FOREST OPERATIONS IN COUNTY GALWAY, IRELAND. 261 



laid out systematically so that all parts remain accessible. With 

 this end in view, roads should be laid out in the first place, 

 "whenever possible, east and west, and the 30 feet broad strips 

 should run at right angles to the roads, that is to say, north and 

 south. Of course the special configuration of the ground may 

 necessitate deviations from, this plan. Assuming a daily wage 

 of 2s. for a man, the draining should not cost moi-e than 30s. an 

 acre. 



Any intervening patches of deep bog may be partially drained 

 by a few ditches, so as to prepare them for future planting, 

 should further experience be encouraging. 



Fencing, at Is. the running yard, may be put down at 10s. an 

 acre all round. 



Draining and fencing together, might cost about <£2 an acre. 



The details of the planting as regards species and method 

 cannot be given once and for all ; they must be decided according 

 to the situation, soil, and other conditions in each case. Gener- 

 ally speaking, there is no reason why it should cost more than 

 £2 an acre. 



Total estimated cost, about £4 per acre. 



The cost of supervision need not be high. The forester at 

 Knockboy, if transferred to Oughterard, could carry out the 

 works here contemplated, if occasionally advised by an expert 

 of wider experience than he has as yet been able to acquire. At 

 the outset, however, a definite plan of action for each block 

 should be drawn up. 



The important point, as regards any direct action on the part 

 of Government, is that forests should not be created in large 

 blocks, where special forest labourers would be required. What 

 I am specially looking for is the establishment of moderate sized 

 blocks scattered over the country, lying between the cultivated 

 fields and the grazing grounds of the small peasantry. In the 

 latter case the man who cultivates a few acres of land has an 

 opportunity of earning some additional money by working in the 

 plantations during winter, when his fields do not require his 

 attention. This is a point to be kept steadily in view, because 

 its realisation will much contribute towards the peace of the 

 country, and it will help to cut away the ground under the feet 

 of the political agitator. 



