JOURNAL 
OF THE 
EOYAL AGRICIJLTUEAL SOCIETY 
OF ENGLAND. 
XIX.— The Principles of Forestry. By C. E. CuRTiS, F.S.I., 
F.S.S., Professor of Forest Economy at the College of 
Agriculture, Downton, Wilts. 
It will, I think, serve to elucidate my remarks on the Principles 
of Forestry if I define (1) what is meant by the term Forest, and 
(2) what is meant by the term Timber. 
Mediaeval writers define Foresta as an open wood, as opposed 
to the Parens or walled-in wood. In England the term Forest 
originally implied a large tract of open land set apart for the 
preservation of wild animals, and for sport, and did not neces- 
sarily imply the presence of timber. Practically, however, in 
this country there are no forests at all. In the more modern 
acceptation of the term it implies a large tract of land set apart 
for the growth of timber trees ; but on account of the limited 
areas of these tracts in England the term Wood more correctly 
applies. Then, again, we have the term Plantation, and this 
attaches to an artificially reared area of woodland. The term 
forest nevertheless, notwithstanding its ambiguity, is sufficiently 
precise to render the meaning of the word Forestry clear and 
decisive. It is comprehensive, and includes both arboriculture 
and sylviculture — terms often somewhat mixed and confused. 
With regard to the term 'Timher, I cannot do better than 
quote from Woodfall's " Practical Treatise on the Law of Land- 
lord and Tenant." He says, in the 12th edition, page 590 : — 
" By the term timber is meant properly such trees only as are fit to be 
used in building and repairing houses; thus, oak, ash, and elm trees are con- 
sidered timber in all places, and under -whatEoever circumstances thev are 
grown. But only trees of not less than six inches iu diameter or two feet g-irth 
(allowing for irregularities of shape) appear to be reckoned or considered 
as ' timber.' " 
"Many descriptions of trees which are not generally considered as timber 
are so in some places by the custom of the country, being there used for the 
VOL. XXIV. — S. S. 2 
