THE STATE IN RELATION TO FORESTRY. 13I 



they provide if established on surplus lands. The last point is 

 of special importance, if the industries of the country are not 

 sufficient to give enough occupation for the population. It is 

 only too well known that this is the case in the United Kingdom. 

 Whether, and in how far, these effects are produced in a 

 particular country depends on its special conditions. In this 

 respect should be mentioned : — 



(i) The position of the country, its communications with 



other countries, and the control it exercises over 



other countries, such as colonies. 



(2) The quantity and quality of substitutes for forest produce 



available in a country, such as iron, coal, and peat. 



(3) The value of land and labour, and the returns which 



land yields if used for other purposes, such as 

 agriculture. 



(4) The density of population. 



(5) The presence or absence of waste land. 



(6) The amount of capital available for investment. 



(7) The climate and configuration of the country. 



These considerations show that no general rule can be laid 

 down showing whether forests are required in a country, or 

 what percentage of the land should be so used. The question 

 must be answered for each country separately. Thus, in 

 European countries, we find that the percentage of land under 

 forest, ranges from 48 to 4 per cent, these Islands and Portugal 

 being last on the list. 



As far as Great Britain and Ireland are concerned, their 

 climate depends on other and more powerful agencies than that of 

 forests. On the other hand, erosion has taken place and is now 

 going on in various places, though not yet on a disastrous scale. 

 When we come to the economic question, we find that these Islands 

 import at least 75 per cent, of the timber which they require. 

 Of the imported timber, 87 per cent, consists of coniferous wood. 

 Much has been written and said as to the sustained supply of 

 this timber (about 10,000,000 tons), and I consjder that it is by 

 no means secure. At any rate, I feel sure that prices will 

 continue to rise, as they have done ever since 1894, owing to the 

 gradual exhaustion of the more accessible forests in the exporting 

 countries, and the increasing demand on all sides. Assuming this 

 to be a correct view of the case, the question arises: — How can this 

 prospective decrease in supplies and increase in prices be met? 



