204 INSTBUCTION IN FOBESTBY. [Jan., 



You will ask me, finally, to specify more particularly what is this 

 instruction wanted for ? It is wanted, first, for the raising up of 

 arboriculturists and foresters at home. We cannot say we want the 

 instruction for English forests, as we have got only a few of them, 

 but we do want arboriculturists ;^for the whole of the United King- 

 dom. We want foresters trained and educated to carry the 

 principles of scientific forestry into all those regions of the earth 

 where we have influence. Then, secondly — and this is most 

 important — it is our duty, as a scientific association, to help to 

 educate public opinion in this matter. I have shown you what 

 great evils have resulted, not only in the British Empire, but in 

 foreign countries, from a want of knowledge on this subject ; and I 

 will point out to you that popular knowledge of the subject is 

 required in this country for two reasons. First, that the British 

 people may realise the importance of forestry to the British Empire ; 

 and secondly, that, recognising the importance of the subject, they 

 may be prepared to overcome the obstacles which always exist, even 

 in the progressive British Empire, to forestry reform. These 

 obstacles are of three kinds. 1. The reckless cutting down of woods 

 by individuals, especially contractors and timber merchants, who 

 desire to make the most out of the forests at the present moment, 

 and care little as to what shall ultimately become of them. 2. The 

 existence of a number of private customs which are dignified by the 

 name of rights, though they are not entitled to that sacred designa- 

 tion. It simply means that a large number of persons, corporations, 

 and bodies of men, desire to preserve sinis ter interests of their own 

 in the forests without reference to the public benefit. 3. The 

 obstructive influence of those who are the enemies of changes, even 

 when demonstrably beneficial. Vested interests of this unlawful 

 character die very hard indeed. You will see, then, why it is we 

 desire that pablic opinion should be so educated as to give that 

 moral support, without which beneficial changes respecting forestry 

 cannot be carried out in an empire like this. Our object should be 

 to send people from this country who wiU carry these principles 

 abroad, and we may be thankful that in the British Empire the 

 ultimate arbiter in these matters is public opinion, which this 

 association may assist to enlighten. And we are not without 

 encouragement. Efforts are beginning to be made. In the first 

 place. Government is setting an example by no longer sending 

 students to Nancy, to Baden, and other places in Germany. They 

 are beo-inning to act upon the old British principle of self-help. 

 But we must be thankful to the French and Germans. Many of 

 the best conservators of forests in British India have been Germans. 

 As we want self-reliance in forestry, I rejoice to see that the 



