Jan. 1886.] EDITORIAL NOTES. 535 



Editorial Notes. 



School of Forestky. — We beg to direct the special attention of 

 our readers to tlie interesting article on the above subject appearing 

 in the present number. It is satisfactory to be able to record some 

 progress towards a practical solution of this important question. 



We learn that Mr. Eobb, the American senator, who has arrived 

 in France for the study of the forestry question, has been well 

 received by the Government, who have afforded him every facility 

 for pursuing his investigations. 



Her Majesty's Woods and Forests. — A Blue-book is just to 

 hand containing the annual report of the Woods and Forests Com- 

 missioners. The amount paid into the Exchequer in the last 

 financial year out of the revenue arising from the woods, forests, and 

 land revenues, after deduction of all expenses of management, except 

 the salaries and expenses of the official establishment, etc., was 

 £380,000. This is the same amount as was paid into the Treasury 

 in each of the three previous years, but £10,000 less than was 

 yielded in the years 1880-81, and £30,000 less than was realized 

 in each of the years 1877—78-79, The decrease in the past six 

 years is principally to be attributed to the severe agricultural 

 depression. 



The retirement of Sir Joseph Hooker from the directorship of 

 Kew Gardens is a national event that will cause universal regret. 

 The Hookers, father and son, have for such a long period been 

 favourably identified with the administration of the great National 

 Botanical Gardens, that all sections of the public will receive the 

 announcement of Sir Joseph's retirement with genuine concern. 

 We say all sections of the public advisedly, for the influence and 

 importance of Kew Gardens to science, the arts, commerce, national 

 economy, and even the pleasure and recreation of the people, has 

 become universal under the enlightened direction of the Hookers. 

 Sir William Hooker, the father of Sir Joseph, was appointed to the 

 Directorship at a time when Kew Gardens, as a scientific establish- 

 ment, had fallen to zero. It was soon seen that the appointment 

 was a most fitting one. With characteristic energy Sir William 

 brought his high intelligence and scientific attainments to bear with 



