16 TRAXSACTIOXS OF ROTAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



uncertainty concerning what is to be understood by the term 

 " WoodhmdPj" we suggest that the term be defined to mean 

 "land altogether or mainly used for the growth of wood.'' "We 

 also suggest that the Heturn distinguish between (1) recent 

 plantations, i.e., land planted or replanted within the last ten 

 years; (2) pure coppice; (3) coppice with standards; and (4) 

 other woods. For the purpose of the Agricultural Returns, 

 coppice may be taken to include woods that are cut over periodic- 

 ally, and reproduce themselves naturally by stool shoots. 



Municipal Water woi^ks Ai-eas. 



35. We have received valuable evidence as to the work 

 undertaken by the Corporation of Liverpool to afibrest the 

 catchment area, around Lake Vyrnwy, of the water-supply of 

 that city, and some other municipalities have also had similar 

 schemes placed before them. We are of opinion that this is a 

 direction in which a considerable amount of a£fbrestation may 

 usefully be done. To prevent all risk of contamination of the 

 water-supply, it is at the present day the policy to remove, as 

 far as possible, all -human habitations and farm buildings, as well 

 as live stock, from such areas. These areas, therefore, however 

 well suited they may otherwise be for the production of crops 

 or the maintenance of live stock, are practically derelict, and 

 vield no return, beyond that obtained from the sale of the water, 

 upon what is usually a very heavy capital expenditure on the 

 part of the Corporation. We desire therefore to draw the 

 attention of Corporations to the advantages and profits to be 

 derived from planting their catchment areas with treep, which 

 ultimately will not only contribute mateiially to the retention of 

 the rain that falls over the area, and thus assist in regulating the 

 water-supply and in preventing floods and watei'-famines, but 

 will tend to the purification of the water, and should also, 

 properly managed, yield a fair and regular income on the capital 

 expended. Such catchment areas, if they are to be thus utilised, 

 should be placed under the control of a competent forester. 

 And inasmuch as they will be under corporate control, and less 

 subject to changes of management than land owned by private 

 individuals, there is no reason why they should not also ulti- 

 mately serve as demonstration forests, and be available for the 

 instruction of students. For example, the catchment areas of 

 the Liverpool and Birmingham Corporation Waterworks, situated 



