§ 38

A few sentences back, arboriculture has been mentioned. Let us see how in the new England, it has become a factor in the wealth of the country, how, once almost wholly neglected, it has become an industry at once profitable, engaging and health-giving. It takes time to grow a forest. Time will come when coal gives out, of that there is no doubt, so the sooner we set to work to provide wood for burning as well as for building the better. It is clear, then, that England must provide wood. A war which would prevent influx of wood into England might happen at any moment. Millions a year are spent on a navy to protect commerce, but that navy may be rendered powerless by mine-sowing, by stealthy under-water craft which, with one torpedo, can sink the biggest ship ever constructed, or by a bomb from an aeroplane, become a wreck in a moment. If that be so, it is obvious that to neglect provision for such a fatality would be the height of folly, which even a party politician cannot fail to acknowledge. It is clear, then, that Britain must have wood, and wood of her own growing. I gather from my travels that this is at last being accomplished. Wherever, in the length and breadth of Britain, Forests can be planted and trees grown, the Communes see to it. Some counties lend themselves to the form of industry which forestry implies more than others. Certain trees suffer from situations where storms of wind prevail, some do not suffer. The fir tribe will flourish well in windy districts, but sand is necessary for their root nourishment. This is proved by the miles of fir forests grown on the flat lands between the Carrara Mountains and Leghorn, and on the damp but still sandy districts around Ravenna. Most trees, to flourish, need drainage, but some will flourish where there is none. So now, in Britain, forests are being planted wherever possible, so long as they do not interfere with open land necessary to the growth of corn.

To one of these forests I made my silent, unseen way, and it was a revelation. Thousands of hands were occupied. Forest life is primeval, it is dignified; it is a life by itself quite away from the distractions of city life; it breeds a hardy race. A self-contained life, it is pre-eminently health producing. The settlers live in wooden huts built by themselves in glades cleared for the purpose. In a measure the people are supported with food, for game is plentiful, and fish from lakes and ponds made for the purpose and constantly restocked are sufficient to supply nourishing food. Game laws are no more. There is no stoppage in production. Fresh stocks of game and fish are constantly coming in, and this is an industry by itself, which provides labour, ingenuity and expert technical knowledge.

The people have made their own “close time” in breeding seasons, and have learnt not to consume more than they can breed. I heard it said that mistakes were made at first, which experience rectified. Laws followed the dictation of necessity. Wages are low but sufficient, as the greater part of food is provided by nature. One law is obligatory. When a tree is cut down, another small one is immediately planted in its place, so there are no gaps and no waste. For this purpose there are nurseries managed by experts in the growing of young saplings from seed. This industry is a specialised one, needing great skill. It is pleasant to hear the merry sound of the axe, the music made by wind among the branches, and the sound of singing as the people work is a sign of their health and happiness. The huts built of wood are erected upon posts driven deep into the ground. Their habitable parts above the ground are reached by an open stairway. The ground floor, well concreted, is the receptacle for forestry implements.

The forest is warm in winter, cool in summer. Wood only is permitted as fuel; it would cost too much to get coal there; besides, the people would object to the smoke of that bituminous and blackening product. From what I hear said, colliery owners disliked the innovation; it would reduce their profits. They considered that they, and they only, held rights on fuel to provide warmth, but public opinion obliged them to stop their class prejudice in their own favour. Every block of buildings has its vegetable and fruit gardens for whose well-being, for light and air, spaces are cleared of trees.