246 PRESENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF 



is an approximation of the relative ages of the woodlands at this 

 date, viz. : — 



"Wood at 70 years old and upwards, 

 Do. from 50 years to 70 years old, 

 Do. from 20 years to 50 years old, 

 Do. under 20 years old, 

 Do. within policies, . 



Acres. 



4,500 

 26,000 

 35,000 

 47,000 



2,500 



Total, . . . 115,000 



From these figures it will be seen that, in regard to acreage, the 

 future will compare favourably with the past and present. Still 

 there are many obstacles to prevent the future plantations from 

 realising the same revenue as at present. Xo doubt in many cases 

 a much higher revenue may be reasonably expected, but many of 

 the young plantations recently formed are distant from the market, 

 and some occupy places almost inaccessible. In such situations, 

 (unless a great expense is incurred by the proprietor in the forma- 

 tion of roads previous to disposing of the wood) the receipts must 

 necessarily be very small. It is probable that as the wood traffic 

 increases, railways may be extended, or temporary tramways laid 

 down as feeders for the permanent lines. Some years ago, when 

 traction engines were introduced, it was thought that the transit of 

 wood would be effected more expeditiously and cheaply; but the 

 use of traction engines having met with opposition from the road 

 trustees, there is little advantage to be expected in that direction 

 for some time. "Workmen's wages are also increasing rapidly, and 

 with the present outlets and depots for wood, there are many places 

 in West Aberdeenshire where even good pitprops scarcely pay the 

 cost of cutting and transit. 



That is the dark side of the picture; but with improved manage- 

 ment of woods, it is reasonable to expect that a better class aud 

 crop of trees will be grown. Appliances for the cheaper manufac- 

 ture and transit of wood may also be introduced. Besides, as the 

 prosperity of the country advances, the demand for wood will also 

 increase, and it will consequently rise in value. Such has been the 

 experience gathered from the past. 



Foreign wood will also become more difficult to procure; and as 

 general cultivation advances, even in these countries where the 

 wood supply has been considered inexhaustible, the woodlands will 



