132 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
doubtless important, the indiscriminate mixing of different species 
in plantations is fatal to the production of good timber. If the 
most suitable species for the prevailing soil and climate were 
extensively grown in every district, and grown with a strict view 
to its development as timber, an improvement would soon be 
perceptible in our home supplies, while variations of soil could be 
utilised for meeting the limited demand for other kinds of timber. 
Considerable attention has been paid of late years to various 
American conifers, such as Douglas fir, Zhuia gigantea, ete. ; but 
however desirable these species may be from an ornamental point 
of view, and as fast timber producers in favourable situations, we 
see little to recommend them for extensive planting on the poorer 
soils and exposed situations, where the afforestation of land is of 
the most importance in the national economy. 
After all is said, we do not see how economic forestry can ever 
thrive in this country without State aid of some kind or shape. 
The long period which elapses before the planter reaps any return 
for his work causes many to treat the economic importance of their 
woods and plantations with indifference, and to pay more attention 
to their ornamental and game-preserving features. A little of that 
generosity so freely exhibited towards the sister isle might be 
extended to Great Britain by the Government with good effect, and 
especially in fostering the industries which develop to the utmost 
the dormant capabilities of the soil. 
