316 OUR FORESTS AND WOODLANDS 
on the land they occupy. And thus it comes 
that, except on a very few estates, the woodlands 
are not being worked in the manner which would 
give the best financial results. 
That our woodlands, aggregating a little over 
three million acres, and mostly owned by private 
landholders, are not in the best condition possible, 
has long been a well-known fact. Fifteen years 
ago a Parliamentary Committee was appointed 
to consider the position of Forestry in Britain. 
After investigating the subject thoroughly for 
about two years, they reported that ‘whilst on 
public and national grounds timber cultivation 
on a more scientific system should be encouraged, 
landowners might make their woods more re- 
munerative were greater attention paid to the 
selection of trees suitable to different soils and 
to more skilful management after the trees are 
planted.’ This, of itself, was but the reiteration 
of the concensus of opinion and of the general feel- 
ing on the subject to which expression had already 
been given in appointing a Committee to investi- 
gate and report on the matter. Certain specific 
recommendations were, however, also made as re- 
gards the State providing instruction in Forestry, 
