6 BRITISH FORESTRY, PAST AND FUTURE 



nical Instruction for Ireland to report on the condition of 

 forestry, the preservation and extension of existing wood- 

 lands, and the financial and other provisions necessary 

 to secure a comprehensive scheme of afforestation in 

 Ireland. The Report recommended the afforestation of 

 700,000 acres, and a start has been made, but the rate 

 of progress is very slow little more than 1,000 acres of 

 fresh land having been planted in the past ten years, 

 which is much less than the area deforested during the 

 period. 



In 1908 the problem of unemployment was pressing, 

 and the Government decided to enlarge the terms of 

 reference to the Royal Commission on Coast Erosion, 

 charging them to report c Whether in connection with 

 reclaimed lands or otherwise, it is desirable to make an 

 experiment in afforestation as a means of increasing employ- 

 ment during periods of depression in the labour market, 

 and if so by what authority and under what conditions 

 such experiment should be conducted.' The Commission 

 reported in January 1909, and recommended the affores- 

 tation of 150,000 acres annually up to an aggregate of 

 9,000,000 acres. The recommendations have not been 

 given effect to. 



In 1911 the Secretary for Scotland nominated a Depart- 

 mental Committee ' to report on the selection of a suitable 

 location for a Demonstration Forest Area in Scotland . . . 

 and on any further steps . . . which . . . should be taken 

 with a view to promoting silviculture in Scotland.' The 

 Committee reported in the same year, recommending (1) 

 a demonstration forest of at least 4,000 acres situated in 

 a district suitable for afforestation, (2) one university 

 centre providing the highest form of forestry education, 

 with local instruction for working foresters, (3) a limited 

 number of trial State forests, (4) a survey to determine 

 the extent of aff ores table land, (5) the appointment of 

 advising forest officers, (6) State loans to private land- 

 owners, the interest to accumulate until the crop is realized, 



