FOREST POLICY OF THE STATE. 41 



not in the possession of private persons ; hence, the State must 

 step in and hold some of the land. In some cases, corporations 

 are able to relieve the State in this respect. Under any circum- 

 stances, the State must lay down a distinct forest pohcy so as 

 to secure adequate future requirements. 



The first question for consideration is whether, and to what 

 extent, the beneficial action of forests is required in the country, 

 as indicated by its special conditions. As regards the direct 

 effects, the following considerations are important : — 



(1) The quantity of forest produce required in the country, or 



for export. 



(2) The quantity and quality of substitutes for forest produce 



in the country. 



(3) The position of the country, its communications with other 



countries rich in forests, the control which it exercises 

 over them, and the safety of future supplies from them. 



(4) The density of population and the area required for the 



production of food and other requirements. 



(5) The price of land and labour, and the return which land 



yields under forest as compared with other modes of 

 utiUzation. 



(6) The area of waste and surplus land available for afforesta- 



tion. 



(7) The amount of capital available for investment. 



A country so situated that the importation of forest produce 

 is easy and cheap by sea or navigable rivers coming from countries 

 rich in forests, and which is intersected by railways or other 

 means of communication, or one which has control over other 

 countries rich in forests, such as colonies, does not require forests 

 to the same extent as those with reverse conditions. The same 

 holds good as regards richness in coal, lignite, peat, or other 

 substitutes for wood. In such cases, the area of forest can be 

 reduced to that which suffices to make the country safe in case 

 of an emergency. The financial aspect also affects the question ; 

 where the interest derivable from forests is lower than that obtain- 

 able by using the land for other purposes, capitalists would not 

 be inclined to invest in forestry. If the population of a country 

 is very dense, all suitable land may be required for the production 

 of food, which must always be the first consideration. If, on the 



