NOTE ON THE PLANTING OF I'OI'LAKS AT K1N1NVIE. 75 



young poplars from cattle, but to carry out these instructions 

 would entail so much labour that it would probably be more 

 economic in Scotland to keep cattle out of the plantations until 

 the trees are large enough to resist them. 



All suckers from the roots of poplar trees should be destroyed 

 at once. 



7. With regard to the economic value of poplar wood, the 

 position in Scotland before the war seems to have been that 

 its suitability for cart bottoms, wagon bottoms, and similar 

 purposes where toughness is essential, was recognised, and 

 purchasers were prepared to pay high prices for it. Owing, 

 however, to the small quantities available and the irregular 

 supply there was no free market, bargains were difficult to 

 arrange, and consumers who would have used poplar if it had 

 been available, had to fall back on less suitable substitutes, while 

 producers were unable to find purchasers. This condition of 

 affairs is likely to continue after the war unless poplars are 

 planted extensively, in which case a regular market would 

 come into existence automatically. If poplars are not planted 

 generally throughout the country, the planting by a limited 

 number of individuals should be done on a large scale, so 

 that, even in the absence of a regular market, the isolated 

 lots will be important enough to command special markets as 

 they become mature. 



The purposes for which poplar is likely to obtain a market, 

 either general or special, in the future are indicated in the fore- 

 going paragraph, and from experience during the present war. 

 Under the latter head, Lt.-Col. Balfour states that Messrs Bryant 

 and May have consulted him as to the feasibility of growing 

 poplars in England for the manufacture of matches and match 

 boxes. Their inquiry was due to the failure of supplies from 

 Russia, owing to the war, and may, therefore, only indicate a 

 temporary demand. 1 



1 The utility of home-grown wood for many industrial purposes, from 

 which it was excluded in pre-war days, has now been established, and the 

 present opportunity must not be lost of establishing a constant market for 

 home-grown timber in our wood-consuming industries. Otherwise, the 

 demand created by the war will, of necessity, be of a temporary nature 

 only. It is a matter of common knowledge that the important firm of 

 Bryant & May are making provision to grow their own supplies of timber 

 in this country. Now is the time when every effort should be made to 

 provide future supplies of various sorts and kinds of timber suitable foi 

 the requirements of our different timber-consuming industries, in order 

 that a home market and demand may be created on a permanent basis. 

 —Hon. En. 



