56 THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRITISH FORESTRY 



leading to the formation of turf and peat moss upon all 

 but the hardest rock surfaces, thus providing a binding and 

 water- storing surface for even the steepest slopes. The 

 low elevations, grass or heather covered surfaces, and the 

 gentle slopes of hill ranges in the British Isles also pre- 

 vent soil erosion becoming a serious factor in the natural 

 economy of the country, although it goes on to a limited 

 extent in all districts with heavy rainfalls. 



While tree growth may be of comparatively little im- 

 portance in connection with the above matters, it is other- 

 wise when the question of wind-breaks and ornamental 

 timber is concerned. It is true that our strongest and 

 prevailing winds are fairly warm, and that the cold, drying 

 winds which so seriously check vegetation in some parts 

 of Europe, such as the Russian steppes, are limited 

 in duration, and moderated in intensity. Shelter from 

 hot sun, again, is not a pressing need in many parts of 

 the British Isles, and may only be needed for a few days 

 in the year. Landscape effect) may be regarded by some 

 utilitarians as a matter of little importance, and one 

 which might well be left to those with time, money, and 

 opportunities for attending to it on their own properties. 

 But after making due allowance for the above facts and 

 possibilities, observations in districts practically bare of 

 shelter trees and ornamental timber will convince one 

 that something is wrong in their economic and social 

 conditions, and that poverty and ignorance have much to 

 do with a lack of one of the most attractive physical 

 features of a country. Districts with the poorest soils, 

 the worst climates, and a population hardly able to exist 

 by the most primitive methods of livelihood, are invari- 

 ably the poorest in tree growth and shelter plantations. 

 Many parts of Scotland, the north of England, Wales, and 

 Ireland, may almost be recognised, outside manufacturing 

 or mining districts, as prosperous, or the reverse, by the 



