May 1885.] EDITORIAL NOTES. 



WEVV V;:'. 



Editorial Kotes. 



The Scottish School of Forestky and Museum. — Our advertis- 

 ing columns indicate how this movement progresses. Doubtless not 

 a few readers will aid in extending the subscription list during next 

 month. 



The meeting of the committee, held on the 9th ultimo, was 

 presided over by Dr. Cleghorn, when the Lord Provost of Edinburgh 

 (who, along with Lord Lothian, was unable to attend) was accorded 

 thanks for introducing the matter which the committee met to 

 promote, before the Convention of Eoyal Burghs in the beginning of 

 April. Letters from Sir James Gibson- Craig, Bart., E. A. Stewart 

 Gray, Esq., and Sir James Campbell, containing many useful sugges- 

 tions on the subject of a Forestry School with Museum attached, were 

 read and considered. It was resolved that the circular already sent 

 to the guarantors of the late Exhibition should now be circulated 

 amongst members of the Highland and Agricultural Society, all 

 members of Parliament, and all Bur^jhs in Scotland, 



Belgian Forests. — The report of a Royal Commission published 

 about the close of last year shows that the Belgian forest regions 

 under State inspection comprise a total of 178,978 hectares, of 

 which 24,879 hectares belong to the State, 149,534 are communal 

 property, and 4565 hectares belong to public establishments. 

 These are divided into six inspection districts, four sub-inspection 

 areas, and twenty-two cantonments. The Commission propose a 

 new scheme of administration. 



French Forestal Politics. — The recent changes in the French 

 Cabinet have necessitated the resignation of M. Meline, the Minister 

 CD of Agriculture, who did so much for the State Forest Service during 

 cr> the late crisis. 



At the Union GcneraU of the wood merchants of France, held 



on the 8th March, such strong protectionist measures were advo- 



Q__ cated as the sole use of native woods for State purposes, and the 



L-iJ imposition of a heavy octroi tax on all foreign wood entering cities. 



^ In Belgium, on the contrary, a free-trade policy is being advocated. 



