i8 POSITION OF AFFORESTATION QUESTION 



1 



conditions within a ring fence. Such areas do exist, 

 and no one will deny that they have the first claim 

 on afforestation. But if sylviculture is to become a 

 leading industry in the Highlands of this country, as 

 it is in those of France, Belgium, and Germany, and 

 to be an important source of national wealth and 

 national employment, as it is in those countries, it 

 must invade the wintering of the high sheep farms and 

 deer forests which occupy the bulk of northern Scot- 

 land. The writers have therefore, at the request of 

 the Council, deliberately set themselves to face the 

 difficulties which have there to be met. 



"The Council believes that the Report establishes 

 the following propositions : — 



'' I. That it is possible to create forests in the High- 

 lands, even in districts where the economic conditions 

 appear most adverse, without seriously impairing 

 existing sources of wealth. 



"2. That afforested areas will, even in the early 

 stages of the movement, gain greatly in employment 

 and population. 



"3. That the actual work of planting can and ought 

 to be cautiously begun as soon as the progress of the 

 Survey justifies the selection of definite areas." 



This Report in effect practically drew up what the 

 scientific forester would term a Plan of Operations 

 for the afforestation of 60,000 acres in Glen Mor, 

 through which runs the Caledonian Canal. To those 

 interested in the matter and to the nation at large, a 

 perusal of this interesting and valuable scheme may 

 be recommended. The war has doubtless altered to 

 some extent some of the economic problems upon the 

 existence of which the Report is based, but its un- 

 deniable value still remains, 



