190 TRAN'SA-CTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



our land agents and foresters correct sylvicultural methods. At 

 the same time, we must not expect immediate results in all cases. 

 In only too many instances the land has suffered in yield-capacity 

 owing to continued exposure, and the subsequent dissipation of all 

 organic matter. In such cases there will be some difficulty in the 

 beginning, but if once more a suitable forest crop has been estab- 

 lished on the areas, the producing powers of the land will increase 

 in the same degree as organic matter accumulates in the soil. The 

 loss of increment in the beginning is a penalty which we shall have 

 to pay for neglect in the past. 



Financial Aspect of British Forestry. 



The next question you are likely to ask me is, "Will it pay to 

 put land under forest in this country?" In answering that question 

 we meet with great difficulty. Most naturally you would say, 

 " Let us inquire what the results of forestry have been so far." 

 That inquiry would lead to disappointing results, because, in the 

 first place, it is almost impossible to obtain, in this country, data 

 which would conclusively prove the case, either one way or the 

 other; and, secondly, we can only estimate what the effect would 

 be if rational sylvicultural methods were applied to the industry, 

 accompanied by a more systematic management. As regards the 

 first point, I must point out that those data which are available 

 are almost invariably vitiated by the fact that many items are 

 included under expenses which have little or nothing to do with 

 forestry by itself. For instance, you find heavy payments for 

 fences which ought to be charged against shooting rents or enjoy- 

 ment of the chase, or even against the cultivation of adjoining land, 

 to keep the cattle out of the woods. In other cases, fancy roads 

 are kept up for the benefit of the proprietor. As regards the 

 second point, I have no hesitation in saying that the returns might 

 in many, if not in most cases, be doubled by following the rules of 

 rational sylviculture and by systematic management. (Here Dr 

 Schlich gave an illustration from the experience of Saxony, and 

 quoted the figures which will be found on p. 221 of this Part.) 



Objects of Management. 



The management of forests depends on the objects which it is 

 proposed to realise. It rests with the proprietor, in .so far as his 



