FORESTRY AND THE WAR 



PART I 

 A NATIONAL PLANTING SCHEME 



I 



FORESTRY : WHAT IT MEANS TO THE NATION 



FOR some years past forestry, by which is understood 

 the afforestation, or re-afforestation, of portions of 

 the waste lands of these islands, has been receiving a 

 rather desultory consideration at the hands of the 

 Government of the day. At various periods in the last 

 score of years Royal Commissions have examined the 

 question (and numerous witnesses), and have issued 

 the results of their labours in voluminous Blue-Books. 

 The appearance of these latter has afforded oppor- 

 tunities for animated discussion amongst experts and 

 those claiming some knowledge of forestry. But they 

 have remained a dead letter so far as any practical 

 application of the suggestions they have contained 

 with reference to afforestation on a large scale in the 

 interests of the nation. 



There are millions of acres of what has been termed 

 waste lands in these islands, variously estimated at 



