240 THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRITISH FORESTRY 



the early growth of grass they bring about in spring. 

 The extra bite of grass within 50 to 100 yards of 

 a wood or belt in the month of March or April is Avorth 

 more to the stock-owner than three or four times the 

 quantity in June or July, when the grass in an ordinary 

 season is plentiful everywhere. On arable land in windy 

 districts belts are necessary to prevent the shaking out 

 of the corn when it approaches maturity, although they 

 may not be of such general advantage here as on grass 

 farms. 



The landscape effect of shelter-planting on an ade- 

 quate scale, and with the use of suitable trees, is also of 

 some commercial value. This improvement is enjoyed 

 by the country at large, for although an owner may not 

 throw his land open to the public, the latter un- 

 doubtedly lose or gain by the general appearance of the 

 district in which they live, and especially so in districts 

 used for country residences, such as the suburbs of large 

 towns. Some of the most beautifully wooded districts 

 of the present day are found in the older suburbs of 

 towns which have not been too much encroached upon 

 by shops and factories. Pleasure resorts, again, are in- 

 variably well wooded, and even in the heart of London, 

 parks and squares can show a greater wealth of sylvan 

 beauty than many parts of Scotland, Ireland, or the north 

 of England. 



It cannot be denied that in these instances the public 

 benefit to a very great extent. Public parks are, of course, 

 maintained by public money, and are free to all ; but the 

 trees of private gardens and grounds add greatly to the 

 beauty of a district, and every one shares in the enjoy- 

 ment to be derived from them. While the wealthy man 

 may fill his house with art treasures, or his garden with 

 expensive plants, and in neither case benefit the man 

 in the street or country in the slightest, he can scarcely 



