32 A NATIONAL PLANTING SCHEME 



country and elsewhere, to the detriment of all real 

 progress. We know what we want, we know what 

 we can do, we know what dangers we have to confront : 

 and once we undertake the proper protection of our 

 woods, a branch which has been entirely neglected in 

 the past, if we except the unnecessary extravagance of 

 protection from vermin, e.g. the rabbit, we can show 

 as good financial results as anywhere on the Continent 

 of Europe. All that has to be settled is which of the 

 above enumerated methods for the acquisition of the 

 areas is most suited to the different local conditions 

 pertaining throughout the country. With that de- 

 cided Government should be able to allocate funds for 

 the purpose in view with an easy conscience, for it 

 will prove a paying investment both financially and 

 in the national interests. 



In connection with the purchase of land by Govern- 

 ment a word may be added. Of course where possible 

 this may be regarded as the best method, since full and 

 permanent control ensues. In this case it has often 

 been assumed that the capital invested in the purchase 

 should be recovered from the proceeds of the woods. 

 This is not the case, however, since it is merely a matter 

 of a permanent investment. The Government con- 

 tinue to own the land and with efficient management 

 the quality of the soil, which may be very poor at the 

 outset, will steadily improve when maintained under 

 a crop of trees. The land will steadily increase in 

 value, i.e. will ultimately pay a higher rate of interest. 



But however the matter is approached, whether by 

 purchase or leasing in one form or another, the chief 

 desideratum is to get this land planted up. 



