170 FORESTRY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 



that they act as breedmg and resting places for useful birds, 

 the great insect destroyers in agricultural districts. It need 

 hardly be pointed out that woods serve as excellent game 

 coverts, and it is chiefly for this purpose that a great portion 

 of the existing woodlands are maintained in this country. As 

 regards the effect of forests on rainfall we need not trouble 

 ourselves. In the first place, that supposed effect is as yet 

 very doubtful, and, secondly, we have in this country quite 

 enough rain and frequently a good deal to spare. 



3. Effect oj Forests upon the Stahilitij of the Soil. 



Forests assist in preventing erosion, landslips, the silting up 

 of rivers and low lands, and they arrest shifting sands. The 

 rain water which falls on bare hill sides rushes down, 

 disintegrating the soil and carrying it into the water channels 

 which generally deposit it on lower ground and often on 

 fertile fields and meadows. This effect has not yet done 

 irretrievable damage in Britain, but the commencement of 

 such detrimental action can easily be seen. Anyone who has 

 travelled to Scotland must have seen dozens of places in 

 Northumberland where the water has cut into the hill 

 sides and produced indentations, which certainly will go on 

 increasing if nothing is done to arrest such action. The 

 same may be seen, and in a more aggravated form, on 

 proceeding from Chester to Holyhead. Unless such mischief 

 is stopped in time, it may afterwards necessitate the construc- 

 tion of costly works, such as embankments, dams and weirs. 

 What this 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 unpro- 

 tected 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. 



