AFFORESTATION OF WATERWORKS CATCHMENT AREAS. 227 



be carried on in the ordinary way, for no really satisfactory 

 methods can be devised for the disposal and treatment of the 

 sewage of resident populations of farmers and farm-labourers with 

 their families, and the pollutions from shippons and farmyards, so as 

 to permit of the effluents being discharged into the water-courses. 

 Sheep grazing is, from a waterworks point of view, the least 

 objectionable of f aiming pursuits, especially where, as in some 

 cases known to me, the proportions of live stock are calculated 

 according to the number of acres to a sheep, and not according to 

 the number of sheep to an acre. Grouse moors are still less 

 objectionable, especially where the growth of peat is kept 

 under proper control, and suitable channels are cut for the 

 water. 



In considering the desirability of afforesting the gathering- 

 grounds of waterworks, it must not be assumed that the proposi- 

 tion is to cover the entire area with trees. Each watershed must 

 be separately studied, and must be to some extent differently 

 treated. Questions of aspect, temperatui-e, depth of soil, wind, 

 rain, and frost, and other features must be taken into account in 

 determining where and what to plant. It is probable that the 

 proportion of any gathering-ground that can be planted with 

 advantage will be found to vary from 25 to 75 per cent, of the 

 total. These are points upon -which it is necessary to obtain 

 competent expert evidence at the outset, so as to avoid imprudent 

 expenditure and to guard against failure. A working plan should 

 be prepared and systematically carried out, careful records being 

 kept of all expenditures and receipts. 



Forestry has been so much neglected in this country that there 

 are very few people to be found who are qualified to advise upon 

 planting for profit on a large scale, and it is particularly 

 important to distinguish between planting as usually practised 

 by landowners, and systematic scientific planting as practised 

 under State control and direction in several European countries. 

 In this connection I was much interested in reading the evidence 

 given before the Committee on Forestry by the Earl of Selborne. 

 I quote two or three extracts : — 



"I only took to forestry about ten years ago, and I became very keen on 

 it. I very soon became convinced that nobody in my neighbourhood or on 

 the estate knew anything whatever about it, and it gradually dawned upon 

 me that that applied not only to my father's property, but all the surrounding 

 properties." 



