170 THE AFFORESTATION SCHEMES 



which in my view would not only be more worthy 

 of this country, but would produce those results 

 which it is the desire of all interested in this matter 

 from the national standpoint to see attained. 



It will be seen that the recommendations made 

 state definitely the areas to be treated in the different 

 categories during the first ten years to wit, 50,000 

 acres to be bought by the State, 100,000 acres leased, 

 25,000 acres on the profit-sharing basis, 25,000 acres 

 afforested by local bodies and private persons, and 

 50,000 acres to be replanted. It may be suggested 

 that it is unnecessary to lay down any rigid area 

 limit in these various categories e.g. there would be 

 no object in restricting the area afforested under the 

 proceeds-sharing basis to a quarter of that obtained 

 under the leasing method. With reference to the 

 area to be replanted, 50,000 acres, it appears to be 

 far below what should be attempted. Good sylvi- 

 culture prescribes the replanting of felled-over areas 

 immediately, or after the lapse of as short a space 

 of time as possible, in order to ensure the full utiliza- 

 tion of the valuable humus layer which has been 

 built up throughout the life of the crop of trees 

 just removed. This layer forms the manure of the 

 forest. By leaving areas unplanted for a period of 

 years, not only is this valuable humus layer dissi- 

 pated under the influence of heat, moisture, and 

 wind, but a dense growth of weeds occupies the 

 unplanted area, causing extra expense and trouble 

 in replanting. 1 It is as yet difficult to give an exact 



1 The reasons for leaving felled tracts unplanted in Britain 

 (Hylobius, etc.) have been already alluded to. 



