Quality of Soil in Relation to Food and Timber Supply

Abstract

THE statement made by the “Writer of the Article” in NATURE of June 2, to the effect that no land should be planted which is capable of providing food, is surely a very sweeping one if applied literally to the British Isles. The “Writer” doubtless knows that a mild and humid climate enables ground to be utilised for grazing in Ireland which would be practically worthless under more arid conditions. This means that food production is not confined to good land, and sheep in particular can and do produce large quantities of meat on land which is even too poor and exposed for timber production. The relative advantages of food and timber production for land utilisation are not, therefore, determined merely by the quality of the soil, as is suggested by the “Writer of the Article,” but by other considerations, some of which are referred to by Mr. Hiley.