NATIONAL AFFORESTATION 



away freely, arriving at maturity at a com- 

 paratively early age. Oak timber is long 

 in coming to maturity, but where soil is suit- 

 able this should be no deterrent to its being 

 freely planted. A most useful and valuable 

 tree for afforesting is the sycamore, for not 

 only can it withstand severe storms, but it 

 grows rapidly and produces a large quantity 

 of useful timber. For dampish situations, 

 which are bound to be present in large afforest- 

 ing schemes, the willow, poplar, alder, and 

 birch should not be passed over. The best 

 class of willow timber, that of the " close- 

 barked " (Salix alba ccerulea), will be much 

 sought after in the near future, not only for 

 the making of first-class cricket bats, but 

 artificial limbs as well. Coming into use at 

 an early age for the willow is fit for these 

 purposes at the age of twenty or thirty years 

 is another valuable trait. This, with the 

 alder and poplar, are all useful for naturally 

 damp land, where most other species would 

 not succeed in a satisfactory way, as well as 

 being highly remunerative the alder for 



