INFLUENCE UPON HYGIENE, .ESTHETICS AND ETHICS. 21 



The aesthetic and ethic effect of forest life and scenery should 

 not be overlooked. The ever-increasing growth of towns and of 

 industries demand periodic changes from such centres to more 

 invigorating conditions. They have been found in continental 

 countries in forest-clad districts, while in the British islands visits 

 to the seaside have been the more general rule. The latter are 

 often practicable only for the wealthier classes ; for the poorer 

 classes forests situated within a short distance from the towns are 

 of real importance. They can be reached in a short time and at 

 small expense, and experience has proved that such visits have a 

 most beneficial effect upon the working classes. Visitors to Paris 

 have, no doubt, seen masses of working men, with their wives and 

 children, stream into the Bois de Boulogne with their luncheon 

 or tea baskets. In the same way, the people of Brussels go to the 

 Bois de la Cambre and the adjoining Foret de Soignes. The 

 importance of Epping Forest to the East End of London is well 

 known. We are now in a period in w^hich the welfare of the 

 working classes is a prominent item of politics ; and part of it is 

 to make their life more enjoyable than it has frequently been in 

 the past. The Forestry Commissioners entrusted with the 

 realisation of the new afforestation scheme should not overlook 

 this matter, but see that woodlands are provided in the vicinity 

 of large towns, whenever land can be secured on reasonable 

 conditions. Municipalities and county councils should give active 

 assistance in this direction. Such woodlands will not only serve 

 as recreation grounds for the people, but their produce will find 

 a ready sale at good prices, so that their establishment under 

 rational treatment need not be a financial burden. 



SECTION III-SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS. 



The various ways in which forests exercise an influence in 

 the economy of man and of nature may be summarised as 

 follows : — 



(1) Forests supply timber, fuel and a variety of other produce. 



(2) They offer a convenient opportunity for the investment of 



capital and the profitable utilization of inferior land. 



(3) They produce a demand for labour in their management and 



working, as well as in a variety of industries which depend 

 on them for raw materials. (See next Chapter.) 



