Making every allo \\aiice for errors inseparable from the methods 

 which were necessarily employed, the general effect of the Report 

 is reassuring. As regards the total available supply, errors in 

 estimating made by nine investigators would tend to balance, so 

 that the conclusion that " extraordinary " fellings would provide a 

 year's supply of pit-wood in England and Wales, and that the 

 United Kingdom holds 1^ years' supply, is one that may be put 

 forward with reasonable confidence. The further question of the 

 supplies of pit-wood procurable from other countries is dealt with 

 in a " Report to the Board of Trade upon the -supply of imported 

 Pit-timber with special Reference to the Pit-timber Resources of 

 Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces of Eastern Canada." 



The Board are greatly indebted to the Forestry Advisory 

 Officers, who have readily come to the assistance of the officers of 

 the Forestry Branch in all parts of the enquiry, and also to the 

 agents and owners of estates who have given facilities for the 

 inspection of their woods. 



I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 



Your obedient Servant, 



T. H. MIDDLETON. 



The Secretary, 



Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. 



