608 A NATIONAL SCHOOL OF FORESTRY. [Feb. 



forest economy, in accordance with the most advanced forest science 

 of the day — arrangements to be made, if thought desirable, at some 

 future time, if not at present ; but whether deemed an arrangement 

 wliich is good, bad, or indifferent — whether likely to yield all that 

 may be anticipated by the most sanguine of its advocates, or one 

 open to the objections of the most lukewarm of its supporters — it 

 was the only scheme in regard to which the co-operation of all the 

 members of the committee could be secured ; and with united voice 

 they agreed to make a renewed appeal to all whom it may concern 

 to supply the necessary funds. 



But there is a contingency for which we should be prepared. It 

 is possible, and more than probable, that the amount required may 

 not be supplied by the voluntary contributions of those who are 

 interested in the matter. As soon after their appointment as 

 practicable, the committee issued an appeal to noblemen and gentle- 

 men, landowners and others having a personal interest in plantations, 

 woods, and forests, for subscriptions towards the fund required ; 

 but the subscriptions received in response only amounted to 

 £360, inclusive of one of £100 by the Earl of Wemyss, and one 

 of £50 by Mr. Eobinson, of Westwood Hall, in England; the 

 Scottish Arboricultural Society subsequently added a subscription 

 of £50, and the Magistrates and Council of the city of Edinburgh 

 one of £250, about £660 in all, but £10,000 were required. 

 Within six months after the issue of that appeal the committee 

 issued a second appeal ; but nothing more has been received. 



With the commencement of this year they have issued a third 

 appeal, with what results it remains to be seen. It would be rash 

 to speak of wdiat may probably be subscribed in answer to this, 

 appeal ; but looking to the amount of subscriptions obtained since 

 the close of the Exhibition a year and a half ago, I do not think it 

 likely the amount required will be realized soon unless Government 

 aid in the enterprise by a liberal contribution, given spontaneously 

 or otherwise. And should this be done, or in any case, it is open 

 to question whether the subscriptions which have been procured 

 may be considered available without renewed authority from the 

 donors, seeing that they were obtained for the purpose of establishing 

 a School of Forestry, with a Museum attached, which scheme has 

 been abandoned — and what is now proposed is the endowment of a 

 Professorship in the University. Should Government aid be given, 

 either in response to an application from the committee, spontane- 

 ously, or on the suggestion of others, this new element would some- 

 what complicate the matter ; and in view of this possible contingency, 

 there is another aspect of the question deserving attention. 



Last year, on the motion of Sir John Lubbock, a Select Com- 



