46 INDIRECT UTILITY OF FORESTS. 



5. AiiSthctic Effect of Forests. 



As forests increase the artistic beauty of a country, they 

 must influence the character of the people, especially as they 

 are favourite places of recreation. Many of the British wood- 

 lands were created, or are maintained, for their aesthetic 

 effects. These should not be underestimated. They increase 

 the attraction which a country' life has upon the people, and 

 thus act as agents against otherwise deteriorating influences, 

 such as people will be exposed to if they immigrate into the 

 big towns. 



