316 OUR FORESTS AND WOODLANDS 



on the land they occupy. And thus it comes 

 that, except on a very few estates, the woodlands 

 are not being worked in the manner which would 

 give the best financial results. 



That our woodlands, aggregating a little over 

 three million acres, and mostly owned by private 

 landholders, are not in the best condition possible, 

 has long been a well-known fact. Fifteen years 

 ago a Parliamentary Committee was appointed 

 to consider the position of Forestry in Britain. 

 After investigating the subject thoroughly for 

 about two years, they reported that * whilst on 

 public and national grounds timber cultivation 

 on a more scientific system should be encouraged, 

 landowners might make their woods more re- 

 munerative were greater attention paid to the 

 selection of trees suitable to different soils and 

 to more skilful management after the trees are 

 planted.' This, of itself, was but the reiteration 

 of the concensus of opinion and of the general feel- 

 ing on the subject to which expression had already 

 been given in appointing a Committee to investi- 

 gate and report on the matter. Certain specific 

 recommendations were, however, also made as re- 

 gards the State providing instruction in Forestry, 



