AFFORESTATION. 1 59 



with due regard both to the sporting and silvicultural interests, 

 that a portion of the low ground might in time be planted 

 without materially damaging the forest as a whole, and that 

 in consequence compensation might be kept within reasonable 

 bounds. On the other hand, on a sporting estate with a small 

 area of wintering, five successive years' planting without 

 knowledge of local conditions or care of existing values, might 

 conceivably reduce the monetary yield by 50 per cent., and 

 the initial expenditure in compensation might make the 

 afforestation of the area economically impossible. 



But it is not to the economic side only that we must look 

 in examining the case for afforestation. It is necessary to 

 show the prospect of permanent employment, if not for more, 

 at all events for the existing number of the rural population in 

 any locality. In considering, therefore, whether the million 

 acres of " poor tillage land " — suggested by Colonel Dudgeon 

 and accepted by the Erosion Commission — are suitable for 

 afforestation, it must be proved not only that these acres will 

 grow trees and, after all claims for severance and valuations 

 have been settled, grow them to a profit, but also that the 

 small farmers, farm labourers, cottars, etc., dispossessed by 

 the destruction of the old industry, can be replaced by a not 

 less large population permanently employed in the new one. 



The same principle holds good in the case of common 

 grazing or " summing." Here the arable areas are usually 

 small, and the individual interests depend absolutely on the hill 

 ground for the maintenance of their live stock Before taking 

 such lands away from small holders, it would have to be shown 

 not only that the scheme was economically sound, but also 

 that in the altered conditions at least as large and well-doing 

 a population could be maintained there. 



There is a further economic question upon which the 

 Erosion Commission appear to have hardly touched, and which 

 affects not only tenant and landlord, but also each and every 

 dweller in the country-side. I mean the question of rates. 

 In Scotland, where nine-tenths of the afforestation area is 

 situated, the rates in the poorer districts where " rough mountain 

 and heath land" predominate, run from 4s. to 14s. in the 

 pound. In many parishes, and notably in the Highlands, the 

 sporting subjects are responsible for 45 per cent., and the sheep- 

 farms for a further 20 per cent., of the local rates. 



