CLIMATE AND SOIL. 183 



2. Climate and Soil 



It is sometimes said that it is all very well to m-ge extended 

 forestry in the United Kingdom, but that home-grown timber 

 is of a quality inferior to that of the timber now imported from 

 abroad. This is to a very large extent a fallacy. The late 

 Forestry Committee had abundant evidence that we can, and 

 do, produce timber of a quality at least equal to that imported 

 in the case of oak, ash, beech, and larch. As regards Scotch 

 pine and spruce, frequently an inferior quality has been pro- 

 duced, because the trees were given too much growing space 

 and in consequence laid on too broad annual rings. They are 

 frequently cut too young. Proper sylviculture can remedy this. 



On the other hand, the imported timber of nearly all 

 species comes to us in pieces which are straighter and more 

 free of knots than the ordinary home-grown timber. This is, 

 again, due to faulty sylviculture in our own woodlands. Too 

 heavy thinnings and too much growing space to the individual 

 tree while young account for this. If we treat our forests 

 in a more rational manner, we shall produce just as fine 

 timber as that now imported. 



As regards the climate, there is practically nothing better to 

 be desired as far as the production of timber is concerned, 

 however unpleasant it ma}^ be in other respects. We have, 

 generally speaking, mild winters and cool summers. Of rain 

 we have plenty, often too much, while snow and ice are not 

 nearly so frequent as in other northern Euroj^ean countries. 

 Unfortunately, of gales and strong winds we have more than a 

 fair share, but, with proper management, their injurious effect 

 upon forest growth can be considerably reduced. Let foresters 

 learn to cut against the prevailing wind, and the damage by 

 gales will be only a fraction of what it is if the reverse direc- 

 tion is followed. It has been said that British conditions 

 cannot, in this respect, be compared with those in continental 

 countries. That, however, is a mistake. The woods on the 

 west coast of France are exposed to the terrific gales passing 

 over the Bay of Biscay, and yet regular forest management is 



