notes and queries. 225 



Afforestation of Surplus Lands. 



The following letter from Dr Schlich appeared in the Times of 

 loth April 1908 : — 



Twenty-two years ago I urged extended afforestation of surplus 

 or waste lands in these islands. These suggestions I have 

 repeated on many occasions since, and I particularly pointed 

 out that such afforestation might be found an auxiliary in 

 solving the Irish land question and the great problem of the 

 unemployed. The reasons for my action were, in the first place, 

 the desirability of increased afforestation, so as to increase home 

 production ; and secondly, my conviction that the operations 

 would ultimately pay a fair interest on the outlay, provided they 

 were conducted in an economic and business-like manner. The 

 study of the forest conditions in various parts of the earth had 

 shown me that a scarcity, or at any rate a considerable rise in 

 the price, of timber must come within a limited period of time, so 

 that woods planted in this country would benefit by that increase. 

 My proposals remained unheeded for a considerable period of 

 time; indeed, they were even characterised as "wild gambling 

 in futures." Of late, however, the matter has been more 

 seriously considered, and I have read with great interest the 

 four articles on " British Forestry" published by you during the 

 last two months. A Committee on Irish Afforestation is just 

 completing its labours, and I have reason to believe that proposals 

 made by me in January 1886 have been seriously considered. 

 I also see that the Royal Commission on Coast Erosion has been 

 enlarged, and is now considering " whether it is desirable to 

 make an experiment in afforestation as a means of increasing 

 employment during periods of depression in the labour market." 



These are all hopeful signs towards the inauguration of extended 

 action, especially as recent experience has shown the correctness 

 of my forecast as regards the financial aspect of the undertaking. 

 Our supplies of timber come chiefly from the countries around the 

 Baltic and from North America, in the proportion of about five and 

 a half to three million tons. It stands to reason, therefore, that 

 any rise in price in North America must affect prices in these 

 islands. This morning I received a statement issued by the 

 United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, entitled 

 " Wholesale Lumber Prices, 1886- 1908," on the markets of New 



