INTRODUCTION xv 



with greater truth of much of the teaching of science in our pubhc and 

 secondary schools to-day ? Is it not out of touch with Uving interests ? 

 Does it show constantly its close connection with industrial and commercial 

 activities ? 



We have to face facts. Our boys are ^oing out from their schools to 

 earn their own livelihood. The commercial aspect of education is of the 

 utmost importance to them. Then, to take a larger view, and one which 

 is equally vital, they are going out to maintain and to build up a 

 prosperous Empire. They have before them the task of developing our 

 home resources and of supplementing these by an enlightened under- 

 standing of our needs of overseas supplies. 



Here then we have a subject which in the past has been closely 

 concerned with our national well-being, and which is no less so in the 

 present, and yet it is one which is neglected in the teaching of science and 

 geography in our schools. The subject of timber, its supplies both within 

 and beyond our own Empire, together with its treatment and its possi- 

 bilities is one full of interest in itself, and which might well be introduced, 

 not as an isolated item upon an already over-burdened list of subjects, 

 but in rational correlation with science and geography. We are now 

 faced with a period of wide industrial change and novel development, 

 when the natural resources of the world must be mapped out, and measures 

 taken for their right use and conservation. The forests of five continents 

 hold in themselves a vast portion of the world's wealth. Much of its 

 value is so far unrealised. Timber has been put to a multitude of uses 

 in the past, but latterly a beUef was gradually gaining ground that it 

 might be superseded by steel and concrete. This belief is groundless and 

 mistaken, as we have clearly seen since the war. In many ways it is 

 again being used instead of these substitutes, while further uses are being 

 discovered for it every day. Certain woods essential in industrial develop- 

 ments and the making of engines of war, are finding new commercial 

 values hitherto entirely unsuspected. 



These considerations, though they may appear to be but generalities, 

 have, however, a close practical appUcation to the subject. If they have 

 shown anything, they have shown that the time has come for the British 

 Government to concern itself with a closer and better effect in the timber 

 trade, both as regards the home supplies and the expansion of foreign 

 trade. In the past it was the poUcy of the Government to maintain an 

 attitude of laissez-faire With regard to industry, but opinion has now 

 swung round to regard it as a normal function of Government to foster 

 and assist all industries and trades necessary to the well-being of the 

 community. The difficulties under which the timber industry labours 

 should be removed. There should be adequate protection for woodlands, 

 where, too frequently, valuable timber is ruined by wanton ill-usage, while 



