2 MODERN FOREST ECONOMY. 



the unit is the ' tree, 'and the wood is considered as th< 

 collection of trees ; in the other the wood is the unit, am 

 the trees are considered only as its constituent parts. Ii 

 the former attention is given primarily to the sowing am 

 planting, and pruning it may be, and general culture o 

 the tree ; nowhere, perhaps, has this arboricultur( 

 been carried nearer to perfection than it has been ir 

 Britain ; and the effects produced by the resulting woodi 

 are wonderful. In the latter, attention is given primarily 

 to the wood or forest as a whole, capable of yielding pro 

 ducts which can be profitably utilised; and the resul 

 generally is to produce a much greater proportion of fim 

 trees than does even the arboriculture which has beer 

 referred to. And not less different is the exploitation o 

 woods in Britain and on the Continent. In Britain th< 

 pecuniary returns obtained from woods is considered i 

 secondary matter in comparison with the amenity anc 

 shelter which they afford; but on the Continent the 

 material or pecuniary product, or other ecomonic good, ii 

 made the object of primary importance. 



The arboriculture of Britain may seem to leave little tc 

 be desired ; but nowhere, perhaps, are forests treated wit! 

 greater recklessness than they have been in some of oui 

 colonies and dependencies. In India, however, and som< 

 of our colonies, an endeavour is now being made to arresi 

 the destructive practices which have prevailed, and tc 

 introduce a system of treatment of forests more in accord- 

 ance with the advanced forest science of the day. 



In the United States of America and in Canada then 

 have been effected extensive clearings of forest lands 

 resulting in injurious effects upon the climate, and in 

 greatly diminished supply of timber, with no prospect oi 

 this being compensated by the subsequent growth of trees 

 in the localities. In some of our colonies extensive forests 

 have been treated as are beds of onions, leeks, cabbages, 

 and twrnips, in the kitchen garden. Trees deemed suitable 



