422 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



be speedily found out. The commercial man quickly learns by 

 failures. The ordinary opei*ations of forestry with hira, will not 

 lend themselves too readily to literary treatment ; i)ractical experi- 

 ence will be his chief guide, and thus, a real advance will be made 

 in the knowledge and practice of foi'eatry. That the system 

 suggested in this paper would be favourably entertained by men 

 of capital is nearly certain, from the fact that several instances 

 already exist where suitable estates, either well wooded or adapted 

 for wood cultivation, have been purchased by those associated 

 with the timber trade, for the purpose of developing timber 

 growing as a commercial speculation. When we have these 

 instances before us, where men of capital have been found ready 

 to purchase land for this pui'pose, how much moi-e reasonable is 

 it to expect that they would eagerly avail themselves, if oppor- 

 tunities and inducements were offered to become leaseholders, 

 with lesser capital involved, and none of the responsibilities per- 

 taining to land ownershij). 



In point of time the present appears peculiarly opportune for 

 initiating such a system. The condition of trade, the introduction 

 of new foreign woods into the country caused by the costlier 

 production of Canadian timber, and the enhanced value of home 

 produce, with the large popular interest taken in the whole 

 subject of forestry, all tend to offer special encouragement to 

 engage in what appears to be a lucrative and money-making 

 branch of industiy. 



The subject of timber supply is one that touches every branch 

 of industry ; it is a necessary commodity to all who construct 

 anything, to all who manufacture or use anything. Hence the 

 reason that the present enhanced value of it, should cause the 

 subject to occupy so much public attention, and forces us to 

 seriously consider how far our resoui'ces can be made available for 

 pi'oviding a proportion of these supplies. With the ])resent 

 feeling as to future lucrative returns, any advances made by land- 

 owners with the views here suggested, have every prospect of 

 being reciprocated Vjy many who would desire to become " Timber 

 Farmers." 



