428 FORESTRY EXHIBITION IN EDINBURGH. [Nov, 



arrested and utilised ; thus can tlie formation of mountain torrents 

 be prevented, and thus to a corresponding mensure can low-lying- 

 lands be secured against inundation. By a combination of forest 

 conservation and forest extension with works of hydraulic engineer- 

 ing and irrigation, the wilderness and the solitary place can be made 

 glad, and the desert made to rejoice and to blossom as the rose. All 

 of these measures come within the sphere of operation of the 

 forester ; but for their direction and execution such education and 

 training as is given in schools of forestry is required. The Govern- 

 ment of the Cape Colony, when they resolved to improve the 

 forestry of South Africa, had to obtain the services of Count de 

 Vasselot, an cll'i-c of the School of Forestry in Xancy. The Colony 

 of Victoria, and all Australasia, owes much to the Baron von JMueller, 

 South Australia, when desirous of improving her forest and forest 

 management, found a Scotsman, Mr. J. E. Brown, son of a father of 

 widely-extended reputation in connection with forestry ; but she 

 had to go to America and fetch him thence. Arrangements have 

 been proposed for the study of forestry being prosecuted at the 

 College of Engineering at Cooper's Hill. But there are hundreds of 

 young foresters, and sons of foresters, and sons of gardeners, who 

 have been familiar with the treatment of trees from childhood, who 

 cannot afford to go to that institution, and their services and inherited 

 interest in trees is lost to the community, 



Erom the organization of a School of Forestry national in its 

 character I anticipate the happiest results. And though I see no 

 immediate prospect of its being accomplished, I cannot doubt that 

 sooner or later it will be. And at times I feel disposed, in anticipa- 

 tion of the event, to begin at once the sliout — ■ 



" Ring out the old, 

 Ring in the new ; 

 Ring out the false, 

 Ring in the true." 



The proposal has received the ajiproval of a Committee of the 

 House of Commons, and the approval of the Britisli Association for 

 the Advancement of Science. And in Edinburgh a few of us are 

 endeavouring, under the presidency of the IMarquis of Lothian, to 

 raise £10,000 for the permanent exhibition of many valuable 

 objects which have been entrusted to us, and the establishment 

 therewith of a Lectureship or Professorship of Forestry. AVlio will 

 help ? 



