198 EFFECT OF WAR ON TIMBER SUPPLIES 



her forests— i.e. trenching upon her forest capital. 

 Sweden was probably working up to her full 

 possibility in this respect. The controversy over 

 Canadian wood pulp exports with America and the 

 preferential tariff question will still be fresh in the 

 minds of many. Instances could be multiplied. 

 Countries which, up to recently, have been self-con- 

 tained as regards forestry products have now com- 

 menced to import and therefore to compete with us 

 in the open market. 



Another important problem with which we are 

 faced is the effect of the war on the Continental forests 

 in the belligerent States. Immense destruction of tree 

 growth must be taking place in the fighting areas in 

 many parts of the world, and more especially in Europe, 

 whilst the consumption of wood must certainly be 

 enhanced by the enormous masses of men now con- 

 gregated together. We read of the Germans cutting 

 down whole tracts of forest in the Allies' country they 

 are occupying and transporting the material into their 

 own country. The heavy howitzer shells are reported 

 to sweep through a forest and lay the trees low as if a 

 heavy storm had passed over the area. We have 

 heard that even the roadside avenue trees are being 

 destroyed wholesale, owing to the habit of picketing 

 the horses to them. A competent forestry observer 

 now at the Front wrote me as follows the other day : 

 " It will take more than a hundred years to repair 

 the damage done out here. All the trees (avenue) 

 have been girdled by the horses to about 10 feet up 

 the stem. You see, horses are tied up under trees to 

 prevent aeroplanes seeing them, and the usual way is 



