CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



THIS book does not profess to deal at length with every 

 subject connected with the science and practice of forestry, as 

 that would be impracticable in a handy book ; but it will be as 

 practical and comprehensive as the author can make it, and the 

 instructions given will be based on the best knowledge obtain- 

 able on the subject, and on the author's own experience and 

 observation extending over a considerable period of time. It 

 is an attempt to combine, in a handy form, all that is best in 

 British forestry of the past with what is now acknowledged to 

 be the superior methods of Continental forestry, and to adapt 

 the latter to the conditions existing in this country where the 

 forests are split up, so to speak, into fragments and owned by 

 private individuals instead of by the State. The title of the 

 book, " New Forestry," has a restricted significance which is 

 explained in Chapter III. The time may come when some 

 recognised system of forestry will be established throughout 

 this country, but no such system exists at present, each owner 

 disposing of his woods as may seem most expedient to him, 

 often without any clear purpose or plan in his mind between 

 the exigencies of game preservation and timber production, 

 generally to the disadvantage of the one or the other or both: 

 The main objects suggested in the following chapters are, 

 first, re-organisation in the general management of woods on 

 private estates ; second, greater economy of management ; 

 third, the production of much heavier crops of timber of better 

 quality than are produced now ; and, fourth, a more careful 

 anticipation of the demand for timber for whatever purposes it 

 may be wanted and can be profitably produced.. The first of 

 these objects concern proprietors most, and depends upon 

 their goodwill and assistance ; but the other three objects, we 

 confidently believe, may be easily realised by ordinary care 

 and good management. 



The aim, therefore, of the present work is to enable the 

 owner of woods or his forester to proceed to work on any 

 estate where the system of forestry here advocated may be 



