PREFACE. 



IN submitting this little volume to the public, and more 

 especially to those interested in afforestation, I would wish 

 to make it clear that although I am a Crown officer, this 

 publication is of a purely private nature. Any remarks 

 or opinions expressed in it are in no way official or inspired. 



Chapters I., II., and III. were written for publication in 

 the Glasgow Herald during the winter of 1916-17, and 

 are now reproduced in slightly revised form by the kind 

 permission of the proprietors of that journal. 



I wish also to thank Mr Geo. H. Crosfield and Mr W. 

 Power for the kindly aid they have rendered me in reading 

 my proofs. 



