REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY. 117 



tion were of a large area, because large areas can be inclosed cheaper 

 than small ones." — "Do you know Ireland at alH " "No, I do 

 not." — " If you have a large mountainous district of say half a 

 million acres, and there is very little planting in it, do you think it 

 would improve the country generally to plant a portion of that 

 with trees 1" " Certainly." — " If the proprietors will not or cannot 

 do it, do you think it might be of national advantage if the 

 Government took it_]up 1 " " Yes." — " Are not there some districts 

 in Scotland where the enterprising proprietors plant a good deal, 

 and other districts with equal advantages where other proprietors 

 do not plant at alH " "That is the case." — "In those districts 

 where the proprietors do not plant, do you think some advantage 

 would be gained if the Government were to take up their work and 

 plant, of course keeping the increase of the trees to themselves. 

 Do you think that might be done with advantage V "I daresay it 

 might." — "You have not thought on that subject ■?" "It intro- 

 duces rather a complicated question ; how would the proprietor be 

 compensated'?" " Suppose they were paid for the land they give 

 up, and were willing to give it up 1 " " It would be far better to 

 have the land planted than left as it is at all events." — " And it 

 would shelter the other land 1 " " Yes." — " And would generally 

 improve and beautify the country 1 " " Yes." — " Would it not in- 

 troduce new industries into the country 1 " " Very possibly." — 

 " In those districts where the proprietors do not plant, do you think 

 it would be advantageous for the Government to step in and plant 

 trees 1" "Certainly." 



"You began life as a woodman?" "Yes." — "You picked up 

 all the knowledge you got for yourself? " " Certainly ; I was at no 

 school." — " Do you think you Avould have done better if you had 

 had a course of scientific instruction 1 " "I have not the slightest 

 doubt of it ; I have felt the want of it all along. I had to read 

 up, and there are very few books to read." — " That is your 

 own experience, and you are ^jrepared to recommend that men 

 beginning life as foresters, should have some definite instruction ? " 

 " Certainly." — " Have you formed any opinion as to what the 

 length of such a course ought to be ; what is the shortest time. Of 

 course these men are poor and cannot afford to pay very large fees 

 or go on long? " " The very shortest time to see all the operations 

 would be a year. He ought to be two years at the very least." — 

 " Would that include the lectures and instructions at the school 1 " 

 " If the school and the forest were to be within a reasonable 



