CHAPTER III . 



THE RELATION OF AGRICULTURE TO FORESTRY 

 DEVELOPMENT 



The geograjjbical position and physical features of the 

 British Isles are very largely responsible for the manner 

 in which the land of the country was utilised by Nature 

 in the past. As already pointed out in a preceding 

 chapter, forests were the dominating forms of plant 

 growth throughout Europe, and from end to end of the 

 British Isles elevation and poverty of soil alone placed 

 any considerable limit to their extension and reproduction. 

 In many instances, however, the increase in population, 

 and the creation and development of industries have been 

 exerting an influence upon land utilisation which has 

 graduall}- altered the face of the country to that which it 

 now presents. The earliest industry associated with 

 mankind may be said to be agriculture, for upon it food, 

 and to a great extent clothing, depended as civilisation 

 advanced, and the needs of the population exceeded the 

 supplies furnished by game and tish, or diminutive flocks 

 and herds of half-wild sheep and cattle. Any reference to 

 land utilisation, therefore, must take into account the 

 population which exists in direct or indirect connection 

 with it, and it is necessary to ascertain the absolute or 

 comparative density of population in different parts of the 

 British Isles before its effect upon actual or potential 

 afforestation can be estimated. 



It is only within comparatively recent times that the 

 population of England and Wales can be traced, and the 



