45^ The yournal of Forestry. 



the climate to a proper equilibrium, and insure a regular and copious 

 supply of moisture to the thirsty vegetation. The shade of the trees 

 prevents quick evaporation, and allows the rain that falls time to 

 percolate through the soil permeated by the roots, and to be stored in 

 the earth as a natural reservoir, whence it is gradually given off 

 tln-ough springs and streams, which in their descent to the sea 

 water and refresh the country through which they flow, and provide 

 an ample supply of water for irrigating, by means of canals, the 

 cultivated lands at a distance from their course. To effectively carry 

 out such a reformation, it is the duty of the Government, acting for 

 the national welfare, to see that the right ground is selected for plant- 

 ing ; the proper kinds of trees planted to suit the climate, soil, and 

 demand ; and the planting efficiently performed, so as to make sure of 

 obtaining the desn-ed result in as short a period as possible ; and also 

 to see that the after management of the forests is carried on in a 

 thoroughly efficient and systematic manner, and that they are properly 

 protected from all depredations, so that the annual average of the 

 mature timber produced in them shall at least equal the consumption 

 for all purposes, besides effectually maintaining the due proportion of 

 forest to cleared land, so as to prevent the occurrence of long periods 

 of drought and consequent famine. 



For the efficient performance of such a national work, the first 

 necessity is how to secure a sufficient staff of properly qualified 

 foresters ; men who know their business, and who have got their wits 

 about them, with decision of mind to apply their knowledge and 

 abilities with promptitude and energy, and a fixed determination to 

 surmount all obstacles to accomplish the end in view. Such men are 

 plentiful enough in the United Kingdom, and could be sent out to 

 India by hundreds yearly, if only sufficient inducement was offered, 

 and proper provision made for them studying in Britain the scientific 

 branches of the profession ; and this can only be done, with any 

 approach to efficiency and completeness, by the Government establish- 

 ing a properly equipped British School of Forestry, on some such sub- 

 stantial and permanent basis as has already been described and 

 advocated in our pages. In such an institution the science and 

 technics of forestry could be most efficiently taught to any number of 

 students, in a manner far superior to any curriculum followed in the 

 Continental schools, with the greatest economy to the students them- 

 selves, and at an immense ultimate saving to the State. All the know- 

 ledge of 'practical forestry that is requisite or necessary can be as 

 thoroughly learned under any intelligent forester in Britain as in the 

 most extensive " school " on the Continent. Such being the facts of 

 the case, we hold that the present system of educating candidates for 

 appointments in the Indian Forest Department is a sheer waste of 



