1 64 A COLONY IN THE MAKING ch. xvi 



What the value of these forests is at the present 

 day is, of course, a matter almost impossible to esti- 

 mate. Comparisons with forests of other countries 

 are the only possible means of arriving at any result, 

 and such comparisons are more than usually odious. 

 One would, however, be on absolutely the safe side in 

 saying that there exist on the Highlands one million 

 acres of timber, worth to-day ^10 per acre. It 

 stands to reason that the sooner this vast capital is 

 unlocked the better it will be for every interest in the 

 Protectorate. 



