6 THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTRY, 



What tliis means will easily be seen by those who pay a visit 

 to the French Alps. 



Again, there are unmistakable signs, in many parts of the 

 country, that peat bogs are increasing, owing to the un- 

 protected state of extensive waste lands. Indeed, in many 

 quarters the opinion is held that the extensive peat bogs of 

 Ireland came into existence since the original forests were 

 destroyed. At any rate, there can be no doubt that, year by 

 year, the bogginess of the open lands in the New Forest is 

 increasing. 



These few instances will show that the indirect effects of 

 woodlands are of considerable importance. Those who desire 

 to follow up the subject further, will find a considerable 

 amount of information in Vol. I. of my "Manual of Forestry." 



4. The Produce of Forests. 



While the indirect effects of forests are sometimes difficult 

 to estimate, it is comparatively easy to assess the direct effects, 

 that is to sa}% the benefits which a nation derives from, them 

 through the produce which they yield. Here, again, we have 

 to do with a great variety of things, such as timber, firewood, 

 fruits, leaves, flowers, bark, turpentine, fibres, grass, moss, peat, 

 game, and many other things. Some of these articles are of 

 importance in agriculture and estate management generally, 

 but on the present occasion I must restrict my remarks to the 

 most important items, namely, game and timber. 



a. Forests and Game. 



Unfortunately, the old taste for the chase has now changed 

 into the love of killing as man} 1 head of game as possible 

 within the shortest possible space of time. This holds good 

 especially with regard to red deer, grouse, pheasants, and 

 rabbits. Let us begin with red deer. These are chiefly 

 found in Scotland, where enormous areas are set aside for 

 the purpose of rearing them. Such areas contain either 

 no woods at all, or remnants of former forests. The object 



