128 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



" Of the four countries on which we chiefly depend for our 

 timber imports, it would appear that we cannot cherish the 

 expectation that either the United States or Canada can long 

 maintain their supplies. While there is uncertainty about 

 Russia (including Siberia) the probability would seem to be 

 favourable to that country maintaining her exports for a long 

 period.^ As regards the fourth of these countries, Sweden, we 

 have it on the authority of the Central Bureau of Statistics that, 

 in 1900, 106,000,000 cubic feet were annually being withdrawn 

 from her forests beyond what is annually produced.'^ If this be 

 so it would appear that a curtailment of supplies from that 

 country must soon be expected. Time does not permit of the 

 subject being pursued further, though the fact is not overlooked 

 that relief may, to some extent, be found in the direction of 

 the displacement of wood by concrete, iron, and similar 

 substitutes. Much may also be done to prevent and control 

 forest fires, which in the past have perhaps consumed as much 

 timber as has fallen to the woodman's axe. Then, again, 

 nations that have hitherto recklessly exploited their forests are 

 now taking some steps to secure regeneration, and, in the course 

 of time, such action will have its effect on supplies. 



" If material extension of afforestation is to take place in this, 

 or, in fact, in any country, it can only be through the direct 

 agency of the State. The planting of trees has appealed with 

 great force to individuals, who have formed or extended wood- 

 lands to give shelter, afford sport, and improve the amenities of 

 their estates, As often as not woods- have been formed to 

 gratify a taste of much the same character as that which induces 

 a man of means to buy pictures, or establish a herd of pedigree 

 shorthorns. The timber that private woodlands yield is of 

 service in the upkeep of the estate, and the revenue resulting 

 from the sale may be substantial as well as attractive. Few 

 landowners care to see woodland reverting to rough pasture, 

 so that one may say that it is seldom that the proportion of 

 woodland on an estate is not maintained. But substantial 

 extension of afforestation on an estate is comparatively rare. 

 Of course there are exceptions, as in the case of the witness 

 who came before the Committee of 1902, and testified that he 



' Scliwappach, Forstliche Reisebi Icier aits A'ltss/aiid, Zeit. fur Forst mid 

 Jagdweseii, 1902. 



- Siveden, edited \>y G. Sundliiirg, 1904, p. 620. 



