed. 

 This king was apparently the first to artificially protect the 

 woods as a hunting preserve. He was followed by William 

 the Conqueror and other sovereigns. The game preserves 

 of the landed proprietors to-day are, of course, the remains 

 of the same custom. 



Fortunately, however, we do not kill poachers or cut off 

 their right hands, and we do not cut off the forepaws of 

 poaching dogs, as used to be done in medieval days. 



This connexion of forests with game no doubt prevented 

 the entire disappearance of wood, but when, as is the case 

 in England, the comfort of pheasants is thought of more 

 importance than the scientific cultivation of forests, the 

 result is often very unfortunate. 



The use and value of timber is, however, too important 

 a matter to take up at the end of a chapter. 



1 Boyd Watt, Cairngorm Club Journal, vol. iv. No. 20, January, 1903 ; 

 Smith, Lewis, Roy. Geog, Soc. Journal. 



