56 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



high ridges. Indeed, the forests when estabhshed will be 

 particularly free from the more important dangers in the form 

 of wind, fire, frost, snow, etc. As regards the future marketing 

 of produce, the areas have special advantages since they are 

 easily accessible by roads and railways to large centres of 

 consumption. An important factor which will make for the 

 success of the scheme is the fact that the lands in question are 

 entirely the property of the Local Authority. This condition , 

 of affairs will render possible continuity of management; in 

 addition there will be freedom from any disturbing influences, 

 so that the necessity for departing from the provisions of the 

 working-plan as sanctioned by the Development Commissioners 

 will not arise. 



The main objects of the scheme are as follows : — 



T. The conservation and maintenance of the purity of the 

 water supplies on the respective areas. 



2. The production of timber suitable for the extensive 



local markets of the Lanarkshire coal-field and the 

 city of Glasgow. 



3. The provision of healthy and interesting rural employ- 



ment, on lines which local economic conditions will 

 determine. 



It will be the aim of the working-plan to provide for these 

 objects with the least possible disturbance of the existing 

 industries of sheep grazing and shooting, and to employ a 

 maximum of labour. 



Managetfient. — In view of the comprehensive nature of the 

 scheme, all land except that within the reservoir fences must be 

 under the direct control of a forest officer, who will be personally 

 responsible for it to the District Committee. The forest 

 authority can then arrange for the letting of grazings and 

 shootings to .such an extent and in such a way that the 

 interests of forestry do not suffer. 



It is imperative for the forest authority to have absolute 

 control of all game, vermin and fishing. Such being the case 

 the working-plan need not provide for rabbit-netting, as the 

 rabbits will be kept down by trappers, and in this way the 

 initial cost of formation will be materially reduced. 



The administration of land under forest will be detailed in 

 the working-plan, and will be based on purely silvicultural 



