THE NEW FORESTRY. 



CHAPTER II. 



FORESTRY AND GAME DEPARTMENTS ON 

 ESTATES; SUGGESTED REORGANISATION. 



General Remarks. — Pheasant Coverts in Dense Woods. — Trees and Shrubs 

 that produce fruits eaten by Pheasants. — Artificial System of Rearing 

 Pheasants. — The Wild or Natural System. — Rabbits. 



SECTION I. — GENERAL REMARKS. 



THE object of introducing the subject of game preser- 

 vation in a book on forestry, is to suggest, if possible, 

 some plan by which the woods and game departments 

 might be combined and managed under one intelligent 

 and responsible head, instead of, as hitherto, being con- 

 ducted separately to the disadvantage of both. Until 

 something of this kind is attempted there is little or no 

 chance of successful forestry in this country, and it is the duty 

 of any forester to draw the attention of proprietors to the subject 

 which is discussed here at some length, especially in regard 

 to keepers' methods, simply with the view of making the pro- 

 posed reorganisation easier. The results of the present system 

 have been disastrous in the past to woods and plantations on 

 estates, while the gamekeeping has not been up to the mark, 

 although usually conducted on prodigal lines compared to other 

 departments on estates. Every forester and every writer on 

 forestry has lamented the hindrances to good forestry through 

 perfectly preventable causes in connection with game preser- 

 vation. Foresters in charge of woods are forced to concern 

 themselves in the matter, and owners of woods only need to 

 realise the actual state of affairs to see the need of reorgani- 

 sation in some form or other. Gamekeepers — whose interest in 

 their charge does not extend to the future, like those of the 

 forester or farmer, and the results of whose work can be 

 measured annually — rarely concern themselves about their 

 masters' plantations, or anything else not connected with their 

 own charge, and rarely assist the forester willingly to protect 

 the woods and plantations. It was the gamekeeper, not his 



