1885.] THE SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 297 



burgh being immediately chosen as the site of the new institution. 

 The Chairman, in summing up the discussion, called attention to the 

 fact that when five of our colonies wanted forest directors they had 

 to borrow them for two years from the Indian forest service. A 

 British forest school should supply such needs of our dependencies. 



A PROPOSED MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION. 



Another interesting discussion was raised by Mr. Dunn as to the 

 share the Society should take in establishing a Mutual Benefit 

 Association for arboriculturists and horticulturists, specially in the 

 northern parts of the kingdom. Mr. Methven had been taking a 

 very warm interest in tliis new movement, and he testified to its 

 need from a lengthened personal experience of the class whom it 

 was proposed to combine together for their mutual benefit. Some 

 members thought that foresters and gardeners were mostly connected 

 with similar institutions already in operation amongst the working- 

 classes. On the other hand, it was generally agreed that cases of 

 distress were all too rife, from the Scottish working-classes being too 

 independent even to look for such mutual aid as this was solely 

 proposed to be. It was ultimately agreed to request the Council to 

 consider the matter in all its bearings ; and to formulate a scheme 

 of action by the Society to be considered at next annual meeting. 



After passing the usual votes of thanks, the meeting separated. 



THE ANNUAL DINNER 



came off* in the Waterloo Hotel. Dr. Cleghorn occupied the chair, 

 and Mr. John Methven was croupier. The attendance was good. 

 Pressure on our space compels this brief notice ; while we reproduce 

 the most important ideas interchanged in another form elsewhere. The 

 most pleasant diversity of the usual after-dinner routine was the pre- 

 sentation by the Chairman to the Secretary, Mr. M'Laren, of a gold 

 watch in appreciation of his honorary services in connection with 

 the court of the Arboricultural Society at the International Forestry 

 Exhibition. Mr. M'Laren gave up his holiday and toiled night and 

 day at the proper display of the Society's exhibits : So some 

 members and friends of the Society determined individually to 

 subscribe to acknowledge such worthy service, which has indeed 

 been spread over many years. 



