GREAT BRITAIN'S AFFORESTATION SCHEME. 



Great Britain has frequently been pointed out as one of the 

 few examples of European countries that do not practice forestry. 

 That unenviable reputation, however, bids fair to be removed 

 if the scheme lately recommended by the Royal Commission on 

 Coast Erosion is put into operation. 



It will be remembered that enquiry into the possibilities of 

 afforestation and its bearing on the "unemployed" was referred 

 to the Royal Commission on Coast Erosion in March of last year, 

 six members being then added to the original Board. A great 

 deal of evidence has been brought together from landowners, 

 land agents, forestry experts, head foresters, labour representa- 

 tives, and other duly qualified witnesses. A well-considered 

 report strongly advocating afforestation on a large scale is the 

 result. 



Forestry Will Pay in Britain. 



The first part of the report deals with the present unsatis- 

 factory condition of British woodlands. The circumstances that 

 have caused the defects are described, it being shown that the 

 difficulties are not natural or inherent, but are due to mistaken 

 treatment or to a system of forestry having objects other than 

 economic timber production. 



The Commissioners find that "The natural conditions of 

 soil and climate in the United Kingdom are favourable to the 

 production of high-class commercial timber, such as is annually 

 imported into the country in very large quantities," and that 

 "the afforestation of suitable lands in the United Kingdom, if 

 tmdertaken on an adequate scale and in accordance with well- 

 recognized scientific principles, should prove at present prices a 

 sound and remunerative investment." 



In support of this contention a mass of expert evidence is 

 forthcoming, and examples are given of British woodlands which 

 have proved profitable, in spite of very indifferent management. 



State Management Essential. 



As the Commissioners point out, afforestation is pre- 

 eminently a task for the State; continuity of ownership and 

 management are assured, and the resources of the country allow 

 of expenditure upon a scheme which, though it yields no im- 

 mediate return, is ultimately distinctly remtmerative. Con- 

 siderations such as those affecting the preservation of game 

 vitiate most attempts at private afforestation, but State forestry 

 can be carried out with the single view to the production of 

 revenue. State forestry on the Continent has long been practised 



