124 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
derived from vast natural forests which have simply to be felled 
and transported, it is clear that a timber crop in this country, 
artificially formed, tended, and fenced in, is burdened with many 
charges which have no influence whatever in regulating the price 
of the imported timber. It follows, therefore, that the price per 
cubic foot of the home crop must not fall below a certain minimum 
if a profit is to be forthcoming. The exact value of this minimum 
depends upon the rate of growth and the cost of producing the crop, 
but it must either be below or the same as that at which foreign 
timber of similar quality is quoted, if it is to hold its own in the 
market. Fortunately for us, the cost of felling and transport by 
land and sea are sufficiently heavy in the case of the imported 
wood to keep its price comparatively high, and by careful and 
economical management, and the planting of the right species, 
timber-growing in this couatry can still be carried on at a profit. 
We do not forget, however, that cases of profitable timber-growiog 
are not tod numerous. This is due, however, to causes which are 
under our own control, and not to the lowness of prices, or a lack 
of productive power in the soil. The Scots pine and spruce 
timber, which is at present such a drug upon the market, is in 
nine cases out of ten too rough and coarse to attract the buyer, and 
its low reputation prejudices him against it from the first. Again, 
almost all building specifications stipulate that foreign timber shall 
be used in buildings, simply because its quality and seasoned con- 
dition can be relied upon, whereas the greatest uncertainty exists 
as to what the quality or condition of home-grown timber would 
be if its use were permitted. Another factor which greatly affects 
the price of this class of timber is the irregular supply or spas- 
modic sales which are held in certain districts. Where a large and 
regular supply exists, buyers can make arrangements for the con- 
version and disposal of their purchases on a more economical and 
sounder basis than where the supply is erratic, for it cannot be 
denied that a large and constant supply of first-class timber creates 
and maintains a steady demand. 
We cannot find a better field for making investigations on this 
subject than the Scots pine and spruce-growing districts of Germany. 
That country is quite as liable to suffer from foreign competition as 
our own, and although the Free-Trade policy may not be so well 
developed there as here, yet it is the high quality of the produce of 
German forests that enables it to compete so successfully with 
foreign imports. There also, as here, the greater part of the timber 
