38 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and systems have proved themselves to be in other countries, 

 considerable difficulties may lie in the way of their adoption in 

 these Isles. In all countries, for instance, which have made any 

 great progress in forestry we find that the State owns a con- 

 siderable portion of the forest area, and this alone means a 

 continuity of systematic management which is of the highest 

 importance in good forestry, but is difficult to secure on private 

 estates with changing proprietors. Timber production, again, 

 forms the primary object in view in the working of State forests, 

 while game and other accompanying features are only of, 

 secondary importance, whereas, as we have seen, the reverse is 

 the case with us. Another distinguishing feature is the large 

 and unbroken areas which Continental forests cover, in contrast 

 to the small woods and thickets which, together with hedgerow 

 timber, constitute the characteristic charm of an English land- 

 scape. As arboriculturists we are, if anything, in advance of 

 our neighbours in Europe, but as regards forestry we can never 

 hope to see ourselves so proficient in the practice, and so well 

 versed in the science of the craft, as our professional comrades 

 in France or Germany. 



Of course, from a forester's point of view, the scientific 

 management of woods presents no great difficulties. All that 

 is necessary is to plant the proper species, treat the crop in the 

 proper way, cut at the right time, and keep down ground- 

 game. But it is only natural that a proprietor who regards his 

 woods as a feature which constitutes the character and adds to 

 the amenity of his estate should desire to have some say in 

 regard to their management. It is all very well to show that a 

 certain system will insure a return of so many shillings per 

 acre annually, if only followed up for the next hundred years or 

 so. The owner probably thanks you for the information, but 

 intimates that as he doesn't expect to be in the neighbourhood 

 about that time, he would much prefer a trifling return in some 

 shape or other during the next few years. This may involve 

 methods of planting, thinning, and felling which are not in 

 harmony with your system ; and, although recognising the truth 

 of what you say, usually embodies his ideas in the formation and 

 management of his plantations, whether you approve of them 

 or not. 



I fear that I have taken up too much time over this pre- 



