IMPOKTANCE OF FORESTRY TO THE NATION. 79 



and fresh air. This will have a most beneficial efTect upon them 

 during the week's labour, as well as upon their children. Corpora- 

 tions and County Councils should take the matter in hand, and the 

 Forestry Commissioners will, doubtlessly, not lose sight of it. 



The effects of forests upon the rainfall of these islands is small, 

 if it exists at all ; besides, there is quite enough rain, and in many 

 places, too much. On the other hand, forests have a decidedly 

 beneficial effect upon the preservation of moisture, especially 

 during spells of dry weather, as they greatly reduce evaporation. 



The mechanical effect of forests on the stability of the soil on 

 sloping ground is considerable. Up to the present time, water 

 rushing down bare hillsides has not done irretrievable damage in 

 these islands, but the beginning of such action can be seen in the 

 northern counties of England, or on the route from Chester to 

 Holyhead, where the water has cut into the hillsides and produced 

 indentations which will certainly increase, if nothing is done to 

 arrest the action. Unless the mischief is stopped in time it may 

 afterwards necessitate the construction of costly works, such as 

 embankments, dams and weirs. In all these cases afforestation 

 acts beneficially. 



There are signs in various parts of the country that peat bogs 

 are increasing owing to the unprotected state of waste lands, such 

 as are found, for instance, in the New Forest. Indeed, some 

 observers are of opinion that the peat bogs in Ireland came into 

 existence since the original forests were destroyed. 



The protection which well distributed forests provide against 

 strong winds is of great importance in Great Britain and Ireland. 

 Such woods also provide breeding places for useful birds, the great 

 insect destroyers in agricultural districts, though, in this respect, 

 hedgerows are, perhaps, more useful. Nor should it be forgotten 

 that woods provide considerable assistance in the defence of the 

 country, as has been proved during the late war. 



While the indirect effects of forests are frequently difficult to 

 estimate, it is comparatively easy to assess the benefits which a 

 country derives from woodlands through their produce. Some 

 details have been given above of the variety of articles which 

 forests yield, apart from timber and firewood. Some of these 

 articles can be produced in this country, such as fruits, leaves, 

 flowers, grass and grazing, all useful in husbandry in the poorer 



