THE DENIZENS OF THE FOREST. Ill 



There remain mammals and birds, and it is on these two 

 classes of denizen that it appears most apposite to dilate to 

 some extent with the object of stimulating general discussion 

 as to which species should be encouraged, and which discouraged 

 or prohibited in the woodlands of the future. Mammals claim 

 priority, and domestic animals are primary in necessity. 



Whatever development may be made in machinery and 

 mechanical power, forests can hardly in the future dispense 

 with the horse, and at a time when encouragement to horse- 

 breeding has become a national necessity (in view of future 

 possible wars if for no other reason), it is pleasant to remember 

 that forestry will always, as far as can be foreseen, demand and 

 maintain the horse and pony as an essential part of labour. 

 Sheep and cows will undoubtedly not only benefit from the 

 shelter of adjacent woods, but will utilise the forest when 

 sufficiently grown for grazing at certain seasons, and for its 

 assistance in wintering. Continental example must be our 

 guide as regards sheep and cattle in relation to forests. 



Goats, on the other hand, are, in my opinion and experience, 

 nothing else than a pest. Not only is their grazing destructive 

 to every green thing within their reach, but the goat-herds soon 

 learn to carry lances with a sickle at the end, and so assist in 

 destroying what the goats would not otherwise reach, and, 

 in addition, the goat-herds are a constant source of forest 

 fires. 



Pigs are far less objectionable to foresters, and their increase is 

 a matter of national importance. In the Highlands of Scotland 

 the inhabitants dislike them too much to promise that many 

 will ever be kept in styes with all the unpleasant attention they 

 require, and this prejudice, which is a sign of instinctive refine- 

 ment, is one to be respected. 



In droves in the forest, however, the pig is not nearly as 

 unpleasant, and when the forest is of oak or sweet chestnut 

 there is no more profitable use to be made of acorns and 

 chestnuts than as food for pigs. Spanish hams owe their 

 flavour and value solely to the chestnut forests of Spain. 



Wild mammals are a much larger group, and fall naturally 

 into two classes, both desirable economically as yielding profit, 

 viz., game animals which yield both food and in some cases 

 sporting rents, and fur-bearing animals valuable for their pelts 

 which constantly appreciate in price. Of the first class roe- 



