1884.] EDITOEIAL NOTES. 315 



west coast of Africa, British Guiana, and tlie West Indies, will each 

 send varied and interesting collections of tropical forest produce, ex- 

 hibiting in a marked manner the luxuriant wealtli of the vegetable 

 kingdom in those countries the climate of which is so favourable to 

 plant life. From the far-off Australian colonies and the islands of 

 the Pacific numerous valuable contributions will be made to tlie 

 Exhibition, on the several merits of which it is unnecessary to dwell 

 at present, as they will be all fully treated and described in our 

 reports during the time the Exhibition is open. 





So far as we can learn, it seems that our home forest produce is 

 likely to make a really creditable appearance ; although it is said to 

 be a remarkable fact that our foresters are exhibiting an unaccount- 

 able amount of diffidence in entering into the spirit of the thing and 

 in bringing their valuable skill and energy to bear in making the 

 Exhibition a success. Why this should be it is difficult to under- 

 stand. In all ordinary matters of life we have always found foresters 

 as a class to be decidedly ahead of the times and possessed of more 

 than an average share of intelligence, so that to us it seems strange 

 for them to show any hesitation to take a full share in carrying out a 

 scheme so pregnant of good to themselves and to the profession to 

 which they belong. 



* 



In making the foregoing statement, it is not our wish or intention 

 to offend any class. We simply draw attention to a fact which has 

 been prominently brought before us in such a manner that we should 

 be neglecting our duty not to have noticed it. Our friends have it 

 entirely in their own hands to remedy the evil complained of. Every 

 man can, if willing, follow the good example set before him of 

 those industrious and intelligent men who are always ready to lend 

 their aid and practical knowledge to the promotion of any proper 

 scheme for the advancement of their professional brethren or for 

 furthering the best interests of forestry. We therefore look forward 

 witli good hope of learning, on the close of the entries, that 

 our foresters have determined to make such a display of British 

 forest produce as will be a credit to themselves and an example for 

 others to follow. 



So far as the patronage and kind assistance of the owners of forest 

 ands, from Her Majesty the Queen to the smallest of landowners, is con- 

 cerned, there is nothing left to be desired. On all hands the Exhibition 



