Britain's Forest Lands.

Progress, Volume XV, Issue 11, 1 July 1920, Page 843

Britain's Forest Lands.

Scheme for Increasing the Acreage. Efforts to increase the acreage of forest land in the United Kingdom are detailed in a report issued by the Forestry Commission. Tn dealing with the planting programme for this year, the shortage of forest tree seed was met to a great extent, state the Commissioners, by purchases in Austria and elsewhere, and by gifts from the United States and Canada.

About 34,000 acres of afforestable land are in course of acquisition by purchase or on lease, in some cases below the market value, and in others as free gifts from land-owners. Over 10,000 acres are in England, 5000 in Ireland, and the remaining 18.000 under acquisition are in Scotland. Planting is proceeding in thirteen centres.

Forest apprentices are receiving a two-year course in the Forest of Dean, the New Forest, and in Chopwell Woods, near Newcastle, and additional schools will be opened during the year.

An Imperial Conference to consider the forest resources and policy of the Empire is being organised for July, when a number of interested persons are expected in England for the British Empire Timber Exhibition. The conference, it is hoped, will lead to the establishment of an Imperial Bureau of Forestry.