1886.] AX ANGLO-CANADIAN FOREST SCHOOL. G83 



or otherwise our woodlands can be rendered more remunerative." It 

 was late in the summer before the sittings of the committee could 

 be begun. Some evidence was, however, taken, the minutes of which 

 have been duly published, with the recommendation that, as the 

 investigation could not be concluded, a similar connnittee should be 

 nominated during the ensuing session. 



It would be as undesirable as it is unnecessary for our purpose 

 to attempt to forecast the conclusions to which this investigation 

 may lead. But as to one fact there can be no doubt. The infor- 

 mation so far obtained unquestionably supports tlie views of those 

 who have urged the desirability of action on the lines indicated 

 above. The witnesses examined, speaking upon the strength of 

 long and varied experience, practically supplied unanimous testimony 

 to this effect. Scarcely a single European country of the first rank 

 can be named in which there will not be found one or more forest 

 schools ; and by these institutions great benefits have indisputably 

 been conferred. The valuable work performed by the Indian Forest 

 Department has long been known and appreciated. No expert, 

 indeed, will question the statement that skilled training is of vast 

 importance in regard to such matters as the selection of species, the 

 choice of soils, the situation, the mode of planting, the manner and 

 degree in which thinning should be carried on, and the time at 

 which timber should be felled ; or that the application of such 

 knowledge would prove of immense advantage in the management 

 of our woodlands and the production of timber. Yet, as matters 

 now are, no facilities of any kind exist by which this needful 

 training can be obtained. The comparatively small number of 

 foresters required for Imperial service in India have to be sent 

 abroad to acquire, nnder obvious disadvantages, the practical instruc- 

 tion which is recognised as essential for the proper care of the forests 

 in the East. Even from this rapid survey of the facts the con- 

 clusion seems irresistible that some action should be taken to make 

 good this gap in our educational system ; and it is not surprising to 

 find a considerable movement in this direction sjjringing up in 

 Scotland and elsewdiere. 



It must be admitted, however, that complete unanimity does not 

 exist as to the best method of meeting the difficulty. The Imperial 

 authorities have at last recognised the inconveniences resulting from 

 the present system of training of&cers for the Indian Department. 

 Experience has shown that the students sent by them to Nancy are 

 not sufficiently familiar with the French language to follow the 

 lectures, or to do themselves justice in the examinations which it 

 is incumbent npon them to pass as well as the French students. 

 In any case, loss of time must be caused by the use of a foreign 



