192 FORESTRY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 



would be an inestimable benefit for agriculture which is at 

 present so short of labourers. 



Nor must the beneficial effect which work in the open 

 country would have upon the phj^sical condition of the people 

 be overlooked. A good deal has of late been heard about 

 physical deterioration. Surely, a measure which enables a 

 larger proportion of the nation to live under the healthy 

 conditions of a country life must be welcomed by, and 

 commend itself to, all who would wish to improve the 

 physical condition of the people. 



5. Conclusion. 



It is not a fanciful problem which has been placed before 

 the reader, but a scheme which is realisable, if we really put 

 our shoulders to the wheel. Let us hope that the matter will 

 not be pushed aside with a light heart by those who can help 

 to realise it. 



The author has urged the subject upon public attention for 

 the last twenty years, and a slight movement to take it up 

 is now on foot. May that movement increase in vigour, so that 

 at last something substantial may be done, which, without 

 doubt, will prove a lasting benefit to the United Kingdom 

 and its people. 



A short time ago the subject was before the House of 

 Commons in connection with the question of the unemployed, 

 and it also came before the House of Lords, when the Earl 

 of Onslow, Chairman of the Board of Agriculture, spoke in a 

 very sympathetic manner. He announced "that the Treasury 

 had promised assistance in the foundation of at least two forest 

 schools in England, one for the instruction of young men 

 who were likely to become landowners or land agents, and the 

 other for woodmen. The former he should prefer to see 

 attached to one of the great Universities. There was a strong 

 feeling in the country that we should not be behind foreign 

 nations in our knowledge of woodcraft, and that our resources 

 ought to be made more use of. This method of utilising the 



