32 THE NEW FORESTRY. 



protections of woods and single trees, it is proposed to shut 

 them IN, and keep them in. We need hardly say that the 

 worst opponents to this plan, that we have found, have been 

 gamekeepers, whose stock arguments on the subject may, 

 however, soon be disposed of. We never met, a keeper yet 

 who had any correct idea how many rabbits could be produced 

 by good management in a warren, his idea of such an enclosure 

 being a piece of poor waste, where the rabbits were expected 

 to breed and thrive, year after year, under conditions that are 

 known to exterminate every other kind of live stock in a short 

 period. We have probably seen and known more rabbit 

 warrens than any other single forester or keeper ; and this, 

 without exception, is our experience where the ordinary game- 

 keeper was in charge. It need hardly be added,, that the plan 

 here proposed meets with the approval of everybody else, and 

 especially of farmers. 



We trust the suggestions offered in this chapter will be 

 received in the spirit in which they are made. They concern 

 owners of woods principally, the suggestions offered are quite 

 practicable, are worth weighing carefully, and can only be 

 carried out with the sanction and encouragement of owners of 

 woods and game preserves. We strongly advise gentlemen 

 to, at anyrate, organise working forestry plans, as described 

 in Chapter IV., and to include in these plans the work of the 

 game department, as far as it relates to the woods, at least 

 Well-matured working plans prevent vexatious changes, dis- 

 putes and worry, permit work to be carried on without 

 interruption, check irresponsible interference, and leave heads 

 of departments in no doubt as to their duties and responsibilities. 

 There is abundant testimony to show that there is much room 

 and urgent necessity for improvement in the direction indi- 

 cated, and we are sanguine that the fact only needs to be fully 

 realised bv those concerned to induce them to take action. 



