134 OUR FORESTS AND WOODLANDS 



tion of business principles in their management 

 would soon result in still better returns from 

 these woodlands. Hardy though the beech be, 

 and endowed as it is with a better capacity than 

 any other broad-leaved tree for protecting the 

 soil against the wasting effects of sun and wind 

 by reason of its dense crown of foliage, this 

 conservation of the productiveness of the land 

 can only be adequately secured and utilised to 

 its fullest degree if the beechwoods are kept 

 considerably thicker than is usually the case in 

 Britain. With regard to no kind of timber has it 

 here been customary to maintain such density of 

 crop and such careful utilisation and protection 

 of the soil as obtain in Continental forests ; yet, 

 if there be any difference as to climate for the 

 regulation of a matter so important in its rela- 

 tion to the yield in timber, the advantage must 

 lie with us by reason of the greater relative 

 humidity of our insular climate. This favours 

 the density of the woods by enabling the trees 

 to bear a somewhat greater amount of shade, 

 just as a greater wealth of foliage is to be found 

 on cool fresh slopes than on hot dry exposures. 

 Certain indications were given towards the end 



