156 THE STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTS 



much larger area of rough highlands used for 

 summer grazing. 



The afforestation schemes propose to utilize the 

 lower or wintering ground. But if all this land is 

 afforested, the high summer grazing-grounds become 

 practically valueless. 



This is one of the main problems facing this 

 afforestation question, and which practically puts 

 out of court State purchase of land on any con- 

 siderable scale. Once you have your woods up and 

 old enough to permit sheep grazing, the problem 

 becomes easier, because it will be possible to permit 

 such animals as sheep to graze and winter in the 

 woods in the cases where the species grown allow 

 sufficient light to penetrate on to the soil to permit 

 the growth of grass. 



But the interval whilst the woods are being grown 

 is the period which demands the most careful thought 

 and treatment at present. 



Some form of leasing will, it is suggested, be the 

 best way of solving the problem, as it will permit 

 of the areas selected being taken up gradually and 

 only as required, and will thus cause a minimum 

 of dislocation to vested interests. 



That some dislocation is inevitable is unfortun- 

 ately unavoidable, and compensation will have to 

 be paid for the disturbance. The compensation for 

 the dispersal of acclimatized sheep is far heavier 

 than would have to be paid for sheep in low-lying, 

 sheltered areas, where no heavy losses in the accli- 

 matization have to be incurred by the sheep farmer. 

 On the other hand, when the sheep are reintroduced 



