360 
The Principles of Fwestry. 
respectively could be considerably extended in cases of planting 
— whicli would tend to reduce the amount of the rentcharge — 
more landowners might be induced to take advantage of the 
means offered them. 
There is, of course, always private capital which may be 
expended in planting, but in the case of limited owners there is 
little inducement to make such an investment, as such a step 
would be to increase the value of the freehold. The fall in the 
yield of Consols may tend to liberate capital for this purpose. I 
would here refer again to the tables of cost and return which I 
have given, and place the matter in a simple light. If, for 
instance, 51. IDs. were invested at 5 per cent, and allowed to 
accumulate, and a yearly sum of 9s. also regularly invested at 
the same rate of interest, at the expiration of 40 years a sum ot 
92Z. 10s. would result : this, too, without any labour or risk. 
On the other hand, if a similar sum of bl. 10s. were expended 
in planting, 1S81. os. would result, subject only to weather and 
other influences, which have, however, to some extent been 
allowed for. Surely this is worthy of consideration. 
Again, to promote the expenditure of capital in planting land 
now lying waste, could not some relief be afforded to landowners 
in shape of a discontinuance of local and imperial taxation on 
such land for a period until actual return commenced ? True, 
for this period the burden upon the remainder of the rateable 
property would be increased, but it would be so infinitesimal as 
to press heavily on no one. M. Boppe calculates that there are 
5,000,000 acres of land in Scotland alone that might be profit- 
ably planted ; then if that lying waste in Ireland and in Eng- 
land be added, there is a vast area ready for wise expenditure 
of capital. Much of this may be done by the State ; and with 
the borrowing powers it now possesses surely something might 
be done. 
Take Ireland, for instance, which has been almost disaf- 
forested : what an immense benefit would result from judicious 
planting ! Much exposed land on the west coast, now waste and 
unfit for agricultural purposes, might by shelter be rendered 
fit for occupation, and thousands of men now out of work might 
be profitably employed. Look, too, at the employment which 
large areas of woodland would give to those living in and around 
the locality. 
Much valuable information was elicited from the Rev. 
T. E. ¥. Flannery, P.P., Lord Powerscourt, and Mr. Gilchrist, 
in the evidence they gave before the Select Committee. This, 
coupled with the report of Mr. D. Howitz, Forest Conservator, 
laid bef<jro the Government in 1881 in tlie "He-afforesting of 
