i 4 6 FORESTRY 



being taken in pursuance of this policy. Almost at once, 

 however, it became obvious that a mistake had been made. 

 In private hands the forests were mismanaged in nearly all 

 cases. Not only was the elementary principle of a sustained 

 yield and the production of the highest soil rental quite 

 neglected, but too often the public good was sacrificed to 

 private advantage by deforestation. Consequent on the with- 

 drawal of the forest cover, the soil was unduly exposed ; in 

 many parts barren wastes were formed, there was much 

 destruction by the washing away of soil by mountain torrents, 

 and, in other districts, great damage was occasioned by drift- 

 ing sand. It is the time element that singles out forestry from 

 all other commercial enterprises. The advantage or necessity 

 of continuity of ownership and management is felt in nothing 

 so much as in forestry. Much time, large areas, and regularity 

 of action are necessary to its most effective working. The 

 permanence and resources of a nation make the State the most 

 suitable custodian of forest property. With the realisation 

 of this fact the tendency now is to extend State ownership ; 

 one sees the policy active not only in such countries as 

 Germany and Austria, but also in the United States of 

 America. 



The management of State woods differs in its method 

 according to its aims ; a distinction may be made between (a ) 

 forests which, independent of all else, are treated for the 

 production of revenue, and (b] forests which are maintained 

 for a definite protective action in the interests of a district or 

 locality. In the latter case, financial profit may be interfered 

 with or entirely foregone in obtaining the desired effect. 



From what has already been said, it will be evident that the 

 chief object of State-owned woods is usually the realisation 

 of the highest soil rental from the forest, having regard, 

 however, to all interests, particularly to the fostering of 

 commercial industry. In accordance with this principle, it is 

 not consistent that a rotation should be suddenly shortened in 

 order to take advantage of an unexpected demand for produce 

 of a particular size, or to specially favour a certain species 



