NATIONAL AFFORESTATION 



High Elms discussing the question with Sir 

 John and Professor Marshall Ward, when the 

 former decided to again approach Parliament 

 on what he described as the momentous 

 question of providing timber for the future 

 and taking steps to promote the study of 

 forestry in this country. A few days after- 

 wards I mentioned the matter to Lord Derby, 

 who, being an ardent arboriculturist, was 

 much in favour of the proposed scheme, and 

 told me to plant up any waste land on his 

 estate at Holwood and on the newly acquired 

 properties at Leaves Green and the Vale of 

 Westerham. Shortly afterwards Sir John 

 Lubbock persuaded the House of Commons 

 to appoint a Select Committee to enquire into 

 the best methods of developing British wood- 

 lands. This Report, which strongly urged the 

 study of forestry and the commercial aspect 

 of tree-planting, was, however, shelved, and 

 no direct action taken till 1902, when, in order 

 to enquire fully into the matter, a Depart- 

 mental Committee was formed, but with no 

 better results. Dr. Lyons's scheme fared no 

 46 



