6 AN INTRODUCTION 



quence of the shelter afforded, and of the increased rainfall and 

 humidity of the atmosphere, resulting from the afforestation 

 of a part of the area. 



And on the other hand, the evil effects of the destruction 

 of forests have in places been very evident. Districts which 

 once were very fertile have become almost barren ; the 

 rainfall in the growing season has almost vanished ; and the 

 summer temperature has become greatly increased. Such 

 examples are to be found in parts of Austria, in Cyprus, and 

 the Russian Steppes. 



THE EFFECTS UPON THE LABOUR MARKET. 



As to the Direct Effects of Afforestation with respect to 

 Labour. When considering this aspect of the question, it is 

 necessary to have regard to the annual cost of labour which 

 a normally stocked forest area involves. 



This of course will vary a great deal, according to the 

 cost of labour per day, the length of rotation under which 

 the timber is grown, the kind of timber grown, etc., etc. 

 But, on an average, it may be taken that normally stocked 

 areas under high forest, which are regenerated artificially (by 

 planting), will involve a minimum expenditure per acre per 

 annum of 8s. 6d. 1 for labour only ; and that normally stocked 

 areas under coppice with standards, or high forest with 

 coppice, will involve a minimum expenditure per acre per 

 annum of us. Qd. for labour only. This latter price includes 

 the " making up " of the underwood. 



In neither case, however, do these sums include the cost 



1 The labour expenses in high forest are made up as follows : 



General expenses in respect of ditches, roads, fences, 



thinning and pruning (labour only), etc. ,023 



Labour on planting, fencing, and cleaning young crops o i o 



Felling timber and making up cordwood and faggots 5 3 



Equals ^086 

 Add, for Haulage 040 



Total cost ^012 6 



