1886.] A NATIONAL SCHOOL OF FORESTRY. 547 



why the experiment of Forestry Classes should not be attempted 

 witliout delay. 



(Signed) P. Dods, Colonel, Chairman. 



John C. Brown, LL.D. 



A. W. Belfkage, C.E. 



P. Neill Fkaser. 



Epinburch, 22nd Aiujuxt 1884. 



In accordance with this suggestion such a conference was held ; 

 and a committee was appointed with powers to act. Instructions 

 were not formally given to them ; but it was submitted that if a per- 

 manent museum of forest products to be formed of articles presented 

 by exhibitors for this purpose were combined with the Museum of 

 Science and Art in Chambers Street, this would be a great savin<T 

 of expense, and provide for its being extensively useful through its 

 being easy of access ; and that something should be done at once, on 

 however small a scale, to commence instruction in Forest Science iu 

 the immediate vicinity of Edinburgh, and both suggestions were 

 received with applause. 



The committee have done all that is practicable towards carrying 

 out the first of these measures ; but they found tlie second beyond 

 their power. 



Within a fortnight there was made to the convener of the com- 

 mittee an offer of a course of lectures on Forest Science, comprising 

 thirty-five on Forest Economy, forty on Sylviculture, twenty on 

 Forest Botany and Zoology, and five on the Professional Training of 

 Foresters, one hundred in all, commencing at the same time as the 

 winter session of the University, and to be delivered at such place, 

 such hour, and on such terms as might be agreed upon. The 

 lectures to be followed by examinations on the subjects discussed. 

 But nothing came of this in consequence of want of funds. 



In spring a similar offer of lectures to be delivered during the 

 three months of the summer session of the University was made; but 

 nothing came of it, in consef|uence of continued want of funds. 



No time had been lost by the committee in advertising the 

 resolution of the public meeting and soliciting subscriptions towards 

 the expense of providing for the permament exliibition of the articles 

 entrusted to them, and for the establishment of a lectureship or 

 professorship of Forest Science ; but the response was not such as 

 would warrant them to proceed without a great addition to the 

 funds placed at tlieir command, and in summer a second appeal 

 was issued. 



In view of this, there was received by the committee an offer of 

 twelve lectures of a popular character on subjects of general interest, 



