130 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY- 



18. The State in Relation to Forestry.^ 



Bv Dk W. ScHi.icH, C.I.E., F.R.S. 



As forests occupy a part of the land, their position must, in the 

 first instance, be considered from the point of view of poHtical 

 economy. We understand by the latter: — "That branch of 

 philosophy which discusses the sources and methods of 

 material wealth and prosperity in a nation." 



Applied to forests, we arrive at Forest Policy, which in- 

 quires : — " Whether and in how far forests need be maintained 

 in a country, whether the State as such should hold the 

 forests, or whether the maintenance of them may be left to 

 private enterprise." 



It is evident that, to answer this question, the general utility 

 of forests, in the economy of man and nature, must be 

 ascertained. That utility is of a direct and indirect nature. 



Taking the latter first, it must suffice to state that — 



(i) Forests reduce the temperature of soil and air to a 

 moderate extent, and render the climate more 

 equable. 



(2) They increase the relative humidity of the air and reduce 



evaporation. 



(3) They tend to increase the precipitation of moisture in 



the shape of rain, snow, and dew. 



(4) They help to regulate the water supply, produce a more 



sustained feeding of springs, tend to reduce violent 

 floods, and render the flow of water in rivers more 

 continuous. 



(5) They assist in preventing erosion, landslips, avalanches, 



the silting up of rivers and low lands, and arrest 

 shifting sands. 



(6) They reduce the velocity of air currents, protect ad- 



joining fields against cold or dry winds, and afford 

 shelter to cattle, game, and useful birds. 



(7) They may improve the healthiness of a country. 



(8) They increase the artistic beauty of a country, and thus 



exercise a beneficial influence upon man. 

 The direct utility of forests is due to the produce which they 

 yield, the capital which they represent, and the labour which 



1 Paper read before tlie ScoUisli Society of Economists at Edinburgh, on 

 1 8th March 1909. 



