AFFORESTATION. 333 



on this subject are words of wisdom : " The 

 annual bill for wood is rising rapidly and is 

 certain to increase very greatly in future, 

 although a very considerable proportion of 

 what we need for pit wood and pulp for paper 

 might very well be grown on our waste lands 

 and low-grade pastures, while at the same 

 time such woodlands would provide other 

 special advantages in affording increased em- 

 ployment, shelter to crops and live-stock, and 

 in tending to prevent floods and soil erosion, 

 and to regulate and purify the water-supply 

 throughout all well-wooded catchment areas." 

 In 1911 Sir William Ramsay pointed out 

 the necessity of re-afForesting waste lands in 

 view of the gradual but sure extinction of our 

 coal supplies ; and in 1912 we are faced with 

 the tragedy of a national coal strike. It is at 

 such a time that every countryman feels the 

 injustice of being robbed of the old rights of 

 getting fuel from common lands, and the vital 

 necessity of re-afforesting land enclosed against 

 his will. 



