A NATIONAL SCHOOL OF FORESTRY. [April 



at that time it was not likely that the colonies would be prepared 

 to take any active step toward the establishment of a school ; and I 

 understand that with the printed papers specified there was trans- 

 mitted copies of a letter submitting- for consideration that the 

 publication of the report by the lioyal Commission to inquire into 

 the constitution, etc., of the Scottish Universities, made in March 

 1878, supplied a befitting opportunity to give effect to the recom- 

 mendation of the Education Department relative to the creation of 

 a School of Forestry in connection with the Arboretum at Edinburgh. 



By the Agent-General for Xew Zealand, there was forwarded to 

 the Government of that colony first a copy of the Plea, and 

 afterwards a copy of the paper on " Schools of Forestry," reprinted 

 from tlie Transadions of the Scottish Arboricultural Society ; and a 

 statesman, whose views are entitled to every consideration, wrote to 

 me on the subject : — 



" No doubt it would be well that so-called foresters should have 

 some scientific knowledge of the craft which they profess, but of 

 which I fear many of those employed in England and Scotland are 

 grossly ignorant. But, on the other hand, in a country in which, 

 except in a few districts in England, there are no State forests, and 

 where the fuel used is coal, I hardly think the Government or 

 taxpayers will be disposed to go to any expense such as these 

 Schools of Forestry must entail Further, I cannot think we can be 

 expected by means of establishments at home to provide forestry for 

 the colonies and India. In India they appear to he doing very well 

 as it is. 



" Such are my first impressions on reading your observations on 

 this subject, which are evidently the result of nnich thought and full 

 inquiry, and therefore I feel it is presumptuous on my part to write 

 as I have done somewhat in opposition to them." 



On the otlier hand, in an editorial note in the number of the 

 Journal of Forestry issued in March 1879, it is stated: — 



" We regret to find that no attempt has yet been made to reduce 

 the enormous expense to which the country, and the parents or 

 guardians of a pupil, are put to pay for his training in the Forest 

 School at Nancy, an institution, too, be it observed, that does not at 

 all meet the requirements necessary for the 'pro'pe.r training of first- 

 class forest officers for the management of the forests in British India 

 or in the colonies. Each pupil costs, for fees and maintenance, 

 £220 per annum, of which heavy sum the parents are held liable 

 to pay £180, which may be reduced to an average of £120 per 

 annum by the industry and good conduct of the pupil ; in reward 

 for which the Government, at its discretion, pays the difference, £60 

 per annum. 



