e the War. Not only have mature crops been felled in
all parts of the United Kingdom, but thousands of acres of young or
immature woods have been felled for pit-wood and other purposes, or have
been thinned to a degree which renders clearing and replanting
absolutely essential."

One painful result has also been to deprive certain places of the
beautiful trees which gave the countryside there its special charm.
There is no plainer case for taking in hand the question of
reconstruction at once, for framing a clear policy as to the steps to be
used to repair the losses caused by war, and to ensure that in the
future we shall not be so completely dependent on supplies from abroad
through neglect of the possibilities of production at home. A Committee,
under the chairmanship of Mr. F.D. Acland, was appointed in July, 1916,
"to report upon the best means of conserving and developing the woodland
and forestry resources of the United Kingdom, having regard to the
experience gained during the War." The report of that Committee, dealing
with the whole subject, was issued in 1918, and is a model of clear
statement, and a mine of information made readily accessible. It gives a
full survey of the present position, and sets forth a "forest policy
recommended" which is definite and worked out in detail. The Committee
find that "the timber position at home is bad, that prospects of supply
from abroad are becoming doubtful, that ample supplies in time of
emergency are a national necessity of the very first importance, that
they can only be secured for certain if the timber be grown at home, and
finally, that it is essential for the State to take a very much more
active part in forestry than it has been content to take in the past."
State action is becoming, perhaps, too much the fashion--free individual
action is generally far better--but in this matter, which is one of
"national insurance," State action is necessary, and reasons of a
conclusive character are given--such as the long period required before
the crop can be matured and any return obtained, and the uncertainty as
to the future conditions and factors on which its ultimate
profitableness will depend--showing why the matter should be taken in
hand by the State. Such action would, of course, not exclude individual
or local action; indeed, private enterprise might also be helped by the
State in many ways, including the giving of expert advice and making the
results of the best