130 REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY. 
hitherto dependent for supply?” “I think it is of great conse- 
quence that we should increase the production in our own country, 
and do as much as we can to meet its wants.” 
“Have you directed your attention to considering what area of 
land for the growth of timber could be fairly supplied in England 
itself, in Scotland, in Wales, and in Ireland?” ‘I could scarcely 
venture to state the figures of the available area from memory. 
There is a very great extent of land available for planting, no 
doubt, in Scotland and in Ireland.”—“ Is there not also a very 
considerable part of England itself now lying comparatively unpro- 
ductive, which would grow timber better than anything else that 
could be suggested?” ‘Yes, on the banks of navigable rivers, and 
in favourable positions, it is very desirable. In other places it 
might be difficult to make it financially successful ; but where 
there are navigable rivers, and special advantages of carriage, it is 
very desirable to turn them to account.”—‘“ Are there not great 
tracts in Cumberland, in Westmoreland, and Northumberland 
which would naturally invite plantation as a suitable thing whereby 
to occupy them?” “TI believe there are. I am not specially 
cognisant of those counties.”—‘“‘ I do not suppose you have speci- 
ally turned your attention to that ; I merely want to know whether 
you do not think, as the result of your observations elsewhere, 
that those great stretches of land in Wales, as well as in the 
north of England, would afford very suitable places for re-afforest- 
ing?” “T believe there are very extensive tracts which might 
be utilised.” 
“You know Scotland very well?” “Yes, I know Scotland very 
well.” —“ May Iask you with regard to Scotland, do you consider 
that a greater area than the three-quarter million acres, which is 
about the extent of the forests in Scotland at present, could be 
fairly devoted to the growth of timber, as on mountain slopes or 
other situations which are not very profitably occupied at present ?” 
“‘T think there are sub-alpine districts in the Highlands very suit- 
able for planting, and a very great extent of area which might be 
planted. LI am familiar with Perthshire and Inverness-shire, 
and with places in the west of Scotland where trees grow very well. 
Upon the east coast they do not grow so well, being exposed to 
the east wind. But there are very great extents in those Highland 
counties which might be turned to good account ; especially towards 
the seaboard of the west coast they would grow very well, and in 
the midlands of Scotland also.”—‘“ You know some parts of the 
