434- The yoiirnal of Foi'cstry. 



his knowledge and experience in matters of forestry by his journeys in America 

 and Africa, endeavouring constantly whilst travelling to give particular 

 attention to the forests, and to everything connected with them. His voice 

 is, therefore, of sufficient weight in this matter ; and he himself seeks to 

 enforce it by the opinions of other men of recognised authority, amongst 

 others that of the eminent and learned Hooker, who, as all know who give 

 themsehes to the study of the natural sciences, is one of the principal leaders 

 in the stud}' of these. 



There is to be found in this pamphlet information more or less detailed in refer- 

 ence to almost all the European schools of forestry— from those ot Stockholmand 

 Moscow to those of the Escurial and Vallambrosa; the conditions necessary in 

 order to enter the forest service of British India, and the course of study which 

 Dr. Brown believes most essential for an English school of forestry, which he 

 believes might be established in Edinburgh, avoiding the necessity which at 

 present exists for young men going to the French and German schools. 

 Different countries in Europe have been and are threatened with the want of 

 wood and of firing, by ruinous droughts and by devastating torrents ; all are 

 consequences more or less direct of the improvident destruction of the forests. 

 England has abundant firing in her coal mines, and from her extensive colonies 

 in North America she easily imports the wood she requires. From her topo- 

 graphical and climatal situation she is seldom ' exposed to long-continued 

 droughts ; neither has she the wide barren sands nor the extended downs 

 which in difierent regions of the Continent it is necessary to arrest and utilize 

 by means of plantations. She is now, however, beginning to experience in her 

 colonies evils similar to those we have mentioned ; public opinion is taking the 

 alarm and demanding a remedy ; and England is sure to make an effort and 

 follow it out, taking from other countries ail that appears worthy of imitation. 



"In the same spirit, and with the same tendencies as the above-named 

 pamphlet by Dr. Brown, the first number of Journal of Forestry published 

 by Messrs. Rider in London, is edited. They intend to continue publishing 

 it monthly. In the introductory number the editors express surprise that 

 till now there has been in England no organ to centralize and give information 

 in reference to its different forest interests, towering above all of which are 

 those of India and the colonies. Desiring to supply this want, they have 

 begun to publish the above-named Journal, which will in different sections 

 discuss questions relating to forestry under the heads descriptive, historic, 

 scientific, legal, economic, practical, and aasthetic. 



"The index of the first number is indeed sufficiently varied, containing 

 articles and notices on difi^erent sylvan operations ; on the beneficial influences 

 of trees, on ornamental woods, on the ancient forest laws of England, &c., 

 besides which it contains a literai*y review, a section for correspondence, and 

 another for varieties. The form is excellent, 72 pages octavo, large size, on good 

 paper; the price of subscription in London 12s. yearly." 



It is gratifying to have our feeble efforts thus recoguised and acknow- 

 ledged by collaborators who have been longer in the field. 



I send with this a detailed account of the School of Forestry at the 

 Escurial, which will show the amount of attention given to that science in 

 Spain. — I am, Sir, respectfully yours, 



John C. Brown, 



Haddington, Sejjf. 20th, 1877. 



PLANTIXG TREES AND SHRUBS. 



SiE, — The planting of young trees and shrubs forms a very important 



part of the autumn and early winter work on every properly managed 



estate, therefore, with your kind permission, I should like to say a few 



words on the importance of thoroughly preparing the soil in which 



