Other things being equal it is certainly wasteful to leave
potential wealth unexploited. Sir Roy Robinson, chairman of the Forestry Commission, said, in a paper which he read on Monday to the Chartered Surveyors' Institution, that he believed that " we are wel6on the way towards proving that many hundreds of thousands 'or acres of practically worthless land, hitherto classified as unplantable, can be successfully afforested at low cost." With one important proviso, this work of afforestation is to be welcomed not only for the value of the resultant timber produced but also -because in this way much otherwise dull or even ugly country- side may be rendered pleasant. But at the same time the designation " practically worthless land " may have been applied only after economic apprisal. It is obviously neces- sary to consider aesthetic values equally. Much fear has already been felt at the threatened incursion of the Forestry Commission into the Lake District, and general agreement expressed upon the disastrous effect this would have upon the peculiar beauties of this district. Subject to that reserva- tion the development of an industry which will within a reasonable period give high returns on the capital invested and meanwhile make a certain amount of new .employment deserves every encouragement.
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