346 REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY. 
of proper forest conservancy measures’ into the country ; are you 
strongly of that opinion?” “TI am very strongly of opinion that 
it would, as regards the question here under discussion, be one of 
the most important measures which the British Government 
could take to introduce a proper forest conservancy into Canada.” 
—“ Then, as regards planting in Great Britain, are you of opinion 
that the surplus area is so great that extensive tracts could be set 
aside for forests without trenching upon the land required for 
agriculture?” “There is a considerable area of waste land, the 
details of which are given in my report.”—‘“ And though you do 
not wish to put the matter too strongly, the impression upon your 
mind is that a fair field for judicious enterprise exists in the 
extension of the woodlands of Great Britain and Ireland?” 
“ Yes, provided it is done in an economic manner.”—“ As regards 
Ireland you have expressed the opinion that there are probably 
2,000,000 acres which might be advantageously planted in that 
country?” “That is a rough estimate ; about 2,000,000, I should 
say.” —“ Those 2,000,000 acres, as they stand at present, make a 
very small return; and you say that the ‘afforestation could, I 
have no doubt, be made to pay fairly, apart from the benefit 
which the people in the poorer coast districts would derive from 
the increase of work afforded near their homes, and the protection 
which the forests would give to the adjoining fields, and to 
cattle ;’ that is still your opinion, is it not?” “ Itis my opinion.” 
—“You attach great importance to the planting of parts of 
Treland, not only on account of the value of the products that 
would be derived from them, but also from the protection that 
would be given to the cattle?” “ Yes.”—“ As regards England, 
you say, ‘The total area of all waste lands amounts to 41,890 
square miles. I am not in a position to state, at present, what 
proportion of this area is fit and available for forests, but on the 
whole it may, perhaps, be estimated at one-half, or 20,000 square 
miles in round figures. At any rate it is evident that there is 
sufficient room for a considerable extension of the woodlands in 
Great Britain and Ireland. Is that still your opinion?” “As 
far as the information at my disposal goes, that is still my 
opinion.” —“ You said, very truly, that in expressing that opinion 
you think it quite necessary that the planting and management of 
the woodlands should be economically and judiciously carried out. 
The establishment of a forest school would be a very important 
thing in that point of view, would it not?” “There can be no 
